Alexandra
Contributor
Maui Trip Report
April 21-29, 2006
Hotel:
We stayed at the Hyatt in Kaanapali, just north of Lahaina on the West coast of Maui. Its at the far end of the hotel strip so a little less trafficked by passer bys. The hotel itself is quite nice on well kept ground with good pools. The check-in was simple but given that we arrived around noon, our room was not ready and we were told we would have to wait till 3pm. In the meantime, we went down to the restaurant by the pool to have lunch. We were upgraded from a non view room to a partial ocean view room which had a corner view of the water and ½ view of the golf course. Its not like we spent that much time in our room or on our balcony that the view really mattered.
The room itself was comfortable with ample space. Sofa and coffee table, desk, TV, very very comfortable bed, separate entrance/bathroom sink area, bathtub and toilet in a room of their own. Good size walk in closet also off the entrance.
To cut down on costs, we went shopping at the Costco by the airport and stopped by Safeway in Lahaina. When we checked-in to our rooms, the bellman immediately called the hotel service desk and got us a mini-fridge! This really helped us out as the mini bar fridge is tiny and honestly not very cool. We were able to have our own beers for the week which was great and economical. We also kept milk for breakfast, cheeses and sandwich meats.
Restaurant/Meals:
As noted above, we really tried to cut down on the costs of this trip so we did eat all meals at restaurants. Most breakfasts we ate on the way to the dive shop in the morning (breakfast cake from Costco, cereal, fruits). We did have breakfast at Cheeseburger in Paradise one morning and that was pretty good, affordable, plus a great view. The last day we had the super duper plate covering pancakes at Pioneer Inn in Lahaina. Yummy and again very affordable. We shared one plate for 2 and that was plenty! Lunches were mostly in Lahaina, after returning from morning dives. We ate at Cool Cats twice although not that great. Front Street Grill was not only better food but a much nicer atmosphere. We also had a wonderful lunch in Paia (on the way to Hana) at the Fish Market highly recommended. Dinner options were varied. A few nights we stayed at the hotel and had cheese, crackers and paté, grilled chicken and salad. We also had a beautiful romantic dinner at the Westin Tropica restaurant. Including a medium priced wine, the dinner came to $175 but the food was exquisite.
Diving:
We dove the whole week with Lahaina Divers on Dickenson street in Lahaina. We did a total of 5 2-tank dives, and 2 full day 4-tank dives going to Lanai, Molokini and Maui. The dive sites included: (Lanai) Cathedrals I, II and III (Mempachi), No name paradise, , (Molokini) Reefs end, back wall, Tako flats, (Maui) beach dives at the Hyatt reef, and the 5 graves/caves Makena, Wala wharf, Jodo Reef, Cliff House East and West, The Point.
We had a great time with Lahaina Divers and were particularly impressed with John and Dan (brothers) who not only were excellent guides and divers but honestly enjoy what they do and go above and beyond to make the trips more fun for all. All their dives are guided, which may come to a surprise to California divers who are used to being left on their own. However, it is pleasant while on vacation to not have to have your nose glued to your compass.
Visibility was excellent on an average between 75 and 100 although the back wall of Molokini does open up to 150. They said we had almost 200 one day but I dont know if I agree with that. Nonetheless, it was excellent.
Water temp was mostly around 74-75 with a few shallower dives closer to 76-77. This is according to my Suunto computer. Accordingly to the Uwatec, we had a few dives at 78. I started out wearing a 3/5mm full wetsuit but got a little chilled at the end of the dives, especially the 2nd or 3rd in the day. So, I started to wear my 3/5 hooded vest as well and felt fine. Some folks wore 3mm, some 5mm, some even wore shorties, and a few even in 7mm. Basically it all depends on what makes you happy and comfortable in the water.
Conclusion:
The total cost of vacation was close to $3000 for the 2 of us for 8 days but we used miles to get us to Maui and Hyatt points for the hotel. The car rental was $250 and we were extremely lucky to get an upgrade from a midsize to a Chevy Trailblazer. Note: gas on the island is WAY expensive kind of like everything else.
It was a wonderful vacation and I would definitely recommend taking a week to relax and go diving but try to cut down on costs while there as it is really overpriced.
Words of wisdom:
Dont bother getting up at 3-3:30am to go to the top of the mountain to see the sun rise. Unless its your first day there and you are totally jetlagged anyway, it is just not worth it.
Make lunch your main meal and dinner a lighter one so that you arent stuck paying the higher prices.
If you are staying in Lahaina, dont bother driving to Kilue to dive with the shops over there. Again, not worth the getting up 45m earlier to go to the same dive sites.
In fact, if you are there for a week or more try to stick with one dive group. Not only can you get a multi-dive discount but you get to know them and them you which is really valuable.
If you decide to go snorkeling be sure to ask where the boat is going. If they are going to a site which is in 40 of water, the snorkeling will stink. The afternoon dives are usually the ones to take snorkelers on, or plan to go from the shore.
When you do the drive to Hana, dont stop there and turn around. Take the day and go all around the island. The south side is absolutely gorgeous and totally inhabitated. Yes, you will need to start your day early and if you do a few hikes/stops along the way, it will take you the full day. Its totally worth it!
Dont forget the convenience of grocery stores you may not be able to do a full shopping spree without a kitchen at your disposal but you can certainly get a head of lettuce $2, some dressing $3, and a grilled chicken $6 for dinner price of eating on the balcony of your hotel in your PJs with your toes in the breeze $priceless.
Photos: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2106564834
April 21-29, 2006
Hotel:
We stayed at the Hyatt in Kaanapali, just north of Lahaina on the West coast of Maui. Its at the far end of the hotel strip so a little less trafficked by passer bys. The hotel itself is quite nice on well kept ground with good pools. The check-in was simple but given that we arrived around noon, our room was not ready and we were told we would have to wait till 3pm. In the meantime, we went down to the restaurant by the pool to have lunch. We were upgraded from a non view room to a partial ocean view room which had a corner view of the water and ½ view of the golf course. Its not like we spent that much time in our room or on our balcony that the view really mattered.
The room itself was comfortable with ample space. Sofa and coffee table, desk, TV, very very comfortable bed, separate entrance/bathroom sink area, bathtub and toilet in a room of their own. Good size walk in closet also off the entrance.
To cut down on costs, we went shopping at the Costco by the airport and stopped by Safeway in Lahaina. When we checked-in to our rooms, the bellman immediately called the hotel service desk and got us a mini-fridge! This really helped us out as the mini bar fridge is tiny and honestly not very cool. We were able to have our own beers for the week which was great and economical. We also kept milk for breakfast, cheeses and sandwich meats.
Restaurant/Meals:
As noted above, we really tried to cut down on the costs of this trip so we did eat all meals at restaurants. Most breakfasts we ate on the way to the dive shop in the morning (breakfast cake from Costco, cereal, fruits). We did have breakfast at Cheeseburger in Paradise one morning and that was pretty good, affordable, plus a great view. The last day we had the super duper plate covering pancakes at Pioneer Inn in Lahaina. Yummy and again very affordable. We shared one plate for 2 and that was plenty! Lunches were mostly in Lahaina, after returning from morning dives. We ate at Cool Cats twice although not that great. Front Street Grill was not only better food but a much nicer atmosphere. We also had a wonderful lunch in Paia (on the way to Hana) at the Fish Market highly recommended. Dinner options were varied. A few nights we stayed at the hotel and had cheese, crackers and paté, grilled chicken and salad. We also had a beautiful romantic dinner at the Westin Tropica restaurant. Including a medium priced wine, the dinner came to $175 but the food was exquisite.
Diving:
We dove the whole week with Lahaina Divers on Dickenson street in Lahaina. We did a total of 5 2-tank dives, and 2 full day 4-tank dives going to Lanai, Molokini and Maui. The dive sites included: (Lanai) Cathedrals I, II and III (Mempachi), No name paradise, , (Molokini) Reefs end, back wall, Tako flats, (Maui) beach dives at the Hyatt reef, and the 5 graves/caves Makena, Wala wharf, Jodo Reef, Cliff House East and West, The Point.
We had a great time with Lahaina Divers and were particularly impressed with John and Dan (brothers) who not only were excellent guides and divers but honestly enjoy what they do and go above and beyond to make the trips more fun for all. All their dives are guided, which may come to a surprise to California divers who are used to being left on their own. However, it is pleasant while on vacation to not have to have your nose glued to your compass.
Visibility was excellent on an average between 75 and 100 although the back wall of Molokini does open up to 150. They said we had almost 200 one day but I dont know if I agree with that. Nonetheless, it was excellent.
Water temp was mostly around 74-75 with a few shallower dives closer to 76-77. This is according to my Suunto computer. Accordingly to the Uwatec, we had a few dives at 78. I started out wearing a 3/5mm full wetsuit but got a little chilled at the end of the dives, especially the 2nd or 3rd in the day. So, I started to wear my 3/5 hooded vest as well and felt fine. Some folks wore 3mm, some 5mm, some even wore shorties, and a few even in 7mm. Basically it all depends on what makes you happy and comfortable in the water.
Conclusion:
The total cost of vacation was close to $3000 for the 2 of us for 8 days but we used miles to get us to Maui and Hyatt points for the hotel. The car rental was $250 and we were extremely lucky to get an upgrade from a midsize to a Chevy Trailblazer. Note: gas on the island is WAY expensive kind of like everything else.
It was a wonderful vacation and I would definitely recommend taking a week to relax and go diving but try to cut down on costs while there as it is really overpriced.
Words of wisdom:
Dont bother getting up at 3-3:30am to go to the top of the mountain to see the sun rise. Unless its your first day there and you are totally jetlagged anyway, it is just not worth it.
Make lunch your main meal and dinner a lighter one so that you arent stuck paying the higher prices.
If you are staying in Lahaina, dont bother driving to Kilue to dive with the shops over there. Again, not worth the getting up 45m earlier to go to the same dive sites.
In fact, if you are there for a week or more try to stick with one dive group. Not only can you get a multi-dive discount but you get to know them and them you which is really valuable.
If you decide to go snorkeling be sure to ask where the boat is going. If they are going to a site which is in 40 of water, the snorkeling will stink. The afternoon dives are usually the ones to take snorkelers on, or plan to go from the shore.
When you do the drive to Hana, dont stop there and turn around. Take the day and go all around the island. The south side is absolutely gorgeous and totally inhabitated. Yes, you will need to start your day early and if you do a few hikes/stops along the way, it will take you the full day. Its totally worth it!
Dont forget the convenience of grocery stores you may not be able to do a full shopping spree without a kitchen at your disposal but you can certainly get a head of lettuce $2, some dressing $3, and a grilled chicken $6 for dinner price of eating on the balcony of your hotel in your PJs with your toes in the breeze $priceless.
Photos: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2106564834
