Kaanapali Beach Hotel


By Teresa Plowright, About.com


Kaanapali Beach is on Maui's northwest coast, just north of Lahaina, in an area with many resorts on popular Kaanapali Beach.

The Ka'anapali Beach Hotel - with 430 low-rise rooms and suites, and 11 beachfront acres-- aims to be a "moderately priced first class hotel". It's been voted "#1 Best Value Hotel in Hawaii" in Travel & Leisure Magazine, and a "Best Place to Stay" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.

What's Special about the K'anapali Beach Hotel:

The Kaanapali bills itself as: Maui's Most Hawaiian Hotel", with Hawaiian quilt bedspreads, tropical furnishings, original art, lei-making, hula.

Other features include: airy lanai (balconies), ocean activities, complimentary Hawaiian activities, free kids program, nearby shopping, championship golf. See section on watersports, below.As for watersports, at the Kaanapali:

  • a popular snorkeling spot is nearby
  • excursions are available for snorkeling, diving, sailing
  • Scuba is available for ages 12 and up
  • surfing classes available too
  • beach activities include sandcastles, skim board, boogie board
  • whale watching season is December to May

What's special about the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel for families:

  • Aloha Passport for Kids: at check-in for the Kaanapali, kids receive a passport, which gets stamped when they participate in activities (hula classes, lei making, sand image classes, leaf-printing, etc.) Kids get a gift at each "destination", too.
  • kids 6 to 12 can experience 12 destinations; 3 to 5 year-olds have an eight-destination passport.
  • Parents can join in some of the activities; the program is free
  • little ones two and under get a sand pail of goodies to enjoy at the beach
  • rooms at the Kaanapali sleep up to four; kids 17 and under are free when staying with parent(s) in existing beds
  • restaurants are kid-friendly and affordable, including the Kaanapali Mixed Plate Restaurant with three all-you-can-eat buffets daily; kids 6 to12 eat at a reduced price, and 5 years or younger eat free with a paid adult

Packages at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel:

This property has frequent packages: check the "Specials" page at the Ka'anapali site for current promotions. Look for "Whale Encounter Package" during whale-watching season (Jan. to April.)

Find out more about the Kaanapali Beach Hotel:

This brief profile is meant to introduce this resort to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check resort sites for updates.
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