Aston Mahana at Kaanapali, Lahaina

I stayed in this hotel recently, on Dec 2008. The overall experience was well under expectations for me after reading the reviews online. The hotel is in a very good location, next to the Kaanapali beach, the most popular and one of the best beaches in Maui, after visiting a few other beaches in the island. There is also a good grocery store in walking distance (5 minutes) called star markets (prices a bit more expensive than Safeway, the most popular grocery store in the island, but groceries in Maui are expensive anywhere). The best feature of this hotel is the view, all condos face the ocean and they are very close to the water compared to other hotels nearby, so you can intensely listen and feel the ocean from your room. The beach is impossible for swimming because of the shallow reef areas and many rocks. You don’t have to get into the water to find that out, just notice that people just walk pass the beach in the hotel front, there is really nobody in the water! I also found the sand in the beach a little bit less clear compared to some other beaches I visited. The hotel has a good area by the pool with clean gas grills and a good hot tube (spa) for guests. The pool was just OK, since it's small and shaded most of the day due to the proximity to the hotel buildings (not many people uses it). The staff in the front desk was friendly until they demand us to move to a bigger condo because the studio we booked and spent the first night was for 2 guests only, including our infant. It was not our fault, I booked through CheapTickets, and there was no note saying we should get a bigger condo when booking, so we assumed everything was OK, but when they realized our party had 3 people, they suddenly changed from nice to “nasty”. Once we decided to stay, move to the bigger condo, and pay the difference of course, they got back to the "nice mode" again very quickly, so not very professional in my opinion. I think they thought we tried to hide our infant on purpose, which is unacceptable, so be aware, these people are all about business, not someone you can trust. I believe most condos, if not all, are privately owned, therefore, they are all different as far as updates and decoration. Our big condo was a one bedroom apt with a living room, kitchen, and 2 baths, room 515. That unit was highly recommended by the guest leaving it that day, but it was just OK in our opinion because it had only basic furniture/appliances and decoration was just good, no major updates/features or nothing really exciting. Parking in this hotel was good because was free and mostly shaded. In your first day, there is a 45-minute presentation from the concierge service lady with complimentary breakfast. The food is very unimpressive (just a few sweet treats with bad coffee) but the lady does present good suggestions and tips for activities nearby. What makes this hotel strongly popular in most reputable travel website reviews are the very reasonable prices for the location plus the all-ocean front condos feature. Most resorts at Kaanapali beach (a 10 minute drive from this hotel and with a much better beach) are considerably more expensive for a reason. If you look at the negative reviews from previous Mahana guests in the websites, they all have the same complaint in common: if anything goes wrong or unplanned, the staff handles the issue very inappropriately. Also I realized that people with strong ties to this hotel or management go after reviewers with bad experiences and try to justify their staff mistakes besides giving an unhelpful flag to negative reviews posted on the travel websites.

We were in room 1215 and the views from there were simply uplifting! If I can go back next year to Maui I would for sure go back to the Mahana.

We stayed at Mahana for a week for our honeymoon May 18th, 2008. It was the best decision we made. We rented out condo from the owner directly through VRBO.com. This way we knew exactly what condo we were getting before we got there. The condo was amazing. Our condo was on the first floor which we didn't mind a bit. We were on the end of the first building though, so there wasn't much foot traffic in front of it. Literally steps from the beach though. Amazing views. No other place in Maui is this close to the beach. The beach right in front of the condo wasn't too good for swimming; it's a pretty short steep beach. But walk left or right 100 feet and it's some of the best beach on Maui. Not crowded at all, because it's not right next to any resorts. To the left is a half mile of awesome beach with no one on it. The best snorkeling was just to the left of the condo between Mahana and Black rock. If you’re worried about the beach in front of the hotel, DON'T BE! We were a little, but were extremely happy with the location and the beach on either side of the condo. The pool was just totally redone and is awesome. Not huge, but you've got the beach right there. They've got grill to barbeque if you wish. The internet worked good in the lobby, but was really slow in the condo. We went on the Four winds snorkel cruise to molokini. It was fun, but we wouldn't go again. The smaller the boat the better. There were about 60 people on ours, which wasn't bad, but there were soooo many people at molokini that you kept bumping in to people. All the snorkel cruises get there at the same time. So if you can find a smaller cruise it'd probably be better. The best snorkeling was right by the condo and North on 30 up by Honolua Bay. We did the Haleakala and it was amazing. It was clear on top and awesome. We did the road to Hana after that which was exciting, but we only made it to mile 22 before we turned back. We didn't want to drive back in the dark. So if you go you might want to go early and spend a whole day doing it. We also drove the northwest side of the island up 30 which turns into 340 (kahekili hwy) Some awesome beaches and a blow hole. Definitely hike down to the blow hole, bring some sturdy shoes though. One the road turned to a one lane ATV trail; we turned back after stopping at the smoothie bus for a snack. We liked Leilani's and Hula grill in Whaler's village. Swan Court at the Hyatt was awesome. Sansei for sushi....defiantly go here. It's up by the Ritz Carlton now, but the front desk will give you directions. The gazebo was the best breakfast on Maui. Try the banana pancakes and the omelets were awesome. It's worth the 20 min wait if there is one. Just turn left out of the condo, about 10 minutes on the left in the napili shores condos. We ate breakfast at the plantation house, it was awesome. We didn't care for the Lahaina fish company though. We went to the Old Lahaina Luau, it was recommended and we thought it was awesome. There's a grocery store right a crossed from the condo and a Maui dive shop to rent snorkel gear from. We also took a helicopter ride from Alex Air. We signed up for the east side tour and ended up getting upgraded to a whole island tour for free. It's expensive, but if your gonna take a helicopter tour; this is the place to do it. Overall, we loved Mahana, can't wait to go back. We had no problems there at all. Great place for a honeymoon or a vacation, with or without family. There was a washer and dry in the condo and beach towels, so we didn't have to bring any.

I have stayed at the Mahana Since 2000. Before it was a Resort Quest Property and even before it became an Aston property. I have stayed here a total of 8 times at 8 to 10 day intervals. This Condo is my choice because of its privacy and location. You have exclusive privacy on your balcony. Every condo has the same ocean front view, so there is no need to be upcharged from a garden view. Unless someone is on a boat and has a great pair of binoculars, you're virtually alone. Since these condos are equipped with a full kitchen, the Star Market, being right across the street, makes your stay even more affordable. It is away from the main strip of resorts, so if you are looking for nightlife, you will need a car. Whale watching off of your balcony is best in February and March. bring a great camera with a zoom lens and some really cool binoculars (or borrow them from the guys on the boat!LOL). Sit back and get better views and pics than you wouls by spending $$$ on one of the whale chasing tours. If you're loking for the "Room Service" type of place, this is not it. Turn down service and housekeeping are wonderful. Don't forget to leave a couple $$ on the pillows for everyday that you are there, they work real hard to make you happy. The pool is average but the beach is REAL CLOSE! The Embassy suites next door honor your room charge cards, so you can hang out by their multi-million $ pool and eat at their restuarants and bars. The Mahana is a definite choice for those who wish to maximize their time together or for the single person wanting to get-away to a beautiful, peacful place where one can find themselves or get focused. The Mahana is a very quiet location where you can hear the ocean 24/7 with your balcony door open. Nothing better to drift off to sleep with. Please enjoy this place like my wife and I do, and have over the years!

Clean condo room, full kitchen, washer dryer, internet and all oceanfront - I was shocked that I got a room with everything I needed right on the beach. Not as new as some hotels, but the new hotels can't be built on the beach anymore, so slightly older hotels like the Mahana are fantastic. The unit I stayed in was upgraded last year, the front desk says, and it was like new. I heard that other hotels in the area were very average, like the Marriott and the Hyatt, so I was pleased I stayed at the Mahana. I did not realise that all the room are ocenfront, so you can't get a bad room. I had a one bedroom and it was awesome, I think next time I may choose a studio as I thought, wrongly, that the studio's weren't oceanfront, but they are, I didn't need all the space of a one-bed, but if you have kids, a one-bed or two-bed is the way to go.

The website showed positive reviews and beautiful photos with a crystal clear pool, so we upgraded to the Mahana. I liked the view, but the construction noise and the lack of service support was difficult to enjoy. At the Mahana, the pool and spa were roped off with yellow caution tape and there were no other swimming options as sewage had overflowed into the ocean nearby. But then who comes to Hawaii to swim anyway? Me! It was not as advertised.

The website claims that pool construction is finished, well that is NOT true. The entire pool area was under construction (no jacuzzi) and noise EVERYWHERE. I was very dissapointed that the information was not truthfully disclosed. The views were spectacular, but that was the extent of anything impressive. We booked a room for 3 and were promised 2 twins and a pullout couch. On arrival we were told that NO rooms have twin beds and that 2 of our party would be sharing a king. Not a huge deal except I was dissapointed once again of their non-disclosure of their facility. I would stay there again but would not pay more than $200 a night. It is a very dated hotel -- their location and oceanfront views are their only assets. Buyer beware is all I can say. The website is not an accurate description.

You will not find a hotel like this anywhere else on the island! Every single room is ocean front...you can't get any closer to the water! This is a very relaxing hotel...not congested and high priced like the other "chain" hotels. Very quiet but close to major restaurants and shopping.

Loved it there. Right on the water and not to far from shopping. The desk keeper was very friendly and the rest of the staff could not help us out any more than they did. Want to go back soon.

My husband and I have been to Maui 7 times, trying out a few other condos and our conclusion is; the Title tells it all. Guess where I am writing this from? Yes, we are back at the Mahana again. We come back here because it is one of the only hotels with a "reasonable price" that you can actually see, hear and walk right to the ocean. Its clean, large condo rooms, full kitchens, nicely furnished and very comfortable, it just feels like home with AC, TV, stereo, VCR, etc. You just cant beat the view of the two adjacent islands of Molokai and Lani. Here are the most beautiful sunsets i have ever seen. Location is great. It's quiet, with close access to a grocery store for those things you forgot, pus other great shops in the same place, and just a few minutes away from Lahaina where Front Street is "my favorite place" to cure my "shop till i drop." Mahana, Maui, my home away from home.