My Classic Hawaii Fam Trip to Maui and Kauai
Alice Stoffel

After a long and exhausting nine-hour direct flight from Chicago (I won’t ever recommend direct to Hawaii again), we landed on a cloud-covered Maui.  I immediately started counting rainbows because I have been told that Maui is the Land of Rainbows - I saw two during my three-day stay on the island.

My Travel Log

Day 1:  The Ritz Carlton.

Once we claim our luggage, the Classic Vacations crew drives us north toward the Ritz Carlton.  It is interesting to note that Classic has no employees on any of the Hawaiian Islands; they rely totally on local tour operators for transportation.  With that being said, none of the Classic employees know their way around Maui, or Kauai for that matter.  As a matter of fact, my coworker Amy knows more about where things were on the island.  Go Amy!

The Ritz Carlton is on Maui’s northwest shore - a fair distance from the airport, Lahaina, and Kaanapoli.  The view of Molokai and Molokini is amazing, as is the very green golf course that surrounds the property.  Everything is green; it is truly amazing how many shades of green there are.  I am most impressed with how the palm trees are bending in the wind, and notice that the wind is blowing from the northeast.  Only in Hawaii.  We head down to eat some dinner, and fight to stay awake until at least 8:00 (1:00 a.m. Wisconsin time).  I don’t even make it until 7:30.

Day 2:  Kaanapoli and Lahaina.

I am awake at 4:00 a.m. because I went to bed at 7:00 last night.  The service at the hotel is great, though I really can’t see myself staying at this property on my own vacation.  It has a more reserved atmosphere (what I referred to as a kid to be “country clubby”), and it is remotely located.  However, it is a beautiful property and the rooms are nice; the bathroom is all marble and enormous.  We’re have a meeting with Classic Vacations and then a visit from the Maui Tourism Board.  It’s very entertaining.

The Westin at Kaanapoli.  This is a fabulous property; I love it right away because of the walk-thru waterfalls and wildlife - particularly the roaming flamingoes.  There are birds everywhere and, surrounding the property, other hotels and places to eat.  The rooms are nice as well, especially the $79 agent rate (if you can get it).  There is much to do here.

After lunch at the Westin, we head to Lahaina and shopping.  Some of us are smart and go back to The Ritz, while others of us stay in Lahaina.  We all have a great time shopping and checking out Lahaina, though next time I will limit my Lahaina shopping to 30 minutes and will totally skip happy hour at that little bar on the corner!  I must say that Cheeseburger in Paradise was great.

Day 3:  Hotels, Hotels, Hotels.

The Fairmont.  We move down the coast to the Fairmont at Wailea.  All I can say is WOW about this Moorish styled extravaganza.  We inspect the property and have an amazing lunch that starts with Calamari and ends with cheesecake.  We waddle to the vans bound for the Grand Wailea.

The Grand Wailea.  This is a spectacular hotel as well; all rooms boast king beds facing the ocean.  It covers 40 acres, has 8 restaurants, and 7 pools.  There is a large spa facility, scuba lessons and of course, Internet access.  There is a water park within the property and a swim-up bar (not an ordinary sight in Hawaii).  There is a lot going on at this resort, but the best part is that there is something for everyone at the Grand Wailea.

The Hyatt-Kaanapoli.  Back to the beach area, we are running late when we arrive at the Hyatt. There are no rooms to site inspect; they are full to capacity.  However, the lobby area is beautiful with a very large atrium area.  We are led down to the beach area to the Luau.  This is my very first Luau experience and, I have to admit, I am a chicken and do not try the Poi.  The show is fantastic; I especially liked the fire juggling at the end.  Back to the hotel, we get ready for our trip to the airport and our flight to Oahu and then Kauai - our next destination in Paradise.

Day 4:  Kauai – Land of Chickens running wild.

We arrive late (this is getting to be normal for us) due to a cancelled flight.  I am able to talk with my uncle for a bit while on Oahu, where he has lived for more than 30 years.  I am kicking myself as to why I have never visited him before - especially now that he is moving to Japan for at least a year.

Once on Kauai, we head for the Kauai Beach Resort.  It is about 10 minutes from the airport in Lihue.  It offers single rooms and eight suites and is completely under renovation.  It’s a low rise with two stores and has one pool and a restaurant.  The grounds are under renovation (watch your step and duck your head) and the beach isn’t open for swimming.  If none of these things presents an obstacle to you, it is a nice place to visit.

On to Princeville we go.  On the way, we can see the devastation of the spring rains and can see how the island was split in half.  As we drive north, I am reminded of the tropical lushness of places like the Costa Rican rain forests.  We turn the last corner and there it is, on Hanalei Bay - Bali Hai.  Famous in many movies, this was the view I saw from every point in my room.

I am convinced this is what heaven is like, especially how the sun is hitting the mountains in the distance.  Clouds hide much of these mountains, and my knee is letting me know big rain is coming.  I have already seen more rainbows on Kauai.  This is where Puff the Magic dragon lived by the sea, near the town of Hanalei.

We arrive at Princeville Resort, change clothes, and go on the site inspection.  The rooms are immaculate and tastefully appointed.  The lobby is amazing; there is no picture I can take that will capture it and do it justice.  And guess what – another Luau!  We head outside, just as it starts to rain. It’s good we’re under tents, especially the wedding party at the front of the “room.” They don’t seem to care about getting wet.  We can see the bride and her bridesmaids wandering about not even concerned about the massive amounts of water pouring out of the sky.  This luau is different from the Hyatt.  The food is phenomenal, and the entertainment is great too.  It is a different show than the previous night - each were fantastic in their own way.

Day 5:  Poipu.

The week is going by too quickly.  I already know it will be difficult for me to leave Kauai.  Back into the vans, we are off to the sunny side.  Poipu is on the south side of the island.  Our first stop is the Grand Hyatt.  There are 50 acres of water, a 5-acre lagoon, 6 restaurants and a luau 2 nights a week.  Tropical birds are in the trees in the lobby.  There isn’t a good swimming beach here, but there is a lap pool, which totally made up for it in my book.  The scenery is great here, and there is of course, more sunshine.  After an amazing lunch, we have to move on. When I return to Kauai, I will definitely come to this resort.

The Sheraton.  This is two resorts in one:  the Garden and the Ocean (the Ocean being the nicer of the two).  The hotel is currently under renovation.  There are beach wings and ocean wings with more activity near the beach wing.  There are three restaurants, the beach is swimmable, and there is a luau Monday and Friday.  Note: this is very close to the Spouting Horn.

Moving on, we drive back into Lihue, to the Marriott Kauai, which is approximately 5 minutes from the airport.  This hotel has had some rain damage from the spring storms, with renovations in process.  There is much to do here and it is close to town.  There are airport shuttles, mainland calling and Internet bundle fees, but no resort fee.  Shopping is nearby.  There are 5 restaurants and a very nice beach where one can surf at the beginning of the bay.

We are not hungry at all, but enjoyed the seafood buffet anyway.  Who can refuse crab and lobster?  The hospitality is fantastic at this property. The best part of it – this is our last hotel to inspect!  We all head off to Wal-Mart to check out souvenirs.

Day 6:  Island Tour.

This is a great day, because we not only get to see the island but our tour guide, Juan, a native Hawaiian, gives us a history lesson about the Island of Kauai.  Juan is a funny guy, and loved the islands.  He takes us up to Wailed Falls, and then to the other side of the island, past Lihue and Poipu to Waimea Canyon.  This canyon is similar to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, with the exception that it is very green.  It is truly hard to walk away from this beautiful sight.  After lunch and shopping, we head back to Princeville.

Day 7:  Leaving Kauai.

I realize I hauled my fins and snorkel gear all the way to Hawaii and have not used them yet, so I get up early and go down to the bay.  It is really quite amazing.  Right off the beach, I see huge fish and turtles and some other things I can’t name.  It is a great way to end my stay at Princeville on Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai.  It still amazes me that I am thousands of miles from home but still in the United States in the most beautiful place I have ever seen. 

Classic Vacations and American Express did a wonderful job on this fam trip. We had the best there is to offer in meals and entertainment and stayed at two amazing resorts that were quite different from each other.  Everyone went the extra mile for us making sure we had everything we needed and that we were doing ok - always making sure we had all of our belongings and luggage, and that no one was left behind.

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