My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt Maui for 6 nights back in early November 2006. I was checking the reviews and was wondering if I was staying at the same resort as some of the other reviewers.

As a travel agent, we tend to be a bit more critical of properties than the average guest since I am looking at from my client's eyes---- ie: is it worth the money, will they be happy at the resort, how is the service, food, rooms, etc. I can say that since we stayed there, I have put other clients at this resort and will continue to do so.

The Pros:
1. This resort is absolutely gorgeous. We did travel agent site inspections of about 8 other resorts in Maui during our stay, and this is probably the most beautiful on the island (Grand Wailea may have more of a wow factor). The open air lobby is a tropical rain forest complete with parrots, penguins and garden pathways. It truly has the WOW factor.

2. Check in and service- we arrived about 3pm. Yes, it is about a 50 minute drive from the airport but in Maui, none of the hotels are close to the airport. We were given a lei greeting and check in was a breeze. We were escorted to our room by a very friendly bell hop who showed us where all of the restaurants were on the way to our room in the atrium tower.

3. The room- deluxe oceanfront room on the 15th floor- simply stunning view overlooking the pool and the ocean. The lanai was a nice size with plants on either side for more privacy. The walk in closet was a very nice size as was the bathroom. The in room bathroom amenities were very nice and always replenished. Coffee and tea service in the room was nicely presented.

4. The BED- to die for. Never slept so well in my life.

5. Hotel service- let me explain that this is something that I would have also done for my clients but since it was for me, I really got to see how the hotel would handle this. The pillows and duvet in the rooms are down and I am highly allergic to feathers. I emailed my contact at the hotel and requested to have all down removed from the room with the room aired out prior to our arrival. Had this not be done, I would be in allergy hell so I would know right away. We got to the room, it was down free and extra (non down) blankets were placed out for us. No complaints there at all.

6. The pool is gorgeous with waterfalls, grotto bar and water slide. Pool towels were plentiful- all you needed to do was show your room key and they would give you as many towels as you wanted. Keep this in mind for when you are going to the beach in other parts of the island. Lounge chairs were always available (remember we went in lower season- although there were tons of conferences going on and the attendees brought their families) The chairs all had sun canopies which I appreciated. There were waitresses to bring drinks and food throughout the day.

The only Cons:
1. No turn down service at night- was a bit surprised at that with a hotel of this caliber and we did receive it at the Waikiki Hyatt.

2. Beach is very small (there is only room for beach chairs on either side of resort).

3.The pool area might be a problem for people with hip or knee issues- this in not an infinity pool and does require using a ladder or deep steps to get in or out.

Kapalua Resort
888-227-6054
www.kapalua.com

The Kapalua Resort is on the extreme west side of Maui. It is about a 45 minute picturesque drive from the airport. A little tip on car rentals. Mustangs convertibles are fun to rent but can only fit 1 large suitcase in the trunk. Also if there is 2 of you traveling, have one wait for the luggage at the carousel while the other goes to the rental desks. The rental desks are located out the the exit from the luggage area, turn right and walk about 200 feet up the sidewalk. All the rental companies are together at one location.

The Kapalua resort is beautiful. It consists of Villas, a Ritz-Carlton hotel and luxury homes. We stayed at the Villas. There are three types' of villas, Fairway, The Cliffs and where we stayed Oceanfront Villas.
We learned a hard lesson by booking without seeing. The villas are all individually owned and therefore reliant on the owners for furnishings. Our villa was very dated (the 70's) sparse and a little worn. It was clean and spacious. We found out later that if want assured great accommodation book the Gold Villas. The are all newly renovated and furnished. Our rate was $400.00 a night for a 1 bedroom large villa , with full kitchen, living room and upstairs loft. We had a beautiful view of the ocean and a large lanai. The Gold Villas will cost you more. There are 3 small Condo size pools on site and tennis courts.

The Ritz Carlton is on the resort and you will have full signing and pool privileges. There is also a grocery store , bakery, and deli . The food is good and made fresh and very reasonably priced . An egg muffin and coffee was $5.00 Canadian.

There is two great beaches very close. DT Flemming, parking at the Ritz. And Oneloa which was a little more private and walking distance from our Villa. DT Flemming has all services while Oneloa has none.

There is one restaurant that I highly recommend. "Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar. Excellent, excellent food. Don't let the sushi name scare you. There is plenty on the menu that is not sushi. The waiters are great in that they know the menu well and can advise on portion sizes on appetizers and main courses. It books months in advance so make your reservation when you book your flight. Price range , very reasonable at $120.00 including drinks for four. If it is during the Mercedes Championship you most likely will see one of your favorite pro golfers. 808-669-6286. The location is in the heart of the Kapalua resort. If you book one night out for dinner.... make it the "Sansei".

A half day excursion that is a must, but not for the faint hearted is the drive from Kapalua , North on highway 30. Rental cars are not allowed on this narrow, winding, ONE lane road. We of course took our rental car as every tourist does. It is a very treacherous drive that has areas of the road passable by only one vehicle .... barely ! The drive follows the north shore and winds back to the north side at the airport. Allow 4 hours, because you will be stopping to take in the most breath taking views, in my opinion, of all the Hawaiian Islands.
Travel only in daylight hours. Travel at night would be too dangerous.
There are many surprise stops along the way. One you shouldn't miss is the Banana Bread stand. Perched on a cliff, one parking stall, it is truly the best banana bread on earth !

There are 3 golf courses at the resort. The Mercedes Championship is held at the Plantation Course every January. We golfed at the Bay course which was very nice. Well groomed, great scenery, very challenging from the Tips at about 6500 yards. Moderately priced for Hawaii at about $120.00 a round including cart. There are specials and deals to be had. Booking is 30 days in advance. Bring your camera for those Ocean side holes.

The Location of Kapalua Resort is the West side of Maui. Not as popular as the south because the weather is not quite as predictable. It is more rugged and personally we liked it for it's layed back feeling, and it is just plain quieter than the other resort areas of Maui.

We stayed at the Kauai Marriott resort in december 2005. I couldn't find a rating for it, but I would give it a 4 star rating based on similar hotels on this and neighboring islands. With over 400 rooms there is no limit to the type of room e.g. suite, mini suite, or traditional hotel room layout to choose from. A portion of the hotel is timeshare, but we stayed in the hotel portion which wasn't. The location is in the south east corner of the island. The southern shore is traditionally the dry part of the island during the winter months. We had great weather with the usual light, warm breeze that is always present. If you are after a beach, hot weather and sun vacation I would recommend the south shore only! The east and north, although very scenic can have unpredictable weather . The Marriott sits right on the beach, on a small cove where you can literally walk from the pool to the beach in a matter of seconds. The pool is the largest fresh water pool in all the Hawaiian islands. It has a constant depth of 4 feet and is in the shape of an orchid. 3 hot whirl pools surround the main pool. A water fall running the height of 2 stories can be seen from any pool location, and unfortunately heard as well. It is a large area so the sound drowns out easily. We were there at peak season , slept in and still always were able to get 4 pool chairs together, it was well stocked. The beach is perfect for lids of all ages. The waves are small, the beach is big but not too big where the little ones would wander too far.

We brought our two children aged 19 and 16. Because we booked so late we ended up on two separate floors but in the same tower. They loved the freedom we liked the extra quiet. There is 3 towers. Five restaurants to choose from which includes a beach casual grill , a coffee type breakfast shop up to casual and fine italian dining. The food was average in quality and we opted to only eat dinner at the hotel a couple times. For the main reason that there is many very, very good dining spots within a very short driving distance. We shake up our dining experiences by going from casual drive up old fashion Burger joints, to a small 12 table Mexican in old Koloha hidden but worth the hunt to Upper end "Roys" , a dining experience you won't forget.

There is two golf courses attached to the hotel. The easier player friendly Mokhana course and the championship Kiele, by far my favorite. We played the easier one years ago en my son was younger and on this recent trip played the Kiele from the blues which we both enjoyed immensely . Bring your camera and save most of your shots for the back nine where you come back in along the the ocean shore. Which by the way you can see the beach from a couple of holes. The rentals are Taylor made, mine were dirty but in good shape and a full set was there. The club house is opulent. Take the time to enjoy all it has to offer, the change rooms are free with showers, big screen TV lockers to leave belongings in, lounge chairs etc. Ask for this service, both times it was not offered, it is located in the pro shop. The driving range is standard , but it is too hot to practice much any way. The best part of the round is coming in off #18 and you have a pleasant crew waiting for you with.... ICE COLD TOWELS to cool off. The carts also have a cooler on board so bring lots of beverages to stay hydrated. When you are on #18 a gorgeous finishing hole with an island green, you are tempted to go for it in two, succeed and you walk off a hero, miss the green and look out , a double bogey could be waiting for you. I can't wait to play it again!

My wife and both kids loved the Hotel and all it has to offer. The opulent decor, spacious rooms, good but not fabulous dining, the beach out your hotel room door. The children loved the atmosphere of a big busier hotel. Beach volley ball, hot tubs, hammocks on the beach, grass or sand locations. There is also night life if you want it . A couple of bars/ restaurants are a short 3-5 min walk up the beach walkway. Personally there was a couple of things I didn't like.

Kona Village is an all inclusive resort on the big island of Hawaii. When you arrive, you park your car and are taken to the reception area by golf cart. The resort has 125 Hales, which are individual thatched roof bungalows. There are no TV's and no phones ( though a phone is available at the reception area). The Hales are spacious and even with two rollaways for the kids we had lots of room. Everything is within walking distance, there is a beautiful beach on a crescent shaped bay which is very private. There are two pools though they are quite small and it could be difficult to find chairs.

There is a fabulous program for the kids called Keikis in Paradise. Our kids were always reluctant to go to the kids programs when we went away, however the counsellors were so great, there were days when they would go after breakfast and then want to stay for the evening as well.

The food was absolutely fabulous. Breakfast was your choice from a full menu, lunch was a buffet and dinner you had your choice of two restaurants. I can honestly say I had some of the best meals of my life here and a Key LIme PIe I still dream about.

Mauna Lani Point offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums on the Kohala Coast on the big island of Hawaii. It is surrounded by the Francis I'I Brown golf course which is one of two courses in the Mauna Lani resort which is a huge area that has several hotels and condominiums to choose from. We stayed in a two bedroom condo that was very nicely decorated. It was about 2000 sq feet so was lots of room for the 4 of us.

It is about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the beach along a beautiful beach walkway. The white sand beach is in a little cove and is a private beach club that has a restaurant where you can have lunch. The beach is sheltered and there is great snorkelling. There is also a beach hut with towels and where you can book whale watching or snorkelling and sunset cruises.

The condominium has it's own pool and whirlpool, and while it is nice it is not as nice as the hotel pools. The resort has tennis courts and weight room and a fabulous though expensive spa. There is also a small grocery store to pick up a few things but recommend going to grocery store outside the resort for a better selection.

We really enjoyed the peace and quiet the resort offered and the fact that being in a resort area gave us access to many restaurants and amenities in a well defined area. There was a lot of building going on when we there in February and they were adding a lot of shopping and more condominiums.