lili

My parents (in their 50's), my 5 yr. old son, and I (27SF) will be traveling to maui in early june. any suggestions as to good places to stay where everyone will find it enjoyable? Vacation condos vs. hotel (possibly Westin)?

Brenda

It depends on what you are looking for as far as amenities etc... If you want someone to come in and make up your room each day and you don't want the bother of cooking meals, then stay at a hotel. Myself, I prefer the flexibility and roominess of a condo. Most are fully furnished with a full kitchen with evertything you need except your food. You can prepare a meal if you want and have the flexibility to have your own breakfast and coffee in the morning on the lanai without having to get dressed and go to a restaurant for breakfast. I don't know, but to me that is a relaxing vacation. Most condos also have washers and dryers which really come in handy for those wet beach clothes. You don't have to pack as much because you can wash when you want. You also can set up your own cocktail bar and have a drink on your lanai that won't cost you 6-8 dollars per drink as in the hotel bars.I think there are alot of good reasons to go with a condo, but again everyone has their own idea of what they want as far as anemities. There are alot of condos on Maui for rent, you will have no problem finding one in your price range if you choose to go that route.

Ken

I agree that a condo is the best way to go. Also you can save a LOT of money by renting directly from the condo owner rather than the property management company that manages the condo complex.

But before deciding which specific condo or hotel, you should first decide in what part of Maui you want stay - Kaanapali, Wailea, Kihei, Kapalua ?

GP

lili
I agree with the other posters. The way to go is condo more room.

Frank

Although I can't deny any of the positives of condo renting, we have never found a condo to our liking. We enjoy the comfort of a lobby, restaurants, large pools, having our room made up, health clubs, concierge, valet parking, room service, etc.
Frank

anon

After watching this board for a couple of years I have seen many condo vs.hotel debates. There are people with condo peronalities and those with hotel personalities.
As a condo owner I have a bias, but I do understand why many people prefer hotels.
If I were going on a very special or"once in a lifetime" trip, I would probably choose a hotel.
Many of the people who rent our condo stay for long periods, sometimes a month or more.A hotel would be too expensive.Many of them also personalize the condo with their own picture, etc. during their stay.
I enjoy cooking and shopping for the local foods, I don't mind throwing a few dishes in the dishwasher. I perfer a condo.

Sarah

easy answer do you like space and privacy or room service?

For me hotels no matter how high the quality hotel rooms become confining after 2 nights. I don't like waking up and walking down to the lobby for breakfast or coffee. Want to have a choice of a couple of rooms if possible. I like having a large deck to stare at the stars. I only go for stand alone homes though. I like to stay clear of complexes with parking lots and many people.

Sarah

Can't beat a condo with a kid. You will be surprise your days will be so full. In a condo you don't have to fuss with a rush clean up of everyone to go out to eat. Everyone does not have to be ready at the same time for breakfast. I love eating out. But I am so active on the islands I am happier at the end of day to chuck some meat that has been marinating all day onto the bobby while everyone is showering. Just makes everything so much more relaxing.

I am moving into that relaxed Hawaiian state just writing this to you. I don't like to be under people in condo though and like picking a unit in a regular neighborhood. A neighborhood with some vacationers but locals as well feels more homey.

Ken

If you are spening a lot of time in your hotel or condo you are missing a lot of Hawaii and would probably do better to go somewhere closer to home. At all inclusive resorts the attraction IS the resort (not the country). In Hawaii, the attraction is Hawaii and not the resort.

lili

thanks guys! so, sounds like a condo will do the job. any specific suggestions? what part of maui would you recommend?

anon

In june it will be sunny all over, with cooling trade winds in the afternoon,so most anywhere will be nice.
I suggest you get a copy of "Maui Revealed" to do your research.
Basically you have Kaanapali to the north,mostly large complexes with lots of amenities and often on the ocean.
Kihei to the south, lots of choices for condos and can be cheap but be careful.Only the beaches in South Kihei will give you the kind of Hawaii your looking for,and try to get on the ocean side of Kihei Rd.Kihei is three miles of strip malls and condos but can provide a more local feel to your vacation.
Wailea to the far south. Planned,beautiful and expensive, this is the Beverly Hills of Maui.Wonderful beaches,one very nice mall and lots of big resort hotels.Condos here with good views or close to the water will cost you.

joy

The Aston-Kaanapali Shores offers a wonderful condo accomodation. We stayed there recently and liked it VERY much. The lobby has beautiful Hawaiian music to listen to. There is an activity desk, also, a welcoming continental breakfast (fresh fruit, rools, and coffee) every morning for newcomers. There are people who will help plan activities that you might be interested in, and,at a discount.
The restaurant, The Beach Club. had exeptional food - breakfast, and dinner. I do not know about lunch. We had maid service as well. We will definetly return there.

Sandy

We recently stayed for the first time in Wailea at the Grand Champions Villas. A friend had stayed there previously and recommended them to us. We were delighted. We rent a unit on the golf course that had a part ocean view. The condo itself was very large and very nicely decorated. The complex has two pool and jacuzzi areas as well as two barbeques at each pool area. We rented directly thru the owner and plan to rent the same unit again next year.

Lil

Definitely go with the condo. We've done both many times. The condo will afford more space, privacy, private lanai etc. It's the only way to go and the better value by far. Lilly

p.

Well I hope you've picked something, you've not long to decide and places are filling up. It's hard to suggest when you give no info on what you like to do. In general, for your entourage a condo would be the best unless your budget is large. You save on meals by doing your own at times, let alone the convenience, privacy and flexibility it allows.
My suggestion is: http://www.noelani-condo-resort.com/
They have a variety of units but it's a small complex, nice people and minutes from groceries, restaurants etc. It's on a bluff a few feet above the sea so there's no real beach but you're close to other beaches (and although it's small it has two pools) and the sea views are wonderful. Was there in 2000 and will be there again very very VERY SOON !
I hope you have a wonderful trip.
p.

Ann

My husband, 12yo daughter and I just got back from a great trip to Maui last month. We had the best of both worlds. We stayed 2 nights at the Grand Wailea and then 11 nights in a condo in Kihei. It was teriffic! When you are super tired from the trip with all the stress from packing you can relax and have the staff do everything for you. No cooking or cleaning, the pools are fabulous and the grounds magnificient. We never left the hotel the whole time in order to take maximum advantage of all the amenities. I packed one bag with nice "resort wear" for our hotel stay,then we moved to the condo for relaxing, fixing your own food and non-stop island activities. Each way of enjoying Maui is great, but I would get tired of hotel life for 10 days. I like the privacy and the choice of eating in or out. Plus between restaurants and a spa visit at the hotel we spend about the same amount at both places, 2 vs 11 days!

Denise

Go with the condo. We got ours on ebay last year....the best trip I've ever had to Hawaii. I'll never go back to a hotel in Hawaii! Denise

BL

I wouldn't knock the above push for a condo. The reasons are all accurate. We stayed a the Embassy Suites in Kaanapali and it was a nice experience. It was a two bedroom suite that was as luxurious as any condo I've seen (probably 500-700 square feet). They provided a comprehensive, free breakfast every morning and a free cocktail hour every afternoon.

Becky

To check out all price ranges of condos for rent by owners (or their chosen representatives) go to Vacationspot.com
This is good for vacationing in other states, too. Have fun!

Jackie

Also try vrbo.com and A1vacations.com for condos rented directly from owners. Much cheaper than going through a middle man. We've always had good luck but do some research first to verify condo ownership.