The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali

Past the Westin's landscaped driveway and grand greenery-filled entrance, throngs of guests line up at check-in at the front desk, waiting to catch first glimpses of the Westin's lush grounds, its 87,000 square feet of pool-mania, waterslides, Heavenly Spa, gorgeous beachfront, kids' club … If it sounds like a mouthful, that's because it is. One of Maui's biggest resorts, the 771-room Westin has more amenities than any other hotel in its price range.
Unfortunately, the line at check-in isn't the last. The pool decks get crowded in the afternoon and lounge chairs can be hard to find unless you're out very early. This family-friendly resort is also packed with kids, so honeymooners should take note. Even the wait for breakfast can be ridiculously long. But the lines are no different here than they are at the Westin's closest competitor, the Hyatt Regency, or most other mega-resorts along the resort-rich, four-mile stretch of Kaanapali Beach. Unfortunately, this has been made worse by ongoing renovations and construction, which have affected the number of available pools and are expected to last through April 2020.
Nevertheless, the palm trees, waterfalls, and ocean views are prevalent, plus flamingos, and a koi pond next to large letters spelling "aloha" are fun, unexpected touches.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali is located in the Kaanapali area of the Hawaiian island of Maui. Kaanapali is centered around two golf courses and bookended by the massive Hyatt Regency and Sheraton. Multiple hotels and a handful of condo rentals are squeezed cheek-to-cheek along four miles of uninterrupted beachfront; guests mingle on the sand, using the beaches (and even, at times, the pools and facilities) of neighboring properties. A paved beach walkway runs the entire length of the four-mile beach. The mostly calm, tan-sand beach includes Black Rock -- an eroded cinder cone sacred to ancient Hawaiians and the site of daily sunset cliff dives. Kaanapali is less crowded north of Black Rock, where the lodging is mostly composed of small hotels and condo rentals, like the Royal Lahaina. The Maui Westin is adjacent to Whalers’ Village (an open-air shopping mall with beachfront restaurants and a free museum) and 10 minutes from the Ka’anapali Golf Resort and Ka’anapali Golf Course South. A free shuttle service is available to these locations, the airport, and to downtown Lahaina, which is three miles from the property. Self-parking is also free, and if the lot is full, valet parks cars for free.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa faces Kaanapali's four-mile stretch of soft, tan sand beach. Like all beaches in Hawaii, this one is public and alcohol is prohibited. The water is swimmable but wind and currents vary enough to make it a good spot for windsurfing and beginner's surf lessons. Snorkeling is popular at the north end of Kaanapali Beach, about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. There are no lifeguards. Guests can use beach chairs and umbrellas for a fee, or rent a cabana slightly off the public beach with drink service and shade.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali has 771 comfortable guest rooms spread across two buildings: the Ocean Tower and more modern Beach Tower. The former are done in a simple, generic style consisting of striped curtains and light-tone wood furniture, while the latter have a more modern, elegant look inspired by the ocean. All rooms have a small balcony with just enough space for two chairs and a table. Views from the top floors overlooking the ocean are best, but golf course and mountain views are pretty lush, too.
Westin's signature Heavenly® beds include pillow-top mattresses, a white down duvet, and five down pillows. Empty mini-fridges, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and free coffee and bottled water come standard. Wi-Fi is included with the resort fee. Bathrooms have glass-enclosed showers, toiletries, and hairdryers.
Upgrading to a suite brings more square footage, ocean views, iPod docks, and bigger TVs, plus separate living areas. Suites and Premium Rooms have bigger bathrooms with tubs. Basic rooms sleep four, but can feel cramped for that many people.

Clearly, the five pools and two waterslides are the Westin's top attractions (see Pools and Family below), but it doesn't fall short on other amenities. There's a 24-hour fitness center overlooking the pool with LifeFitness equipment and daily classes like yoga and spinning. Like at all Westin brands, this property allows guests to rent apparel and shoes for their workout. The Heavenly Spa includes a coed relaxation lounge, locker rooms for both men and women, each with a small steam room, dry sauna, and whirlpool. There's no on-site tennis court, but you can take a free shuttle to play at either the incredible courts at Royal Lahaina or the Marriott Maui Resort & Ocean Club. Several shops are on-site for clothing and jewelry. The business center has printers and Apple desktop computers. Concierge staff and the activities counter can assist with booking excursions. For anything more, you're looking at a considerable price jump for a hotel like the Grand Wailea, the Fairmont Kea Lani, or the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.
A daily resort fee covers admission to a 24-hour fitness center, internet access, two bottles of water provided daily, and shuttle service to Lahaina and Westin's three other Starwood resorts.

The Westin's five pools -- its 87,000-square-foot "aquatic playground" -- extend like the Great Lakes behind the lobby. All pools are connected by a complex system of walkways, stairs, and waterfalls that run between the multiple levels and sections of each pool. And unlike the pool complex at the Hyatt Regency, the Westin also has a quieter, adults-only pool, although there have been complaints of the hotel not enforcing the no-kids-allowed policy. There's a 120-foot twisting waterslide with its own lifeguard and a slightly tamer one for younger kids. The towel stand sells inflatable pool toys and swim apparel. Be warned that the pools get crowded after breakfast; it's often hard to find available lounge chairs by lunchtime.
 

## What Entertainment is Available at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali?

A full schedule of activities are available, including an on-site Luau.

A majority of the guests at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa are families with children, so most of the entertainment is skewed towards them and all is quiet by 10 p.m. The hotel hosts a Wailele Polynesian Luau a few times a week, though admission is charged. Daily activities include surf lessons, airbrushed tattoos, hair wraps, and lei-making, but everything costs extra except for feeding the fish in the koi pond.

## What Golf Courses are Available at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali?

Two championship-quality courses nearby, and hotel guests get discounted rates.

There are two 18-hole courses at the nearby Kaanapali Golf Resort, which spans 1,200 acres of land situated between the beachfront resorts of Kaanapali and the mountains to the west. Built in the '60s, both courses have been home to the Champions Tour Kaanapali Classic and the LPGA Kemper Open. Wind and rain are less common than at the nearby Kapalua courses, though the south Maui courses (those in Wailea and Makena) are the best in Maui.

## Is The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali Good for Families?

Tons of outdoor entertainment, a big pool complex, and a reasonably priced kids' club make this hotel family-friendly.

Complete days of entertainment can be made of the Westin's pools, waterslides, and beach alone. While the Westin's kids' club doesn't offer the same level of educational activities as the kids' clubs at the Ritz-Carlton or the Fairmont Kea Lani, its daily rate is also slightly cheaper. Half- and full-day programs are available seven days a week with activities like art, supervised pool time, and lunch. Indoor basketball, air hockey, and Wii gaming systems are part of the package. All of the restaurants have kid-friendly options and there's a kids' menu for in-room dining. The kids' dining pass is a flat fee that includes breakfast buffet, special children's menu offerings, and beverages all day when dining with an adult.

## What Restaurants and Bars are Available at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali?

An oceanfront restaurant, casual poolside burger bistro with a bar, and room service are all on offer.

Meals aren't included with the price of a room at Westin Maui Resort and Spa, and the high prices with long lines often encourages guests to explore other options in nearby Whalers Village. Oceanside Restaurant is a lovely outdoor eatery open for dinner only, with an emphasis on seafood. The all-day Relish Burger Bistro does the breakfast buffet, then casual gourmet burgers with Hawaiian inspired toppings. Sea Dogs is a family favorite for hot dogs, ice cream, and shaved ice. Room service is available almost 24 hours a day, with a limited late-night menu. Note to honeymooners: Private dining can be arranged in a private gazebo for an added cost.