Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach — Hotel in Maui

Our room was booked thru the best travel agency on the planet - Costco. I'm currently at this property...and something is just not right. This is our third visit. The last visits were in 2022. We came twice that year because we had such a wonderful time. Fast forward to October 2024. In our booking request I'd specifically stated 'Do NOT put us in a room facing Whalers Villiage. We are early to bed kind of people and do not want the noise, the constant drone of the A/C from the Villiage nor the omnipresent smell of BBQ wafting upwards. Please put us in a room facing the center of the property. Go to check in at the front desk - Lo and behold we were given a room on level 3 right over Whalers Villiage. I informed the checkin desk that this would not work and we specifically requested to not be in that location. And then the fun started. I was informed by the front desk 'this is not our room, we do not manage it - call this number'. Huh..okay...called. Spoke with an 'Aston' Representative. Told they would call me back in 5 minutes and they were unaware of the special request. Aston calls the front desk and I'm given a room on the 11th floor facing Black Rock. It's an improvement but now your main room view is over the rooftops (and A/C) of the neighboring property. Ocean view only from lanai and part of the living room. Oh well, it's Maui, let it go and enjoy. Decided I needed another blanket...went back to the front desk and was told - housekeeping is gone no blankets available..look in your room there should be some additional bedding. I did located that bundle. The next day two blankets arrive an hour apart.||I call 'Aston' to set up the daily housekeeping timeframe and am told...oh..no...we don't do that - it's every 3 days (which in their math turns out to be every 4 - don't ask). I had specifically checked with Costco Travel on this particular service right before we left and was assured, yes...daily service. Okay, I call Costco - they get involved. And magically, housekeeping arrives daily. I also inform Costco there is construction going on at this property. This really peaked their interest...There is work on the lanais'. An entire stack of rooms will have the lanais' wrapped in protective plastic and workers start early in the morning doing the repairs. A sign is put on the deck doors - facing inward - saying 'Danger, do not use'. I am told that yes...these rooms do get rented out WHATTTT...Imagine your partial ocean view - only really available from the lanai - which is now wrapped in plastic with the chairs stacked in a corner...and workers can appear on the deck at any time. eh. not cool.||What I have figured out is there has been a management change since 2022. The front desk is apparently not happy and it comes across loud and clear. Aston, which still 'owns' a number of rooms no longer has a representative on property. They are also not honest about what they are offering. They only agreed to daily housekeeping after being contacted by Costco.||Okay..now for the good part. The property is well located. The beach right off the front is nice and has easy access. The staff at the beach hut is great. The grounds are well maintained, clean and soothing. Amazing Koi in the ponds. If you get an upgraded room - it is nice. ||Bottom line...it can be a fantastic stay...or it can be a bit frustrating. Make sure whomever you use to book a room will stand up for you if needed. And, unless you rent thru the 'right' room...do not try to avail yourself of any assistance from...

I expected more and better but it was ok. We first got a room on 6th floor. It was nice and updated from inside but there were almost no ocean views due to large trees. We were facing the Whaler Mall and it wasn't a pleasing feeling of "Premium" room with ocean view. We had asked for a change when we were checking in at midnight as I could tell from the map it won't be an ideal location but we were told by the "night auditor" lady at front desk to wait and feel it out. The next morning I called again and they said there weren't any available. I really had to push and say give us a higher floor and after a lot of insisting, we got a room on the 10th floor. This condo was dated and had chipped floors and not the best bathrooms. I could see the ducts and all on the roof of the bathtub due to a gap and it was nasty. However, we finally got a good view. This room wS exactly on top of our 6th floor room, just few floors above but we could finally see the vast ocean and the mountains. The rooms on the other side facing courtyard had amazing views. They are also Premium and other categories of rooms so u just don't know what u will get assigned. I booked months ago and requested this but it doesn't matter.

Service is what gave me mixed feelings. Everytime we needed something, it would start off with a no or can't do. But after pushing, the matter would get resolved. Not sure why it has to come to this. I was also told several times we are short staffed in the front.

We checked in on a Wednesday and asked for housekeeping on a Saturday. They told us its evrry 4th day so it would be Monday as the first day doesnt count. That didn't make sense and we were checking out on tuesday as we were there for 6 nights. I then had to push for it and tell them i needed it same day. We traveled with 2 little kids and needed help. Also the night before my daughter got sick and threw up on the toilet. I had called and asked for lysol or any disinfectants for the room. We were told there are no wipes or disinfectants they can supply. So we didn't use that bathroom and luckily had 2. Next morning we went to the store and bought our own. Also upon insisting, the housekeeping was able to arrive on Saturday itself and do the room for us. I appreciated our needs being met as asked but there was a lot of back and forth which made the experience a little unpleasant. We tipped the housekeeping Staff and thanked them for fitting us in the schedule. Property outskirts are beautiful including the koi pond and the beach. Pool is small, and average. Plenty beach chairs available all the time and so were the towels. I chose this hotel so we don't have to pay extra for parking, towels, beach chairs and appreciated that. Next time il likely do an air b n b which some people have in the hotel itself. It was also my son's 8th birthday. They had kept some chocolate macadamia nuts and some champagne in the room. But no note or message. At first I thought it was for us to purchase if we use it. We didn't know if it's something everyone gets or doesn't. Nothing was done for my son especially or to make him feel that way. We were then told there was a birthday amenity provided in the room so I guess that was it. Paying so much and not receiving that same service was a bit disappointing. We just got the feeling that they were always too busy to help at once.

Booked through Costco. Including the car in the rental was very convenient. Alamo gave us a free upgrade for my...

Our stay at Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach was nothing short of fantastic. From the moment we stepped into our rented condo, we were captivated by the breathtaking views and the warm, inviting ambiance of this tropical paradise.

The location of The Whaler is simply unbeatable. Situated right on Kaanapali Beach, we were treated to stunning vistas of the turquoise waters, golden sands, and swaying palm trees. The proximity to the beach allowed us to easily access the pristine shores for leisurely walks, sunbathing, or even taking a refreshing dip in the ocean. The beachfront atmosphere is lively yet relaxing, offering the perfect balance of tranquility and activity.

Our condo at Aston at The Whaler was truly a home away from home. The unit was spacious, well-appointed, and meticulously maintained. The tasteful Hawaiian-inspired decor added a touch of charm and created a serene atmosphere. We were particularly impressed by the fully equipped kitchen, which allowed us to prepare meals at our convenience. The convenience of having a washer and dryer in the condo was an added bonus, making it easy to refresh our beachwear and towels.

The highlight of our condo was undoubtedly the lanai, providing us with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the neighboring islands. Each morning, we were greeted by the magnificent sunrise, casting a golden glow over the water. In the evenings, we marveled at the breathtaking sunset, painting the sky with vibrant hues. The lanai became our favorite spot to unwind, savor a cup of coffee, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the surroundings.

The amenities at The Whaler were exceptional. The pool area was beautifully landscaped, offering a refreshing oasis where we could cool off and relax. The hot tub provided a soothing retreat after a day of exploring the island. We appreciated the convenience of the barbecue grills, which allowed us to enjoy alfresco dining and savor the flavors of Hawaii while basking in the tropical ambiance.

The service provided by the staff at Aston at The Whaler was exemplary. From the moment we checked in, we were met with genuine warmth and hospitality. The staff was attentive, ensuring that our needs were met promptly and with a smile. They were also knowledgeable about the local area, offering recommendations for dining, activities, and attractions.

The location of The Whaler also allowed us to explore the nearby attractions easily. We took advantage of the proximity to Whalers Village, a shopping and dining destination, where we indulged in delicious cuisine and discovered unique local crafts. The convenience of having a grocery store within walking distance was also a great benefit.

Our stay at Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach was truly a memorable experience. The combination of a fantastic condo, breathtaking views, and outstanding service made our vacation a dream come true. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or a romantic getaway, this is the perfect place to create lasting memories. We highly recommend Aston at The Whaler and look forward to returning to this tropical haven...