Maui bound

There more to do in Maui than you have time for. We visited Haleakala: we were engulfed in clouds & disappointed with our view, suddenly the clouds broke up & we could see for miles. The view is spectacular & worth the trip up the mountain. We didn't do the bike ride but many people recommend them. That day we were glad we weren't on bikes: the rain continued throughout the morning. Rainslickers in Maui: nah!

The Maui Acquarium was more fun than I expected: the "recording device" that they offer you was not worth the money. You could read the same information as you went along. The underwater tunnel was probably worth the price of admission. Swimming with the fishes without getting wet. We travelled north of Kannapali as far as the rental car companies want you to go. We were rewarded with beautiful views, a blowhole & the offer of marijuana(we passed.)This is an area that the guidebooks don't talk about much and we had a great time touring.

I enjoy the weekly swap meet by the post office in Lahaina. There were some good bargains &lots of local(& some not so local)crafts.

Quick Tips:

Have a meal or a drink at Mama's Fish House. It is what you think Hawaii should be: beautiful beach view, great sunsets, palm trees and a beach to stroll on after dinner.

Best Way To Get Around:

You need a rental car to enjoy the island. I wished for a convertible, if you can afford it, go for it!

Best Things Nearby:
The beach: the mountains: the palm trees. Hey! It's Maui: you could sleep on the beach in a tent!

Best Things About the Resort:
I enjoyed the hotel-type atmosphere. This is a negative to many people, but I enjoyed the valet parking, the daily breakfasts, the cocktail hour and the nightly lantern lighting festivities.

Resort Experience:
This is a converted hotel room. It is similar to a one bedroom "lock-off" style condo. More correctly, it's like an Embassy Suites, since that is what it is. We were allowed to upgrade from a mountain view to an ocean view (for a fee). The mountain views are standard for a timeshare exchange.

I enjoyed our room. I was in Hawaii--I didn't intend to cook. We had a nice refrigerator to keep lunch supplies and cold drinks in. It met our needs and expectations. Some would feel that it is an inadequate kitchen, if you want a full kitchen you would not like this set-up.

The bed was comfortable and the pillows were not the thin foam type that are typical of many hotels.

The pool was pleasant, with a waterfall and a place for volleyball. In busier times there could be a shortage of deck chairs. We had no problem finding a place to sun ourselves. There were daily scuba diving lessons in the pool. We were tempted but couldn't decide whether to stuff our bodies into wetsuits. There is much talk about the beach: many people don't care for it. It is great for walking along, but not so great for swimming.

Would I stay here again? In a heartbeat!

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Mama's Fish House is a great place for a romantic dinner for 2. Right on the beach,in a coconut grove, the sunsets are breathtaking. The service is very good. The menu selections are somewhat pricey but it's Maui! Burger King is pricey--and this is so much more. The selections are prepared and presented beautifully and each time we have eaten there the choices we made were delicious.

If you don't mind having a dining experience with someone that you don't know, this is a fun place on the beach for lunch. The tables are VERY crowded and they jam people into every open space. This is a very popular place and the wait for a table is typically pretty long. The fries were good but I thought the burgers were overrated and a bit expensive.