$300 room per night….Three star rooms, one star staff. I would recommend to stay away from this place find another better place. Not worth the money and the service from the staff. We are on vacation and look forward to have a good time, relax and enjoy the vacation!!!
Honeymoon Getaway
hjh314
Very beautiful location. Staff is very friendly and helpful. My only complaint is that we were promised a room upgrade when booking (the reason we chose to stay here), and then were denied this upgrade on check-in. If advertised, I would take this with a grain of salt next time.
Dated and poor service
loretta0527
(Chagrin Falls, Ohio)
This hotel is very dated. Peeling paint, dirty hallways, and dirty carpet
The front desk is not very friendly
The concierge is only there to help with selling their trips and expects a tip. Forget dinner reservations or tips on what to see
Overpriced and disappointing for sure
Best Macadamia nut pancakes on the island
jonborer
(Anaheim Hills, California)
The Beach Club Restaurant had the best macadamia pancakes on the island. The were hot, fluffy and served with a generous portion of macadamia nuts. We tried other restaurants in the area for comparison. They did not meet the standard of the Beach Club!!!!!
Aston Kaanapali Shores in Maui: Terrible service terrible stay
Bellavoce1
We were frequent visitors of Maui pre Covid but had stayed at the Westin Villas. Due to the influx of visitors this April, the Westin and many other reputable hotels were booked. Hawaiin Air recommended this hotel to us and we were disappointed from the beginning to the end. We were told at check in that due to Covid we would not be receiving cleaning service. At arrival our room was dated and dirty. Our air conditioning, TV and screen door were not functioning. When we asked for repairs no one came. There was no staff present to service us at any area of the hotel. Many days we waited for the pool attendant to arrive very late. There was no beach access and the closest beach was a 10 minute walk. The pool areas were extremely full although we had heard that all hotels were supposed to be at 30% occupancy due to Covid. There was no staff monitoring Covid protocols and no guest adhering to Covid protocols. To add insult to injury, our friends who were lucky to be staying at neighboring resorts experienced all the things we were denied - full staff, full service, adherence to Covid protocols, and daily cleaning service,
The Aston Whaler is an excellent place to stay, on Kaanapali beach with great views of the ocean and west Maui mountains. Staff are very nice, and the condo units are clean and well furnished. Great kitchen facilities. They provide soap, shampoo, towels, beach towels, free laundry on each floor with free laundry detergent, hair conditioner, and other amenities. We loved our stay here and it was our second time.
Covid Travel
Chris C
(Liberty Lake, Washington)
Traveling to Hawaii may seem daunting but was not that bad despite the hoops you have to jump through to get in. Another nice stay at the Aston Whaler. Unfortunately they could not accommodate us for the entire stay in one room and we had to move mid vacation. Room 952 was amazing! Ocean front and spectacular views from the wrap-around balcony. Room was well appointed and updated. We had to move mid trip to 1052. While the balcony and room views were amazing, the room itself needed some repair and updating. Coffee maker was broke and the TV stopped working among other small issues (well the final 4 was one so that might be a big issue). The staff was very quick to respond and fixed as necessary. The move itself was less than desirable as it left us without our things and no place to go for about 5 hours. A bit of an inconvenience for sure. If they knew the change had to be made, planning a direct move would have eased the disruption to our vacation. I have rated this place 5 stars before, but not on this trip.
Beautiful Location
Binny04
This is a beautiful location on Kaanapali Beach. We arrived a little after the 4PM check-in and walked right to the front and were in our place quickly. A wonderful bellman took all of our luggage and Costco items to our room. We were given studio room 1116 with a garden view and what a view we had, I would have called it an ocean view. The room was very nice with no issues at all. Due to Covid we did not have daily cleaning service, but all amenities and towels were brought to you upon request. We played tennis on their wonderful courts and the gym was just what we needed. We can’t wait to come back to
2 things to think of
wisegurl2021
(Grass Valley, California)
If you had a restaurant and Bar it would be perfection. Everyone was very friendly and helped us with any needs we had. The view was spectacular. My Husband and I have visited 3 times and LOVE everything and all 3 times.
Great property
JerseyGirl319
(Providence, Rhode Island)
We just got back from a week at the Aston at the Whaler and loved it. The resort provided everything we needed for a great Hawaiian vacation. Our room was clean and updated. We had a studio ocean view condo. We really enjoyed having breakfast and coffee on our balcony each day overlooking the ocean. One great feature about the property is that it is not too large and very manageable to navigate. You can get from your room to the beach in under 5 minutes. Some of the other resorts in Maui are so large and confusing to navigate. Additionally, the resort is located on one of the best parts of Kaanapali Beach. If you are looking for a laid back trip, clean affordable room, the Aston at the Whaler is a great choice.
I had reserved a premium, 1 bedroom, ocean view villa. When I arrived I was told I had been given an “upgrade by the manager” to a 2 bedroom villa. I asked if it was ocean view, and was informed it was a ground level room with no ocean view. I informed the front desk this was not acceptable and I would be fine with my originally booked room type. After a lot of discussion, calls to the reservation manager, I was informed that there were no 1 bedroom, ocean view, premium rooms available. They said there might be rooms the next day or two days later if I wanted to consider moving rooms after 1-2 days. The front desk staff seemed very put out when we expressed my frustration about not getting the room I had reserved. Once checking into the “upgraded” room, I found it to be disgusting. The floors were not clean. The carpets/rugs were gray and dirty, the bathrooms were dingy. The dishwasher and oven door collide with each other so you cannot fully open the dishwasher to load it. The bedding left for the pullout bed was dirty with several long hairs on the blanket. The chairs in the kitchen had stains all over the cushions. The kitchen counters were not clean. Honestly it was the dirtiest hotel room I have ever stayed in. If I had the option to pack up and leave, I would have. I spoke to the manager the next day and he apologized for the inconveniences. We were given a complementary cleaning 3 days after we arrived. The grounds were very nice, beach access was good and the pool was nice. Upon checkout the manager also gave us a slight discount, but really not enough to make any of the situation we endured worth it. I cannot recommend your property to anyone. It is the only thing that wasn’t great about our vacation. This room really it a damper on the whole experience. I hoped for better.
Enjoyable time
mcda183
(Cumming, Georgia)
Perfect accommodation for our trip. Reasonably priced (compared to other nearby locations). Restaurant was ok. Beaches were very nice and active. We enjoyed our stay very much and had a wonderful time.
Trip to Maui
Companion58654994536
(Coeur d'Alene, Idaho)
Our trip to Maui Kaanapali Villas was perfect as always! The Staff is always friendly and gracious! The Grounds and Pool area were comfortable and relaxing. We miss the One Stop General Store in the lobby, but unfortunately it was closed during Covid. We hope it can reopen!
Great location for families
massey600
(Mendota Heights, Minnesota)
We have 7 and 9 year old children, the pool was perfect for them, an excellent beach right outside the resort, we rented boogie boards and cabanas from the hotel, that was convenient. The kids could swim in the waves everyday we were there. Clean and comfortable room. We did have a full kitchen unit that we had booked. No daily cleaning service because of Covid restrictions, we were there for 10 nights but they brought towels, soap, TP, Kleenx, etc as needed on request and picked up the dirty linens as well. Pool towels provided by the hotel, swapped them out daily for clean towels as well. Save room in you bag, don't pack the beach towels. I used the laundry facility a couple times, it was clean it didn't scare me to put my clothes in them :), Use the change not the credit card machine in the laundry facility. We ate at the restaurant several times, service was a little slow a couple times but it was due to them being understaffed becuase of Covid restrictions so understandable. Food was casual dining but did the trick for hungry kids that eat pancakes, chicken fingers and burgers. My husband loved the Loco Moco breakfast, a local fav! We had a wonderful experience at this hotel all around.
2nd time staying - a great place
bv50613
(Vallejo, California)
The entire property and location is great overall. Close to the beach and not super crowded like the Whalers Village area. We stayed in 175 and the only complaint is that the room was a bit out dated compared to the other rooms/villas we and family have stayed in before. The room we stayed in two years ago was super nice. My family whom had two separate rooms, had rooms that felt very homey and up to date, while our room in 175 (dolphin building) felt like it needed some love. It was dark and had old furniture and just felt not as welcoming as the other rooms did. Overall, still a great place to stay! I will be going back on many more trips to come.
I've been on hold for 17 minutes trying to make a reservation
LuckyBMom
(San Diego, California)
I've been on hold for 17 minutes trying to make a reservation. There is construction going on at Mahana so I didn't want to make reservations online without some assurances, ie I didn't want to pay $500 and have dust and noise from construction outside my lanai.
Anyways, I gave up. If I have to wait 17 minutes to give them my money, imagine the poor service once they had your money!
Beautiful View
Sam2417
(Verona, Wisconsin)
We stayed at the Mahana in #1107...the unit itself was great. Very clean and updated...laundry in the unit and supplies for the beach. Pool area is nice and parking was never an issue. The view is outstanding...
Amazing views!!
Holly L
(Minneapolis, Minnesota)
We stayed at the Mahana in March/April 2021 for a week and had a fabulous time. The location to the beach is the closest on the island and it felt as you could touch the ocean from the room. While there isn’t a beach to layout on (because the resort is that close to the beach) you can walk 3 minutes (literally 3 minutes at most) and have the full Ka’annapali beach to layout as you wish. The room view from the room was the most incredible ever. I would highly recommend the Mahana and would plan to stay here again.
Amazing waterfront views
Timothy J
(Anchorage, Alaska)
Absolutely loved this place. Amazing waterfront views from your lanai, which is so close to the ocean it feels like you’re darn near on top of it. We saw whales, seals and sea turtles right from our patio. Beautiful rainbows and incredible sunsets every single night. The grounds are pretty nice too with beautiful, lush gardens in the front. The whole place had a kind of quiet tucked away vibe even though it’s actually pretty darn close to everything. Most everything you could need as far as a grocery store, coffee shop, quick eats, etc. is within easy walking distance.
The downsides meant very little to us but they might to others. First, there are not very many amenities and the pool area is quite basic. Second there is very little beachfront, like maybe 5-10ft wide. Third it’s pretty windy (though the lanais are very well protected). Fourth, there aren’t many sit-down restaurants or bars nearby, though Duke’s (right next door) is quite good. Most everything is a short drive away but if you truly want to be right smack in the middle of it all you may have to go a little further south along kaanapali beach. We liked this as it added to the relaxing retreat vibe, but others may be looking for something different.
We’ll definitely consider this property again should we return to Maui, and will recommend it to our friends. Thanks for the great stay.
BEST Views in town!
twarpula
(San Clemente, California)
We booked the Aston Mahana because of their flexibility with cancelation. The proximity to the ocean was the best out of all the other resorts we looked at. They are very mask "crazy" which was annoying since we were outside and the wind was blowing.
I can not say enough good things about our stay. They have 2 pools but only 1 was open due to Covid. When we arrived it was only open from 11-6:30 but shortly after it went to 9-9. the staff were incredible at making sure lounge chairs were sanitized between each person using them. they were right on it. In fact they have to be the hardest working resort staff I have ever seen. they work together like a great team. to get the pool area ready everyday. WiFi covers the entire grounds. I worked out everyday by the seawall. my kids did there school work in our room. We rented directly from the owner. The unit was incredible. If you needed something they had it. Spent a lot of time sitting on the Lanai watching the view. speaking of the view. multiple times we were fortunate enough to see a pod of dolphins going by. Jumping and frolicking about. a couple turtle as well. All in all. this is a great place to stay.
Wonderful resort, perfect vacation
Escape56386434261
(Buckley, Washington)
We had the most amazing time at Papakea! After reading a couple of the other negative reviews, I admit I was worried, but I rented directly from an owner rather than thru a third party, and I was not disappointed. The unit was really pretty - nicely updated, fully equipped, and with beautiful views just 50 feet from the water. I spent soooo many hours just sitting on the lanai watching the waves, and enjoyed an ocean lullaby that sang me to sleep every night. The first few days I was there, Hawaii was still requiring people wear masks outside even when they could socially distance, but once the state changed its policy, the resort did too. I completely understand why they had to follow the rules set by the state - but I was really happy once those rules were changed to make more sense! (I have to disagree with Culture 12330543661, who apparently hadn't read the Governor's proclamation that spelled out the state requirements about masking - up until mid-November, the rules were REALLY specific about masks being required in all condominium complex common areas, except when people were swimming or exercising strenuously. No exception for being distanced. Papakea was clearly following the state rules, and if she experienced something different, then I guess the other resorts weren't concerned about breaking the law.) I have to say that all the staff were really pleasant and helpful. I didn't use the pool, so I can't comment on what that experience was like; I do know that when I was there, the south pool was open 9:00 to 9:00 (the north pool was still closed, I guess because of the lack of guests?), but had just expanded the hours. My host was careful to be sure I understood all the rules and requirements when I booked - I really appreciated the care taken so that there were no surprises. I am sad that Culture's host or vacation rental company didn't take the care our host did! Anyway, my experience was so wonderful, I can't wait to go back.
Not exactly a vacation + false advertising. Felt like a prison with a lovely view.
Culture12330543661
(Portland, Oregon)
We came from Oregon & rented a 4th-floor room. First of all, the website said the pool was open 9:00 - 10:00, in actuality, it was only open 11:30 - 6:30 which is the worst UV hours of the day and there is no shade. Also, they advertise two pools, which is false, only one is open. When asked why this change they claimed due to COVID, which is ridiculous because it just condenses the daily use instead of spreading it out over the hours and two pools, so more people during the limited hours and space. We walked down to several neighboring hotels and EVERY SINGLE one except Papakea had a full day at the pool open.
They also don't follow Hawaii State or Aston policies about COVID in the first place, but after visiting neighboring hotels, all the surrounding hotels DO. Papakea wants you wearing a mask on the outside grounds even if you are alone. An employee told a mother of a toddler to put a mask on the child. First of all, toddlers/babies shouldn't wear a mask, second, she was thirty feet away from any human! Plus she was walking ALONE, with her toddler. Papakea's policies are illogical & not even state or hotel guidelines, they are their own illogical, draconian, unscientific virtue-signaling that makes the place feel like a prison with a pretty view. The worst part is we were not informed of the prison cell policies until we got there. Oregon is a little far to turn around & go home. Also, there was a water fountain below us that was incredibly noisy. You'd think they'd turn it off during quiet hours, but no, it's on all night. When I asked an employee if they could please turn it off at night so we could sleep, they told me NO because of COVID. What? COVID is their excuse for everything that is miserable here, there is no way turning off a loud fountain at night is a COVID risk.
While our family was visiting other hotels along the same strip we saw people laughing, having fun, using the pool late at night, and felt so jealous. We made a hard choice and changed our flight to stay on 3 more days at another hotel so we could at least have a bit of a vacation. We stayed at Ka'anapali Beach Club, which was a very positive experience! They followed COVID rules, but the ones that can actually keep you safe, plus they had hand sanitizer everywhere, which is great! They were so friendly and people walking the grounds alone were not harassed for not having their mask up. Kids & babies were not harassed. Everyone was great about social distancing and super friendly. The pool was open and even its slide was open and running the full hours, which were even longer hours than the falsely advertised hours at the Papakea even if they had opened like the advertised! Plus, at the new hotel the only sound we heard at night was laughter and the ocean instead of a loud water machine.
The bottom line for us was our vacation at the Papakea felt very stressful, more like we survived it than enjoyed it, our second experience was beautiful and relaxing with the added benefit of feeling truly safer from COVID since the second hotel followed actual scientific rules and encouraged sanitation, social distancing instead of worthless authoritarian "virtue-signaling" which can not keep anyone safe from a virus. Glad we tagged on the extra three days so not a total waste of money, flight and vacation days
Do Not Book Through Costco
GingercookieS88
This Lahaina resort was lovely as the grounds were well kept and the pool was clean with many attractive areas for outdoor dinners, avail bbqs, evening strolls and the like. There is no restaurant and no beach but you can pull up your lounger on the spongy soft grass (if you are taking a break from sight-seeing!) and enjoy the *incredible* ocean view. There is much whale activity in February as it's mating season.
This Aston at Papakea is next to the ever popular "food truck" extravaganza. It also connects to the picturesque Boardwalk, there is a grocery store, bar, fast food takeout, souvenir store in the mini mall and a Slappy Jacks within short walking distance.
Spectacular beaches to the south and ones for snorkelling a short drive to the north (do your research on the safest times!) Minutes away from the amazing Honoapiilani Highway with a few fruit/banana bread stands if you need a break from the breathtaking views! PS do not irritate the locals on this HWY pull over if they're driving faster than you! The front desk staff at the resort is incredibly kind and towel service is swift (not free after 1 set with Costco.)
I will warn you not to book through Costco because they bought 5 of these units and do not maintain them. Many units are privately owned (lucky them!) The carpeting was disgusting, the walls were dirty, you wrestle sliding doors, the sink had a horrendous garbage smell emanating from it and the rusty fridge needed replacing. A little goes a long way had Costco just invested a little of their annual 21 billion income. Why not make guests feel they're sleeping in clean quarters? We were taken to another unit that was less desirable than the first. Thankfully being in Hawaii we were not room-fixated but for the upgrade COST for an oceanfront room I would have expected much better. 1 clean service 1 towel service for 2 weeks. Like I say, I'm sure the Resort has better care with direct customer reservations but Costco fails *for what they charge you.* Don't waste your money on Costco. Book your own accommodations.
False advertising
ericrG7045AW
Dear Management
Upon checking into the room we were told that they gave us a different room then requested. When we entered the room we found a dirty room with writing on the walls , air conditioner wasn’t working, broken fans , moldy shower floor, bedroom had no air and closet had dirty things inside. This room was in much need of cleaning and repairing. We could not stay in there due to these conditions. I contacted your office and told the person in there about these problems and they said they couldn’t do anything. I asked to speak to a manger and they said nobody was there. I told them I was checking out and they should refund my money due to not giving me a livable place to stay. They said they could not do that . I told them that I was checking out please refund my money. I then went to the front desk where they checked me out and refunded me their fee. They also never called me back or refunded my money.
Maui Hill is Kihei’s best family-friendly and couples-friendly condos. We’ve stayed at this resort now 7 times since 2013 and keep coming back. The property is wonderful, relaxing, and comfortable – there is no place like it. The staff is customer-focused and welcoming to guests. The check-in and check-out process is easy.
I’ve also stayed in Wailea at Outrigger Palms at Wailea, Mana Kai Resort, and Days Inn and do not recommend those locations. There is no comparison to the tranquil vibe you get at Maui Hill. You won’t find the comfort, valued service anywhere else. There are no hidden fees such as cleanout, parking, resort fees like with other resorts. You can ask for additional beds, cribs, they don’t charge.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The landscaping is immaculate. There are gas BBQs all over the property. My husband loves to BBQ, and we enjoyed this feature. The lanai had plenty of room to relax and enjoy the beautiful views. The units are spacious and fully equipped. You receive grocery discounts with check-in (10% discount).
Each unit is different. Many are updated and different from the photos online. The kitchens are fully equipped. There was plenty of room. The master bedroom was huge and had its entrance to the lanai.
There was a patio/lanai (one for each bedroom and living room) which is very spacious in the units we’ve stayed in. We spent a lot on the lanai relaxing and enjoying the beautiful views. That’s my favorite part of the day is spending the morning looking at the gorgeous views and listening to the birds and ocean.
The master bedroom had high ceilings and a separate entrance to the lanai. The bed was very comfortable. In addition to a nice, fully equipped kitchen, gas BBQs are all over the property.
The pool is relaxing. The units have a washer and dryer unlike many condos in Maui. You can pack lighter and not worry about it, because the units are like home if you lived in a beautiful paradise.
There is easy access to nearby shops and restaurants, Kamaole Beach Parks, and golf courses. You are minutes from high-end shopping at Shops at Wailea, grocery stores, local shops.
The on-site amenities include a quiet swimming pool, golf putting green, tennis court, shuffleboard, and barbecue grills. It is near the beach, and you have a gorgeous beach walk to experience. It’s my favorite morning ritual after coffee and breakfast from the lanai.
The staff did an excellent job during COVID when we visited last month. The property is clean and safe. They checked our covid results upon check-in, and the cleaning staff comes in every day and does an excellent job with towels and cleaning. (This is something to consider when looking at other condo properties such as Outrigger, which does not clean every day and charges a clean-out fee.).
In addition to vacation, I would recommend this location for people who work remotely. The rooms are spacious, and the wifi is reliable.
Dennis Costa is the General Manager. He is like family now. He always welcomes us home! Dennis and the staff exceeded our expectations! The staff was so friendly, professional, customer-focused, and accommodating.
Maui Hill is situated on lush tropical landscaping in Kihei on Maui, just minutes from Wailea. Kihei is a delightful town with restaurant options, grocery stores, and beach parks. There is an excellent restaurant across the street from Maui Hill 5 Palms Restaurant in Mana Kai Resort (don’t stay there – you can enjoy the beach and restaurant and have a better resort, more room, and better customer service at the Maui Hill). You can walk over and catch the beautiful sunsets. The sunsets are also stunning from your lanai at Maui Hill if you get an Ocean View, which I strongly recommend!
This is the best secret on Maui. I almost don’t want to share how good it is, because it is my happy place!
A special place and a home away from home
Dreamplanting23
(New York City, New York)
This is our second stay at Aston Maui Hills and it was as comfortable, special and amazing as the first visit. The units are beautiful, spotless and staff are so welcoming. Wonderful amenities. There are such Beautiful views from every unit.
Superb
Mikeika68
(Sandy, Utah)
Great experience. Will definitely return. We arrived later in the evening and the staff were very welcoming. We had a large group and the Room we were given was close to the pool and the office as well as having a great view of the ocean.
Great Location
leechdj
(Placentia, California)
Great location. Rooms are a little outdated but still very nice and have all needed for your stay. No fitness center but has a pool, shuffle board, tennis and putting green. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Overall great stay and will be back for sure.
Vacation to Maui
krichins2021
(Henefer, Utah)
The service provided before the trip and during our stay was great. As in the past, staff (Dennis and others) was very helpful and accommodating. The location of the room, view and quietness of the location was great. We liked the room, service, staff and location and plan to revisit in the future.
Beware Hidden fees ! Booked online 3 nights for $203/ night then got hot with $229 in fees at check in.
149RobM
(Charlotte, North Carolina)
No daily cleaning service but a $125 cleaning fee will be charged, $39 damage waiver, reservation fee 29 plus taxes on all these fees totaled $229! No lobby, no restaurant, no bar, no ice machines, no room service, no beach chairs, charge for beach towels, window A/C will not break 75 degrees if run 24/7, tiny pool, room looks like a cheap Daytona Beach Motel from the 80’s.. wore out wicker furniture with pastel colors. Very musty smelling, wore out carpet. This property is barely a 2-star Motel...not a Hotel. Was a little worried when there were 2 exterminator trucks parked in the loading zone.
Not very clean
Katrina C
The room and bathroom were not clean. You could tell that frequently touched surfaces, like the sliding glass door, hadn't been cleaned. This was surprising considering they were promoting their "next level clean" during the pandemic. I wished we had stayed at one of the resorts where we probably would have gotten more value for our money.
My Maui Trip
AOAJ007
(Howell, New Jersey)
Maui was amazing, my room was ok, I didn’t like the set up personally. However the grounds were beautiful and I spent most of my time outside enjoying the beautiful weather. The parking lot was hard to maneuver and very close together. I wished I had rented a smaller car. I would have liked a sitting area in the room besides the one chair at the desk. That being said I was encouraged to spend all or most of my time outside the room which was amazing. I would visit again with all that being said.
Ugh!
samM5815ZU
(Koloa, Hawaii)
Couldn't find my reservation. Mainland answering service was awful. Finally got help from local security and into my room after an hour wait, only to spend the next three days arguing about room charges. Was a mess. Local staff finally got it worked out. Will never stay again.
Room G504
Judy S
(Napa Valley, California)
Best trip ever. Room assignment was great (g504). Fresh air wonderful (open the sliders). Walked to beach every day. Kihei is great. No high rise hotels, mostly condos. Great location to walk to breakfast and dinner.
