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5
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No regrets!
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Date: August 10, 2010
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Best things about resortGreat views of the ocean, nice pool for both adults and kids, and very large and well appointed rooms. There is a great pizza place and full grocery store across the street.
Best attractions or restaurants nearbyHula Grill is a must for visual people like me, and for those on a budget that don't mind eating with paper plates and plastic forks...go to Aloha Mixed Plate. Take the Hula Girl sailing vessel just up the beach from the hotel. Summit to Seas Biking trip at dawn was unforgettable, but bring Dramamine for those with car sickness, as it's a long ride.
ReviewThe Good: The hotel, its surroundings and all amenities were well beyond my expectations. I know I can be very picky, so for me to give such positive feedback is huge! It was our first trip to Hawaii and we thought we might be too critical of this place, but much to our surprise, we were not. Do not bulk up on Costco unless your feeding a very large family. With the grocery store across the street, you will not be far should you choose to cook. PS. They have skillets in every room, so a quick breakfast of eggs, bacon and french toast is very easy. Also, blenders are also under the sink, so pick up your favorite mix.
The Bad: Food and Drinks are very pricey at the hotel, but there is a burger hut at the pool area which is reasonably priced. Another bad: The place is Pepto Bismol Pink. UGH!
Aloha!
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5
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5
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5
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Top 1000 Contributor
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Magical Resort
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Date: April 11, 2010
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Best things about resortLandscaping and fish ponds were outstanding. Unique building design. Large unit. Love the exotic birds.
Best attractions or restaurants nearbyDay at the island of Lanai, Day at the island of Molokai, macadamian nut tour on the island of Molokai, the amazing native island woman, Auntie Snooky, on Molokai who wrote a short story in a book and signed my copy, the history of the island of Lanai from a wonderful native woman named Mapuana, the catamaran sail, the aquarium (outstanding), the luau, the play on the history of the hawaiian culture, the sunsets, the resort's pool and beach. The best moment was a piece of dead reef weighing about 3 pounds jumping at the shore trying to get our attention on the last night of our stay. Not being able to ignore it anymore, we retrieved it to discover that it was shaped like a baby seal sleeping. We, as well as some locals, interpreted it as a gift from the islands.
ReviewThis resort is very tastefully decorated. The resort truly tries to accommodate you at every turn. We ate at both the lunch bar and the restaurant. The food was fine. We loved the tent and chairs you can rent on the beach. The lighting of the tiki lights at night is a great touch to the flavor of the islands. We enjoyed the open-air movie and the live entertainment on the weekend at the outdoor restaurant. I liked the safe in the room. The bathroom was amazing. It was large, had two sinks, large shower area and a separate area for the toilet with a door. The kitchen was fine but would have preferred a stove. You are provided with a bagel toaster and other small appliances. The lanai is large enough. We were on the 12th floor with a partial view of the ocean. It was windy at times, but quite nice. A great place to see paradise.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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5
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3
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5
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A Great Family Holiday
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Date: February 3, 2010
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Best things about resortBeautiful grounds, right on the beach, Humpback whales dancing just offshore
Best attractions or restaurants nearbyLahaina for Museums and shopping. Snorkelling at Ahihi Bay, Hana, biking down from the summit of Haleakala
ReviewMy family stayed here on our way back to Australia after a year's teacher exchange in central Canada. This was our first time at a beach for more than a year (a very long time for most Aussies). We happened to be in Maui in January when Humpback whales are frolicking just offshore. The sight of these giants breaching was what greeted us when we stepped off the little turboprop that dropped us at Kapalua (the small airport only a short distance from the resort).
This is an interesting resort. The rooms are all located on the outside, with a big hollow atrium in the middle. You get used to the dusty pink colour scheme very quickly. The day we arrived, the bellhops just stood around and watched as we unloaded, checked in and took our bags up to our room. Likewise, the check-in staff were pretty average. Not rude, but not friendly or helpful. By the end of the week, there were different staff, and they were great.
The room itself was beautifully fitted out., and with the balcony doors open very light and airy. We were in a single bedroom apartment, so the boys had to sleep on a fold-out sofa, but it was large and comfortable.
Restaurant was great for a full cooked breakfast. For dinner we ate out or cooked for ourselves. There is supermarket (and some non-resort restaurants within easy walking distance) A free happy hour is put on by the resort with MaiTais and nibbles for the adults, and soft drink for the kids.
There are open air markets and museums in Lahaina that are worth a look. Scuba and snorkelling gear is available for rental from here as well. You can rent for a hours or days and take it anywhere on the island.
If you have a rental car think about a trip to Hana. The road is fairly narrow and twisty with a lot of single lane bridges. The American tourists we met seemed to think we were very brave for attempting such a trip. We even saw "I survived the Road to Hana" tee-shirts!. I only wish all Australian roads were as good as that one... Hana itself is a pleasant little spot with an amazing red and black sand beach. You reach it by going to the end of Uakea rd, walking through the grounds of the Hana Youth Center and Luana Spa Retreat, then following the cliff around to the left. After 5 minutes walk you’ll find yourself in a small sheltered cove with a line of jagged lava teeth across it's mouth. The swell and currents are pretty strong, so it's not for the faint hearted. It also appears that clothing may be optional at this beach. (also not for the faint-hearted)
Our other major activity while in Maui was a trip to the top of Haleakala. This involved getting up at 2 AM to drive to the other end of the island, then being taken by bus to the summit of the volcano. After watching the sun rise, you are given a bike for an unguided ride to the sea. You drop 10,000 feet in 27 miles, through spectacular scenery, and the bikes are well equipped. You can (and we did) stop at a restaurant half way down for breakfast.
I highly recommend this activity, this resort, and the island of Maui as a holiday destination.
Note to Aussies: Generally, Hawaiian beaches are not comparable to Australian beaches. Do not come here expecting miles of fine white sand, or you will be disappointed. These are very young volcanic islands, and the sand hasn't really had a chance to be ground down yet. On Maui it was about the size of rock salt or coffee sugar. Buried in the sand you will often find sharp volcanic rock, so be very careful body-surfing or you'll tear yourself to shreds. Come here expecting a young rugged island with a friendly laid-back lifestyle and you'll have a ball. We did.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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