Maui

Headed out in the new year to Maui on United Airlines. With the changes to the MileagePlus Program, I may be branching out to different airlines this year and start shopping around more. Without the ability to maintain my 1K status, it likely means that I'll become less loyal. I even opted for other airline branded credit cards, Delta seems to be an alternative if the fares are right.

Checked into the Ritz Carlton Kapalua and Westin Nanea Ocean Villas for the week. I had received a promotional deal for five nights at the Westin and rental car from Avis to preview the new timeshare hotel within Westin Maui. There are three hotels - main hotel and two timeshare hotels. The rental agency did us a favor by combining our two reservations and we paid a small upgrade fee to keep the SUV for the remainder of the trip (the free rental is a midsize car). We had to have two separate reservations since my group was staying for six nights.

Ritz Carlton Balcony

Ritz Carlton Living Room

Ritz Carlton Bedroom

Westin Living Room

Westin Bedroom

Westin Bathroom

At the Ritz, I had used a combination of points and cash to get a one bedroom suite. Of all the islands, Maui is the most expensive when it comes to nightly hotel rates. It makes sense why so many people use Air BnB or similar. For the price of two regular rooms at the Marriott or Westin, we all stayed at the Ritz for the one night. The only downside was that the Ritz is close to the Westin. I had originally booked the Marriott because it was on the southern side of the island but the Ritz wasn't down there. The suite was nice because we had some groceries and there was a full kitchen available. Overall, I thought the facilities were nice. We spent most of the time on resort to enjoy the amenities such as pool, hiking trails, and beach access. We looked at the beach from a distance as the waves appeared rough.
This particular Westin hotel location is at the most northern end of the Westin acreage. Since I was Platinum at Marriott, they also upgraded my one bedroom to a two bedroom suite. Luckily, my friend was able to get her own room rather than bunking on the sleeper sofa like we did at the Ritz. The two bedroom suite was very large given that the group was three people. I had forgotten that housekeeping was still daily (being used to the timeshare side servicing only once during the stay). The benefit I learned from the preview meeting was that all stays as an owner still earns points with Marriott. Hilton does not do the same for its timeshare owners. It will also be interesting how they will merge the Westin and Marriott timeshares into one system. 

Dining
Da Kitchen - big portions and tasty food. The fried spam musubi was a hit. 

Roy’s - always a personal favorite, pricier than even the other island locations.

Roy's appetizers

Slappy Cakes - cook your own pancakes, I dig the concept. It’s like Korean bbq but pancakes. There was also an artist making pictures from pancakes, she was really impressive.

Slappy Cakes Artist Pancakes

Ululani's - can rival with Oahu and Waiola Shave Ice. Definitely need to make multiple stops on this island. They have a couple of locations so make sure you visit. Flavors, mochi, it’s all good. 

Ululani's Shaved Ice

McDonald's - fried pies, enough said. 

Down the Hatch - good ambiance in the city area but I don’t need to come back. Food was good, people were nice. 

The Fish Market Maui - down the street from our lodgings, better quality of food than Down The Hatch. For the price point, the fish market is ideal. 

Island Cream Company - the all you can pour syrup shave ice shop has its pros and cons. Closer to the resorts and you control how much syrup you want. Just not as good as Ululani’s.

Activities
Hiking Ritz - there is a coastal trail mapped out and can start at the hotel. Pleasant walk for the average person but wear shoes, no flip flops.

Maui Ocean Center - always fun to see marine life and the small retail plaza adjacent is good for some tourist gifts. 

Prawn display at Maui Ocean Center

Four Winds II - lucked out on this trip because the whales and dolphins were in town. The number of whales and baby whales were incredible. The trip was booked as a snorkeling tour and on our way to Molokini crater, pods and schools of whales and dolphins were around. The captain was nice enough to stop for awhile to let everyone see the action. 

Dolphin sighting in Maui with Four Winds II

Makena Beach - nice sandy beach, recommended by a friend for the sand and waves. It was also nice that the whales were still in area and could be seen from shore. I was not able to snorkel much but it was nice to splash in. 

Makena Beach

Napili Farmers Market - came across a small farmers market and grabbed a few fruit and gifts. Not as big as Big Island but nice enough to spend an hour.