Kaanapali Beach on Maui’s west shore was once considered the best beach on the Valley Isle. Today, the best view of Kaanapali beaches is with your back to the beach. Why? Today, Kaanapali Beach is littered with…
Condominiums. Hotels. Resorts. They’re everywhere. And it’s been that way for a few decades. In fact, driving along the highway west of Lahaina, you can’t see the beach at all. It’s hotels, resorts, condos, and golf courses.
The view? It’s stunning. If you’re standing on the beach, looking toward Lanai or Molokai, and your back is toward the hotels and condominiums.
It starts with the sprawling Hyatt Regency Maui; the first resort along the Kaanapali coast. This once luxurious complex was part of the fantasy collection of resorts built by developer Chris Hemmeter for Hyatt in the late 70s and early 80s.
The view from the beach is great; not the view OF the beach. The Hyatt, though was once a great a luxurious lady of the beach. Today, the dark wood halls and rooms seem quaintly out of touch with today’s open view requirements. Still, the staff is courteous, warm, friendly, and helpful.
Farther down Kaanapali beach is the Maui Marriott; looking more like a resort that floated over from Florida than anything else. Suites at the Marriott range from a modest $205 to well over $1,000 per day. I’d have to ask myself, if I could afford $1,000 a day, would I stay here?
The Marriott does boast a shopping arcade near the beach with over 20 well appointed shops. There are fountains and waterfalls. Coconut groves and pools sprinkled among the Marriott’s 15 acres of semi-lush luxury.
Nearby is the aging Kaanapali Alii; one of the first luxury condominiums to grace the beach at Kaanapali. Just because it’s a condo, doesn’t mean you can’t get a room there. Many luxury rooms are available at modest rates considering the quality of the neighborhood.
Kaanapali is one of Maui’s first master planned resort communities. While it was pure luxury back in the late 70s and early 80s, other resort areas, notably Wailea, west of Mt. Haleakala, show more staying power.
Want to see the beach at Kaanapali? Don’t. The view of Lanai or Molokai from the beach is better.
