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Kaanapali Beach Resort is home to arguably one of Maui’s most popular stretches of sand. With nearly a dozen beachfront accommodations to choose from, it’s tough to go wrong when booking a stay here. But if you’re the type of traveler that likes a good pool, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is home to a water oasis that’s bound to impress.
You quickly get the feeling something good is waiting for you as you make your way through the living walls that flank the property entrance. It only takes a few steps for the first of many waterfalls to come into focus and assure you there’s plenty of fun exploring waiting for you.
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali offers 770 rooms spread throughout 12 acres. I stayed in a Premium Ocean View Room with Two Queen Beds, located on the 11th floor of the newly-redesigned Hokopaa Tower. The spacious room made a great first impression; it was modern and sleek with a nautical flair that acknowledged its waterfront location. The pale blue, gray and white color scheme combined with natural light streaming in from the balcony to create an airy and inviting space. That said, once I got a look at the view waiting for me on the balcony, it was hard to make the argument for relaxing anywhere else in the room.
The bathroom was well lit with two sinks, and plenty of vanity space for myself and my college-age daughter. The oversized shower/bathtub combination features both a rainfall shower head and wand. A space-saving sliding door separates the bathroom from the sleeping area.
Guests staying the Hokupaa Tower have access to the Lanai lounge. In addition to breakfast, a nightly pupu or appetizer sampling, and cash bar, Hawaiian cultural experiences including ukulele lessons, lei po‘o or flower crown making, and coconut palm frond weaving take place in the stunning open-air setting. With its own shallow infinity pool — meant more for getting your feet wet than actually swimming — the panoramic views are stellar from sunrise to sunset.
The iconic pool experience at The Westin Maui Resort offers an experience like no other in the Kaanapali Beach Resort area. The Kawaiola Aquatic Playground boasts a number of swim through waterfalls and six pools overlooking the beach. The new adults-only infinity edge pool features views of neighboring islands Molokai and Lanai. Dew-drop shaped cabanas made with bamboo and dark wood are scattered throughout the pool area and are available to reserve by the day.
With a mini water slide and jets of water spraying from the ground, the Keiki Splash Zone offers hours of entertainment for traveling families. For older kids (and kids at heart) there’s a giant water slide that twists and twirls its way down 270 feet to the pool.
There are a number of onsite dining options to choose from at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Oceanfront waicoco offers a more formal dining experience with a seafood focused dinner menu. It’s also serves a breakfast menu that includes everything from savory Shakshuka, to avocado toast and fresh basked pastries served alongside housemade preserves. Hale Moʻolelo is a laid-back beachside bar. Quieter but still casual Hale ‘A is located in the adults-only pool area. Wailele is the resort’s onsite luau, and Mahele Market offers grab and go options. There’s even a Starbucks Café for those in need of a morning dose of caffeine.
The resort is an easy walk to neighboring Whalers Village, home to more eateries and stores. A complimentary shuttle makes the short trip to Lahaina town for even more shopping and dining. Inquire about how to use the shuttle when checking in, as service has been limited during the pandemic. Another COVID-19 change worth noting, daily housekeeping is being provided by request only.
Hokupaa Premium Ocean View Rooms with Two Queen Beds at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali start at $989. There is also a $40 daily resort charge that covers amenities and services including Wi-Fi, daily shuttle service to Lahaina, reusable water bottles, tote bag, and two welcome cocktails. You can also go to Expedia or Hotels.com to compare rates and make your reservation.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by the Kaanapali Beach Resort and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
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