Maui Master Thread

[yakovwogi]

Wonderlust inspired me:)

Got back last week, and thought I could share some insights.
I wont go into everything, much that I could write has already been mentioned here and in Maui revealed.
I'll just include some thoughts about my specific trip

Flights- took the AA flight Sunday 5:30pm LAX-OGG booked with Avios.
Adding my wife's AS MVP gold 75k+ number(matched from SW CP) to the reservation gave us free bags and the ability to select exit row seats.

Car- Rented from National, (exec elite) with a convertible confirmed.   When we got there, they let us know all the convertables have been recalled for airbag issues and we wouldn’t have one.  They gave us a Cadillac SUV, which ended up perfect with a huge sunroof.  I did send an email to the manager, basically mentioning that they probably should have contacted me before I arrived and that I was disappointed that they didn’t let me know and at least give me the option of looking for a car at another company.  She responded by giving me the rental for free +$100 national cert. for future rental.  She was even waiting for us at the return aisle to apologize again and hand deliver the coupon!  Love that Maui hospitality☺

Food-  Ordered POM shipped frozen oven ready for 5 suppers and some dairy meals.
I had them ship it to California  for delivery Friday and it was in the freezer over Shabbos.  When we got to the hotel Sunday night it was still pretty much frozen and the hotel gave us a mini fridge, that was able to handle 10-12 meals.  I bought a pair of toasters in walmart right after landing, and they were perfect for heating up meals without having to bother any hotel staff or anything.  Most of the meals we left double wrapped and heated them for 20-35 minutes and they were perfect.
We also had lunch stuff that we brought with us…bread cheeses etc, and that was good to be able to take with us during the day.
 
Hotel-
Stayed at the Andaz which is a gorgeous property.  The suite we were in had two rooms, with a huge table to eat at and a few couches.
Booked with cash(Hyatt GC bought with 14% off from one of the resellers) and applied a DSU.
Before booking I confirmed with the Hotel as well as Hyatt Twitter team, that the DSU would put us in the poolside suite.  That was the room I  wanted, as only 4 rooms have access to that pool and I thought it would be a nice chill.
Needless to say, upon arrival we were in a gorgeous suite, but not poolside.   I spoke to them that evening, and basically all the manager on duty could offer me was a cabana at the pool and moving us to a higher floor for the last two nights.  I wasn’t happy with that and spoke to the daytime manager the next morning.   She was very nice, and gave us 50% off our room rate plus $150 resort credit.(basically $1000 off of our bill)
Diamond breakfast- there was ample fresh fruit but even the English muffins were baked local so we couldn’t have any of those. 
Resort fee- Andaz recently implemented a daily resort fee that covers a bunch of activities on property and go pro usage.  Since I booked before this was introduced they gave me the choice when we checked in.  I chose to do it, not sure if it was worth it.  We did take snorkel gear and the go pro which was awesome, but it may have been cheaper to do those a la carte.  Not sure.
Andaz has a 24 hour laundry room with detergent etc and for some, even on vacation, doing a load of laundry, is a nice thing, as it means less laundry to do when you return.   Go figure☺

Activities-
Snorkeling with a GOPro-  very cool video to show your kids.
 RTH- we went all the way around the island continuing past Hana.  I don’t think the second part is necessary may as well just turn around near Hana and make your way back.  After the first couple hours of driving, parking, hiking, seeing……..we ended up just driving through the second part, without really stopping for anything and it’s a looooong drive.  Its beautiful but its long.
 Warren and Annabeles magic show-  good show worth the price, a nice nighttime activity. Go early and walk around the town there—it’s a cute touristy area.
Blow hole etc----  very cool to see but we went counter clockwise and the roads basically until the blowhole are like RTH on crack!  Was a fun drive.

Flights back-
Thursday night AA booked with Avios OGG-LAX 9:30pm
Was able to meet up with Mrs. Shliach right before the airport and give her the two toasters.  Her kids were excited to see someone with a yamulka☺
Because of Shabbos considerations- we returned the car at 7 and got through security by 7:15
Not a lot to do while hanging out in the airport for 2 hours, but we were able to have a nice “Shabbos dinner” and we were so wiped from the last day snorkeling etc, that it was nice to just sit and relax a bit.
Bottom line- Maui is awesome, gorgeous and a massive chill.  And, because of the hotel being significantly cheaper than when we booked, I have some left over Hyatt GC, and we are already planning our trip back to Hawaii.
Thank you to everyone upthread who contributed info that really helped us on our awesome trip.

[Marco Polo]

@Wonderlust

I think you may have gone to the wrong place for the Olivine pools. There was a large parking area on the side of the road and a walk/hike down. It wasn't on anyone's property and did not look like there was any housing near it for miles.

[sam28]

Has anyone been here http://mauipineappletour.com/

if yes how was it ?

[wonderlust]

@Wonderlust

I think you may have gone to the wrong place for the Olivine pools. There was a large parking area on the side of the road and a walk/hike down. It wasn't on anyone's property and did not look like there was any housing near it for miles.

Could be. When we were at blowhole the MR APP map showed it was almost exactly 4 miles further. We checked the odometer as we soon lost service & the only thing that was even remotely in the vicinity that resembled the description was this road that was at the bottom of the road right before it climbed up- about half mile from that town..

Was a shame since that was more of interest to me then the rest..

[maskim]

Parking by andaz is so pricey! Dan mentioned some quasi-legal alternative, but that was quite some time ago... Any suggestions?

[Something Fishy]

Parking by andaz is so pricey! Dan mentioned some quasi-legal alternative, but that was quite some time ago... Any suggestions?

Supposedly still works.

[yakovwogi]

Supposedly still works.

Is it worth a ten minute walk every time you want to get your car? Or after a long day on RTH you get back late evening and you really want to walk 10 minutes back to the hotel?

[@Yehuda]

Is it worth a ten minute walk every time you want to get your car? Or after a long day on RTH you get back late evening and you really want to walk 10 minutes back to the hotel?

Where did you see a 10 minute walk? From what I read, it's right next door. Also, not "quasi-legal" if it's actually allowed and the note that is left on your windshield isn't a ticket but rather a note from the guard saying, "Call me if you need to get your car in the middle of the night."

Also, you can park for free in the Andaz during the day, so you only need this at night.

[jj1000]

Where did you see a 10 minute walk? From what I read, it's right next door. Also, not "quasi-legal" if it's actually allowed and the note that is left on your windshield isn't a ticket but rather a note from the guard saying, "Call me if you need to get your car in the middle of the night."

Also, you can park for free in the Andaz during the day, so you only need this at night.

+1. It is 2 minutes away. And the security guard that locks up has no problems when I was there. But if by chance a cop comes he can in theory give you a ticket. But I always left a note that I was at the beach all day.

The reason they don't allow overnight parking is so people don't sleep on the beach.

But you run a risk of getting ticketed or towed, you have to decide if it's worth it.

[keepsmiling123]

Anyone know of cheap/free parking near Hyatt regency?
Also what hikes are closest to the hotel Friday is sofek shabbas and i won't be able to drive.

Going to do Haleakala on Thursday and sights near that and Black rock dive at Sheraton Thursday night. Unfortunately most of my stay will be in Kona so I have to prioritize Maui

[wonderlust]

+1. It is 2 minutes away. And the security guard that locks up has no problems when I was there. But if by chance a cop comes he can in theory give you a ticket. But I always left a note that I was at the beach all day.

The reason they don't allow overnight parking is so people don't sleep on the beach.

But you run a risk of getting ticketed or towed, you have to decide if it's worth it.

If parking costs are an issue, it might make more sense to do daily rentals from either the enterprise at marriott (3min walk) & budget in  town (10-15min walk)

[wonderlust]

Wednesday;

Wednesday was chill day, hung around the resort & pools. In the eve we went to Lghina to go to warren & Annabel show. We loved just walking along Laighna checking out the shops & just ppl watching. The show I think is very misleading, it's a comedy show that happens to be performed by magicians. The actual magic was basically 800 versions of the same "invincible deck" trick (my bro was doing that trick when he was an ameuter    magician at 13)- though very cool it's not why your "wasting" precious paradise time or spending 60$ a pop ( ask for the 10% discount) the show was simply hilarious & the whole place was ROFLOAO. Be mindful that there is serious audience participation & if you tell them when you book tickets that you are visiting celebrating s/t they will note that to use you as the participants & you will be up by the stage the whole show. Also, the show is over 2hrs straight with no brakes & it's tight theater seating so your prob better off at the end of a row if you want to be able to get up in middle without making a rukus. It was very fun show & highly recommended.,

Thursday:

We took the 6:30am snorkel tour out to Molikini thru Kai Kanani tours. They leave out of the Makena resort which is just 3 miles past waliea. The tour is from 6:30-8:45 & they spend about 30 min by Molikini & 45min at their turtle town. The advantage of going with them is they are the only outfit leaving from that end of the island & since they are only a 3mile ride out to the reef vs the 9 or so miles of the other guys, we were leaving before any other boat even showed. The water is amazingly clear though the water was not calm at all. Turtle town was super calm water & the turtles were really performing (well, as much as can be expected from a turtle) there were 3 huge ones hanging by one of the reefs & they were literally swimming just feet away from us. I was really jealous  of the guys with the go-pros caus they got some serious footage...afterwards we decided to hang out by the beach since it was such a nice large beach with perfect weather. At first the attendants  told us we couldn't use the beach chairs since we weren't staying there but eventually the guy came back with one, & even set it up for us with a towel. The interesting part is how many locals come to the beach even though there is no other real access & they are not staying in the hotel. There is supposedly some great snorkeling there as well which we didn't get to do. When we went to pick up our car from valet they informed us the car had a serious flat. Amazingly there was an enterprise in the lobby that simply took my old keys & gave me new keys to give the attendant to fetch me the new car & I was on my way under 5minutes later!

Spent the rest of the day checking out the other beaches along that strip. Big beach, wedding beach & few others were all awesome beaches worth visiting( again, all much nicer than the ones by the hotels) there were even huge turtles swimming right next to me. We got to the airport by shkiah & hung out there for few hrs for our flight.


 In 20/20 hindsight (for those planning a trip) I personally would of done the Surfing in Laghina over the blowhole/acid war zone area & not schlepped out there (at least on a short trip like mine) Also a guy in my hotel was telling me he rented mopeds in waliea &how fun it was.  That would of been a great way to spend the day exploring the local beaches.

I really appreciate everyone's input on this thread. Maui  was an awesome trip & by playing the mileage game right it can be done for less than what guys I know blow on an extended weekend in Miami.






California Leg( figured I'll throw it in)
In La I rented a car from silvercar that Btwn the refferal bonus & first time discount code was 130$ from fri-tue. Went to Santa Monica Friday, the sports comedy show Saturday night (not as funny as it used to be). Sunday we couldn't get reservations in Tierra sur so we went kayaking in Marina Del Rey (groupon deal) it wasn't anything special & would of much rather have done in Santa Barbara as originally planned. We then hit up Venice beach, stoner capital of the world & then Shilos Which if it wasn't the best resturant we have ever been to it sure is up there (lot of ppl told me the same) the steak was just perfect in every sense of the word & the ribs besides for being the best we ever had was also basically a serving size of a small cow on a plate! We then headed up to Santa Barbara and stayed in the Hyatt (made more sense to pay then use points) it is actually a very cool hotel since  it's basically a huge mansion across from the beach. The rooms are very large & we had a nice balcony over the pool. Santa Barbara is a really nice chill, only downside is the water temp is in the low 60's & coming off of Maui's 77degrees that is down-rite frigid. We rented bikes and rode along the boardwalk & then checked out the gift shops along the pier. The coffee bean in town had an obscure hechsher for the whole store but since I asked a few la guys & they all never heard of the hechsher  we passed on some really good looking sandwiches &
Coolatas- whatcha gonna do!
Tierra Sur has a nice set up but wasn't impressed with the actual food. Certainly didn't hold a candle to Shilo's but there are ppl that swear it's the best in the world-to each their own. The wine tour & tasting was cute but nothing great- I'm into my wine so when 80% of the wine by the tasting is stuff I wouldn't drink to make kidush, you kinda lost me. Still it was a chill & the glasses we got are good, so why not.

I

[maskim]

I know Dan (and everyone else) mentioned the kosher food in Costco. Just want to verify because I'm banking on getting deli from there.

[Dan]

I know Dan (and everyone else) mentioned the kosher food in Costco. Just want to verify because I'm banking on getting deli from there.

There this newfangled contraption called the telephone...

[3yummyboys]

I know Dan (and everyone else) mentioned the kosher food in Costco. Just want to verify because I'm banking on getting deli from there.

Not all Costco stores stock kosher deli

[cziks]

Hi,
I am planning on going to Maui in in the beginning of August and I have Hyatt points. I wanted to book the Andaz but there are no available days using my hyatt gold passport. Do you have any suggestions on how I can stay at the Andaz? I have a lot of Chase points as well.
Thanks for all the great Maui information!

[Marco Polo]

Hi,
I am planning on going to Maui in in the beginning of August and I have Hyatt points. I wanted to book the Andaz but there are no available days using my hyatt gold passport. Do you have any suggestions on how I can stay at the Andaz? I have a lot of Chase points as well.
Thanks for all the great Maui information!

Just keep checking back to see if something opens up.

[yakovwogi]

Just keep checking back to see if something opens up.

or sell your points and book with cash+DSU
buy discounted Hyatt gift cards and use them when you checkout.

[mitchel89]

Hey

Im going to maui at the end of August, i have 4 free nights at the hyatt but the andaz has no availability so my question is it worth spending the 4 nights at the hyatt regency or should i just use spg and just save the hyatt free nights for a different trip? 

Thanks

[Marco Polo]

Hey

Im going to maui at the end of August, i have 4 free nights at the hyatt but the andaz has no availability so my question is it worth spending the 4 nights at the hyatt regency or should i just use spg and just save the hyatt free nights for a different trip? 

Thanks

If you have another trip somewhere, i would say save the nights and go with SPG.