| greatscot |
| Maui Christmas to all acuramdx.org members |
|
|
| crmsnidol |
Same to you!
I spent a week in Maui December 1999 and took a day trip to visit the Arizona Memorial on 12/7/99. A moving experience to say the least. We visited the Maui Aquarium, the Banyan Trees, the Hard Rock and a full day in Honolulu. No golf (neither of us play) and no Road to Hana with a rental car.
This is where we stayed. (I won the trip from my employer)
http://maui.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml |
|
|
| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by crmsnidol
Same to you!
I spent a week in Maui December 1999 and took a day trip to visit the Arizona Memorial on 12/7/99. A moving experience to say the least. We visited the Maui Aquarium, the Banyan Trees, the Hard Rock and a full day in Honolulu. No golf (neither of us play) and no Road to Hana with a rental car.
This is where we stayed. (I won the trip from my employer)
http://maui.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml
crmsnidol,
Hope your Christmas was good for you and your family.
Yes Maui was awesome, first trip to Hawaii for me and the wife. We have decided to spend next Christmas there, so we have already booked a place.
Back in CA now and it's rained the whole day, but we have been truly blessed this year, so no complaints from us.
Have a Good (safe) New Year! |
|
|
| tax_atty |
The road to Hana (& the sites on the way) is really quite awesome. Not sure I'd want to do it in the X - that road is NARROW!!!
We went to Hawaii in August of 1999. We stayed at the Hyatt in Kauai and the Marriot in Maui. Now I have a connection at the Maui Hyatt through a client so I would probably stay there next time I go back. (I also have a connection at the Halekulani on Waikiki Beach that I didn't have back then. Oh, well!) |
|
|
| microman |
| Is that Kapalua that I spy in your pic? |
|
|
| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by tax_atty
The road to Hana (& the sites on the way) is really quite awesome. Not sure I'd want to do it in the X - that road is NARROW!!!
. . .
Never saw one Acura of any description the whole trip |
|
|
| laborlitigator |
| Gr8scot. . . nice pic. Hope you have a great time. |
|
|
| crmsnidol |
quote:
Originally posted by greatscot
Never saw one Acura of any description the whole trip
Who is the old guy with your wife?
J/K. Looks like you had fun - even if you had to drive a jeep! |
|
|
| DaleB |
| A perfect way to avoid Holiday Shoppers! :2: |
|
|
| jswift2000 |
| Maui rocks!!! My wife and I were there in 7/2001 for our honeymoon. We stayed at the kea lani and it was the best vacation I ever had. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. |
|
|
| mullysalt |
| Thanks for posting all the cool pics. It great to see all the beautiful colors of Maui again I hope to get back there someday soon. |
|
|
| EXCALIBUR |
greatscot,
Come back to Maui real soon. Mele Kalikimaka e Hauoli Makahiki Hou! |
|
|
| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
greatscot,
Come back to Maui real soon. Mele Kalikimake e Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Mahalo EXCALIBUR! |
|
|
| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by crmsnidol
Who is the old guy with your wife?
:2: Looks like I need to get out the Grecian Formula again . . . :rolleyes: |
|
|
| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by greatscot
:2: Looks like I need to get out the Grecian Formula again . . . :rolleyes:
Nah, forget it! Once you've been spotted there is no turning back!:D
Besides, the stuff tastes terrible! :16:
("...no, no you're not supposed to drink it!") |
|
|
| twosomeca |
| I had to settle for this, but the good news is that the X handled itself quite well. Glad you had fun in Maui. Nice knowing someone out there didn't freeze their **** off! :p |
|
|
| crmsnidol |
| removed the giant blue filter blocking the sun. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
Greatscot (and others),
The wife and I are thinking about going to Maui this summer. I would like any suggestions on places to stay and sights to see. We plan on being there about a week. TIA for your help. |
|
|
| tax_atty |
Highly recommend the Hyatt in Maui. Beautiful hotel, excellent service, great restaurants on property.
As far as sites go:
- The road to Hana - just get the audio tape or CD. They sell it all over, otherwise you won't know where to pull over to see the most beautiful sites. You may want to take some dramamine for whomever isn't the driver!
- Maui Ocean Center - Sorry, but I thought it was a big rip. They charge a hefty admission and it is the smallest aquarium I ever saw.
- You'll want to see the sunrise from the highest point on the island. Sorry, I forgot the name of the mountain. Do this on your first morning. With the time zone change this will be the easiest day to do it.
Otherwise, talk to your hotel concierge and see what you want to do based on your interests. Enjoy - Maui is one of the most beautiful places in the world. |
|
|
| crmsnidol |
quote:
Originally posted by tax_atty
Highly recommend the Hyatt in Maui. Beautiful hotel, excellent service, great restaurants on property.
As far as sites go:
- The road to Hana - just get the audio tape or CD. They sell it all over, otherwise you won't know where to pull over to see the most beautiful sites. You may want to take some dramamine for whomever isn't the driver!
- Maui Ocean Center - Sorry, but I thought it was a big rip. They charge a hefty admission and it is the smallest aquarium I ever saw.
- You'll want to see the sunrise from the highest point on the island. Sorry, I forgot the name of the mountain. Do this on your first morning. With the time zone change this will be the easiest day to do it.
Otherwise, talk to your hotel concierge and see what you want to do based on your interests. Enjoy - Maui is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
We stayed at the Hyatt and it was beautiful. Breakfast in Swan Court is amazing! The hotel also hosts the island's best Luau.
We spent a day at the Aquarium and loved it. We've been to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, N.C. State Aquarium in Manteo and the N.J. State Aquarium in Camden and I would rate the Maui Aquarium above the N.C and N.J. offerings. |
|
|
| tax_atty |
Swan court is great for dinner as well as breakfast. The swans practically come up to your table.
I just don't know how you spent a day at the aquarium. They had one or two buildings with some amazingly beautiful fish but that was it. What they had was beautiful but it was tiny compared to aquariums I had been to in NY, Boston, etc. We spent an hour or two and were done. The funniest thing was they had a diver cleaning the glass in the tunnel area giving everyone the "hang loose" sign. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
| Thanks for the suggestions. It looks like a lot of the Hyatt's Ocean View rooms are already gone. I may have to plan this trip quickly!! |
|
|
| crmsnidol |
quote:
Originally posted by tax_atty
Swan court is great for dinner as well as breakfast. The swans practically come up to your table.
I just don't know how you spent a day at the aquarium. They had one or two buildings with some amazingly beautiful fish but that was it. What they had was beautiful but it was tiny compared to aquariums I had been to in NY, Boston, etc. We spent an hour or two and were done. The funniest thing was they had a diver cleaning the glass in the tunnel area giving everyone the "hang loose" sign.
We had lunch outside, took lots of pictures (pre "good" digital camera) and hung out by the sea turtles. I enjoy just watching the fish. I would add that the fish (Coi) and PENGUINS at the Hyatt were really cool to watch too!
I think that diver thing is part of the show because they did the same thing when we were there. Everyone in the tube thought it was great.
We just had a pool put in this fall and I'm going to make some custom Hawaiian music mixes to remind us of our stay there. To me Hawaii was like Disney - not for the charachters and atmosphere but more for the feeling that you are someplace special where everywhere you look is a beautiful sight.
I'll also never go back. 12 hours in the air was wayyyyyyy too much for me. Nice memories but never again. Coach of course but even 1st class wouldn't have helped. |
|
|
| MDteX |
phins2rt
If you go to Maui then the Hyatt is great. The mountain on Maui is Haleakala. Great views and you can bike down it. Personally I prefer Kauai. It is more tropical and less commercial than Maui. We have reservations there in July to stay at the new Marriott. It will be our 4th trip to Kauai. A helicopter tour of the island is fantastic and allows a close up view of the Na Pali coast. If you have time and want something a little different the big island of Hawaii has Valcano National Park. You can get fairly close to flowing lava and walk through extinct lava tubes. The most southern point of the United States is on the big island and is called South Point. A little off the paved road but a gourgeous view.
Its hard to beat a vacation to Hawaii no matter where you stay or which island you visit. |
|
|
| tax_atty |
crmsnidol - I was amazed they had penguins in Hawaii. They had some really cool birds in the Hyatt's lobby too. It is a longgggggg flight, but I'd like to go back in 2009 for my 10th anniversary if not sooner.
phins2rt - Check with your travel agent too. The larger travel agencies tend to hold blocks of rooms. Their prices on hotel/air packages tend to be pretty competitive.
MDteX - I agree that Kauai is prettier and more relaxing. When I go back I would go to three Islands - Kauai, Maui and a short stay (prob one night) in Honolulu to see Pearl Harbor. |
|
|
| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
Greatscot (and others),
The wife and I are thinking about going to Maui this summer. I would like any suggestions on places to stay and sights to see. We plan on being there about a week. TIA for your help.
phins2rt,
I envy you, I won't be going back till next Christmas.
Definately do the Road to Hana (the CD mentioned above is a great help, and don't forget to get a "I survived the Road to Hana" T-shirt) On the road to Hana is a place called the Garden of Eden, if you go there you will recognize where my posted picture is from.
I would skip the Aquarium (I've been to the one in Monterey, and IMO, that can't be topped.) Go snorkeling off Molokini but make sure you get on the Four Winds II, they have a great crew, they serve breakfast on the way out to Molokini, and serve great BBQ burgers while you are out there as well. Next time I'm taking my own snorkel mask as the ones handed out are not the best. Also, 90 minutes of your time listening to some time-share speil is worth it for $100 off a dinnner in Lahaina, preferably at Kimos on Front Street-best prime Rib and Lobster I've had anyway.
I was overwhelmed with the beauty of Maui, I took 116 digital pictures. Every morning I went for an ocean swim, showered poolside, swam in the pool, then had breakfast.
When we arrived at the airport we picked up our rental, at the first light you come to is a Costco, where we bought a weeks worth of groceries (and the cheapest Hawaiian shirts you'll find) One mainstay for us was Tri-tip (Top sirloin for you non-Californians) to BBQ, along with pineapple. Do the bike ride down the volcano-there are lots of companies offering this now, and ride the sugar cane train. Your better half will love the tour of the pineapple plantation where they grow a lot more than pineaples, like Orchids, coconuts, bananas, and lots of flowers. VIsit Whaler's Village, damn, I'm haverin' now.
The worst thing about Maui is having to leave.
Aloha! |
|
|
| phins2rt |
| Thanks greatscot and Happy New Year to you!! I can't wait to go ! |
|
|
| laborlitigator |
quote:
Originally posted by crmsnidol
removed the giant blue filter blocking the sun.
:19: |
|
|
| mauigrl721 |
greatscot--
Ok, a little late but...Mele Kalikimaka!
I hope to get out to Maui and Oahu again this coming spring....it's been too long (almost a year!) and I'm beginning to experience withdrawl symptoms:( . |
|
|
| BigDog |
We stayed at the Maui Marriot on Kaanapali Beach on our honeymoon in 1986. It was pretty nice and not too expensive.
We've been back to Maui twice since then, and now that we can afford to travel better, we stayed at the Grand Wailea on both visits. It's an absolutely awesome place. Exquistely beautiful, great service, nice rooms, and several really cool pool areas, one of which has a water elevator up to a waterslide that takes you to several different pools connected by a river. There's a swim up bar in a cave along the way if you're thirsty.
If you go to Maui you should definitely eat at Mama's Fish House. It's just past Paia on the road to Hana, not far from the airport. We ate there twice even though it was about a half hour away from Wailea. They have their own boats so the fish is as fresh as it can be, and the decor is funky old Hawaii. We recommended it to a friend who was going with her husband and her parents for their retirement fling, and she said her Dad thought it was the best meal he had ever had in his life!
Nick's Fishmarket at the Kea Lani resort in Wailea is also great, another place we ate twice at. A fancier place, with terrific food, and excellent service.
Roy's in Kahana has very good food, but not as much atmosphere as either Nick's or Mama's. The Hula Grill on Kaanapali Beach is a good casual place with very good food too. We've made it a tradition to go there as soon as we arrive to have shrimp and Mai Tais at their Barefoot Bar which is their own private beach area. You can kick off your sandals and sit with your toes in the sand. It's a great way to unwind while you wait for check-in time at the hotel.
Mrs. BigDog |
|
|
| phins2rt |
| Thanks Mrs. BigDog! I am starting to lean towards the Four Seasons, which is right next to the GW. How are the views from that part of the island? Any pros or cons staying on Wailea as opposed to Northwest side of the island? Thanks in advance. |
|
|
| pdempsey |
| Try the Whaler on Kaanapali Beach. It's a great condo. Much cheaper than any of the hotels and each condo is privately owned and decorated. Been there about 5 times. It's right in the thick of the Kaanapali scene. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by pdempsey
Try the Whaler on Kaanapali Beach. It's a great condo. Much cheaper than any of the hotels and each condo is privately owned and decorated. Been there about 5 times. It's right in the thick of the Kaanapali scene.
Thanks pdempsey. I'll give them a look as well. |
|
|
| mauigrl721 |
| Roy's is BY FAR the best restaurant on the island...all of them for that matter. The variety of seafood is awesome. I can't wait for Roy's to open up a restaurant in Boston...counting the days.... |
|
|
| mullysalt |
Look up a restaurant called Stella Blues. Great breakfast and it has a amazing Grateful Dead decor. Don't be afraid they don't put LSD in your pancakes but it's an awesome place to start the day. This is coming from an old deadhead. Trust me it's worth your time. It's between Kehei and Wailia(SP?) just across from the beach.
Oh how I wish I was in Maui, I just came in from shoveling the walks and driveway. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by mullysalt
Oh how I wish I was in Maui, I just came in from shoveling the walks and driveway.
Sucks, doesn't it? I am starting to get cabin fever already and it is only the first week of January!!
Thanks for the tip, Mullysalt. We will definitely check it out when we get there. |
|
|
| pdempsey |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
Thanks pdempsey. I'll give them a look as well.
Look up "The Whaler" and Maui on google and try to rent directly from an owner. You can still arrange for maid service at the front desk or through the owner.
The cheapest are the garden view 1st floor, but you can't leave your door to the lanai open on the ground floor. There are studios, 1 bedroom, 1 bath and 1 bedroom 2 bath, and 2 bedroom 2 bath. The latter have ocean front views and even formal dining rooms. |
|
|
| phins2rt |
pdempsey,
thanks again.:29: |
|
|
| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
. . . I am starting to lean towards the Four Seasons, which is right next to the GW. How are the views from that part of the island? Any pros or cons staying on Wailea as opposed to Northwest side of the island? Thanks in advance.
Hoot Mon, you must be related to Royalty. I was barely able to afford to use "the wee boys room" at the 4 Seasons. That place is $900.00 a night, and that was in December. All I could afford was an afternoon on their free beach (no private beaches in Hawaii.) Here's their beach front at the 4 Seasons: |
|
|
| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by greatscot
Hoot Mon, you must be related to Royalty. I was barely able to afford to use "the wee boys room" at the 4 Seasons. That place is $900.00 a night, and that was in December. All I could afford was an afternoon on their free beach (no private beaches in Hawaii.) Here's their beach front at the 4 Seasons:
Nice greatscot. We are getting the cheap rooms. I figure if I want to look at the ocean, I will spend the money on dinner and see it then. I wanted an ocean view but my wife has talked me into getting a cheaper room at a nicer hotel. Still haven't finalized anything yet but should be doing so inthe next week or so.
Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!! |
|
|
| BigDog |
If you're considering the Wailea area, take a look at the virtual tour at www.grandwailea.com before deciding. We certainly didn't pay $900.0 per night, and we had a deluxe ocean view room. A highlight of every day was going out on the lanai to drink our coffee every morning and take in the view.
I'm sure the Four Seasons is lovely too, but I don't really remember anything about it.
Mrs. BigDog |
|
|
| phins2rt |
Thanks Mrs. BigDog,
My sister stayed there a few years back and recommended it. However, I have read reviews that the place is a little "over the top" and maybe a bit stuffy. I've heard the Four Seasons a little more laid back. What are your thoughts on the GW overall? I will check out the link, too! |
|
|
| Maik |
My wife and I stayed at the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa last year.
I would highly recomend it as one of the best vacation spots we have ever visited. It is worth every cent we paid. In addition to being absolutely beautiful, we found the entire staff to be very accomodating. We wanted for nothing.
We did not find it to be stuffy at all, unless of course, we are stuffy! |
|
|
| BigDog |
I concur with everything Maik said. We are very casual people, (we wear jeans out to dinner more often than not), and found the service and staff to be not stuffy or overly formal at all. Yes, it's over the top. That's why it's so great. The gardens are over the top, the art collection is over the top, the bars, the lobby, the food, the pools, the view - all over the top!
The Wailea area is not as busy as the Lahaina/Kaanapali area since the road to get there is the back of the road to Hana. Once you get past Wailea, there's Makena Beach, and not much else, so no through traffic.. We didn't find it a problem since we don't bar hop until the wee hours of the morning, and nothing is all that far of a drive anyway.
As far as prices go, if I remember correctly, we paid for the whole trip about $3400.00, which included 7 nights, airfare for two from Oakland, CA, and a car rental, (Mustang Convertable). This was in October 2000. Not exactly cheap, but not that bad for the level of pampering and luxury you get.
There was a glitch in our reservations and when we showed up they couldn't find us in the system. They didn't have a deluxe ocean view room available until the following night, so they upgraded us to the Napua Tower. Unfortunately, it had two queen beds instead of 1 king bed. We could have kept it for the entire stay if we wanted, but we decided we'd rather have the king bed, so they moved us the next day. We just went shopping in Lahaina all day, and when we got back, we checked in at the front desk and exchanged keys.
The tower rooms are a little bigger, but I didn't like them as much because the view is at an angle to the ocean rather than directly across from the lanai as in our other room. They do have other amenities, such as a private bar area which had complimentary hors d'ouerves (sp) and cocktails in the afternoon, and complimentary breakfast in the morning. We managed to avail ourselves of both in our one night in the tower. :D Personally, I would pay extra for the ocean view, but it is a personal choice. It was so relaxing to sit in the mornings and evenings and watch the water over the top of the palm trees.
Mrs. BigDog |
|
|
| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
Thanks Mrs. BigDog,
My sister stayed there a few years back and receommended it. However, I have read reviews that the place is a little "over the top" and maybe a bit stuffy. I've heard the Four Seasons a little more laid back. What are your thoughts on the GW overall? I will check out the link, too!
From what I saw, I would say the 4 Seasons is the one that's "over the top." Couples walking around in Hotel robes on their way to their massage appointments, and very high end amenities. The Grand Wailea looked a bit more "laid back" but then again I didn't go over there, so I really can't give you a more in-depth opinion.
Regardless, Hawaii is an awesome place, highly recommend you go and enjoy yourselves.
On the northern end of the island there are some awesome remote sites to see, such as this one: |
|
|
| phins2rt |
| Thanks again to both of you for your comments. I think my choices are getting harder and not easier. But I am thankful I even have a choice! |
|
|
| Robyjo |
My wife and I are also planning a trip to an/the island/s. Would you all recommend looking online for the best deals including some of the hotels you've mentioned, or using a travel agent?
Thanks,
Rob:31: |
|
|
| Maik |
quote:
Originally posted by Robyjo
My wife and I are also planning a trip to an/the island/s. Would you all recommend looking online for the best deals including some of the hotels you've mentioned, or using a travel agent?
Thanks,
Rob:31:
Great deals available via the net.
When we went, we spent a week each on Maui, Big Island and Kauai.
On Big Island we stayed at the Hapuna Beach Hotel and on Kauai we stayed at the Princeville Resort.
Each was superb and we had an absolutely fabulous time at each location. I would highly recommend these resorts along with the Grand Wailea. None of these would be a mistake. |
|
|
| Robyjo |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
Great deals available via the net.
What site did you use, and what sites do you all like?
Thanks! |
|
|
| Maik |
quote:
Originally posted by Robyjo
What site did you use, and what sites do you all like?
Thanks!
I have had very good success with Expedia. I book most of my travel through them, including that trip. |
|
|
| TheWorm |
If anyone's looking for a condo on Maui, shoot me an email/PM.
My folks have a 2 bed/2 bath place they rent. It's around 1800 sqft and is a great unit. On the Kaanapali golf course, w/pool + tennis on the property and walking distance (5 mins) to Whaler's Village and the beach, in addition to everything else in Kaanapali. |
|
|
| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
If anyone's looking for a condo on Maui, shoot me an email/PM.
My folks have a 2 bed/2 bath place they rent. It's around 1800 sqft and is a great unit. On the Kaanapali golf course, w/pool + tennis on the property and walking distance (5 mins) to Whaler's Village and the beach, in addition to everything else in Kaanapali.
Hummina! Hummina! :18: |
|
|
|
