Review of Wailea Beach Villas for families, Maui:

I’m not going to lie to you; I get a certain tingle when swiping a room key in an elevator that takes me to the sole entrance of a penthouse suite. And it seems to hold true whether I’m carrying an armload of groceries or not. Such was the case as I returned to Wailea Beach Villas by Destination Resorts, after a meeting and tour of three nearby properties, with a quick stop for provisions at the neighboring Shops at Wailea.

Sure, we could have eaten out that last night in Maui. There were family-friendly restaurants just a short stroll away. But with the views from our Wailea Beach Villas penthouse and all of its amenities—including the large dining table and kitchen enjoying those views, who wanted to sit in a restaurant on a night such as this?

The kids, having already visited the beach and the family swimming pool, were ready for my return and promptly took me on a tour of the kitchen, revealing for me its two hidden refrigerators and three freezers. It was hard to know where to put the sushi.

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And then there were the kitchen appliances to be considered—nearly a dozen of them. We inventoried a juicer, blender, coffee maker, coffee grinder, espresso machine, toaster, waffle iron… before turning our attention to the ovens, which we’d have to master before turning out our cheese pizzas and garlic bread (I never said I was a cook). Only then did I realize my mistake: With the large Viking grill on the lanai, I should have bought something for my hubby to throw on the barbie.

Clearly this vacation rental was built for entertaining, and while it could sleep six in beds between the two bedrooms and pull-out sofa in the office, it was no doubt capable of playing host to an extended family of holidaymakers or small family reunion. “Oh, the Thanksgiving feasts!” I pondered, remembering the option of adding an adjoining 3-bedroom penthouse suite through a connecting door for larger family get-togethers (sometimes offered at up to 30% off–check their website for the latest offers).

One lofty 2-bedroom penthouse offered plenty of space as it was, with commodious sectional seating in the living room, a complete laundry room, and an office with a half-wall affording water views from the desk, while floor-to-ceiling drapes of raw silk could be closed on two walls for privacy should anyone decide to sleep there, as the eldest princess in my tribe had made up her mind to do.

The entrances to the second bedroom (with twin beds in this unit) and main bathroom were set just off the hallway, where a clever sliding door could either be pulled across both to create a suite-like effect with privacy or to help muffle the late-night visiting while children slumbered in their room.

Sure, the garden-view master suite had a lovely king bed and carved Hawaiian furnishings with the third of the flat screen TVs, but the draw for everyone in my family—in spite of the children’s bathroom having its own soaking tub—was the oval soaking tub with a faucet that reminded some of an early telephone. There was already talk of pirates, and I knew it would be easy to get the children bathed before bedtime in these digs. I just hoped I’d get my own turn.

Back in the kitchen, an idea was hatched, and Mommy, who had admittedly tried to pack way too much work into this trip to the islands (three rental cars, one inter-island flight, but I digress) was escorted out to the balcony and instructed to put her feet up on the ottoman. A glass of wine was soon delivered with a kiss.

And there I sat, gazing out at the villas below and striped half beach balls of umbrellas dotting Wailea Beach. Meanwhile, the children made good use of the full range of table linens and oddly shaped dishes available while setting the table. I could have spent the entire night outside in that cushy wicker chair, studying the small assortment of sailboats anchored in strategic positions between the tops of my toes and Molokini Island Preserve.

Who could have imagined that, later that night, with the children tucked in their beds and Mommy donning her after-bath Wailea Beach Villas robe, we parents could step out onto that balcony once more and listen to the final songs of Maroon 5 playing live in a private concert at a neighboring resort—with the grand finale of a fireworks show launched from a sailboat just off the beach? It was the exclamation point at the end of our Maui and Molokai adventure.

Shelly’s Tip: Search available at Wailea Beach Villas vacation rentals with VRBO

Good to know:

Here are some extra details I think may help you in your travel planning.

The beach:

Wailea Beach is known for its soft, golden sand and gentler waves, which make it an easy place to enjoy the ocean with young kids much of the year (always check for advisories), and because the Wailea Beach Villas sit at the west end of this beach, it’s a little less crowded and trafficked than in the thick of the largest properties farther east.

From the penthouses, you meander down a path through the lower villas and past the adult pool to access the beach through a gate. Sun umbrellas and lounge chairs are complimentary for guests. Boogie boards, paddle boards, and snorkel gear are available for guests to rent.

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While it isn’t the best snorkeling beach on Maui (nearby Makena can be fantastic), it is generally a gentle and easy place to snorkel with young children, and you’ll undoubtedly see some fish. In our case, both daughters came out singing the praises of an enormous sea turtle which I could see from the shore.

Swimming pools:

There are two swimming pools at Wailea Beach Villas, one just for adults right at the beach, and one family pool below the penthouses. Its maximum depth is a mere 4 feet, which makes it great with younger children, but may not be of much interest to older and more active kids (who might prefer to be in the ocean anyway).

Penthouses vs. Villas:

The penthouse building has 5 levels with both 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units. Lower level units are classified as “garden view,” while the upper 2 stories are ocean view. All have covered lanais with Viking gas grills.

The separate villas located below the penthouse towers are all 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, and ground level villas have their own plunge pools. The villas are closer to the beach, the adult pool, and the 1.5-mile Wailea coastal walk path; but they are farther from the family pool and Shops at Wailea.

Grocery shopping and supplies: 

Use Wailea Beach Villas’s shop-ahead service and arrive to a fully-stocked fridge and enough groceries to get you started. Most basic groceries are available at Whaler’s General in the Shops at Wailea just across from the lobby (use your card to slip through the security gate) not to mention a great assortment of carry-out and deli options.

Or make the 10-minute drive to Foodland in Kihei for all of your supplies—your welcome pack from Wailea Beach Villas includes a club member card to use there.

Portacribs:

Yes! Complimentary Pack ‘n Plays are available for guests of Wailea Beach Villas. Simply request when you make your reservation.

No extra fees:

Wailea Beach Villas charges does not charge a resort fee. Parking, wifi, and beach sun umbrellas/chairs are complimentary.

More friendly tips:

If want snorkel gear for more than 24 hours and less than a week, check in with Snorkel Bob’s Wailea location, just a few minute’s drive from here. Also, the Shops at Wailea, just a short stroll away from the Penthouses, features a weekly free performance such as hula dancing and slack key concerts. Performances are early enough in the evenings to enjoy with small keiki in tow. Check with the concierge or ask at the shops when the next performance will be.

Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about Wailea Beach Villas at Tripadvisor 

The post Postcards from the Penthouse: My review of Wailea Beach Villas, Maui appeared first on Travels With Baby.

Our latest trip in a nutshell (no, not around-the-world in a walnut!):

Those of you following me on Facebook or Twitter may have caught wind of the whirlwind past couple of weeks, during which we adventured to Maui and Molokai, snorkeled with sea turtles, beached with whales, conquered the Road to Hana, and occupied 5 of 9 seats on a tiny airplane that brought us in soaring over the world’s highest sea cliff at Molokai. What an adventure! As you might recall, traveling with me is generally far from relaxing, but oh, it can be FUN! That was definitely the case here:

• 11 days
• 10 nights
• 5 people
• 4 lodgings
• 3 rental cars
• 2 islands
• 1 big luau.

I can’t wait to share tips and recommendations from our latest adventure to the islands – stay tuned! It was also a great way to mark the completion of the 2^nd edition Travels with Baby – which, by the way, has finally become available on Amazon Canada for those who were asking! PLEASE be sure to post a customer review to Amazon if you purchase a copy (I know how busy you guys are, so one million thanks & good travel karma to you!).

The world’s craziest news before our departure:

As I was packing up for our trip I received notice that I had won the 2013 Gold Award from NATJA (North American Travel Journalists Association) in the Budget Travel category for online articles. HOLY COW! (Going to Paris? Be sure to read: Why and How to Get the Paris Museum Pass for Your Family’s Visit.) And when I went to see which of my colleagues had won other accolades in the competition, I had the thrill of discovering my name listed in three other categories as well, picking up a bronze in the Intergenerational/Family Travel category, and inclusion as a finalist in the Leisure & Activities category for articles published online.

But what really knocked me out of my seat (well, pretty darn close)? When I saw that the Travels with Baby Tips Blog won the Silver in Independent Travel Blogs. Last year, you might recall, it received the Bronze in the category, and I had to wonder if I would ever live to see that again. Heigh-ho, Silver!

So much of 2013, I was struggling with guilty feelings of not doing as much with the blog as I would have liked to in order to get the book completed, so I confess it’s a strange feeling raising a glass of champagne in one hand while the other is still hitting me over the head with the I’m-not-worthy stick. The champagne tastes darn good, nevertheless, and I can’t wait to find out what my prize is for winning a Gold (I’ve been assured it’s better than a lamp with a fishnet stocking).

Big news: My next blog!

Now… more big changes I’ve been looking forward to, and let me tell you, the news from NATJA has definitely given me that boost of confidence I need to get my next blog off and running… and I hope you will be a part of it! I’ll have more details soon.

Planning upcoming spring or summer travel?

Don’t forget to check these online resources for Great Products & Gear for Travel, Flying with Baby & Toddler Tips, Road Trip and Car Seat Travel Advice, the Worldwide Directory of Baby Gear Rentals, the Directory of Hotel Babysitter and Vacation Nanny Agencies, and of course the Destinations page for recommendations and location-specific advice.

 Safe travels,

 Shelly Rivoli, author of the NEW 2nd edition Travels with Baby guidebook

 The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler

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I’m not sure where all of the time has gone since this year started. As one of those people who always takes on a few more things than some think wise, I can say that this year has been especially… off the hook. This photo preserves one of the only  moments I really remember taking time out to, well, put my feet up. And you can see I hadn’t even taken time to get a beach-ready pedicure before–or during–our trip.

Those same feet plodded along something like 12 different beaches during our stay in Maui as I researched for a special project (no I didn’t drag my family to that many beaches–just, maybe, half!?). And as I looked over the tops of my 5-toed friends from our lanai at Napili Kai Beach Resort (see my review here), I realized it had been quite some time since I sat anywhere with my own feet in full view.

I keep this picture handy now, not just to help me remember what my feet look like as I tackle a book project on top of the usual this summer, but to remind me of how much we all need to take a little breather now and then and, yes, put our unpolished feet up. Especially for the sake of our children. After all, aren’t they the ones who are always keeping us on our toes?

How about you?

What has been your most relaxing moment so far this year? Will you get a chance to put your feet up during an upcoming vacation? What’s your secret to not stressing (too much) when you have too many balls in the air?

Happy first official day of summer. Hope you’ll get many chances to put your feet up this season. And if you’re lucky enough to be headed to Maui, Kauai, or Oahu with your kids, be sure to check out the travel tips and recommendations in Travels with Baby Destinations.

Previous post: Review of Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby 

travelswithbaby.com   facebook   twitter   pinterest   about the author   

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

The post Photo Fave: Putting my feet up, Maui style appeared first on Travels With Baby.

Review of Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui, Hawaii – our family’s stay at the resort with three young children.

What I came to realize during our stay at Napili Kai Beach Resortwas that it was everything this resort had done differently from most that made it so special. The 50-year-old resort is steeped in smart choices, beginning with its founder’s efforts to to pass a land ordinance before its construction, which would limit all construction on Napili Bay to buildings no taller than 2 stories–his own resort included.

The result, as anyone who’s had the pleasure of visiting Napili Bay can tell you, is a place where accommodations–and the guest population–do not overwhelm the natural setting. In the absence of towering buildings, you see more Hawaiian sky, more palm trees, and the hills rolling on behind the property as well as the sheltered blue bay before it.

Our Room

Our one-bedroom oceanview suite was located toward the northern end of Napili Bay, where we could look out at the Pacific and the island of Lanai, without view of any other buildings from within our room.

And the best part? Another “different” decision we loved:  The parents’ king bed had been placed on the living room side, with full view of the ocean. No more deciding whether or not to take the hide-a-bed and stick your kids in the bedroom so that you, the later to-bed-ers and earlier risers can enjoy the living space, view, and lanai without tiptoeing around.

Happily, it was the kids’ twin beds that were in the quiet bedroom with their own TV, bathroom and bath tub. We had our own bathroom with stall shower and dressing area, just off of the fully equipped kitchenette.

This one-bedroom suite can actually sleep up to five in beds, including an oversized chair in the living room that converts to a twin-size bed. However, the bedroom had plenty of space for our toddler travel bed.

While our newly updated suite was lovely, it was hard to resist the constant lure of the private, covered lanai, where we kept finding ourselves piled on the wicker chairs and ottoman recounting the details of our Maui adventure so far over snacks.

Given the tranquil waters of Napili Bay, it wasn’t uncommon to see an occasional paddle-boarder or pair of snorkelers passing by, and although the whales had mostly left Maui’s waters for the season, we did have the thrill of spotting a couple of humpacks breeching in the distance. As the clouds cleared, I realized I could also see the island Molokai when I looked out from near the railing.

With the resorts’ rooms, suites, and chalets are arranged in small, separate buildings never more than two stories tall), with paths and Hawaiian foliage between them, even strolling the grounds by tiki-torch in the evenings was a great pleasure.

Another difference we noted right away was that, rather than offering up one, enormous swimming pool at its center, as many resorts do nowadays, or one pool for adults and one separate pool from children, Napili Kai Beach Resort has four small swimming pools and a large spa spread out around the property.

While we could go to one of the more central pools when the kids wanted to make new friends, it was fabulous to have this seaside pool right at our own building, which gave more the feeling of staying in a seaside villa with neighbors than staying in a large resort.

It was easy to keep track of our kids at the pool, return to our room for any little thing we might need, and never need to raise our voices to be heard.

Meals and dining at Napili Kai Beach Resort

While our kitchen had everything we could need to prepare fine meals, including a two-burner halogen stove top, sparkling new stainless cookware, microwave, full-size refrigerator with filtered water dispenser, and dishwasher, one glorious dinner at the beachfront restaurant and I was hooked–and with kid guests of the resort eating free with their parents, I had the perfect excuse to return for breakfast.

The Sea House Restaurant opened its doors in 1962, shortly after the Napili Kai Beach Resort began, and is still clearly a favorite dining hot spot for the area. As mentioned, kids under 12 years eat free at the restaurant whenever dining with their paying guest parent—even for three meals a day, even if the number of kids exceeds the number of adults.

During our stay, the kids menu options included mahi-mahi, hamburger, cheese pizza, chicken tenders, pasta (plain or with red sauce) and more, each served with a side of mixed fruit, steamed vegetables, or french fries ($7 value). Jet-lagged families can also take advantage of the earlybird special; when they get seated before 6 p.m., the adults will receive a prix fix meal special including salad, a choice of entrée, and dessert.

But if you are as overwhelmed browsing the inventive and enticing menu, I recommend going with the “Lawa Po’.” The meal changes slightly day by day because it’s created from the best, freshest, in-season seafood that day imaginably prepared by a chef with great instincts. The combinations of flavors and sauces used were unexpected and didn’t disappoint.

Even the Sea House breakfast menu shows imagination and the chef’s passion for food, with likes of a Haleakala Pancake which is baked and puffed up, then falls with a crater. I can say with certain authority that the Thai omelet is also delicious…

For more casual meals and snacks, there is a snack bar with hot dogs, small pizzas, ice cream, smoothies, and whatever else you might enjoy eating poolside or carrying back to your room for a light meal as your little ones snooze.

Family Activities at Napili Kai Beach Resort

With thriving reef right in the bay, and foot-soft sand all along the beach, Napili Bay is an ideal place for wading in and out with snorkel and mask, while getting an eyeful of humuhuhnukunukuapuaa, parrotfish, and possibly a turtle or two without hardly trying. If you’re like us, once you check in and check out the beach and bay, you’ll feel little if any desire to leave the resort or Napili Bay.

Napili Bay itself is generally as pleasant as a big bath tub bespeckled with tropical fish, occasional turtles, happy swimmers and snorkelers aplenty. Snorkels and masks are provided for guests (no fins) in adult and child sizes.

And in recognition of its ideal conditions for paddle-boarding, the resort has made it easy for guests to connect with a local paddle-boarding rental company that will bring your paddle board to you and provide brief safety instruction before leaving you with your board(s). The resort provides a lock and rack where you can keep your board during your stay. Additional paddle-boarding instruction is also available on request (for fee).

The resort offers several other family-friendly activities, including a “Keiki Hula Show” each Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. most of the year, benefitting the Napili Kai Foundation, which continues to teach and share the songs and dances of Polynesia with Maui’s children. The weekly performance is complimentary for guests of Napili Kai Beach Resort (others: $10 adults, $5 kids 6 – 12, 5 and younger free).

During peak family vacation times (including Easter week, summer, and winter holiday breaks), the resort offers a complimentary supervised “Kids’ Club” daily activity for guests ages 5 to 12 years old. The camp activities highlight Hawaiian cultural activities and crafts, and usually run from 10 a.m. to noon.

The resort also has two miniature (putt-putt) golf course on site, with an adults-only green as well as a kid-friendly green. Putters and balls are complimentary. Two shuffleboard courts are also on site, and with advance notice, the resort will set up two bocce courts for your family’s tournament–a favorite activity for many of the families that return to Napili Kai Beach Resort year after year for family reunions.

The resort also hosts a daily cultural activity in the mornings, including lei making, history of Hawaiian fishing and the Hawaiian canoe, and palm frond weaving to name a few.

Other On-site Amenities

A few other on-site amenities that made our stay all the easier included free wi-fi in our suite and around the property, beach towels, and coin-op laundry located right in our own small building (each building has its own laundry room).

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a family-friendly resort on Maui with an intimate setting, Napili Kai Beach Resort has you covered. It’s a place where you can relax with your young children and enjoy “all things Hawaii” without stepping foot off of the property.

 

With world class snorkeling right from the beach, daily cultural activities for the whole family, a weekly kids’ hula performance (at a kid-friendly hour), condo-like rooms and suites with kitchens, and great restaurant where your kids will eat fish-shaped cheese pizza dinners for free, this could be your ideal resort destination in Maui.

 

Best for: Families with young children, family reunions, weddings, honeymooners.

 

May not be best for: Families who prefer day-long supervised kids’ camps, families with teens looking for more organized activities (including nightlife) with other kids their own ages.

For more information about Napili Kai Beach Resort and to see the latest special offers and packages, visit their site at www.napilikai.com. Mahalo to Napili Kai Beach Resort for hosting my family and providing this opportunity to review the property. As always, my opinions remain my own and, to those reading, I hope you’ve found this review helpful. Please feel free to share a comment about your own experiences at this resort or a Maui tip for fellow travelers.

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If you have a beginning swimmer, or an established swimmer you just want to give an added measure of safety during water play, the Speedo Kids Neoprene swim vest is an easy-packing favorite of ours you should seriously consider investing in. Seriously? Yes. Much to my own surprise, I found myself buying a third before our recent trip to Maui, and although my older kids are independent swimmers (and technically older than the 4-6 years the large size claims to fit), there were times all three vests were in use and all of us were happy to have them.

Though not a substitute for a coastguard-approved life jacket where and when that is required, the Speedo swim vests give kids from toddlerhood to early elementary years extra buoyancy without bulk so they can practice their first doggy paddles and, when older, simply last longer enjoying the hotel pool or boogie board with a confidence. One of my daughters, who chills easily, also liked that hers helped keep her warmer.

Better still, where you might hesitate to pack one or two bulky life preservers in your luggage, these vests pack in at only 2″ thick and are very lightweight. And durable? Ours have spent countless hours in swimming pools and several more in salt water, and without any special care I have to say they still look new.

Speedo’s sizing on these can be a bit confusing, so be aware that what they call size Medium is recommended for most children ages 2 – 4 years or 33 to 45 lbs., and size Large is recommended for most kids ages 4 – 6 years or 45 to 60 lbs. Our Larges are still in use by kids older than that, so your mileage may also vary!

Click here to see color options available and read other customer reviews at Amazon.com. For more Pack This! ideas and recommendations, follow this link, and click here for reviews of the best baby and toddler travel gear.

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Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby 

travelswithbaby.com   facebook   twitter   about the author   

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

The post Pack This! Speedo easy-packing swim vest for toddlers and little kids appeared first on Travels With Baby.

If you saw my previous post, The 5 Best Places to See California’s Giant Redwoods and Giant Sequoias, you already have a good idea of just how much our family loves to visit the big trees found along the West Coast. It was fun to stumble upon this Hawaiian variety on our recent trip to Maui, when we drove through the lush Iao Valley. I am completely fascinated by banyan trees and their ability to “put down roots” from above, like the seeming trunk to the right of my daughter in this photo, which began with a simple root descending through air.

The kids were very intrigued by this banyan, which made it all the better when, after understanding this seeming goliath, we arrived at the famous banyan tree in Lahaina, which occupies nearly a city block with root-trunks too numerous to count!

Do you have a favorite tree to share today on National Arbor Day? Feel free to leave a comment with your link below! This post is part of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.com.

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby 

travelswithbaby.com   facebook   twitter   about the author   

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

The post Photo Fave: Iao Valley banyan tree, Maui appeared first on Travels With Baby.