This rental unit could quite easily get 5 Stars but, loses out because a few short falls. It is clean,has an excellent view/location. The kitchen is very dated and, the utinsels looked like they where bought on the last day of a garage sale. The frying pans have very little Teflon left. (I can show pictures) The stove is about 17 years old. The left front ring keeps falling into the pit. This can be very dangerous with children or adults while cooking. The door under the sink keeps falling off.
The ceiling over the bath has gaps that let the dirt fall on you while showering.
This unit needs to be updated and, the least the owner should do is proper maintenance.
Would I rent this unit again. No.

When we went there were renovations going on. There were no problems. Construction was going on during the day, but we were hardly there & it wasn't so bad we couldn't enjoy the room. Whaler Village, next door, was great. The little convenience shop there was great for picking up anything from souvenirs to a bag of chips & a drink. Restaurants close & Black Rock is a stones throw from the hotel. Beautiful & spacious room. Can't wait to go again.

Third time to Hawaii, second time to The Whaler, while ther is major construction on tower 2, we were given a condo in tower 1 on the top floor. Had a couple little problems, safe didn't work, tub was very slippery and needed a bath mat. All problems were taken care of right away. Will definately stay here again

The Whaler was just what I wanted, although I did not know it. It is great as much for what it isn't, as much as what it is.

I rented a studio condo unit from the owner for the second week of December, just before high season. Real value. It was spotless, with a great balcony view.

The first night was a treat. Arrived, easy check-in, walked left next door to the outdoor Hula Grill. Dinner at the edge of a lawn, a path, lush bushes, and the ocean right behind. Welcome!

It's only 100 yards from Black Rock, so if you like to snorkel, get up at sunrise (when the fish are having breakfast undisturbed and the tourists are snoring). And if you want, you can walk the path along the resorts from the Sheraton to the Hyatt, pop in, check them all out, check out the prices, and flee.

The Whaler has a nice, modest pool where people get together during the day. The guests and owners mostly (not all) are adults 50+, very friendly, welcome kids and grand kids, AOK. Very wide, clean, uncrowded beach. Near Lahaina. Lahaina: don't miss the Annabell comedy show--witty, funny, fresh, and with a baffling musical secret. A+. Honest!

What I especially liked is the Whaler is human size. It's not a big, fabu, look-at-me, institution. I felt at home. The landscaping is pretty, and adequate. It does not have a lot of facilities or add-ons. Laundry, fitness, plenty of parking underground, soft drinks, yes. Restaurant: no--so what? I wanted to tour and discover, who needs more? My Maui is "less is more". I love the air, the ocean, visiting with the sea creatures, the variety, discovery, the flowers. Lodging that is imposing is a distraction and gets in the way. It was just right for me. If you want to get knighted, and pay like a king, you won't be happy here. Nice touches, no pretense.

I wanted it on Ka'anapali Beach. The only other condo is the Al'li--nice but much more expensive, and the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel is a hotel. I liked saving money using the full kitchen and the outdoor BBQ, and the coffee for guests at the pool in the morning. Do stay off their internet, though--it's way too expensive.

I toured all the hotels on Ka'anapali, north of the Sheraton to Kapalua and the Ritz, Lahaina, Kehei, and the Wailea resorts. I would come back here before the others. I liked it. I'm just a regular guy, with Southern efficiency and Northern charm. The Whaler: nice, lovely site and location, and nice people. That's good enough for me.