Kaanapali Shores - 943

If you know what kind of place you’re booking, Kaanapali Shores is a solid value for Maui. I see it as a good condo-style aparthotel, rather than a full-service resort like the neighboring Westin, Marriott, or Sheraton. For couples or budget-minded travelers who want space, pools, and a handy West Maui location without luxury resort prices, I’d stay again. Anyone expecting a high-end resort experience may come away disappointed. Its best features are the location, pool areas, beach access, and tropical grounds. The property is clean and the landscaping is very well kept, as were the pools during our stay. Restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, and other Kaanapali resorts are all nearby. The beach is pleasant, especially at sunset, though high tide leaves it narrow. We also saw brown water for part of our stay near a washout area. The property is showing its age. It doesn’t seem to have had major renovations in a while, and some areas look dated next to nearby resorts. On both my visits, one elevator was out of order for the entire stay. The on-site restaurant seemed pretty average, and I didn’t eat there this time. Service was fine. Since we rented through a property management company, we didn’t interact much with staff, but people in the lobby were friendly and said hello. Parking was reasonable at about $11 a day. The gym costs extra and isn’t included in resort fees, which I believe is because it’s privately owned.

Our two-bedroom apartment worked well for a 14-day stay. We had an ocean view over the main pool, and the kitchen let us make breakfast and save on some expenses. Having a washer and dryer was a big plus. There isn’t a usable beach right there, so you have to walk a little to reach a small beach area.

The team made the place feel like a welcoming family home. Everyone was so kind and accommodating, and the whole property had a friendly feel, with people smiling everywhere. When noisy neighbors, Cheech and Chong, spent the night hotboxing their unit and banging doors, my wife asked if the resort could move them. Instead, staff moved us and upgraded us to a suite overlooking the garden. The courtyard is beautiful, with two pool areas and a hot tub at each. One pool is more geared toward adults, the other toward families. We actually liked the family pool best, tucked among lovely plants with kids of all ages having a great time.

The beds were the worst part for me. Both bedroom mattresses felt old, and I still haven’t had a good night’s sleep. Replacing one in 2023 doesn’t solve the problem if the owner bought a cheap mattress or it’s already worn down. Imagine sleeping on crooked mattresses for a week. I’ll be taking it up with Ashton directly. The kitchen was missing basic things like nonstick pans, a blender, and soap. The gym also costs an extra $7 to enter, and room service costs $50 per visit. I wouldn’t recommend Alessandra downstairs for presentations or activities. Her suggestions seemed commission-based: she sent us to the luau myths of Maui, which felt like Chuck E. Cheese. The show was clownish, with batons being dropped; the food was mac and cheese and chicken nuggets, and the drinks were watered down. The coupons had her name on them, which made it look like she recommends places where she gets freebies. Worst of all, one of the owner’s sons made threatening remarks to us as we drove in. The place seemed to be run by teenagers.