Aulani Noob question, 2-weeks to long?

[cindyzig]

We stay at Ka'anapali Shores in Maui. We like the Aloha Suite which is ocean front with incredible views, and it is a 2 bedroom condo. The resort has a restaurant/bar and a pretty basic kid's club for part of the day a few days a week. They have beautiful grounds and you can walk up and down the shore to several hotels. It is very laid back but it is not quite the same as Aulani. Another great place is in Wailea Fairmont Kea Lani. It is pretty high end and all rooms are suites I think. We had a great time there before kids but have talked but visiting again with our son soon.

 

[southerngirl528]

Kea Lani is all suites as I understand it too, Cindyzig. I have stayed nearby at the Marriott Wailea. Wailea is really pretty but I much prefer the Ka'anapali area of West Maui myself. Wailea is pretty upscale. And then Kihei nearby is the very opposite. Not knocking it but after spending months on Maui, I like all West Maui has to offer over South Maui. Both have some wonderful places to stay and things to see.

A lot of people enjoy the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel which is pretty close to Whalers Village too. It is kind of "old-school" and not fancy but is known to be very "Hawaiian" and has a lot of great cultural activities. It's beachfront and reasonably priced. I have a friend that owns a couple of weeks every year at the Westin Villas and has stayed at KBH and said they enjoyed it very much.

 

[Gr8scott]

Awesome information, Just awesome...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Lol, earlier I had almost posted how I far prefer South Maui over West. Kihei, Wailea and Makena are all favorites. The weather is so much more predictable and drier.

 

[quinnc19]

A reason I booked the Sheraton over others mentioned is that apparently the snorkeling is pretty good at Black Rock, which will be very convenient for my DD 8.

 

[Gr8scott]

Great to know as we love to snorkel. I have to admit that until that little tidbit the Westin peaked my interest the most but now....hmmmmm

 

[southerngirl528]

Snorkeling can be very good around Black Rock but please be aware there can be some very nasty currents around the point, so be sure to watch the currents from shore for a while before going out, check with either a lifeguard or someone knowledgeable of this area. If you avoid the area where the currents can be bad, you should do very well. Also, just north of Black Rock a bit is Kahekili Beach which runs in front of the Westin Villas and the snorkeling is very good there too. Maui has a wealth of fabulous snorkeling areas, including some good areas up toward and including Kapalua.

South Maui has some nice snorkeling also, but like anywhere else, please watch the currents and other swimmers from shore before going out, and ask locals if possible, like at the place where you might rent your snorkel gear. And very important, do NOT snorkel or swim when the water is murky. After a big rain, the runoff down from the mountains and into the sea can cause a lot of sediment to be swept out and muddy the waters. The debris and flotsam in the water can possibly attract marine predators so it is not advised to be snorkeling or swimming in these conditions. Often if it is murky in one area on the island, there are other areas not affected that would provide some wonderful snorkeling for you. Maui is very easy to navigate.

 

[Gr8scott]

Wow, many thanks fior the great information.

 

[DSLRuser]

we have found Hawaii, because of the travel, is a 12-14 night trip. We go to maui, and there is so much to see.

personally, i would not do 14 days at the same resort though. Split your stay up and do 7 days at alluani, and do 7 days on the other side of the island, or another island.

 

[DSLRuser]

Thanks for the reply Amym2, in the event we were to visit Maui, do you have any hotel recommendations? We have been doing a little searching, but nothing solid so far.

Just spent 2 weeks on Maui this past June 2015. for a first timer, Ka'anapali beach is great. The great thing about maui is nothing is more than an hours drive away, except for the road to hana of course which is an all day event.

Ka'anapali beach club is a great low cost condo, and if you want to spurge, maui ocean club by marriot is great. we have stayed at both of these many times.

 

[Melanie415]

I say go to Maui! Each island has it's own personality and is fun to explore. However, interisland flights are pricey and packing can be a drag for only 4 days . Personally, I think MAUI beaches are best but Oahu will be fabulous too. If u want stress free relaxation, don't hop. If you are into off resort adventure, hop.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have been to aulani four times already and are going back in may. We could easily spend a month there. This time we are going for 11 nights. But we have also been to all other islands. If you don't think you will be back to Hawaii again I'd recommend seeing at least one if not two other islands. They are all so different. Maui is lovely and the surf and views are tremendous. Our favorite is Kaui which is the garden isle because it's so lush and beautiful. And the helicopter ride over the area in Kaui where they filmed part of Jurassic park is fantastic. You could easily do day trips to each island. And I think there's even an all day tour which flies in and out of all islands.

 

[OKW Lover]

Its a difficult question. There is so much more to Hawaii than just Aulani, or even just the island of Oahu. Last year we did a 2-week stay in Hawaii. The first week we spent at Aulani and the second week we took the NCL Spirit of America which does a 7-night cruise that hits 5 of the islands. We enjoyed seeing the other islands, but frankly after you've seen a few lush tropical islands, they tend to blend together. We talked it over with our traveling companions and decided that this year we just want to relax and enjoy Aulani so we're staying there for 12 nights in May.

 

[DreamsAgent.Lisa]

I would recommend about a week in Aulani to explore all the island has to offer and then another week or so in a second Hawaiian island. My family and I went over the summer and spent one week in Aulani and one in Kauai (Split stay at the Hyatt and St Regis) and it was a fabulous vacation! You'll want to incorporate some down time in both destinations for resort activities as well as sight seeing and exploring.

 

[Amw1064]

We did 10 days at Aulani last summer and going back this upcoming summer for 12. (same time frame as you) We could easily have stayed 2 weeks. We had a rental car and did some sightseeing on our own.

 

[dclpluto]

I would love to go for 2 weeks. I was there for 8 nights which wouldn't be enough if I didn't just get off a 10 night cruise. 2 weeks will be about perfect.

 

[blondietink]

Speaking from experience, I think your trip is too long in one place. We stayed in Waikiki for 4 nights and then Aulani for 7 nights, then went to Maui for 9 nights. Maui is much too big to spend 4 nights at. You have to remember you lose ne day traveling to/from different islands. In April we are doing the same for Oahu; staying 4 nights in Waikiki to see the east side of the island, then going to Aulani for 7 nights. We are going to Kauai for 9 nights. Flying from Buffalo, NY is both expensive and long days going and coming.

 

[happymommy]

Hi, Gr8scott! I just reread your original post! Hope whatever you decide, you have a wonderful trip!

I just booked our Marriott Ko Olina for next summer - 4 weeks stay. Yup. Daughter and I will do 2 weeks in the studio and then we move for 2 weeks in the one bedroom, when my husband and son join us. The one bedroom villas at the Marriott are nice as 2 towers have a separate sitting room that has sliding doors that close, so it fits a rollaway bed (we do this every trip, even when we use the full 2 bedroom villa, so son gets the living room and we can even get a second rollaway if the sofa sleeper isn't comfortable and she gets the sitting room. We've done this before, and I just put both beds up on the wheels and close it off in the morning so we have the living room still). It's like having two bedrooms really, and we don't need an extra bathroom.

I enjoy it this way as I lived in Hawaii, and we just want to go back and relax and enjoy it. Also, about week 3, daughter and I will go to the Big Island (Hilo) for 3 days or so and leave the guys. I have a friend that lives there, and she wants to hike the lava tubes and see Volcanos National Park.

Maui is huge, and I went there 3 times when we lived on Oahu, plus one trip as a teenager. Kauai is an island that can be enjoyed for a weekend (did that a couple of times). The Big Island we did a week on when our friends came to visit over the summer, and it was so much fun. Flew into Kona and out of Hilo, but for just us two we're going to just go in and out of Hilo.

 

[alohamom]

I just booked our Marriott Ko Olina for next summer - 4 weeks stay. Yup. Daughter and I will do 2 weeks in the studio and then we move for 2 weeks in the one bedroom, when my husband and son join us. The one bedroom villas at the Marriott are nice as 2 towers have a separate sitting room that has sliding doors that close, so it fits a rollaway bed (we do this every trip, even when we use the full 2 bedroom villa, so son gets the living room and we can even get a second rollaway if the sofa sleeper isn't comfortable and she gets the sitting room. We've done this before, and I just put both beds up on the wheels and close it off in the morning so we have the living room still). It's like having two bedrooms really, and we don't need an extra bathroom.

Quick question for you happymommy-how much are the rollaways? We are at the Marriott Ko Olina for 5 nights just before a week at Aulani and had never considered this as an option.

 

[happymommy]

For owners there is no charge - not sure if there is a charge for non owners! Like parking - no charge for owners but something like $35 a day for non owners (if you're on a trade or renting from an owner you're treated like one).

I would call to ask about the rollaways. It may be free. Nice option especially in a one bedroom. If you're in Hale Kona or Hale Moana there is the sitting room that is nice to put it in!