Westin Maui Resort occupies 23 oceanfront acres on famous Kaanapali Beach, close to many shops, restaurants and art galleries. The landscaping is lush, with 15 abundant waterfalls, and lagoons all over the place. The lobby and public areas are filled with the shrieks of tropical birds and the splashes of waterfalls. A multi-million dollar collection of paintings and sculptures is displayed throughout the property.
All the hotels on Kaanapali Beach are located close to each other, and you can easily walk anyhere. However, if you prefer a ride, small shuttle called “jitney” runs about every 20 minutes in front of the hotels. There is also a shuttle into Lahaina. The concierge can give you a schedule for both. Those shuttles only cover local area, so you will still need a rental car to get around the island.
You will also be close to Black Rock, an ancient cliff in front of Sheraton Maui, where every evening, just as the sun hits the ocean, a Hawaiian cliff diver performs a ceremonial dive into the waters below. Later, he runs along the rock, lighting the torches along the way. The cliff diving ceremony is very exciting to watch for both adults and children, and the sunset is a wonderful backdrop for photographs.
Maui’s main town, Lahaina, is about 5-10 min by car. It is a classic small beachfront town where people walk around the streets all evening and night. There are many wonderful art galleries featuring works from local artists to Picasso. Every Friday night is Art Night, so you can meet the artists at their galleries.
2. Rooms
There are two 11-story towers with 761 luxury guest rooms. The rooms are a little on the small side, but very nicely decorated, light and inviting. Your room will have a private lanai, and if you get partial ocean or full ocean view room, you will fall asleep each night to the soothing sound of the ocean, and resort’s many pools and waterfalls. In the morning, you’ll awake to the chirping sound of Maui’s many tropical birds.
The latest addition to the rooms here are fabulous new beds, Westin’s custom-designed, pillow-top “Heavenly Beds”, plus a choice of 5 different pillows. It may be the first hotel bed you really enjoy sleeping in.
- Beds: 1 king or 2 doubles
- Air-conditioning
- Private lanai
- “Heavenly Bed” with goose down covets
- “Heavenly Shower”
- Mini-bar
- Coffee maker
- In-room safe
- Iron and board
- Hair dryer
- Nightly turndown service available upon request
- Room service
- Non-smoking rooms available
Suites
Westin Maui Resort also has 28 individually designed luxury suites. The larges is the Imperial Suite – a 1,632-sq-ft suite with a full wet bar, marble-tiled bathroom, spa tub and 3 balconies overlooking the ocean.
3. Restaurants
There are 4 restaurants at Westin Maui::
1) tropica
tropica (yes, it starts with a lower-case "t") is the first themed restaurant in Ka'anapali. The "fire and ice" theme is carried through the incredible decor, featuring plunging waterfalls and flickering tiki torches, open to dazzling sunsets and fresh ocean breezes.
The innovative dinner menu is a flavorful fusion of fire-inspired cuisine prepared on wood ovens and grills, perfectly complemented by a chilling selection of fresh seafood. Both indoor and outdoor dining are available; you will enjoy a wonderful meal and live music with a romantic view of the tropical palms as they sway in the breeze and the Pacific Ocean beyond.
Sunday Brunch at tropica is also quite extraordinary. Beautifully presented food and the views of the blue Pacific on a sun-filled morning will make it one to remember.
2) Ono Surf Bar & Grill
Enjoy casual poolside dining set against the backdrop of intricate streams and footbridges. All-day dining menu features island specialties, family favorites and health-conscious selections. Try the Vegetable Flat Bread (grilled portabella mushroom, roasted peppers, squash, arugula and jack cheese), or Penne Pasta with Grilled Upcountry Vegetables (spicy chipotle peppers, roasted tomatoes, artichoke hearts).
'OnO Surf Bar is also a great place for pupus (appetizers) accompanied by cool tropical drinks, cocktails, beer and wine. There's live entertainment every night.
3) Colonnade Café
Enjoy your meal beside the soft tumbling of a waterfall, while watching ducks, swans and flamingos at play in the wildlife ponds. The Colonnade Café serves continental breakfast, including fresh fruit, Danish pastries, bagels, muffins, fresh fruit juice and smoothies. You can also get a Starbucks coffee, espresso, cappuccino or latte.
4) Sea Dogs
This centrally located hut offers light fare throughout the day (11am-4:30pm). You can pick up a snack on they way to the pools or the beach. They have hot dogs, soft drinks, popcorn, ice cream and that kind of stuff.
No trip to Maui is complete without trying a Hawaiian “shave ice”. This variant of snow cone is served up in rainbow colors and tastes great on a hot sunny day.
4. Things to do
- 5 Pools and Jacuzzi
The pool area with 5 amazing free-form perfectly heated pools joined by swim-through grottoes, waterfalls, and a 128-foot-long water slide sets this resort apart from other hotels on Kaanapali Beach.One of the pools is primarily designed for water games such as volleyball and basketball. It’s also where adventurous swimmers who try the water slide “splash down” at the end of their wild rides.
There is also a children’s wading pool that has a smaller tube/slide. Westin Maui is the Disney World of water-park resorts, and your kids will be in water-hog heaven!
Adults will enjoy the adult-only pool that features sweeping views of the ocean and the ever-popular swim-up bar.
- Beach Activities
The beach in front of the hotel is beautiful, and great for snorkeling and playing on rafts and tubes. One of the best snorkeling spots on Maui, the Black Rock, is right next door. You will find many colorful fish swimming among the rocks and corals not far offshore. You may even catch a glimpse of an occasional green sea turtle. Equipment rentals are available from the water sports desk.The sand is great for creating sand sculptures. There are complimentary beach chairs, or you can rent a cabana lounge from the beach attendant.
- Whale Watching
During winter months, you will get the perfect view of the Pacific humpback whales and other marine mammals frolicking offshore. These whales migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm Hawaiian waters for the winter. You can see them off the Kaanapali Coast from November to March, with February being the peak whale-watching season.You can visit the free Whale Museum, which is dedicated to Lahaina’s whaling era (1825-1860) and displays a collection of 19th century scrimshaw.
- Children’s Program (for ages 5-12)
This is another reason why kids love Westin Maui! Its children’s program, Keiki Kamp, is fun-filled, action-packed and educational. The little guys will learn about Hawaiian culture and traditions through dance, music, language, games, arts and crafts, and excursions. Hours are 9am-3pm, and there is also a night program 6:30pm-9pm so the parents can enjoy a nice dinner out alone.The cost is about $45 full day with lunch, $25 half-day with lunch, $30 night camp (2003 rates).
- Two 18-hole Golf Courses
Kaanapali’s North and South courses offer some of the most unique challenges in Kaanapali: distracting beauty with sweeping views of the ocean, gentle trade winds to tease your drives, even a turn-of-the-century sugarcane train chugging by.Royal North Course (6,994 yards, 18 holes) was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and has long been considered one of Maui’s best. The 18th hole, considered one of the toughest holes in the islands, requires a golfer to hit a shot over water.
Royal South Course (6,555 yards, 18 holes) was named one of North America’s top “Women Friendly” courses by Golf for Women magazine. It is ideal for players of all levels.
Each year, Kaanapali takes center stage in the world of golf with the Kaanapali Classic, a fitting conclusion to the Senior PGA Tour. It attracts such names as Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskoff, Dave Stockton and Hale Irwin.
Westin Maui guests receive preferred rates and tee times at both courses. Talk to the activity desk to make the arrangements.
- Shopping
The Whaler’s Shopping Village is just a 5-minute stroll down the parkway from the hotel. This bustling oceanfront mall has world-class designer boutiques (Chanel, Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton), gift shops (Tommy Bahama, Hilo Hattie) and art galleries, as well as excellent open-air dining right off Kaanapali Beach (Hula Grill is everybody’s favorite).Other facilities include: - Shopping Arcade (Kohala Bay Collections – resort wear, Black Pearl Gallery – original jewelry, Shades of Hawaii – brand-name sunglasses, and more)
- Photography Studio, owned and operated by 3-time Emmy Award winner Dave Elliott (ask for free 4x6 photograph)
- Full-service Spa where you can get a scrub, facial or massage
- Hair Salon
- Fitness Center with ocean view (regular aerobics classes)
- Steam Baths and Sauna
- Full-service Business Center
- Tennis Courts
- Baby-sitting service (fee)
- Children’s Program (age 5-12)
- Watersports Equipment and bike rental
- Activity Desk
- Laundromat
- Laundry and dry cleaning valet service (fee)
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