The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, Ka'anapali

The kids' favorite is the water slide, and they love the pools. It's our second visit to this beautiful resort, and there'll be many more. Even in rainstorms, it's nice to walk around, with plenty of spots to catch the warm Hawaiian breeze while staying dry. There are lots of gas grills around the property. The windows are good quality, so you barely hear activity right outside. Hallway traffic is more noticeable than outdoor noise.

Having a kitchen in the suite and amenities on site is a big plus, especially for families who want to cook or do laundry. The setting and views in Kaanapali are hard to beat, and the property is undeniably beautiful. I've stayed here many times. This visit began badly. We were traveling with a baby and had requested a crib ahead of time, but it wasn't in the room. We contacted the hotel four more times and eventually had to walk to the front desk to get it sorted out. By then our baby was crying, overtired, and overdue for bed, making arrival stressful. At a truly high-end property that would have been extremely disappointing, which highlights the difference in expectations here. If you're after luxury or a five-star experience, this probably isn't it. It has a commercial, timeshare feel, with many long-time regulars rushing to reserve pool chairs early. Expect extra charges for nearly everything, including the resort fee, parking, and towel cards, as well as crowds and service that's functional but not proactive or elevated. Hallways, carpets, and rooms are scuffed and worn from constant traffic. It's disappointing because the setting and property are truly stunning. Given the cost of traveling to and staying in Maui, it may be worth paying a little more for one of the island's true five-star resorts if service and the overall experience matter to you. But if you understand what kind of property this is, your expectations fit, or you're staying through a timeshare, you'll likely enjoy it and won't be disappointed.

The people are the best part. Staff are so kind and polite, and go out of their way to make your stay feel perfect. The front desk even showed us to our room when we needed help finding our way. I loved the room size, which works well for four or five people, along with room service and housekeeping. The pool was clean and professionally run, and the store had a large, impressive selection. The beach is amazing, and the people at the built-in restaurant were lovely at brunch and dinner. It's a large place, but easy to manage if you're used to resorts like this. So many five-star things about it, but the staff top them all.

The resort has great amenities and is beautiful, with easy access to the boardwalk and beach. Great snorkeling is a 5-10 minute walk away. If you arrive before your room is ready, they'll take your groceries and keep them in their walk-in refrigerator or freezer. We enjoyed our stay very much and will be back.