Review: The Westin Vacations and American Express Offer For The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North (Maui, Hawaii)

Update: Click here for a review of the related Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. 

About a year ago, I received a fantastic offer in the mail from Westin Vacations and American Express.

This was the offer in a nutshell: The Westin Ka’anapali Offer From American Express is $798 for two adults and includes the following:

• 5 nights at the Westin Ka’anapali in a Studio Villa with a King Bed and Full-size sleeper-sofa
• A 6-day car rental from Avis
• A $75 Resort Credit

You can bet I took this offer. The following is my review of the entire experience.

Review: The Westin Vacations and American Express Offer For The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North (Maui, Hawaii)

The Value Of This Offer

Well, first things first. This $798 offer was far more lucrative than I had initially estimated. In my previous post, I had estimated the value of a 5 night stay to be about $1,750 total.

As you can see below, the total was actually $2,245! And that doesn’t even include the free car rental (which was 100% covered by this offer), the $75 credit, or the free SPG points and breakfast (both of which I’ll get to later).

Getting There

The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas is about a 45 minute drive from Kahului Airport (OGG).

If you’ve never been to Maui before, take care to NOT drive around West Maui using the small (and in some places, very sketchy) 3400 road to the north as this will likely void your rental car agreement.

Instead, stick to the larger highways that take you south of the West Maui Forest Reserve (see the map above).

North Vs. South

I didn’t know it at from the offer’s marketing materials, but there are actually 2 separate “sister resorts” under the name of “The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas”.

The southern most resort is the oldest, while the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North is the newer property of the two.

The Check-In(s)

Confusingly, the official check-in for this offer was at the southern property’s front desk – as was the check-in for the offer itself which was at the southern property’s concierge desk.

The resort check-in went very fast and smooth. I was recognized for my status and given a warm welcome to the Westin.

The offer specified a Studio Villa with a King Bed and Full-size sleeper-sofa (island view), however I was notified I’d be given a unit with an ocean view. I was also informed I’d been upgraded to the newer “north” property.

Help the environment and get 1 free breakfast at Auntie’s Kitchen for for every day you waive room cleaning!

Next up was the “offer” check-in. I met with my personal concierge who handed me a map, a reusable Westin bag with “goodies” (including a box of Hawaiian Host Maui Caramacs chocolates!) and information package of the Westin Ka’anapali.

It seemed there were mini-contests to enter all over the place for doing things like logging into wi-fi and visiting a concierge desk.

Additional Offers For SPG Points

Remember how I said this offer was not a time-share deal? Well, that was true, technically. However, the concierge made me an [additional] offer I couldn’t refuse: 7,000 SPG Starpoints for sitting through their timeshare presentation.

On top of that, the concierge offered me the choice of either the [published] $75 credit or 5,000 SPG Starpoints. I again chose the Starpoints.

Once checked-in for the room and the offer, I headed over to the northern property where I would be staying.

Map Of The Westin Ka’anapli Ocean Resort Villas

This place is huge – it’s easy to get lost

Parking

There was plenty of parking in the garage. Although the parking spaces were numbered, they actually didn’t correspond to the room – meaning you could park anywhere you like. The parking spaces were very slim – in California we’d call them “compact spaces” – so beware if you choose to rent a giant SUV.

The real problem wasn’t the parking garage, it was getting to and from the parking garage. Seriously, the way the Westin North is laid out couldn’t be more confusing in relation to the parking garage, and it didn’t help the floor numbers of the two structures didn’t correspond.

Every single time we’d come and go we’d run into resort guests that were completely bewildered on how to get to their room or get back to their rental car. I can only suggest to find a way – anyway – and then stick to it.

The North Lobby

Both lobbies were beautiful; however the north building was newer and had a more sophisticated feel with exquisite chocolate wood detailing.

The lobby of the north

Concierge Desk

Pacific Islander artifact accents are everywhere – even in the stariwell

The Villa Bedroom

We were given an ocean view villa on the first floor. The room was clean, cool, and the bed was very comfortable.

The couch was convertible to a pull-out bed.

The Kitchenette

The kitchenette was also clean, complete with a microwave, stove, dishwasher, coffee maker, and a large refrigerator.

However, there was one “fatal flaw” to this kitchenette, a significant lack of cupboard storage space. While this may be OK for a stay of 1-2 nights, in terms of a 5-night stay, this could be a real problem – especially if you are thinking about cooking yourself.

No cupboard space for you! The mini-shelves under the coffee maker is all there is

On the plus side, the kitchenette comes fully loaded with pretty much everything you’ll need for a long stay.

Plenty of dishware

Washer and dryer

The Balcony

The Bathroom

The bathtub had shutters that opened to the room.

There was a large shower with a “raining” shower-head. Nice touch.

I’m not sure exactly what was in the mini-toiletry bottles, but they smelled great. So much so, that I bought some at the Heavenly Spa to take home.

The only negative I saw in the bathroom area was some previous [water?] damage to the area around the shower.

Prior damage to the wood trim

Walking The Property

As I mentioned before, the property is huge and the layout makes it easy to get lost.

Nevertheless, the property is absolutely beautiful.

Sparse hallways with Pacific accents

Interesting art pieces line the Westin

There are satellite concierge desks should you need to plan activities

A meditation garden

The Fitness Studio

The Swimming Pools and Jacuzzis

There were several large ocean-facing pools at the Westin North and South (you have access to both), as well as jacuzzis, adult jacuzzis, and kiddie pools.

Jacuzzi

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The Adult Jacuzzi

The kiddie pool (with a rainbow in the background!)

The Ka’anapali Beach

All of the above amenities are great. But let’s face it – the reason you wanna stay here is Ka’anapali Beach!

FHOP-Tip: If you head straight to the beach from the Westin resort, go “left” [facing Lanai] for the better swimming, and go the the “right” [facing Molokai] for the better snorkeling.   

Lanai just off the coast

This is the “swimming” side of the beach

This is the “snorkeling” side of the beach (with Molokai in the background)

Of course, you can always opt for a breezy oceanside boardwalk stroll.

This little guy “gets it”

Breakfast At Auntie’s Kitchen

At the Westin North, the breakfast spot of choice is Auntie’s Kitchen. Get there early, as it can fill up quick.

The breakfast of champions – smoked salmon, eggs (with Hawaiian Chili Water), and a doughnut for good measure

There are also many other dining options, such as the beach-side Pailolo restaurant.

The Bottom Line Review: The Westin Vacations and American Express Offer For The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North (Maui, Hawaii)

I love Maui. Seriously.

The Westin Vacations and American Express Offer For The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas is one of those things that seems too good to be true. But it’s very real, and very valuable. The Avis rental car was seamless, the stay was magnificent start to finish, and the many little perks all over the place made the stay memorable.

With that said, it’s no secret that Westin Resorts are in business with Vistana, and the reason this offer exists is to sell timeshares at this property (although you are under no obligation to sit through a timeshare presentation or buy a timeshare).

It is a targeted offer, but in light of the recent SPG merger with Marriott, I would suspect holding an American Express SPG card or a Chase Marriott or Ritz-Carleton card may put you on the list to receive this offer (or a offer like this one). Even if you are not targeted, you can still book the Westin Villas on your own.

We had an absolutely amazing time and an amazing stay at the Westin. I knew I loved Maui, but I didn’t know I would love Ka’anapali so much – but I did. In fact, the view of the islands from Ka’anapali is arguably the most beautiful view in all of Hawaii.

My only question is, “when can I go back?”

Cheers!