Marriott's Maui Ocean Club - Molokai, Maui & Lanai Towers

Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club was built in 1981 as a traditional hotel. The resort’s original buildings -- the Lanai, Maui, and Molokai towers -- comprise the central hub of the property. The newer Lahaina and Napili towers were added years later, and all six are now considered the same property. Upon arrival, guests enter through the original open-air lobby; and its boxy concrete design and large koi pond hint at its age. Unfortunately, the dated lobby doesn’t make a grand impression, nor does it feel very Hawaiian. However the space's stunning views of Kaanapali Beach offer a much needed island vibe.  Generally speaking, Kaanapali is a family-friendly resort area, but Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club feels particularly kid-centric. There never seems to be a time of year when kids aren’t dominating the scene here, so couples and adult friend-groups may want to look elsewhere. 

Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club is located in the Kaanapali resort area, directly on Maui’s famous Kaanapali Beach. The hotel is connected to other resorts in the area (the Hyatt, the Westin, the Sheraton), by the Kaanapali Beach path. It's a five-minute walk from Whaler’s Village, an outdoor mall with lots of shops and restaurants, and it's also across the street from the Kaanapali golf courses. Though Kaanapali is technically considered part of Lahaina, downtown Lahaina is a 12-minute drive from the property. Maui’s Kahului airport is a 45-minute drive, though times can vary during rush hour. Renting a car is highly recommended for Maui visitors. Public transportation gets mixed reviews, and doesn’t provide service to the whole island, and taxis can be pricey. 

The studio, one-, and two-bedroom villas at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club are ideal for families or large groups. Each unit is spacious and features a kitchenette (studios) or full kitchen and separate living spaces. The larger units also have stacked washer-dryers. The villas feature varying degrees of updates. Some have been renovated with modern decor and Hawaiian inspired furniture, while others look a bit dated (not "1980s dated," but not new either). The studio unit we stayed in, a Guest Room with Garden View, was nicely refurbished with fresh gray paint, modern carpeting, and dark wood furniture. The room had a small kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, and a few plates and utensils. The bland tile work and standard shower/tub combo in the bathroom did not look updated like the rest of the room.  Across all rooms amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, electronic safes, and ironing equipment. Outdoor balconies are rather narrow, but have enough space for two chairs and a tiny table. Balconies offer various views of the resort’s grounds. Those that don’t overlook the pool and beach areas have views of the Kaanapali golf courses and the West Maui Mountains. 

The Marriott’s best amenities are its pools -- three large complexes surrounded by tons of lounge chairs and umbrellas. The resort’s main pool, the Lagoon Pool, is located in front of the original buildings and serves as the property’s hub for activity. The Lagoon Pool is really several freeform pools that flow into one another via elaborate fake lava-rock waterfalls and a series of connecting water slides. The Lagoon Pool has a volleyball net and a shallow kids play area with a climbable pirate ship and mini slides. The Marriott’s pool scene is dominated by kids, and around the Lagoon Pool it’s nearly impossible to escape the jubilant sounds of kids on vacation. The resort’s other two pools, the Napili Pool and the Lahaina Pool are located in front of the Napili and Lahaina towers. Both are quieter than the Lagoon Pool, but they’re smaller. The Lagoon Pool and Napili Pool both have poolside bars where guests can grab drinks and light meals during the day. 

Kaanapali Beach is directly in front of the Marriott. It’s one of Maui’s most famous stretches of sand, and is known for its stunning views of neighboring islands Molokai and Lanai. The stretch of Kaanapali Beach in front of the Marriott is somewhat narrow, and during our visit there was lots of debris washed up along the shoreline because of a recent storm. Certain parts of Kaanapali are great for swimming, while other parts have small wave breaks that are ideal for surf lessons. Like all beaches in Hawaii, Kaanapali is open to the public, so the hotel isn’t allowed to set up lounge chairs on the sand. Instead, loungers, hammocks, and rentable cabanas line the grassy lawns that front the beach. 

On-site dining isn’t anything remarkable. The hotel’s busy Starbucks is probably its most popular eatery. Hundreds of people visit the coffeeshop throughout the day. It’s so well liked that the Marriott has designated Starbucks parking for outside customers. Next to Starbucks is a quick-service restaurant, Beach Walk Kau Kau To Go, where guests can grab breakfast sandwiches and coffee in the morning, sandwiches and pizzas in the afternoon, and daily changing dinner entrees at night. The hotel’s only sit-down restaurant, the Kaanapali Grille and Tap Room, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant receives mixed reviews from guests, but diners should note that it’s an independent establishment, unaffiliated with the Marriott. 

The Marriott’s ocean-view fitness center is equipped with modern LifeFitness cardio and weight machines, along with several free weights. It isn’t huge, but lots of machines are crammed into the space. Guests who prefer to exercise outside can jog along the Kaanapali Beach path or use the hotel’s tennis courts. The hotel’s small spa is a bit of a let down. It isn’t a full service spa, so don’t expect a relaxation room or hydrotherapy pools, but there are a few treatment rooms where guests can book massages. 

Apart from its star features, the Marriott offers a handful of other extras. The resort offers free Wi-Fi, but there’s a daily fee for parking. There’s a nice lobby shop that sells sundries and souvenirs, and there are multiple grilling areas and kids playgrounds across the property.