Traveling to Maui, local advice needed.

[sahiaman]

Sorry, didn't know where to post this. This is kind of like making a gear purchase without hearing it first! So I need a lot of experienced help here please.

I'm planning a trip to Maui, and wanted to know how the Hyatt Regency in Lahaina was like. If you happen to live in Maui, do you know how this hotel is? I've found mixed reviews for almost every hotel online. So I would like to hear from the Maui locals if thats possible, or even if you have visited Maui.

Also, which hotel on the west side of the island can you personally recommend. And do you know of any that might be having construction right now?

Thanks.

[drew]

The Fairmont Kia Lani is an awesome property. It's down by the Four Seasons south of the airport. I stayed in one of their beachfront villas and it was excellent in every regard.

[Pohaku]

I prefer Kaanapali to Lahaina for that side of the island. A bit less over run. Had a condo on the beach there for a week a couple years ago. Let me see if i can find which one it was.

Of course I'd actually prefer Hana. However I'm from the era when you could camp on Makena beach (because there was nothing built there) as long as you remembered to go easy on the purple microdot.

[Mount Cyanide]

Rent a beachfront condo in Kihei.
Lots of grub and beer around there.

[sahiaman]

I looked at the Fairmont also. I'm considering between, that, the Westin, and the Hyatt. Hyatt came about after I found out they have the a deal going with a free night after 2 nights stay. I'm consider staying for 10 night total. However, the reviews for Hyatt are extreemly mixed. People either love it or hate it on the trip advisor board. And I'm about to lose it trying to do all the research. I bought a Maui book which wasn't much help either.

[davet]

Kihei is where I stay too. Lahina's nice, but a bit to busy for me. If you like burgers & fries, check out Cheeseburger in Paradise in Lahina. Fun place.

We've been renting small vacation houses. The last one we stayed in decided to stop doing short term rentals. The owners name is Steven Baney, email is
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Tbaney1999ataoldotcom. He might be able to provide you with the name of someone who is doing short term vacation rentals. [/FONT]

[Chris G]

Originally Posted by Pohaku

I prefer Kaanapali to Lahaina for that side of the island. A bit less over run. Had a condo on the beach there for a week a couple years ago. Let me see if i can find which one it was.

Of course I'd actually prefer Hana. However I'm from the era when you could camp on Makena beach (because there was nothing built there) as long as you remembered to go easy on the purple microdot.

+1 on Kaanapali

[kennyfm]

Originally Posted by drew

The Fairmont Kia Lani is an awesome property.

+1 thumbsup

[js1]

Condo in Kihei was how I went the two times I was there (3 & 4 years ago). Love the island, love the area. I was even able to rent a guitar while I was there (always helps).

If you go the condo route, take your Costco card if you have one. Food is much more expensive than on the mainland, and Costco is way cheaper than the Foodland, et al. Good place to pick up the wine/beer as well.

js

[Pohaku]

Definitely take your Costco card!thumbsup

All the locals shop there too. I'm originally from the Big Island and we have a time share in Kona where we go every spring. Hit the Costco in Kona to stock up when we arrive. And they usually carry all the ono kine local food too.

Headed to Honolulu for week next Thursday. Then back in March with the family to hit Kona and Honolulu for a couple weeks.

If you spend any time in Honolulu, try and eat at Alan Wong's. Absolutely best restaurant in the state.

[Mount Cyanide]

But Foodland is where you go to stock up on Poke.
And you gotta do that!!!

[davey boy]

Have stayed there twice and really loved it (if it's the same hotel I'm thinking of). It's the first one past Lahaina where the strip of hotel/resorts start. It features some great restaurants. One overlooked the ocean and was great for sushi and prime rib! Awesome at sundown. Also has a restaurant named Swan Lake (I think). Really good. Also, close to walk to some other resorts for dinner. Lahaina was about 10 minutes away I think. This is a link to it: Maui Hotels, Kaanapali Beach Hawaii Resorts & Room Reservations-Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

Oh yeah, great pool with a cool water slide, right next to the beach for easy access to snorkeling. Can you tell I miss it? Now we go to Kona for big family trips but I really liked Maui. Have fun!

[ericdevine]

The Hyatt is actually in Kaanapani. I used to work there. It is one of the better hotels in west Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Napili, ect.) The grounds are a lot of fun. Lots of pools, water falls, and a grotto bar. Watch out for the luau mai tai's..... a couple of those and who knows where you will end up in the morning!

[Croaker]

Originally Posted by sahiaman

Sorry, didn't know where to post this. This is kind of like making a gear purchase without hearing it first! So I need a lot of experienced help here please.

I'm planning a trip to Maui, and wanted to know how the Hyatt Regency in Lahaina was like. If you happen to live in Maui, do you know how this hotel is? I've found mixed reviews for almost every hotel online. So I would like to hear from the Maui locals if thats possible, or even if you have visited Maui.

Also, which hotel on the west side of the island can you personally recommend. And do you know of any that might be having construction right now?

Thanks.

Hi sahiaman. I have been living in maui for over 16 years. Kannapali is right next to lahaina (this is considered the west side) and there are like four hotels together there. Nice beach there and when the weather is sometimes iffy in hawaii during the winter that side of the island is usually pretty dry and sunny. I have eaten at the sushi bar in the hyatt but never stayed there so I couldnt say what the experience is like staying there.

Fairmont kealani in Wailea is nice and so is the Four seasons (expensive). Renting a nice condo can be cool, it depends if you like to eat out all the time or cook at home some especially if you have kids.

Now when it comes to food just email or PM me and ill hook you up. I am a chef and know the good places to eat.
Also theres a really good place to eat at the culinary academy where I work as a chef instructor. its called The Class Act and the menus and days of operation are online here.

Maui Culinary Academy - The Class Act Restaurant
Its usually sold out so call ahead. great deal too $27 for a four course fine dining lunch. Believe me thats super cheap for food on Maui.

Ditto on bringing your Costco card.

ahhh OK ...to make this a legit GS post you can come by my house and check out my TOFT ATB e.


Aloha, Tom

[reidc]

I've always liked the Grand Wailea.

Reid C

[Milamber]

Get this book:

Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

I bought one for each Hawaiian island I visited and found them extremely helpful. Best guidebooks I've ever found. Check out the sample pages on the website for their review of the Hyatt Regency Maui. They even post updates and additional photos and information online.


Mark

[Jonathan Starr]

I see these places in a bit of a different light, most of my friends stay in condos. There are lots of great deals available in this area in Napili & Kahana.

Royal Lahaina Resort has some Hawaiian feel and culture. Sheraton at Black Rock if you like to walk into great snorkling. Plantation Inn in Lahaina Town if you want a sweet, deluxe inn with the best restaurant (Gerard's) on Maui, Pioneer Inn by the harbor in Lahaina if you want local character and feel and history.

Hyatt and Westin etc. are big boxes that do the standard thing ok. Neither like me too much these days, since I'm holding up their monster new time share projects as Maui Planning Commission.

Ritz Carlton is the best of the deluxe resorts up north, and usually has great slack key concerts with Grammy Winner George Kahumoku, but it is temporarily closed for renovation.

Let me know when you wiill be on island.

[sahiaman]

You guys are amazing! The knowledge on this board is always unquestionably appropriate and authentic on many diverse subjects. So a big thanks to all of you for all your help. I wish I could reach through the computer and give you each a proper hand shake.

I would have never thought about taking my costco card! Thats the kind of stuff thats not in the travel books.

Just to let you guys know, I'll be getting married there on the beach!

[sahiaman]

pm'ed both Jonathan Starr, and Croaker.

[Pohaku]

Originally Posted by Mount Cyanide

But Foodland is where you go to stock up on Poke.
And you gotta do that!!!

Yeah but Costco carries poke too! Family and institutional size of course

Croaker, I'd love to hear your opinion on Maui restaurants. As I usually go to the Big Island, I don't get to Maui often enough to really know those.

[Croaker]

Originally Posted by Pohaku

Yeah but Costco carries poke too! Family and institutional size of course

Croaker, I'd love to hear your opinion on Maui restaurants. As I usually go to the Big Island, I don't get to Maui often enough to really know those.

Some of my favs.(just my opinion)


Lahaina grill
Maui Restaurants - Maui Dining - Lahaina Grill

Mala
Mala Ocean Tavern

Haliimaille General Store

Bev Gannon Restaurants | Maui Catering | Special Events and Weddings in Maui

The Banyan Tree at Ritz Carlton

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...ee/Default.htm

Paradise Sushi in Kiehi (best sushi bar on maui IMHO)

Manana garage in Kahuli (for lunch and or marghritas if your going to Costco)duck and sweet potato quesadilla yum.
Manana Garage

Saigon Cafe in Wailuku (vietnamese and all the locals eat there. its pretty resonable too)
A Saigon Café | Restaurant Review | Maui | Frommers.com

Flatbread in paia (for woodburning oven pizza and widmier on draft) if you are traveling to north shore

Cafe Mambo (duck fajitas ), Cafe des Amis (crepes), and The Paia Fish Market(fish sandwiches) lunch in Paia

For me gerards is OK...a bit inconsistent for my taste. Go to oahu and eat at Mavros....very very good. best meal I have ever had in hawaii.

aloha

[Pohaku]

Whoa, thanks alot! I'll have to copy this to my documents file for future reference.

Some of the local restaurants are pretty accomodating. We ate at a Thai restaurant in Wailuku or Kahului with my cousin who lives outside of Wailuku. Walked in with about three dozen fresh malaysian prawns that he had just speared an hour before when we were hiking and swimming in some pools just past Paia. They cooked them on the spot with the rest of our meal. Didn't charge us for doing it - although they did want to know where we got them

[Croaker]

Originally Posted by Pohaku

Whoa, thanks alot! I'll have to copy this to my documents file for future reference.

Some of the local restaurants are pretty accomodating. We ate at a Thai restaurant in Wailuku or Kahului with my cousin who lives outside of Wailuku. Walked in with about three dozen fresh malaysian prawns that he had just speared an hour before when we were hiking and swimming in some pools just past Paia. They cooked them on the spot with the rest of our meal. Didn't charge us for doing it - although they did want to know where we got them

Nice! I would of done the same ..although I would of had to eat a half dozen...you know cooking fee..

[jsteiger]

We stayed at the Sheraton Maui the last time 2 times we were there. It's right in the bunch with the Hyatt, Ka'anapali Beach Hotel and the Westin. They are all beautiful. It's the best location too because you are far enough away from Lahina but not too far. The wife likes to shop at the Whalers Village which is in walking distance from all 4 of these hotels.

We use to stay at Ka'anapli Shores which is OK but a little older and further away from Lahina. Less expensive though.

Make sure you go when it's still whale season. Also, make sure you get a room up a few floors with an ocean view. There's nothing like kickin' back on the lani in the morning, sippin' coffee and watching the whales go by. I'm a big fan of the whales. They are un freaking believable. We always take a whale watching cruise too. Highly recommended and take a camera. This you will never forget. thumbsup Pacific Whale Foundation is a good charter. I'm sure some locals could recommend more.

Cheeseburgers in Paradise is OK. Atmosphere is perfect. Food is OK. For a good burger, check out Moose McGillycuddy’s on Front Street in downtown Lahina. It's upstairs. That's a good burger.

Make sure you visit Bad Ass Coffee. Cool store with a cool product. Great coffee. My wife and I order and have it shipped to us FedEx. It's the only coffee we've made at home in the last 16 years (since we got married on Kaui).

Make sure you visit the Haleakala Volcano National Park. It's a great drive with lots of great scenery you won't find anywhere else on earth. Take a jacket too. It's freakin' cold up there.

A helicopter tour is a great time too. You get to see some cool shit you can't get to any other way.

I'm envious. I love Hawaii. Maui is definitely my fav. I'd like to retire there one day...In my dreams!!!

Oh, here's a few of the pics that make up my screen saver at home. School of Spinner Dolphins we saw when we were out on the whale trip.

Enjoy!
Jeff

[lane thaw]

There is Japanese hotel called the Maui Prince. Very different from overly done hotels - simple and grand. Someone in my house is watching American Idol and the off key singing is killing me down the hall - making me long to be having breakfast at The Maui Prince Hotle garden restaurant watching the Koi.

When I was staying at the Maui Prince, I bitched about the $25 Hamburger (I just got there and did not De-asshole-atize myself yet. (Takes about 2 days), but it was indeed a $25 Hamburger.