Let’s talk about Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui, and how a stay here can enhance any Hawaii experience (as long as it’s the right hotel for you!).
You’re searching for the perfect place to stay during your Hawaii vacation, and the options seem endless. At Hawaii Aloha Travel, we’re eager to help you find the hotel or condo that matches your needs and vacation vision. You can always give us a call for personalized, 1:1 advice, but our Hawaii travel blog is also an excellent resource.
So read along to learn more about Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui, including all the pros and cons of staying here.
What to Know about Hilton Vacation Club
Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui is part of the Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) Club, so you can use your points to stay at this beautiful property.
For those unfamiliar with HGV, it is a timeshare program where you get a set number of points to book stays at their various properties around the world. Hilton is one of the most popular timeshares out there, largely because they have so many destinations. And Maui is certainly one of the top places to stay.
There is another HGV property on Maui called Maui Bay Villas, which is in Kihei. Maui Bay Villas is super brand new, but it’s in a busy neighborhood. Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui is an older property, but it’s in the resort area of Kaanapali, right on the beach.
FAQ: Do you need to be a HGV member to stay at Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui?
No, you don’t need to be a member of HGV or have Hilton points to stay at Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui. You can book a stay here just like any other hotel.
Hilton typically offers discounted stays if you attend a two-hour sales presentation during your stay. But if you’ve booked a typical, full-price room, you don’t need to sit through the presentation (though you may still encounter salespeople encouraging [urging?] you to attend during your stay).
10 Things We Love About Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui
Ok, we’ve given you the quick rundown of what the vacation club is all about, now it’s time to talk about the Kaanapali Hilton, and our favorite things about this Maui hotel. Read along and see if these perks are a match for your dream Hawaii vacation.
#1 It’s located on beautiful Kaanapali Beach
Location, location, location. It’s hard to go wrong in Hawaii, but you still want your hotel to be in the right spot.
Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui has a great location right on Kaanapali Beach. Kaanapali is a resort neighborhood in West Maui – it’s where you’ll find a number of big-name hotels like Marriott, Westin, Sheraton, Hyatt, etc.
The beach here has gentle waters in the morning, incredible sunset views, and a great walking path that can take you to the restaurants and other resorts nearby.
I often picture Kaanapali in two sections: the area south of Black Rock (the cliff that extends out from the beach) and the area north of it.
The area south of Black Rock feels a little more upscale, while the northern area is nice enough but a little less ritzy. Both areas feel safe, quiet, and scenic.
Hilton Vacation Club is north of Black Rock, and it’s walking distance to Times Supermarket, which is a big perk if you can sometimes feel trapped with resort food.
But we’ll also reiterate our favorite location perk: it’s directly on the beach, so you can step from the hotel straight onto the sandy shoreline.
#2 All rooms Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui have separate seating areas
This is essential ever since I started traveling with small children! At the Kaanapali Hilton, you’ll have a living space and kitchenette that’s totally separate from the bedroom. This is fantastic for extended trips where you want a little more space, and you definitely want it if your travel partners have different sleep schedules.
They also have full-size fridges and dining tables – so you don’t have to eat on your bed when you’re “dining in.”
#3 And.. all rooms have balconies
You didn’t travel to Hawaii just to take in the sights through a window. That’s why we always search for Maui hotels with balconies. Every room at Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui features a balcony or lanai,
Not all of these balconies are going to boast a full ocean view, but you’ll still be able to relax and take in the idyllic weather just by stepping out of your unit.
#4 The pool is fun for all ages
There’s a good-sized outdoor swimming pool at Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui, complete with a waterslide, waterfall features, and a poolside bar. The beach can get windy in the afternoon, so you’ll definitely want a good pool to enjoy during your Maui getaway.
There are also 2 hot tubs at the Kaanapali Hilton, but no adults-only pool.
#5 Parking is free at the Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui
When you’re comparing hotel prices, parking plays a big part in the overall cost. The Kaanapali Hilton makes it easy for you by providing free self-parking onsite.
There’s no valet parking at the resort, so keep that in mind if it’s a priority for you.
Travel Pro Tip: Unless you plan to spend all your vacation time at the beach and pool, we recommend you rent a car during your Maui vacation. There is a lot to see and do around the island, and having a car is typically more cost-effective than booking driving tours and ride-shares, as long as you’re not hit with a big parking bill from your hotel!
#6 The picnic area is perfect for budget travelers (and anyone who loves grilling!)
Most casual travelers don’t want to fool with a sit-down restaurant for every meal, but you do want to make the most of your scenic surroundings. So here’s what you do: hit up the local grocery store, buy some unique Hawaii-style marinated meats, and bring them back to the picnic area.
Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui has a nice little picnic area with BBQ grills for guests to use.
#7 The onsite mini golf is a big hit
You’ve got the beach, a pool, and an entire island to explore. But sometimes you need to get out for a little bit and enjoy a simple activity. The Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui has a cute little mini golf course that’s perfect for enjoying some outdoor time without any hassle. Kids really love it, but grown-ups can have a good time with it too.
#8 …Or, take a swing at a nearby golf course
Kaanapali is an excellent area for golfing. The Kāʻanapali Golf Resort has two courses and is less than 3 miles away from the Hilton.
You’ll also be just 6 miles away from the Kapalua Golf Club with its two championship courses.
#9 Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui is ideal for island explorers
Do you view your hotel room as a “home base” while you enjoy a busy vacation? You’ll enjoy some downtime at the hotel and pool, but you might not plan enough hotel time to splurge on a 5-star stay.
If that sounds like you, then Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui might be perfect for your trip. You’re in an ideal spot for exploring West Maui, parking for your rental car is free, and you have lots of space to spread out when you do relax in your room.
Meanwhile, you’re not spending money on more than you need, like multiple luxury pools, impeccable service, upscale restaurants, and expansive grounds.
It’s just the right amount of hotel for someone who wants to enjoy their vacation beyond a resort bubble.
#10 This is a family-friendly resort
Maui is a family-friendly destination, with plenty of activities for all ages. And most resorts cater to children. Still, a pricey, upscale resort can make some parents nervous, especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget and value your space.
That’s what makes Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui such a great place for families. It’s not uptight or stiff. This is a relaxed place. The pool was certainly made for kids to enjoy, and the spacious rooms make family vacations so much better.
Couples and adult groups can certainly enjoy their stay here, but we especially love it for traveling with kids.
Read more about traveling to Hawaii with kids here!
A Few Things to Note…
Every resort is not for every traveler, so we want to be sure to note things you might consider a downside of staying at the Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui. Here’s what you should know before booking your stay here:
- There is no adults-only pool
- There is no onsite table-service restaurant at Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui. There is a bar and a counter-service restaurant, though. You’ll find sit-down spots at the two neighboring Aston properties, and you’re less than a mile away from Duke’s Beach House Maui.
- While all the rooms have kitchenettes with microwaves and full-size refrigerators, only a few of the rooms have stovetops for cooking.
- This is an older property that Hilton recently bought from Diamond Resorts (It used to be called Kaanapali Beach Club).
- Housekeeping is only offered weekly at Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui.
- You won’t be walking distance to Whaler’s Village shopping center or the Sheraton sunset cliff dive at Black Rock. The Hilton Kaanapali Beach Club is actually located closer to the Honokowai neighborhood of West Maui.
Planning Your Maui Vacation
Are you ready to begin planning your Maui getaway? Whether you want to stay at the Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui, or another beautiful Hawaii resort, we’ve got the know-how to help.
Let’s connect and see how we can level-up your Hawaii vacation without all the planning stress.
Sunbathe on Kaanapali beach, drive the winding Road to Hana, whale watch from your balcony, dine on local food, and snorkel in the clear blue waters. There’s so much to do on Maui, and your hotel will be at the core of it all.
We’ll see you in Hawaii soon!
