Hawaii Hotels: Napili Kai Beach Resort
Where: Maui || Grouped in: Maui Kids, Maui Hotels || Tagged:
The Basics: This retro resort is composed of 163 units spread throughout a clutch of two-story buildings with vaguely Polynesian accents tucked into a corner of Napili Bay, one the best unsung bays on Maui. The units are spread over 10 acres of beachfront. The units were redone in 2002 as were some of the public areas. Napili Bay is wall-to-wall condos although none are higher than two stories.
The Pros: This resort oozes old Hawaii style. The staff is genuinely friendly and their kids put on a weekly hula show that many guests totally adore. The resort has a lot of repeat customers. The units are boxy and a bit clunky – they were built in the 1970s -- but pretty huge for Hawaii. Napili Bay is truly gorgeous with a lovely beach and decent snorkeling. Despite the crowd of condos, the beach feels less packed due to the low density of the accommodations. If you do feel boxed in, its only a five minute walk by foot to Kapalua Bay, a superior swimming beach with arguable less inviting sand. Kids tend to love this place as it doesn’t feel as planned and sterile as the bigger hotels. Most of the units have really good views of the bay and the sunsets. It’s close to Napili Plaza, which has a large supermarket for families or people who don’t want to eat every meal out.
The Cons: The price is fairly high compared to neighbors on the bay. Food at the restaurants is of varying quality, depending on the chef – they seem to turn over fairly often. The SeaWatch restaurant, at least the last time I went, was in definite need of TLC. The spa options are, not surprisingly, limited and true spa junkies will want to go next door to the Ritz Carlton. Napili Bay is actually not great for swimming – getting in and out of the water can be a little hairy for weak swimmers as there is a strong undertow and surge.
Bottom Line: This is not a sleek resort. It's great for families and people who hate super polished resorts where everything has a price tag. But be aware its kinda Gilligan Island-meets-Brady Bunch with the shuffleboard deck, putting green, teensy, weensy pool and kids running around everywhere. But hey, if you want a honeymoon on Gilligan's Island, complete with weekly resort-wide cocktail parties, this is definitely the place, skipper!
Napili Kai Beach Resort
5900 Honoapiilani Road, Napili / (808) 669-6271
Avg Rates as of 11/6/2006 -- $326 / nt.
Related Links: Old Wailuku Inn
Image via Napili Kai Beach Resort
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Comments
Kay Boone said:
We are traveling to Honolulu and having a ceremony to intern my father’s ashes on May 12, 2008. We are then traveling to Maui for a week with family. This is a special family trip. We are looking for 2 rooms to sleep 3-5 adults, ocean front or ocean view, non-smoking, air conditioning if possible (but if not possible no big deal) We would like to stay for 5-7 days. Thanks - Kay Boone
—05/26/07
Alex Salkever said:
Kay, Napili Kai is really nice. I highly recommend it for groups. However, I believe there will be very heavy construction in the Kapalua area right around when you are planning to come. I may be wrong but they are doing a huge new hotel project right next door. Rather, I’d check out the Ekahi condos down in Wailea. There are a ton of them for rent and the location is great — right on the beach in Wailea, which has some of the nicest sand and best swimming in the islands. Most have AC, I believe. They also have parking spaces, an oceanfront deck and are generally mellow. Enjoy!
—06/04/07