Maui's Westin - A Review

If there ever was a "ground zero" along fabulous West Maui, the Westin Maui at the Kaanapali Resort would be it. The hotel is wonderfully appointed and located on the best stretch of white sand beach at this famous resort. For all that West Maui is, it sure isn't a hop, skip and a jump from the main Maui airport. It's more than a 30-45 minute coastal drive along the two lane Honoapiilani highway. The highway meanders along Maui's south shore from Maalaea harbor all the way past Lahaina and into Kaanapali. The drive is a beautiful one in the daytime, but at night, the unlighted roadway can be dangerous to those unfamiliar with the area. So, when planning a trip to West Maui, at least plan on arriving during daylight hours for the drive or use the closer more intimate Kapalua airport.

The Westin offers shuttle service to and from the Kapalua airport for arriving and departing guests. This smaller airport has such an intimate feel to it that it could almost be called private. The airport is serviced exclusively by Aloha Island Air from Honolulu and it's panoramic views of the offshore islands of Lanai and Kahoolawe certainly make for a picturesque arrival.

Upon arrival at this resort, guests will sense welcome and excitement in the air. The lobby is an elegant busy corridor located on the first floor of the hotel. The front desk is just off the main entrance and overlooks an expanse of freshwater ponds filled with a variety of wildlife including swans, ducks and pink flamingos. Most of the rooms located on the floors above the main lobby. This arrangement makes for easy and quick access to and from the guest rooms and in and out of the hotel. The decor is upscale, exotic, oriental with tropical touches. It's a wonderful combination that makes for a relaxed setting which is not at all stuffy. The freeform pool is large and glitzy complete with waterfalls and two water slides and other features that add up to a promise of a lot of fun in the sun.

The resort has no less than eight restaurants that offer a wide range of cuisines and decor. Formal dining is found by cascading waterfalls and wonderful pink Chilean flamingos that accent wonderfully romantic open-air dining room at the Sound of the Falls to the informal pool side lunch stand called Sea Dogs.

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