Visit Hawaii: Kaanapali Beach Club

1. Location

The Kaanapali Beach Club (former Embassy Vacation Resort Kaanapali) is located on the north end of Kaanapali Beach. You can’t miss this place - the pink pyramid-shaped buildings stands tall on the beach as you drive down the highway from Kahului Airport.

Kaanapali Beach Club is composed of 3 towers, each set around a central atrium among tropical gardens with interlocking waterfalls and waterways. When you walk into the lobby, you will instantly feel that you are on vacation. Take a glass-enclosed elevators and look down on the fantasy pool and the expansiveness of the ocean. There is a huge wooden desk that overlooks koi-filled ponds and streams.

Drive 3 ½ miles south to Lahaina town, and you will find great art galleries, shops, restaurants and an outdoor market under the biggest Banyan tree.

Kaanapali Beach Club is close to attractions, beaches, shops and restaurants, but far enough away from life’s worries :)

2. Rooms

Your suite will have a complete entertainment center that will satisfy even the surliest teenager with a 35” TV (with HBO), a VCR (a vast video library is on site), and a stereo. With roomy condo-like suites that feature hotel-style amenities, all-you-can-eat breakfast and free daily cocktail party, adults will be happy too.

The kitchenette in the suite is so convenient! It includes wet bar, refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, microwave and coffee maker. There is no range, but why should you be cooking when you are on vacation on Maui? A grocery store is 2 blocks away.

The bathroom is the size of a whole other hotel room, and has a corner bathtub big enough for two, 2 sinks, separate shower stall and 2 entrances – from the living room and bedroom.

Another great feature of your suite will be the balcony – it is very long and stretches all the way from the living room to the bedroom, with 2 entrances, chaise lounges, table and chairs. This is probably the largest balcony out of all hotels in Maui!

If you can stretch your budget and afford an, you won’t regret it. The view is beautiful. After a day of fun in the sun, it is so relaxing to sit on the balcony and look at the ocean and lights from the amazing pool while listening to live music from below.

There are 413 suites. Other suite features are:

Size: 820 sq ft
Air-conditioning
Second TV in the bedroom
Sofabed in the living room
2 phones
Iron and board
Hair dryer upon request
Daily maid service
Room service

3. Restaurants

1) Free buffet breakfast and cocktail party
Every morning, you are treated to a complimentary American breakfast buffet which includes tropical fruits, pastries, cereals, island juices and Kona coffee. It is served outdoors by the pool so you can sit around and look at the beach, enjoying another perfect Maui morning.

In the evening, head to the Moonbeams Lounge in the main building for a 2-hour complimentary cocktail reception. The lounge feels very light and airy, with high ceilings and huge windows overlooking the gardens. You can relax, have some drinks ( tropical cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks are available), listen to live Hawaiian music by local guitarists and meet fellow travelers.

2) Ohana Grill
Casual lunch and poolside bar service. Enjoy homemade pizza and lighter meals in a relaxed atmosphere. Menu includes Shrimp Tempura Salad, Ahi Tuna Sandwich, Cheese Quesadilla and Fresh Fish of the Day.

3) North Beach Grille
Great oceanfront dining with Pacific Rim specialties like Garlic Steamed Clams, Shrimp Scampi, Seafood Brochettes, Herb Encrusted Prime Rib, Toffee Kahlua Mousse Cake and other delicacies. They also have a kids menu.

4) Ohana Express
Quick food walk-up service by the pool, including freshly prepared burgers, sandwiches and pizza. Or you can get a picnic basket to go.

4. Things to do

Swimming pool complex
The giant 1-acre pool at the Kaanapali Beach Club is a wonderful place for fun all day long. It is definitely the highlight of the outdoor facilities. Kids love the 24-foot water slide that empties into the shallow kiddie pool. There is also a Jacuzzi. Can you think of a better way to spend the day than reading a book in a lounge chair by the pool and having one of the pleasant servers from the bar bring you a sandwich and a pina colada?
Golden-sand beach
The beach in front of the Kaanapali Beach Club is great for swimming, snorkeling and soaking up the island sun.
18-hole miniature golf course
This is another neat thing for the kids. It is located just on the roof off the second floor. It costs a couple of bucks to play and, of course, it’s not very challenging, but it’s a great after-dinner diversion.
Torch-lighting ceremony
As dust starts to fall over the Kaanapali Beach Club, the evening ritual begins. In the distance, you hear the sound of a horn. Make your way to the pool are and watch a young Hawaiian man run through the grounds, lighting all torches that line up the beach. The last torch he lights is on top of the waterfall. What a great start to another Maui night!
From there, you can occupy one of the lounge chairs and sit back with your favorite drink watching a Maui sunset. Make sure to take your camera, because Maui has some of the most spectacular and colorful sunsets in the world.
When it gets darker, you can take a romantic walk through the torch-lit gardens. It will make everything else in your life seem trivial.
Year-round children’s program
Children's day camp is offered every day from 8:30am till 2:30pm. The cost is about $40 per child (in 2003) and includes lunch. It is a very fun program, they do things like arts and crafts, play with the birds, feed koi carps in the resort's ponds, play miniature golf, and watch movies.