Hawaii Mom Blog: kaanapali

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Showing posts with label kaanapali. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kaanapali. Show all posts

December 17, 2021

Visit Maui: Ka`anapali Beach Hotel

A few months ago I visited Maui for the first time in nearly 2 years, as the recently-renovated Ka`anapali Beach Hotel graciously hosted me and a few other media friends for a fun 24 hours in Maui.

This oceanfront hotel, which has been recognized as “HawaiĘ»i's Most Hawaiian Hotel,” intertwines modern comforts and conveniences with local culture, allowing guests to immerse themselves in paradise while learning about Hawai`i's history and traditions.

All throughout the hotel you'll find significant cultural items on display, and the hotel also offers daily cultural lessons, so guests can learn about navigation, hula, or how to play the ukulele. 



The refreshed rooms have Hawaiian-themed artwork, upgraded bedding, and redone bathrooms.

I loved the stand-up shower and the ample vanity space.





The beds were plush, and the mini fridge came in very handy.


Ceiling fans and air conditioning make sure you stay comfy while in the room.

The lanai opened up to a pretty view of the lush landscape.


On property is Huihui Restaurant, where you can indulge in a menu incorporating various local ingredients as well as new spins on island favorites (read my reviews of our breakfast and dinner).

On site you'll also find a whale-shaped pool, a kanakapila (musical performance) that takes place three times a week, native plants, and so much more. 



Beachside paths making morning and evening strolls just stunning.


You can easily walk to nearby shops and restaurants while enjoying the beautiful views.


On the day of departure, guests are invited to a lei ceremony at which all guests get a kukui nut lei.  Returning guests have a white kukui nut restrung onto their lei, and it was so neat to see some guests with a majority of their lei with white kukui nuts.  

During the ceremony, guests are welcome to share their experiences, and it was a really touching way for the hotel to not only thank guests, but also for the guests to thank employees.  The ceremony was full of warmth and aloha - I've never experienced such a meaningful departure before.

I hope to be able to bring my family to Ka`anapali Beach Hotel!


Ka`anapali Beach Hotel
2525 Kaanapali Pkwy
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 661-0011
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November 26, 2021

Dinner at Huihui Restaurant

Some media friends and I recently attend a media dinner at Huihui Restaurant at the Ka`anapali Beach Hotel, where Executive Chef Tom Muromoto integrates a variety of local flavors and ingredients into the menu at this beachside establishment.

Island Fish Carpaccio

Molokai Venison Poke

I loved the Molokai Venison Poke. The smokiness of the venison combined with common poke ingredients was a great alternative to the normal fish poke.   

Pork Belly Skewers

The Pork Belly Skewers were also really tasty, glazed with a miso dashi.  The pork was so tender!

Salt & Pepper Wings
Steamed Lobster Dumplings

Pepeiao and Pork Dumplings

I love a good dumpling, and both of these dumplings were bursting with flavor. 

Miso Peach Glazed Tofu Salad

Lūhe`e Chopped Salad

The Miso Peach Glazed Tofu Salad was hearty enough to be a meal, and the LĹ«he`e Chopped Salad combined octopus and octopus with various local greens.

Short Rib LĹ«`au

The Short Rib LĹ«`au was so soft and tender, and the accompanying gravy just made it even better!

Chef's Laulau

The Chef's Laulau consisted of pork, chicken, and cod steamed in taro leaf, along with lomi salmon, poi, sweet potato, and a salad made with ogo and pohole.  This was a nice representation of both pre-and post-contact Hawai`i foods. 


Chocolate Mousse

Banana Bread Ice Cream Sandwich

Chocolate Cake

The desserts were amazing!  The Banana Bread Ice Cream Sandwich is such a brilliant dessert, and the Chocolate Mousse was decadent.  The Chocolate Cake was my fave - the cake was so moist, and the mint chocolate ganache really finished off the dish nicely.

The entire experience - food, service, ambience, was fabulous.  Definitely a must-visit on Maui!

Huihui Restaurant
Ka`anapali Beach Hotel
2525 Kaanapali Pkwy
Lahaina, HI 96761

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October 29, 2021

Visit Maui: Breakfast at Huihui Restaurant

Huihui Restaurant at the Ka`anapali Beach Hotel offers idyllic views and a variety of sweet and savory options for breakfast.

We recently dined there for a media breakfast and ordered the following:


Huihui Breakfast

You can start your day off with the Huihiui Breakfast, which is a mini feast in itself!  It comes with a bowl of fresh fruit and their twist on avocado toast, complete with ogo and lomi salmon for that local twist.  Coffee or tea is included.  

Ho`okele Breakfast

I love savory for breakfast, so I opted for the Ho`okele Breakfast, which consisted of tortillas topped with rice, avocado, pico de gallo, kalua pork, refried beans, and cheese.

It was akin to an "open-face" burrito, and it was a very generous serving.  The pork was tender and tasty, and all of the toppings added great flavor, but I thought the rice was a bit too mushy.

Kapena Breakfast Bowl

For those who like to eat light in the mornings, the Kapena Breakfast Bowl is perfect - kale mixed with fried tofu, black beans, roasted red peppers, onions, tomatoes, and avocado.  

Hikina Bowl

The Hikina Bowl was a beautiful bowlful of cocoa chia pudding, granola, coconut, banana, mac nuts, and fruits.  

Poi French Toast

Pancakes

Both the Pancakes and French Toast come with your choice of maple syrup, coconut syrup, or ube sauce.  

Next time I'm ordering the Hikina Bowl!


Huihui Restaurant
2525 Kaanapali Pkwy
Lahaina, HI 96761
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February 15, 2017

Top 10: Reasons Why The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas is Great for Families

I loved staying at The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas.  This property is ideal for families, especially for those on an extended vacation.  Here are my top 10 reasons why The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas is great for `ohana.

1. Large villa - spacious rooms for families!
2. Full kitchen - cook breakfast, bake cookies, whip up dinner!
3. Washer dryer - pack less clothes; do a load (or two) before departing so you don't need to do laundry when you return home!
4. Fantastic pools - lots of pools with plenty of room for both adults and kids to play.

5. Market & general store on site - shop for all of your grocery needs, or order groceries online and get them delivered to your villa for a small fee!

6. Beach - just steps away is the beach!

7. Family-friendly dining - several family-friendly dining options on property!
8. Activities - lots of activities for families to play on property - shuffleboard, mini golf, and more!

9. Westin Family Kid's Club - for a fee, parents can sign up their kids for full- and half-day camps.

10. Playground - kids will love playing on the playground when not at the pool (and parents can sit under the shade!).
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January 24, 2017

Visit Maui: The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas

The weekend before school went back into session, our family spent an amazing weekend at The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas.  We simply wanted a fun-filled, yet relaxing getaway before we all went back to the daily grind.

Check-in time is at 4pm, but we arrived at the resort early to start our weekend.  We obtained towel cards and left our luggage with the bell desk so the kids could spend time at the pools.

The expansive 26-acre property boasts six pools, including a kids' Pirate Ship pool, a water slide, water basketball, and four outdoor whirlpools.

The kids loved the water slide, and they spent hours at the Pirate Ship pool.

Water slide
Pirate Ship Pool
Surrounding the pools were plenty of lounge chairs, and despite the number of guests at the resort, it was not difficult to find a spot to relax.

The pools were always busy, but not overly crowded

Huge pools

Lots of room to lounge

So many pools!

Adult pool
There's also a shaded playground near the Pirate's Pool!

Playground
Just after 4pm I received a phone call that the villa was ready, so I returned to the front desk to get the keys to our Ocean View 1-Bedroom Villa.

The 750 square-foot villa was decorated in warm, natural tones, and included a pull-out queen sofa, a large dining table, two large flat screen televisions, and a king Westin Heavenly bed.

Living room
TV, large dining table

Bedroom
In the villa is a full kitchen with granite countertops, a convection microwave, and a dishwasher.

Fully-equipped kitchen

You can get groceries delivered!

The large bathroom included a double vanity, separate water closet, a whirlpool tub, and a stand-up shower.

Love the large bathroom

Stand-up shower
The villa was spacious and extremely comfortable.  Of course my husband loved that there were two TVs, so he could watch football on one TV while the kids watched cartoons on another.

Unfortunately, upon checking in we found cracker crumbs all over the floor in one of the closets.

However, despite that oversight, service throughout our stay was fabulous.

For instance, my kids wanted to take a bubble bath, but the jets weren't working, so we called maintenance.  We went out to dinner, and by the time we returned, it was all fixed!

The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas is great for an extended stay.  With a full kitchen, you can cook up entire meals for the family.  The property has its own grocery store, Kai Ala Market, from where you can purchase groceries, or you have the option of ordering groceries online.  It's just a $5 service charge to get everything delivered to your villa!

Water and snacks from Kai Ala Market were ready and waiting for us!
There are also numerous grill stations on property, where we often saw guests grilling steaks.

Grill stations
One of my favorite features of the villa was the washer and dryer.


Although we only stayed at The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas for a just a weekend, clothes for a family of 5 sure add up.  Prior to checking out, we did a load of laundry, which meant one less load of laundry to do when we got home.

For those staying longer, a washer and dryer means you can pack less clothes, and there'll be more room for souvenirs!

From our large lanai we had a lovely view of the ocean.
The view from the lanai

The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas is just steps from Ka`anapali Beach, with beautiful views of Lanai and Molokai, and if you're there during the months of November through April, it's possible to see whales frolicking in the ocean!
Molokai

Winter weather at the Westin - just perfect!
The views all around the property were just gorgeous.  The sky lit up in all hues of purples, pinks, reds, and oranges throughout the mornings and evenings.

Check out the colors at sunrise

Sunset
Morning hues

Can't get enough of the blues and greens!
The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas offers guests several ways to relax, immerse themselves in the local culture, or nurture their adventurous side.

Guests can lounge at the beach, go on an outrigger canoe tour, take hula lessons, get pampered at Spa Helani, and so much more!
Lounging on the beach
You really don't need to leave the property at all during your stay, as The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas offers so many activities, a general store, and several restaurants (you can read my review of Pulehu, an Italian Grill here; Auntie's Kitchen here; Pailolo Bar & Grill here).

And if you do leave the property, you have the option of catching the free shuttle to Lahaina town, Whalers Village, and other Starwood properties on Maui!  If you have your own car, you'll find that the resort is conveniently located, and is just a short drive away from numerous shops and restaurants.

I really love how kid-friendly the resort is.  In addition to the super fun Pirate Ship pool, kids (and kids at heart), can play shuffleboard, make candy lei, and even learn Hawaiian at the Pu'uhonua Cultural Center!

Playing shuffleboard

There's even a Westin Family's Kids Club!

Westin Family Kid's Club

The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas' large rooms, numerous amenities, and great location are just a few of the reasons why it's ideal for a family getaway.

A great big Mahalo to The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas, for the warm welcome and wonderful stay!


The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas
6 Kai Ala Dr
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 662-2644

For rates and more information, click here.



Thank you to The Westin Ka`anapali Ocean Resort Villas for the media rate.  Gratuities were paid on my own.

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