Very, Very Nice
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 11/10/06
I often wonder if hotel staff writes these reviews, so I am a bit of a skeptic when a hotel has only a few. After a full week of research for a last minute vacation, I picked the Mauian and couldn't have been happier.
My fiancé and I spent a week at the Mauian and enjoyed every bit of it. Before our arrival, Wilma was very professional in making the reservation and accommodating us. When we arrived, we were greeted by very kind and friendly staff that explained that the hotel provided many 'extras' (beach towels, toys, & chairs, ice chests, etc.) at no charge to enhance our island experience. When I asked for information, from movie theaters, to travel routes, it was always given with a smile.
The rooms were very comfortable and the kitchen quite functional. There is a full service grocer very close and we cooked 2 meals a day, which saved boatloads on dining. It was a real joy to cook and eat on our lanai which is an extension of the room with solid side walls. The rooms are in process of being remodeled. Currently there are new showers in all rooms and everything functioned wonderfully.
There is no A/C, and occasionally it was a little warm, but the walls and front door have very functional shutters that allow a nice breeze to dance through the room most of the time. We spent most of the daylight hours exploring and could leave the shutters open while gone to return to a comfortable room.
There were only 2 areas of criticism. The beds were adequate, but not the softest, which was a bigger complaint from my fiancé than for me. Still, we slept well after exhausting days exploring the beautiful island. The other thing to be aware of is sound travels quite well in such a quiet environment, allowing conversations to be heard quite clearly by your neighbors! The courtyard can be quite active in the early evenings, and with all rooms on 2 floors, you are pretty close to the action. Things always quieted down at a reasonable hour. It was not a problem for us, but something a new visitor would want to be aware of.
Finally - Napili Bay. We enjoyed better snorkeling than at Honolua bay. The bay is nicely protected from wind and surf, allowing great viewing of beautiful fish, eels, turtles and all a very short distance from your room! I recommend the coral on the north side of this quaint bay, as it had the calmest water and great sea life.
Internet access is available in the Ohana room along with free breakfast and a television. Bring your laptop and a couple of DVDs, as the rooms have no TV or phones, and youll be surprised how little you miss it.
We are planning our return visit!
