After reading several negative reviews on Trip Advisor, I was a little worried about my decision to stay at the Hyatt.
No Worries - we really liked everything about the Hyatt! We had booked the least expensive room type - and the room we were given was just great. It overlooked the garden area and the pool, and we could even glimpse some of the ocean. With the balcony doors open, you could hear the sound of the waves. The room itself had one of the most comfortable beds we've ever slept in, plus a sofa & coffee table, chest and a desk - a fairly spacious room. The balcony was large enough for a table and 2 chairs and felt very private and secluded with all the surrounding greenery. There was a big walk-in closet with safe and a coffeemaker. Best of all, there was a refrigerator in addition to the minibar. There's a nearby Safeway on the way to Lahaina, and we kept the fridge stocked with cold drinks. It wasn't a fancy room, but it had everything we needed and we enjoyed it very much.
When we vacation, we usually have a big breakfast and then skip lunch - so I purchased a package with daily breakfast buffet included. The buffet is terrific (though I wouldn't have wanted to pay for it a la carte!), with a big selection of cold and hot dishes and omelets made to order. We would walk early every morning and then go to breakfast, and there was never a wait. But by 8:30 am, the lines start to get long - so go early.
We liked the Kaanipali location. There's a nice walk along the ocean that passes all the hotels and Whaler's Village (an area of restaurant/shops. There are 2 golf courses - nice but not great, and you get free rounds for touring the Marriott time share next door. If golf is important on your vacation, you probably already know you want to be at Kapalua or Wailea (assuming you're willing to pay the prices!). The pool at the Hyatt is huge and gorgeous, so if you're into tanning, it's a terrific place. The beach is not much, but all the beaches on Maui are public, so you can walk towards Whaler's Village where other hotels have broader beaches, or drive to a really nice beach (like Fleming in Kapalua).
Parking is tight, but we always found a place in the public parking lots (valet parking the evening we arrived was complimentary - nice touch!). The hotel is centrally located, but you will really want a car to get around the island and out to different restaurants. As for restaurants, they're all expensive, but I'd skip the overpriced hotel restaurants and the overrated Lahaina Grill. We loved the Plantation House, IO Restaurant, and Mama's Fish House (which isn't nearly as far away as the concierge will tell you...)
What didn't we like? I felt ripped-off by the recommendations of the concierge and the extremely expensive and boring sunset cruise he booked for us. Walk along the beach and pick up some brochures for activities before you book the expensive ones the concierge will recommend.
All in all, we loved the Hyatt and would certainly stay there again if we went back to Maui (we probably won't because we much prefer the Big Island and Kauai).




















