User Reviews for Whaler on Kaanapali Beach

Research User Reviews for Whaler on Kaanapali Beach (1-11 of 11)

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Oct 28, 2008 by Dale
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[5] • Location:[9]

• Good location.
• Dirty room.

“The Whaler is situated on beautiful Kaanapali Beach in the south-western area of Maui, Hawaii. It consists of two 12-story buildings which are separated by a courtyard and a small, simple swimming pool. Additional landscaped areas around the building are minimal since the facility is squeezed between the Kaanapali Beach Hotel to the north and The Whaler Shopping Center to the south. Except for the western exposure of the corner suites, all the rooms appear to have balconies facing in a north or south direction as opposed to facing the beach. Partial views of the beach to the west and the mountains to the east are the best that can be hoped for with this orientation. Parking is provided by way of an underground garage situated beneath the courtyard between the two buildings. Unlike other properties along Kaanapali Beach, The Whaler is not a resort hotel rather a condotel which has a number of vacant condos available for daily or weekly rental. They have a small unconnected lobby/office area between the two main buildings; however, there is no restaurant or bar. These services can be had at The Whaler Shopping Center immediately next door. Concierge and adequate housekeeping services are provided although more than once we had to venture to the front desk to receive our daily coffee packet for the room coffee maker. We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in Maui at The Whaler in mid-October 2008. The property was undergoing an extensive renovation program at that time. The courtyard landscaping had been removed thus exposing the concrete roof deck of the underground parking garage, the swimming pool was being reconstructed, and structural repairs of the parking garage were underway. The beauty of Kaanapali Beach had been supplanted by a major construction zone. At that time, we were correctly advised that the courtyard landscaping was being renovated. In hindsight, we wish we had stayed next door at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel which appeared to be a rather lively and fun-oriented property. It appears The Whaler is making a serious effort to improve its exterior infrastructure. Overall, the interior public spaces and finishes are well kept. However, judging from the condition of our room some interior renovation is also required. The room was spacious, we loved the layout and the kitchen area was well stocked with whatever we needed. However, this room in the south building was well worn. The carpet and tile floors were not clean. Painted surfaces were dirty and in need of recoating. The furniture was marred and ready for replacement. Obviously, this weekly rental had been neglected for a long time and its condition was not worth the price. If you decide to stay at The Whaler, try to ask for a north side room in the north building with views of the grounds at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel and the Island of Molokai. Our south side balcony in the south building faced the shopping center and was subjected to the constant noise of its HVAC power plant. Bottom line: If you're staying at Kaanapali Beach you can do much better than The Whaler for about the same price or less.”

Oct 25, 2008 by Tara
Overall Rating: 9

• Great living space, great kitchen and bath. Close to restaurants.
• No pool. Major construction going on.

“The Whaler offers large rooms with beautiful garden walkouts. However, during our stay the hotel was under renovations and the pool area was completely closed. If you have the opportunity to stay at the hotel, I can't think of a better location to some of the best dining on ka'anapali beach, not to mention great beach access.”

Jul 21, 2008 by Steve from Catonsville, MD
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• The hotel was centrally located to the beach and shopping. The room was large.
• My balcony overlooked the clubs which prevented me from leaving the windows open at night.

“This was a great place to stay. It had great facilities and a friendly helpful staff. I would recommend staying here.”

Aug 13, 2007 by Will from Las Vegas
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[5] • Location:[10]

• Last time we stayed in a different unit it was excellent.
• Didnt research and it was horrible.

“We booked two rooms and stayed at the Whaler last year in Tower I and had a fabulous stay. The rooms were clean and fresh and the room journal had entries from many other satisfied renters. When we made reservations this year, we assumed all the rooms were this way; big mistake. Room was dirty looking (carpet was discolored) and smelled dank and mildew, as did the entire hall, but less so. It took a day to "acclimate" to the smell, and so long as the A/C was full blast, it kept it at bay. The smell was characteristic of washing clothes and then forgetting about it in the washer for a day or two. All your clothes smelled of this when you left the room. The next huge problem was the elevator. It was located directly behind the headboard of the bed. All day long and through most of the night it sounded as if a grocery cart was being rolled up and down the wall. I would assume all the rooms on each floor located adjacent to the elevator had this problem, but when I brought it up to the manager she acted as if this were the first time it was ever brought up. This noise and vibration is way too loud to act as if nobody else has ever mentioned it. She acted surprised. We were there for 6 nights and it never relented. The last problem was the mysterious bites we would wake up with. They didnt look like mosquito bites and we didnt have them before we went to sleep. They itch like crazy and look like little dots and not rose like a mosquito. I got mine mostly on my belly and butt, kind of odd to get bit through clothing. Overall, we still managed to have a great time in Maui. We loved Kannapolis and would even recommend staying at the Whaler. Just dont be naive like us and assume all rooms are the same. Do your homework as we will next time if we stay there again. Perhaps, the new owner will do something about the cleanliness, bugs, smell and sound.”

Jun 15, 2007 by Chris
Overall Rating: 9

• Excellent beach location.

“We rented a beachfront room which had an amazing view from the 9th floor. Nice shopping center and restaurants right next door. I would definitely recommend this place!”

Jun 6, 2007 by Ronald from Wilson, NC
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Located next to whaler's village shopping center, several very good restaurants, and a terrific beach!
• It's a time share resort. No upscale hotel ambiance, just a check in/out office.

“Friendly, helpful staff will provide any info you need for sightseeing. Outstanding location for shopping and dining. A perfect beach for moderate surfing, parasailing, swimming, or just relaxing in the sun.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

May 24, 2007 by Patricia from Riverside, CA
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[1] • Location:[9]

• It was a condo room.
• No restaurants needs refurbishing.

“This hotel has very few facilities no restaurants. The hotel is in need of complete refurbishment, the rooms are very dated. We arrived at 10pm at night and there was nowhere to eat the hotel had no food. The local restaurants would not serve you with a baby so we ended up at midnight in safe ways. Trying to buy food.”

0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Feb 14, 2007 by D.J. from Honolulu, HI
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• The location and size of the room was great all of the amenities.
• A little old. Could use some updating in the rooms.

“The hotel itself is very nice. Some of the rooms could be updated with new furniture. Other than that the whole place is very nice.”

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Jan 26, 2007 by Francis from Mattituck, NY
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[1] • Location:[10]

• Location.
• Check in.

“Check in was the worst. "Welcome to the whaler Mr. Curran, may I have you credit card, thank you, oh no you have the worst room we have, ground floor next to the elevator". "We can upgrade you to a nice room on a high floor for an adult. but can I please have a room away from the elevator. "No you can¿t, enjoy your stay".”

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Sep 1, 2006 by Bridie from Ewa Beach, HI
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Kitchen saved us money because we could make our own food.
• The rooms were old and dated. There was a giant mirror as a headboard.

“Very nice, convenient location, friendly staff. Will return.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Aug 25, 2006 by Kevin from San Diego, CA
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• It is right on the beach at the Kaanapali Resorts. Big rooms and we even got some ocean view.
• Would have liked to have floor plan on its websites. Family style food not conveniently close by.

“Beautiful sunsets and clear ocean with fabulous snorkeling. We saw fish and two sea turtles at the North end of the beach just a short walk away. Parking is convenient and staff is friendly. The property is great with lounging areas, pools and Barbeque areas right next to the beach.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.