Is Ka'anapali Beach Club Good or Bad

[Carlos Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carlos]

Hello All,

My wife and I are going to Hawaii for two weeks. First to Marriott's Ko Okina and then to Maui for a week. I was not able to exchange into Marriott's Maui Ocean Club so I am staying at Diamond's Ka'anapali Beach Club. I have read mixed reviews on the resort. Some think it's great and others feel it has gone down. Will it be a major step down? It looks like the best of the other DRI properties on Maui.

Those of you who have gone recently could you please share with me your thoughts. I am going with my wife. She likes things pretty plush which is why I tried to get the Marriott. She always gets down on DRI, but I usually don't have a problem as long as it's clean and everything works.

Are all of the rooms upgraded? What is the difference between oceanview and deluxe ocean view. We have the deluxe. I know there is no stove but there is a refrigerator. How big is the frig?

Will they have activities at the resort that people really participate in? I understand it is not on the main drag, but within walking distance. How far is it to walk in terms of time?

If there is anything else you think I should know please do share.

Thanks!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Three years ago we spent a week at KBC and then moved to the Marriott for a week. Our unit at KBC was much nicer and in far better condition. The location of the Marriott in terms of walking Ka'anapali beach is better. but KBC was located fine and was a good base for all our day trips. And we drove over and parked in the public parking and spent the day at the main Ka'anapali Beach easily.

The pool at KBC was huge - very pleasant and uncrowded.

[kexueli Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kexueli]

My father-in-law stayed there last year with his fiancee. He was so impressed that he almost bought points there even after we told him in advance that under no circumstances should he get talked into buying points (he can always use our points - we have plenty). And unlike myself, my father-in-law is accustomed to all the fancy stuff, so I imagine that it was a pretty nice place.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Thanks for the opinions! I would like to return to Maui someday but was not enamoured with the high-rise hotel atmosphere at the Marriott or the Westin. Now I know I can just use my Diamond points for a resort that sounds much more like my sort of place!

[Carlos Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carlos]

Good To Hear

I am glad that I am hearing positive things. I thought more people on this forum would have been there or shared a response since it is a DRI property.

[johnsorg Member Find all posts View Profile Close johnsorg]

I stayed there for a week in February in a deluxe ocean view unit. I thought it was the best Diamond Resort I have ever stayed in. I would recommend getting a room on pool side. I stayed on other side and all the air conditioning condensors are on that side and are very loud. The pool is very nice and there was never a problem with overcrowding. The rooms are very well appointed and the refrigerator is full size. There is no oven but I requested an electric skillet and that was fine for our needs. One gotcha there is that there is a mandatory $16 a day parking fee, whether or not you use the valet. There is really no strip in the area, you must drive to everything. The town of Lahaina, an old whaling village, is only about 4 miles away and has some very good restaurants. The Aloha Mixed Plate had ridiculously low prices and great food. Send me a private e-mail if you have any questions.

[wwomant Member Find all posts View Profile Close wwomant]

We haven't stayed there yet, but we did do the TS presentation tour there and loved it. I would eventually love to stay there.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I am glad that I am hearing positive things. I thought more people on this forum would have been there or shared a response since it is a DRI property.

We stayed here once on a promotion in a 1 BR unit with an ocean view and it was a very nice condo. I don't remember what kind of kitchen it had. This is why I didn't respond to your post. The beach was deserted but it was in November over two years ago.

[winger Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close winger]

You won't be sorry...but

Being a Marriott owner, let me offer a few comparisons.

First, we stayed in a 2-bd, corner location, ocean view last April (2009) at KBC followed by a garden view 2-bd (original) Marriott Maui O C unit.

1) If you are wanting that awesome tropical outdoor pool area at KBC that one is maybe accustomed to seeing/experiencing at Marriott's Maui Ocean Club or Ko Olina, you will be dissapointed. That is NOT saying that KBC's pool/outdoor area is the dumps; rather, it is very functional, just that I have not seen any Diamond property pool area's ambience beat Marriott's pool area's in general and I have been to four or six DRI properties so far (depending if I included DRI-affiliate resorts or not).

2) This assessment extends somewhat to KBC's lobby area, although the difference between KBC and again maybe Marriott's Maui OC lobby is not as 'wide' as the pool area ambience difference

3) Unit-wise, it was very nice, roomy, awesome views of the sunset every night from the dinner table. Actually, better than our original-side 2-bd Marriott Maui OC unit. (to add to Johnsorg's comments....I do have to say that DRI's Sedona Summit Mesa unit's interior is nicer than KBC's).

We asked to be shown a deluxe ocean view 1-bd renovated unit - that was awesome, right over the rather narrow beach. Felt like we were right over the water!

Now, beware, there's been complaints that some deluxe ocean view units does not offer the direct-ocean facing view. This is OK I guess if one goes strictly by the resort's definition of what deluxe ocean view is, which I believe is a unit that offers a 65-70 percent view of the ocean. You have to ask the front desk for the exact numbers.

Overall, definitely a good enough location to call home for a week or two when in Maui - although, IF we can also get into either the Westin or Marriott, we may choose those other two routes.

[Carlos Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carlos]

Interesting...

Being a Marriott owner, let me offer a few comparisons.

First, we stayed in a 2-bd, corner location, ocean view last April (2009) at KBC followed by a garden view 2-bd (original) Marriott Maui O C unit.

1) If you are wanting that awesome tropical outdoor pool area at KBC that one is maybe accustomed to seeing/experiencing at Marriott's Maui Ocean Club or Ko Olina, you will be dissapointed. That is NOT saying that KBC's pool/outdoor area is the dumps; rather, it is very functional, just that I have not seen any Diamond property pool area's ambience beat Marriott's pool area's in general and I have been to four or six DRI properties so far (depending if I included DRI-affiliate resorts or not).

2) This assessment extends somewhat to KBC's lobby area, although the difference between KBC and again maybe Marriott's Maui OC lobby is not as 'wide' as the pool area ambience difference

3) Unit-wise, it was very nice, roomy, awesome views of the sunset every night from the dinner table. Actually, better than our original-side 2-bd Marriott Maui OC unit. (to add to Johnsorg's comments....I do have to say that DRI's Sedona Summit Mesa unit's interior is nicer than KBC's).

We asked to be shown a deluxe ocean view 1-bd renovated unit - that was awesome, right over the rather narrow beach. Felt like we were right over the water!

Now, beware, there's been complaints that some deluxe ocean view units does not offer the direct-ocean facing view. This is OK I guess if one goes strictly by the resort's definition of what deluxe ocean view is, which I believe is a unit that offers a 65-70 percent view of the ocean. You have to ask the front desk for the exact numbers.

Overall, definitely a good enough location to call home for a week or two when in Maui - although, IF we can also get into either the Westin or Marriott, we may choose those other two routes.

As noted above, I will be coming from Ko Olina so I am glad that you have been able to make a comparison for me. (I am stll a little ticked that my 2 bedroom Ko Olina lock off could not pull a Maui Ocean Club 2 bdroom, but that's a whole 'nother story.)

I just wanted to ask a few things. Do you know if the pool had been renovated when you were there? Also, are there washer/dryers in the rooms. I know that some DRI properties do and some don't.

Does anyone know if DRI gives any sort of room preferences to their owners? I have not really noticed it in the past, but when one is a Gold Elite or Platinum member, wouldn't you think they would give some sort of room preference to them.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

There are no washer/dryers in the rooms at KBC but there are common laundry facilities. The kitchen is pretty limited - fridge and microwave (and coffee maker). But the 1 bedroom units are very spacious, and the bathroom is very large and luxurious (marble throughout, large soaking tub, separate shower - entry through both living area and bedroom) - I am usually very picky an insist on 2 bedrooms if traveling with my kids, but they were very comfortable in the living room. As I said earlier, the 1 bedroom unit at MMOC was a definite downgrade. Our unit had been beautifully upgraded, and by now, all the units should be done. You should check with the resort or someone else may have more recent info.

There aren't many 2 bedrooms at the original Marriott Maui OC and they are hard to come by via exchange - so I'm not sure if you really couldn't pull one if it were in inventory, or if there just weren't any available. When are you going?

I am pretty sure the pool at KBC was just redone - there was a notice about pool closure around this time last year if I recall correctly. And it was great before that - VERY large and open - plenty of loungers. The Marriott pool is pretty with lots of "features," but narrow and meandering - hard to keep an eye on kids and not enough chaises when we were there.

I don't know the difference in the views you ask about, but hopefully someone with DRI experience will be able to help with your question about owner preference. I got there through an exchange and had only "island view," but even that was ok since the grounds have a great view and we didn't spend a lot of time in the room. I know the resort does its best to please guests. Oceanview units should at worst be on the side facing the pool with a nice, unobstructed ocean view to your right - beautiful sunsets btw. Others may be direct beachfront, but I don't know if those have a different designation.

Our "ocean view" at the Marriott (traded in using a Marriott) was over the parking lot/dumpster with a glimpse of the ocean craning our necks and looking far in the distance (there are better OV rooms, but that's what we got and they refused to move us).

I wouldn't hesitate to stay at KBC again. If you don't like it, I will buy you a Mai Tai.

[Tommyboy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tommyboy]

I have not posted much , but very much enjoy reading. Just about every day at lunch. KBC is one of the nicest places we have stayed, mostly Diamond resorts. The resturant was very nice a couple of years ago and they have a great breakfast. We will be going back in May for a three nights then on to the Point at Poipu for a week. I believe the owners get free parking, or maybe just elete owners but we didn't have to pay last time. The pool was just redone last June, so I have not seen it yet. The Ocean View rooms are really partial ocean view and the ones on the service side can be noisy with the air conditioner noise. The Deluxe Ocean View rooms are supposed to be facing the ocean but not all are actually over the beach, some are back on the terraces. In any case, the rooms have a lot of space and very nicely appointed.
In any event, the Mai Tais are great.

[JudyS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JudyS]

...One gotcha there is that there is a mandatory $16 a day parking fee, whether or not you use the valet....

Do owners pay that fee, too, or just exchangers? Also, do you think it's possible to enjoy this resort without a car? (Or is there some way to rent a car just part of the time?)

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Do owners pay that fee, too, or just exchangers? Also, do you think it's possible to enjoy this resort without a car? (Or is there some way to rent a car just part of the time?)

There are places to rent cars in Kaanapali/Lahaina. We are planning to use SpeediShuttle for airport transportation and do daily car rentals when we are in the mood to explore.

[winger Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close winger]

As noted above, I will be coming from Ko Olina so I am glad that you have been able to make a comparison for me. (I am stll a little ticked that my 2 bedroom Ko Olina lock off could not pull a Maui Ocean Club 2 bdroom, but that's a whole 'nother story.)

I just wanted to ask a few things. Do you know if the pool had been renovated when you were there? Also, are there washer/dryers in the rooms. I know that some DRI properties do and some don't.

Does anyone know if DRI gives any sort of room preferences to their owners? I have not really noticed it in the past, but when one is a Gold Elite or Platinum member, wouldn't you think they would give some sort of room preference to them.

Sorry for the late post - I've been away from 'these parts' lately.

Ko Olina as a resort beats KBC in lots of regards (we stayed at MKO the year before for two weeks).

The pool was scheduled to be redone after we left in 2009 (if I recall correctly).

I believe I got some room preference ...and how do I know that? Well, b/c I asked for a particular view on a particular floor with a particular kitchen (one with the stove top!). My 8yo son has severe nut allergies (as well as other foods), so it is always important for us to be able to cook for him when we go on trips. He normally brings his own home-cooked foods into restaurants when we go out to eat.