oThank you to all who have posted reviews and trip reports. It has been helpful to hear the many opinions on this board. I’ve found this helpful in knowing exactly what to expect. I am traveling with DH, DS 14 and DD 12.
We are staying at the Papakea condos and this is our home base for two weeks. We have several excursions planned during our stay.
The Papakea is very nice. We have an ocean front 1 bedroom condo and are lulled to sleep by the ocean. The condo is clean and updated. We got the unit directly from the owner. The grounds are lovely. The buildings are only 4 floors high so it has a low density feel. I would return to this same unit!
Excursion # 1 - The Grand Wailea: Honestly, after reading reviews I would have been annoyed if I had an old room and no chairs or shade at the pool. Knowing this, we got our room in the Napua Tower which was beautiful and updated. We also rented a cabana for two days for $300 a day, Crazy? Probably but we knew the kids would love the pools so we planned for a two day one night stay and we had a great time! There were plenty of chairs by the pool but not much shade so it was a good investment for us. The food was just OK at the resort. We ate at the pool for two lunches and it was good and we had fun both days drinking lava flows at the pool swim up bar. The breakfast in the Napua tower was very nice with lots for fresh fruit, pastries and eggs. The happy hour food was very average and limited but the bar was well stocked and the bar tender made great drinks with top shelf alcohol. We ordered room service pizza one night and I recommend avoiding it. The staff was very slow but friendly enough. I had an 80 minute signauture message and enjoyed the terme and spa. It was wonderful but not the best I’ve ever had but I would return.
Some meals:
Hula Grill: Great fresh squeezed mai ti’s, crab wontons and coconut calamari. Wonderful sunset on Kannapali beach. Casual and exactly what we expected after reading reviews.
Honokowai Okazuya – We had fish %26amp; chips, ono with lemon caper and mahi with mushroom and sundried tomatoes. Very casual fare. Exactly what we expected and enjoyable.
Java Jazz-Nice coffee and pancakes. Would recommend.
Beach Club – This is in the Kannapali Shores next door to the Papakea. We had a wonderful breakfast. Pancakes, eggs and crab cake benedict. Never saw any reviews but it was an enjoyable breakfast and we would return.
Cannery Mall – Original shave ice at the pretzel factory. We’ve been waiting to try this. We got it with beans, ice cream and condensed milk. It was good!
I have consumed several bags of original Maui potato chips – beware of Maui style, they are not made on Maui. We have also enjoyed 100% Kona coffee. You can’t find this out so we’ve been brewing at pot at the condo.
The adventure continues....until next time Aloha!
trip report part one-April 13th-25th
You are amazing to be posting this while you are there! I am confused (old age, I guess)...you say you are at a condo, but then at the Grand Wailea...did you spend the extra to stay there so the kids could experience the pools? if so, wow..
We are staying at Kaanapali Shores next month, so I%26#39;m happy to hear the breakfast there is good...
If you have the time and desire, please keep us updated...hope your trip is wonderful!
trip report part one-April 13th-25th
Now you need to try some taro chips. They are in a smaller bag and are more spendy than regular chips but they are different and yummy. Eat with or without salsa and enjoy. If you can%26#39;t find them at Safeway, go up to the little grocery store at Napili Plaza.
So I think I am getting it: you are using the Papakea as your home base and are paying for it for the full 2 weeks but you have also included a one night stay at the GW which, with the cabana rental, cost about the same as a week at the Papakea. Sounds like fun and out of the ordinary but hey, it%26#39;s your vacation and I would do the same if I weren%26#39;t such a cheapskate.
Send us more when you can.
Have you tried the fresh Ahi Poke?
Cream puffs from Komoda%26#39;s Bakery in Makawao?
Second the taro chips and the bakery in Makawao.
yes, we actually ';won'; the condo at a local fundraiser silent auction so it doesn%26#39;t seem quite as hard to justify a few excursions. Tomorrow I will look for the taro chips and will be heading to the fish market for a poke salad they had with onions and tomatoes. Looked really good. Today I had a malasada at the 4S lanai - Yum! part two to come soon and will include 4S Lanai, high tea at the lodge at koele, sporting clays at the lodge, CJ%26#39;s deli comfort food breakfast, and the farmers market a few blocks up past the Papakea. aloha
Well that very cool of someone to donate a stay at a nice ocean front condo. And what a great way to purchse two weeks in paradise.
Great side trip to the GW. Did you get a chance to see the Picasso collection at the Art Gallery? I%26#39;m not an art guy, but that was pretty cool.
Crab Cakes Benedict? Oh boy..................!
Just now read this trip report. Good info!
Speaking of taro chips, we became addicted to them on Maui years ago. We buy them at Whole Foods here in CO.
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