We have happily returned to the Kaanapali Ali'i yearly since our first experience in 2008, always renting the same 3 bedroom unit facing the courtyard from building 2, unit 223. Without any doubt we have loved each stay and had no complaints. This year due to the unavailability of our usual favorite we rented a 3 bedroom in building 1 facing the Westin, unit 143. We had views of the Westin and it's waterfall pool which were ok, but still had nice ocean views including Black Rock, from the lanai and bedroom. We really had no complaints, we missed having the courtyard view and sunsets but felt that the cooler afternoons on the shaded lanai were a nice tradeoff. The condo is laid out very similarly to 223 (our "usual") except that the 3rd bedroom/den has a nice wrap around couch and flat screen tv, around 42-48 inch size. Nice touch! It is stocked as well as expected, the safe in the master bedroom worked, and beds were comfortable. We were happy to have the same large lanai as we love to eat all 3 meals out there and spend quite a bit of time socializing around meals. Unfortunately early in the morning on the 3rd day into our stay construction work started up at the Westin just outside of our unit and all day long we had jackhammers and loud construction noise driving us off the lanai. Even with all doors and windows closed the noise was unbearable. My brother in law was along with us on a working vacation and was quite unhappy with losing the quiet working environment he expected. Once the workers quit for the evening and we were looking forward to a nice relaxing dinner on the lanai the Luau from the westin started up, just under the lanai again! While we love the Hawaiian music, drums, and luaus in general, the speakers were so loud and must have been pointed directly at our condo as we couldn't even hold conversation over the music. It was like being at a really loud concert or wedding, and we gave up eating dinner outside. On top of this all, my husband and his sister were both coming off of a very difficult year health-wise and looking forward to a peaceful, healing time in Hawaii. After putting up with this unrelenting noise daily we finally called Maui Beachfront Rentals and complained that we were not happy with the status quo. Having paid the amount of money for an expected quite and restful Hawaiian vacation we were having anything but. I must give Maui Beachfront a shout out as they responded quickly and did what they could to assuage our negative reaction, offering a move to a different condo or a refund of one night and a free night on our next year's rental. I felt that Maui Beachfront Rental didn't have prior knowledge of the construction noise and didn't rent unfairly. The luaus would have been bearable if we hadn't been unable to use the lanai all day also. So as it stands, the condo itself is in good repair, located on the shady and cooler side of the building, clean and comfortable. I was told that the construction will be ongoing through April so if you are planning to rent, beware or check up on this. I can't really complain about the Luau music as it was just an annoyance caused mainly by following up on the heels of the loud jackhammers, etc. We hope to be able to return to our favorite on the courtyard side next year. My husband and I spent 2 weeks at the Whaler in the fall of 2010 and while it was nice, there is no comparison.
Room Tip: Check to see if the Westin has any ongoing construction if you are in the north side of Building 1...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC