Read actual guest reviews and comments about Makena Beach & Golf Resort
Trip Advisor
- 648 reviews of Makena Beach & Golf Resort in Makena
May 1, 2013
THE BEST Value for your money in Wailea / Makena Beach
We stayed at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort for 7 nights from April 12th to the 19th. Initially we chose Makena Beach Resort based on the facts that a) it was directly on one of the best, most prettiest beaches on Maui, and b) the Resort had a very good, highly ranked tennis facility. Alot of research on Trip Advisor solidified our choice. The rooms have all recently been tastefully renovated over the past 2 years and all rooms are very spacious. The resort has 310 guest rooms and all have been completely refurbished. The bed was very, very comfortable. While our room location was on the top floor and very close to the absolute beach front side of the building facing towards the Southwest side of the beach, and the gorgeous view from the room as can be seen from my pictures was as close to perfect as you can get, I am sure that all rooms have some views to the ocean as well. The Resort has at its centre, a stunning Japanese atrium garden complete with waterfalls, beautiful tropical flowers and foliage, and meandering streams filled with Koi fish - all in all a very Zen space. While we did not take advantage of any of the guest activities such as outrigger canoe lessons, intro snorkel and scuba lessons or the star-gazing program, all these and more were offered here. I will review the Makena Tennis Club separately but wanted to note here that complimentary shuttle service was offered to the Club and each morning almost without exception we took advantage of this quick service. Now for the staff, EVERYONE, from the valet staff, counter staff, Molokini Grill staff, and all cleaning staff exemplified the Mahalo spirit. We truly felt as though we were a part of the Makena family during our week stay there. I have been to other places in Hawaii and have felt this same level of service elsewhere, but I can genuinely see that all of Makena Beach Resort's staff truly love what they do and it shows. I do hope that you pass this feedback on to your staff in some way. I feel that the experience was absolutely 5 star in large part thanks to your amazing staff. Thanks to all of you for the very special memories, we will be back soon. Mahalo, George & Mary. As posted on TripAdvisor.com - by hillkokonis (Vancouver) on 5/1/13. Stay date: Apr 2013
April 10, 2013
Relaxation at its best
We were warmly welcomed even though we arrived at 10:30 at night. The valet service collected our luggage, took the car, presented us with leis and introduced us to the night desk manager, who expressed concern that our flight was delayed and offered to open the coffee bistro for us, as we might want something in the way of a sandwich or drink . The room was a partial view,but what a view! Lovely grounds, beautiful birds, gorgeous flowers, there deer on the property in the morning, saw mongooses, and whales!!! By the dozens, breaching every time we stepped out on the balcony
There were free snorkel & scuba lessons, activities beyond golf, morning yoga,kayaking,paddle board, outrigger paddling with snorkeling, catamaran that anchored on the beach, lovely pool,
beautifully maintained beach, and friendly, friendly staff. The staff knew our names by the second day.
We were there during Valentines Day, and had a marvelous gourmet dinner prepared and presented to delight all the senses. Caviar,ahi,lobster,crab, filet mignonette, a trio of brûlée , miniature chocolates, champagne. Absolute heaven.
There was a booklet of guest activities, many complimentary, others, with a very reasonable fee, so that one's entire stay could be spend there and never do the same thing twice. With no daily resort fee as charged by other resorts on Maui.
Would we go back? In a heartbeat!!! -TripAdvisor.com by HTLD (Corvallis, Oregon) on 4/10/13. Stay date: Feb 2013
April 10, 2013
Worth the $$
I don't usually stay in hotels in this price range, but now I see why you would! My partner and I have been working REALLY hard setting up new businesses, and neither of us felt like we could get away for a long trip so instead we took a shorter holiday and allowed ourselves a couple nights at the Makena. When your holiday is compact, it is so nice when everything is smooth and pleasant, and I feel like the staff at the Makena did everything to make that happen. Every interaction I had with the staff- from the front desk to the coffee shop to beach rentals was personable and pleasant. I've done plenty of customer service in my day, and I take note when people go the extra mile and I saw this over and over again! The rooms were comfortable and private, the bathroom was spacious, the robes were fluffy... this I sort of expected. One thing that really stood out though, and I'd highly recommend you go if you have the chance, is the night sky lecture. It was really wonderful to be out under the starts with a passionate guide- she has had me looking up since we visited! I also appreciated that the resort is out of the tourist snarl. It is a quick drive to great snorkeling, just ask the helpful staff. - by VillaIncognito (San Francisco, California) as posted on TripAdvisor.com
April 1, 2013
Great beach
Location Tip: Exactly what I wanted.
My family of four, with two boys aged 9 and 11, LOVED this hotel. Rooms clean and comfy. Breakfast buffet well done and worth the money (paid for two adults in our room rate, and kids were $12 each). Grounds were lush and beautifully landscaped. Beach was fabulous with good snorkeling, kayaking and body surfing. Quick drive to Shops at Wailea and nearby restaurants that offer a lower price point vs food at the hotel. As a former competitive swimmer, the highlight for me was the two hour swim from the hotel beach to the nudist beach at the park to the south and back. Lots of turtles, fish, etc and one of my top five open-water swims ever. We'll be back. - by Jerry (Vancouver, BC, Canada) as posted on Expedia.com on 4/1/13
March 29, 2013
Treated like royalty
This was our 2nd stop on our Hawaiian honeymoon and it was fantastic!
It was the last place on the south west coast and it was so quiet and peaceful!
When we pulled in, we saw two signs: hotel parking and valet. We didn't want to pay for valet so we tried to park in the hotel parking lot but there was a gate and you needed a hotel key to get in...so we pulled up to the valet and someone opened our doors. He told us his name (as EVERYONE who works here did) and informed us that valet parking is complimentary. We were given shell lei's and gave our names and after we checked in, all of our stuff was brought up...without even asking!
The room was wonderful, our lanai looked over the pool but we could still see the ocean. At night we opened the door and just had the screen door open and we could hear the waves crashing!
The beach is BEAUTIFUL and pretty much only had the resort guests so it wasn't very busy. One day Jay was walking on the beach offering ice water. The snorkeling was great too!! The water was extremely clear and easy to get in and out...even on a day when the wave were really high. Jay told us to snorkel near the left side where the rocks were...since turtles tend to hang out there more. We didn't see any but there were plenty of fish to see!
We had ocean side massages and it was our first massage ever and the ladies were SO friendly and made us very comfortable.
The pool bar was GREAT! We met Lucky who gave us great tips on our trip to Haleakala and even where… posted on TripAdvisor.com March 29, 2013
March 21, 2013
PLAN ON GOING BACK NEXT YEAR
I have stayed in alot of resorts over the years. This by far is the most "People friendly" resort that I have ever been to. It is an older building that has been newly remolded. The gardens are very nice, the resturants in the resort were very good, they have some very beautiful art work & wood carvings through-out the grounds, plus it is on what I feel is the best beach in Maui. But what I liked best about this place was the attitude of the staff. Everyone that I had any dealings with from the valet parking people to the wait staff in the resturants were genuinely as nice as they could be, not some "put on act" like so may other places that I have been.
The rooms were spacious and very clean. The bath room had a full tub plus a separate shower stall with pleanty of water pressure. They had shampoo, conditioner, shower gel & body lotion - no mouth wash. The room had a small refrigerator, a safe, iron & ironing board, pleanty of closet space, flat screen TV (I never turned it on) & everything you would expect in it. Everything worked just fine as well. Plus it was very quite at night.
Some people have said that it was to far away from everything, it is the furthest south resort on Maui, but that helps keep the crowds away on the beach and quite at night. I mean come on you can rent a car and drive to where ever you would like to, there are good roads in and out of there! I have stayed up in Lahaina before and paid alot more, you can have it. Plus if you go out on a paid snorkeling trip they will bring you out to "Turtle Town" which is right out in front of this resort. So if you want the best snorkeling spot on Maui (Not Molokini) go on out past the pool area and go towards the left-hand side or south side of Makena Beach. There is a reef that goes out maybe 300 feet or so ( the water isn't much over 20 feet deep) and you are in Turtle Town. Go out and swim with the fish & turtles. If you hold your breath and dive under just a few feet you can hear the Humpback Whales singing in season!
All that said, I plan to go there for at least 2 weeks next year.
- by Daniel S (Lyman, South Carolina) on 3/21/13. Stay date: Feb 2013 posted on TripAdvisor
February 23, 2013
Amazing Aloha spirit
This is my last day after an amazing week at Makena and l am terribly sad it's over. Everything here is top notch and amazing. When staying here you actually feel like you're in Hawaii and not a theme park in Orlando. We saw whales every day from the amazing view off our room, the grounds and beach are 2nd to none. The location couldn't be better. Who goes to Hawaii to be in town? Yet Wailea and stores are an easy 7 minutes away with free shuttle to and from. What puts Makena over the top and makes them the star of Maui is the people there. Just couldn't be nicer or more helpful. This was supposed to be my only trip to Maui ever, l like to go to different places, but l am in love with the Makena and Maui and will return when I am able and as soon as I can. If you are on the fence on where to stay on your trip to Maui please don't hesitate and book a dream stay at the Makena. Support these wonderful people and enjoy the Aloha spirit as only they can provide. Mahalo Makena for the vacation of a lifetime.
- by Fallsguy22 (Farmington, MN) on 2/23/13. Stay date: February 2013 as seen on TripAdvisor.com
Thursday January 10, 2013
Perfect Vacation!
This was our 4th time to Maui and 4th resort in Wailea. It is now our favorite. The staff were all friendly, super helpful and very accommodating. The buffet breakfast is fabulous with everything you can imagine. We made it our main meal and ate a light dinner. They had several complimentary activities that we took advantage of:
1. Executive Chef, Marc McDowell tour of his garden
2. Fabulous sculpter, Dale Zarrella, gve tour of sculptures around resort
3. Maui Ocean talk on whales, islands, etc.
The backyard of the Makena is Turtle Town with great snorkeling and home to many sea turtles. We took binoculars and watched whales breach from the rocking chairs that are at the beach shack. The resort is very comfortable and has a very relaxed atmosphere. We are definitely going back.
- by 321Ranger (Visalia) Stay date: January 2013 As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Thursday January 3, 2013
We will never stay anywhere else on Maui!!!
Our stay at the Makena Beach & Golf Resort was nothing short of exceptional. After a rocky start to our travels involving flight delays and lost luggage, it was a sigh of relief to walk into the calming oasis that is Makena. The staff was incredibly friendly, and immediately took on our lost luggage dilemma, going above and beyond their responsibilities to assist us in locating our suitcase. As we walked through the stunning lobby, past the beautiful atrium, to our room, we were stunned with jaw-dropping views of the ocean the moment we opened the door.The room itself was tastefully decorated, the bathroom pristine, and the balcony spacious. We have visited Maui several times in the past, and there is absolutely no doubt the sand, landscape and atmosphere of Makena's beach cannot be beat. After discovering the resort was completely booked, we worried the beach would feel overcrowded, and yet everything is so well organized and laid out perfectly that we never felt claustrophobic. Even when the resort's restaurants were full, we still got the feeling of a family dinner. And the restaurants are phenomenal! The breakfast buffet is a must. The Christmas Dinner Buffet was our favorite meal of the trip, and here again the wonderful staff added to the whole experience. We are already planning our return trip, and cannot wait to have what is sure to be another unbelievable vacation at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort.
- by Tim H (Fargo, North Dakota) Stay date: December 2012
Thursday November 1, 2012
Fabulous place!
This is the second time we have stayed at the resort. We really liked it the first time but I can honestly say it was even better this time. We were there the first week of October so it wasn't crowded at all.
The grounds, beach and pool are beautiful. There is a bar at the pool and they have pool chair service for food and drinks. The rooms are very nice. I love the unusual bathtubs. The have controls on them that let you control the water flow and temp. You can get the best bubbles in your bath! The lanai was big, with table and chairs. My only thought there would be they should have a lounge chair or two also.
I have tried quite a few breakfast buffets on Maui and this one was the best. It was not the largest [which is fine with me] but had the freshest tasting food. My husband enjoys a traditional Japanese breakfast and they even had miso soup!
I think what impressed me the most was the customer service everywhere in the resort. We were greeted by every employee we came across. The resort makes it clear that they are trying to attract customers [and keep them] by charging no resort fee, free wi-fi, and free self OR valet parking! We chose to valet park and every time we were leaving in our car they offered us each a free bottle of water! A bottle of water is not a huge money thing, [we could all buy our own] but I think it is a really nice touch and I appreciated it each time.
Don't hesitate to book this hotel....it is a fabulous place!
- by op96 (Kent, Washington) As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Friday October 12, 2012
BEST VACATION EVER!!!!!
We just got back from a 7 day, 6 night stay at the Makena. We had our very small but perfect wedding ceremony on the beach right outside of the resort. Couldnt have asked for a more beautiful experience. The room (partial ocean view suite) was amazing, you get 2 views!! we stayed in room 501 which had a very comfy king size bed and fluffy pillows with super soft sheets. The staff was EXCELLENT in every aspect. Kind, caring, friendly, respectful, extremely generous and helpful, they all had fabulous personalities and made you feel at home. They always greeted us by our name and always remembered our 11 month olds name as well.
The entire resort is magnificent. The landscape was full of beautiful palm trees and mimosas and plumeria flowers. The aroma was refreshing and lovely. The fountains and waterfalls were calming and very zen. The koi fish were a blast to look at and feed. The golf course is a work of art. The rocking chairs by the beach were great at sunset. The pool, bar and grill were excellent! The atrium was a place i could spend hours in, so peaceful listening to the water and the birds every morning. The Molokini grill had a fabulous seafood buffet and a great view, it was delish!
The breakfast buffet was such a treat! Great food, great service, great view, great coffee! The coconut syrup is TO DIE FOR. Custom made omelettes, fresh fruit, pastries, parfaits, all kinds of delicious breakfast for lots of different cultures.Cant forget the guava juice!! The staff was always right there ready and willing whenever we needed them. Traveling with a toddler can become quite messy and chaotic but every morning after breakfast we would always have a warm washcloth waiting at our table to clean off our messy baby which was AWESOME. We were so spoiled.
Snorkling and paddleboarding was so much fun! The beach is beautiful, the water is awesome. We even had our 11 month old in the ocean with us and felt very safe. I saw turtles almost every single day. The beach chairs were always brought to wherever we wanted on the beach, we never had to carry them ourselves! We were given cups of ice water at random times by staff on the beach. The guys and girls in the activities "hut" were always fun to talk to and very knowledgeable about every little thing that had to do with the ocean and made you feel very comfortable and confident before heading out to your activity and of course were always there to help you whenever you needed anything! Even with a number of other people around needing assistance they never made us feel like a burden! EVER!
One thing that we REALLY appreciated was the fact that we felt no pressure to do anything but enjoy ourselves and relax while we were there. Unlike some other vacations where we have experienced a lot of pushy, rude and annoying staff/people. We never experienced ONE disrespectful, annoying, pushy, incompetent or rude person the entire time we were there. The staff sincerely wants you to have a good time and will continuously tell you that they are so glad you are there.
If you decide to stay at the Makena Beach & Golf resort prepare to be mesmerized, spoiled, cared for and completely thrilled like a 5yr old in a candy store! We are not "wealthy" by any means, we are a humble, lower class family from Portland, Oregon and are always VERY careful with the way we choose to spend our money since we dont have much and I can say this place is worth EVERY PENNY. You will not be disappointed. WE LOVE THE MAKENA BEACH & GOLF RESORT! Hopefully we can go back again next year! :)
With so much love from,
The Panoch family & The Menefee family
- by Kelsey P (Tigard, Oregon, United States) As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Wednesday October 3, 2012
Great place to stay
I can not say enough about this resort. We stayed there just two weeks ago and loved it. The rooms are spacious and clean. The beds are just the right amount of softness. They are like falling asleep on a cloud after a wonderfully tiring day of snorkeling, swimming, hiking, sight seeing or golfing. The breakfast buffet is yummy. Fresh fruit, made-to-order omelets, and the Grand Marnier French toast with coconut syrup is the best! And the wait staff is the friendliest and most accommodating I have had the pleasure of staying with. My husband & friends played golf and could not say enough about the beauty of the course. I would go back to this resort anytime.
- by Ashore8696 (Carrollton, Georgia) As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Tuesday September 25, 2012
Incredible Resort, Incredible People
It had been over 8 years since my wife and I took a vacation. Because we both scuba dive and play golf, my wife booked a reservation at Makena Beach & Golf Resort in Maui. It was magnificent!!! The resort is beautiful, and the people there were incredibly friendly. Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo. Thank you so much for a wonder vacation. All of your employees, and I'm talking about the bellhops, waitressees, maids, chefs, front desk staff, etc. were very nice, accomodating, and pleasant. What an enjoyable vacation. If anyone out there "needs to get away" (and who doesn't?), I highly recommend Makena in Maui. Guys, we WILL be back. Thanks. Dr. Tom
- by Thomas A (Tulsa, Oklahoma) As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Amazing place loved by us and our wedding guests
Words cannot express how wonderful this place is! Quite peaceful relaxing, staff are willing to help and answer any questions, views and room size magnificant!!!! We married out on the beach, just beautiful! And an amazing sunset! it was only a 5 min walk from our suite, too perfect! we ate in the restaurants, played golf, went swimming, tennis, the shuttle will take you in the the local shops or restaurants if you want to try something different, we have now moved on to the sheraton Maui for our honey moon we paid thru the nose and the first night put us in a double bed, this was supposed to be the ritzy one out of our stay, but we wished we had just stayed and celebrated our honeymoon at the makena, I will never stay anywhere else but makena beach and golf when we return to Maui, by far the best :)
- by NickyAustralia (Australia) Stay date: September 2012 As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Saturday September 1, 2012
Beach Resort
We stayed here with family and friends and cannot say enough good things about this resort. The concierge staff managed to book us on a dinner cruise our first evening and help book other adventures throughout the week. Their advice was invaluable. We didn't come to play golf, but the resort "deal" was too good to pass up and included all our rentals. The ocean views are worth just riding along in the golf cart even if you don't play. WE had the best beach ever. It was never crowded....the sand was like silk and bring your goggles and camera, because you will see turtles. As for the "small" pool, whenever my grandsons went swimming, there were so few people there, it was like having your own private pool. After our trip, I wrote a thank you to the staff at Makena. Breakfast was a marvel as we started each day feeding the fish and then grazing at the buffet of fresh fruit, macadamia nut pancakes and other Hawaiian treats, but it was the staff that couldn't do enough for us that really made this a special vacation!
- by BIL5050 (Columbus, Ohio) on 9/1/12. Stay date: August 2012 As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Thursday August 23, 2012
Makena Gem
We stayed at the Makena Beach & Golf Resort for 8 nights and loved every moment. From check-in to departure our experience with the friendly and helpful associates at MBGR was amazing. Crystal at the front desk checked us in and provided us with upgraded room options. We chose to stay in an Ocean Front room. One of the best things we could have done. The view was awesome and the ocean sounds at night made us sleep like babies.
The Concierge desk. Fe was our contact person months in advance as we planned this trip to Maui. Fe took very good care of us and recommended activities that we thoroughly enjoyed.
The Bell Man's desk - Wow! They stood out among the best in service. I was blown away on our first night when Heath came to pick us up at a local restaurant without us even calling as it was close to last pick up time (9:30pm).
I can't say enough positive things about this hotel and the associates who work there. Everyone was very friendly and always willing to please. The location is quiet yet close to everything. The beach at the hotel and neighboring beaches are beautiful.
- by 678Bill (678Bill) on 8/23/12. Stay date: August 2012.
As seen on TripAdvisor.comMonday August 6, 2012
This is Makena - This is Maui!
One other note - rent a car. It is very easy to get around Maui and my husband and I loved driving around. We didnt care that it took us hours. Coming back to Makena made the road trips worth while. Parking is also free. The resort does not charge a resort fee like the other resorts in Maui - BONUS.
Come to this hotel and see everything that Maui has to offer!
Thank you Makena Resort for making my dream trip to Hawaii one I will never forget!
- by yorkgal12345 (Toronto, Canada) on 8/6/12. Stay date: August 2012. As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Thursday August 2, 2012
Flawless! Everything was great and full of aloha
I planned this trip a few months ago as a surprise 10 year anniversary present to my wife. Needless to say there were many working pieces to pull this off. Makena Beach was AMAZING!!!!!!!
Our room had a gorgeous view (partial ocean that felt like ocean front), the food was great, the grounds were breathtaking, the sunsets spectacular and the koi pond mesmerizing. It is located very close to where my wife and I were married so that was a plus as well. There is good snorkeling right off the beach with several "regulars" turtles. I swam with the same turtles pretty much everyday at the same time for hours at a time. If you are chill and relaxed in the water, the turtles don't mind your presence and go about there business. After a few days it honestly felt like I was going to hang out with buddies when I would go out for my "turtle swim" around high tide. Magical is all I can say.
If you are into doing the tourist thing like boat trips, ziplines, etc. the concierge in the hotel was very helpful. Priced about as good as any of the little "package" shops in town, the tiny little bit extra you pay is worth it considering the zero hassle and high quality trips they book. If you want to book activities, or just get intel about the local area, these folks were great.
Now you can always get a room with a view, and trust me the view is good at Makena, but probably the biggest thing the resort has going for it, and one of the most important to me, is the staff. There was a genuine care and attentiveness in the air. I've stayed in expensive places before (on Maui and elsewhere) that had a very "stuffy" and uninviting feel to them. Having never stayed there it was a roll of the dice but based on previous comments I felt the odds were good. Happy to report the previous comments were correct, the staff is great. The grounds have an open feel to them (see the pictures) and the staff was the same. It felt like we were staying with friends, not folks we paid if that makes sense. Most were keen to pickup up on the "mainlander busy body stress filled life" vibe that most, including my wife and I, put off when they get to the island and where very good about making sure we were in the moment, present in our lives, and enjoying every aspect of what Maui is. It doesn't feel like you are getting squeezed for cash but like you are being taken care of by family and making new friends. Our breakfast package had gratuity included but we both felt so well taken care of that I added additional tip on top of every meal. It was that good.
You could ask anyone stuff about things to do or see and you would get an honest answer, not a party line or sales pitch. It was obvious that the staff was interested in making my wife and I's stay relaxing and enjoyable. What more could you ask for? By the time we left (7 day trip) we had fully zoned in on the island pace and are now missing it tremendously back on the mainland.
All in all, the trip was a resounding success with zero hiccups...I travel a lot, I have never had such a flawless trip. Looking at what we paid (booking direct through the resort website) with the value added from the package we got, I can't imagine staying anywhere else. If you are contemplating getting the room and breakfast buffet package, DO IT! We will be returning as soon as the budget allows and this time bring the entire family.
- by Jeremy M (Fort Rucker) on 8/1/12. Stay date: July 2012. As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Monday July 9, 2012
Compliments to the Staff
I am writing to let you know how much my husband and I enjoyed our stay at the Makena Resort. Please forward this on to your management team.We have never, ever received such wonderful hospitality and service at a hotel or resort (worldwide) as we did at your resort. Every single person we spoke to was wonderful and always gracious. We checked in on June 13th, and some exceptional thanks go to Michelle and Russell at the front desk, Thomas at the valet, and Roey and Diane at the Concierge. We seemed to run into all of them often and they were without exception always very friendly. I can't put into words what a wonderful vacation it was for us. It exceeded our expectations in every way, and your staff made that happen for us. This was our first trip to Maui (and Hawaii). I've let all my friends and family know that they all need to go to your resort if ever they are traveling to Maui. My husband and I can't wait to come back!
Many, many thanks,
Michelle M. and Shawn A. (Seattle, WA)
Friday June 29, 2012
Service was 5 star quality
I have stayed at many hotels in Hawaii, including the Four Seasons, Maui. I have to say the Makena staff was the best I have ever experienced. They were very friendly and really made me and my family feel welcome. When I needed a ride back from the golf course a call was made and they arrived in about 3 minutes. If I needed more towels they brought them to my room immediately. On my last night I asked the front desk if they had extra pads of paper with the hotel logo to take home. She did not have any but said she would try to get me some in the morning from the storeroom. I thought It would be blown off but 10 minutes later she sent someone to my room with 3 pads of papers. They seemed to care about the small details. When I go back to the south side of Maui I will stay at the Makena again.
- by Richard1209 on 6/28/12. Stay date: June 2012. As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Monday June 11, 2012
When can we go back?
We were looking for a place to relax, slow down a bit, and celebrate our wedding anniversary, and we found it here. There are many reasons to sing this resort's praises, but I think above all the service stood out and was really what made us feel that we wanted to call this our home away from home. From the moment we arrived and checked in, people bent over backwards to make us feel at home and comfortable. The beach is indeed amazing - not crowded, and there was fantastic snorkeling with many turtles.
The breakfast that was included with our deal was also wonderful with a delicious assortment of fresh fruits, and an extensive selection of other breakfast treats. The Japanese-inspired gardens that fill the courtyard and the tastefully manicured grounds were a delight to explore. And yes, we visited other resorts and hotels that were more opulent and shiny, maybe a bit more updated in some ways, but when it comes down to it, the people who work at Makena make it something even more special. At the beach, we got to know the staff as they taught us about the reef and the fish we saw, helped us learn some of the secrets to finding nice shells (thanks Jeff for sharing some that you found!), and just in general looked out for us, making sure we stayed hydrated and happy! Every time we walked out front we were greeted immediately by the bell staff with not only a plan to get us where we needed to go, but also with a fresh bottle of water. The Monday night star-gazing experience with Becky was also a real highlight - we learned so much, and her enthusiasm for her field was so infectious that it's kept us looking for constellations ever since.
It's all about what you're looking for. From what we saw, there are many, many ways to enjoy Maui, and I'm sure that one size doesn't fit all. This isn't the newest or the fanciest, but it's very nice. And if you're wanting a peaceful place, where service really stands out (particularly at the pool, beach, breakfast buffet and the bell staff), and you can just explore the natural beauty around you at your own pace, then I think you will be very happy here. And they don't nickel and dime you - the valet parking is free, the shuttle to nearby restaurants is free, there's no resort fee, the towels and water are bottomless and complimentary, and the smiles abound.
- by Jenny S (Portland, Oregon)
Sunday June 3, 2012
Just had the great opportunity to stay here for two nights. So much to say! Don't know where to start. Michelle at the front desk and Fe at the concierge had a great Aloha spirit! - As did the whole staff. Free computers and WiFi in the lobby, Starbucks too! Complimentary scuba lessons in the pool, and bikes too. Free valet parking and free self park with no resort fee.
The closest resort and two minute car ride to the most dramatic and user friendly beach on Maui - Big Beach! This was a huge plus for me and I think most people. For families this beach has life guards, unlike Ka'anapali.
Just in front of the resort is its own secluded beach, perfect for snorkeling at "turtle city," yes we saw lots of turtles just feet from the beach. Very safe and gentle for kids, unlike Ka'anapali, there is no immediate drop off when you enter the water. The resort is secluded and distant from other resorts and town (10 minutes by car, and then all the perks of town, even a Denny's and Snorkel Bob's) but I think that is why people choose to go to a tropical island in the South Pacific - Seclusion?!! Not town.
Happy hour was crazy! We spent $28 on three appetizers and they were so good and so plentiful we had to wait to eat dinner a day later! When we did eat dinner we could choose from the $48.00 Asian buffet that was loaded with everything you could imagine sashimi to prime rib. Or just order off the menu! The room was great, completely secluded balcony, large segmented bathroom, the whole resort was just remodeled so it felt like it was new, each room has an ocean view or partial ocean view.
The golf here is so much more user friendly than Ka'anapali as the wind there is just insane all the time! I'm very new to golf, so I need others to comment on this.
- by Peter R. (Seattle, WA) on 6/3/12 posted on yelp.com
Tuesday May 29, 2012
I recently came from Honolulu to Makena Golf Course (25 May 2012) for a day of golf and I have to say that the staff there is the best I have met in a long time. They accommodated me as a single player, aligned me with two great local gentlemen with excellent course knowledge (which really helped me out), and we had a wonderful time. I cannot wait to return and play this course again. The staff saw that everything was taken care of, from the easy check-in to the entire play of the wonderful 18 holes. Even the free cookies was a nice touch! The course was in excellent condition and really challenging, with greens quite difficult to gauge. I finally understood the breaks after a few holes and really challenged the course. Your staff should be commended for their foresight to ensure players are welcomed, relaxed, and treated to a great golf experience. I look forward to coming back, and will definitely keep Makena on the top of my list of places to play in Maui.
Gregory A. Diggs
Mililani, Hawaii
Friday, March 16, 2012
Aloha,
My wife and I stayed at your wonderful resort from March 2nd until March 10th and we absolutelty loved it. It was in a great location, on beautiful grounds with amazing scenery and had a fantastic beach!!! Our entire experience at Makena was top notch, from the accomodations to the food. It was what we had dreamed our stay in Maui would be like, but it was the people at the resort that made it extra special. To start, Thomas and the gang at the valet services were amazing!!! Ron, at the front desk was probably the best I have ever met at his role. He was just awesome and so too were the lovely ladies who worked the front desk with him. Fe, at the concierge desk was informative and very helpful and made booking our excursions easy and fun! To finish and certainly last but not least were the terrific servers at the restaurants, and the wonderful cleaning staff who did an excellent job everyday. You all made our trip to Maui special and made us feel relaxed and at home. We miss getting up and looking out at the ocean everyday, the island air, the sun, and of course the wonderful people at Makena Beach and Golf Resort. You have such a beautiful place and are doing a great job to service your guests. We will definitley be staying with you again when we return for our next visit!
Mahalo nui loa
Jason and Natalie
Thursday, March 8, 2012
“The phoenix has risen. A visit after the renovation of 2011”
Having stayed here during the renovation last year, it was quite a pleasant surprise to see how well the place turned out. The staff could not have been more attentive and friendly, it's clear this is an organization that values and instils customer service within it's employees.
The place looked great after the rooms had been redone and a fresh coat of paint really spiffed up the exterior. Even the gardens and grounds look better maintained than ever.
The Sushi restaurant has since closed (not lasting long) which is a good thing.
Two very small changes that made a difference (one good the other not so).
1) The rooms use to have two doors one on the outside the other (which has slats) used to keep things secure yet allow a beautiful Hawaiian breeze to naturally cool the room
2) They now offer a breakfast buffet included in the room price which is loaded with healthy choices that included some awesome fresh fruit. Service again was excellent.
The beach is still one of the best on Maui! I quiet restful place, stay clear if you wanna party like a rock star.
- (Chicago, Illinois) on 3/8/2012. Stay date: February 2012
As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Thursday, March 8, 2012
I'm writing to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay (Feb 24 - March 1, 2012) at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort, made even more exemplary because of the service we received by ALL (yup!) of the hotel employees.
Let me start with Thomas, the parking and luggage attendant. (Sorry, I did not remember last names). He was so very friendly yet professional towards my husband and I. He remembered me, as that was my 2nd stay. My husband had a very engaging conversation with him about the island, the hotel's new ownership and, well, life in general...what a beautiful attitude he has!
On the day of our 25th Silver anniversary, we received a simple bouquet of white flowers (I'm quite sure handpicked from nearby and not from the florist). I was pleasantly surprised by the sincere simplicity of the gesture, which I appreciated even more, when we found out that Larry, the agent at the front desk, had heard me admiring the flower arrangements at the hotel lobby, and decided to send the white flowers up to our room.
We had dinner that night at your hotel to celebrate our anniversary. The food - we ordered the Campachi fish - was VERY good. Larry Badua, the chef, came to our table and again, a pleasant chat among the 3 of us. So when he learned it was our anniversary dinner, he offered to make a special dessert for us. Well, he delivered a wicked assortment of créme bruleé, which my husband and I ate up in all of 5 minutes =)
Prior to our stay, we were deliberating whether to stay at the Hyatt Regency in Kaanapali or at the Grand Wailea or at Makena Beach Resort. We looked at the pictures and reviews of the other 2 properties; both were rated highly. Our gut feelings told us to go with Makena Beach Resort because we felt we would get much better service and it turned out that our instincts had served us well.
We like that the hotel is more compact - not like a big theme park. We like that most about everything - the layout, the decor, the service, the amenities - is simple, not over-the-top, but VERY WELL done or presented. Of course, the fact that there are no resort fees and parking fees is very much a plus!
Last but not the least, I should mention that on our first night, we received a plate of cookies and brownies from housekeeping - nothing fancy - it came on a plate that was Saran-wrapped. Again, as was the case with everything there during our stay, the cookies and brownies were baked very simply but they tasted VERY delicious.
It is rare when everything comes together almost perfectly in life. Our stay there was one of those rare moments, that's why we're taking the time to write this letter. THANK YOU for making our stay perfect!
Sincerely,
Art and Rhoda Bermudez
Thursday, February 23, 2012
A Wonderful Surprise
We had no intention of saying at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort. I certainly would have thought it was way too far out of the way, and I am not sure I would have trusted a non-name brand hotel site unseen. But when hotelbeds.com or the Royal Laihaina or Chase Ultimate Rewards or all three told me I was bumped to the other side of the island upon my arrival, I was skeptical and, actually quite disappointed. But boy was I wrong. The Makena is fantastic.
Actually, I later found out from my cousin (who lives on Maui) that the hotel is her family's favorite on the island .... they've stayed there "plenty" times.
The plusses . . . there are many:
1) Very large rooms. We had a king with an ocean view on the fourth floor. I think every room has some view of the ocean, and ours was spectacular. We could see whales out in the distance, folks relaxing on the beach, beautiful sunsets, etc., etc.
2) Very clean rooms. The decor isn't super modern, but it's well cared for. The grohe fixtures were a luxury.
3) The breakfast was fantastic! It was inexplicably included in our reservation. I suppose someone behind my booking was looking out for us. I expected coffee and bagels with a toaster. Rather, it was a full spread of fruits, pastries, oatmeal, cereals, breakfast meats, omelets made to order and more. The location was pleasant too.
4) Wonderful pool! Staff circulated offering water (free) and "would you like some pineapple?" (free) or "would you like some frozen grapes? (free)?" Awesome! They also had great poolside food and bar . . . and staff took orders and delivered to your chaise. Why move? You're on vacation.
5) The beach was just steps away. Not too crowded and great for swimming. Along side is a hut full of all your beach needs. I bought a t-shirt. Again, my cousin considers this one of the best beaches on Maui.
6) Great spa service. My partner and I got massages in the tents facing the beach.
7 Gay friendly. Apparently there is a gay beach nearby. We didn't go, but I suppose that's an option. Everyone at the resort made us feel very welcome.
7) Fantastic staff. Every person walks by greets you warmly. "Aloha! Good Morning!" The concierge helped us with dinner reservations (go to Sansei and Cafe O'Lei), and snorkeling boat tour, and the spa. Waiters seemed naturally very friendly and considerate and made us feel at home.
I'm sure there's more. This was really a wonderful hotel for us. What I feared would be a very disappointing trip turned out to be one of our best yet. We'll definitely be back. In fact, my partner said at one point, "Let's make Maui and the Makena our February tradition."
- by Mike95128 (San Jose, California) on 2/22/12. Stay date: February 2012
As seen on TripAdvisor.com
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
If your looking for a very comfortable but peaceful quite place that has everything , then this your place!!!! Stayed here lays week for 6days, couldn't be happier!! If you can try an get the package that includes the breakfast buffet, it's AMAZING!!! Fantastic all you can eat food!!! Just fill up in the morning and your set for the day!!! The size of this resort is perfect!! Just big enough to have pretty much everything but not too big like the mega resorts, and reasonably priced if you get one of the specials. The views from the rooms are stunning, and your just a couple hundred feet from their beach, and just down the road about a mile or two is the marine reserve with some of the best snorkeling on the island,and the snorkel boat that pulls right up on the beach in front of hotel offers excellent service as well. Be sure not to miss the outrigger canoe ride with Jay and Jeff, fantastic experience!!!!! Great ride and very interesting Hawaiian history lesson by Jay and Jeff,, these two guys are great!!! In fact everybody who works here is quite exceptional IMHO,,Russell at front desk was awesome as well as marissa in the breakfast cafe. Come here and you won't Wana go anywhere else!!!
- by Jerry M (Chico, California)
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Aloha,
My wife and I stayed at your beautiful resort for a week from Saturday 14th May. It was our honeymoon and the greeting we received when we arrived late on the Saturday night having travelled for 22 hours from England was wonderful and set the scene for our entire stay. We loved the resort, the peace and quiet but with amenities to hand, the friendly staff for which nothing was too much trouble.
We really cannot thank you enough for making our stay such a beautiful and memorable occasion that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.
Trouble is the wife now wants to live on Maui!
Please pass on my thanks to all the hotel staff.
Best regards,
Michael Hatfield
Birmingham, England
Best on Maui
- 656 reviews of Makena Beach & Golf Resort in Makena
