We just got back from 5 nights at the KBH. Sorry if this review is a bit long, but they deserve it!!

There were four of us, including my son, 17 and daughter, 15. We had an ocean view room with two double beds.

The room was spacious enough to give us all room and the lanai overlooked the spacious courtyard to a view of the beach and ocean. At night, the sun would set in the distance, the courtyard tiki torches would be glowing and we would be serenaded by the nightly Hawaiian hula and music show at the Tiki Bar.

If you walk up and down the beach, you will see many hotels with fancy pools and a sea of lounge chairs and a small strip of sand.

At the KBH, there's a small pool and a very large courtyard and easy access to a large beach area. The green space creates a great setting.

We had dinner at the Tiki Terrace restaurant and it may have been the best meal we had in Hawaii.

We took advantage of the free Hawaiian activities, including lei making, sandprints and pineapple cutting.

It's rare to stay at a hotel and have them greet you and call you by name as you walk through.

There was an orientation breakfast that was enjoyable and funny as much as it was informative. I recommend making sure to go to it.

The staff makes sure the Hawaiian heritage comes through in everything. At the end of the stay, there's a farewell ceremony when they present you with a lei and a hug. You're welcomed back as extended Ohana (family) and you feel that way.

We saw many hotels on Maui, including the ones up and down Ka'anapali Beach, and this one doesn't have the flash, but it has the class.

When we left, both my son and daughter remarked that they would never want to stay at another place. That's high praise from a couple of teenagers!!!

Don't be afraid to book it, take advantage of everything they have to offer, and have a great Hawaiian experience.

We have stayed at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel the last 3 years in a row. Everytime we go back, it's like going home. The people who work there are friendly, sincere, and the atmosphere is laid back unlike the other chain hotels on the beach. There are complimentary Hawaiian activities, and hula shows with music every night. Their section of the beach is the best on Ka'anapali. The rooms are spacious and comfortable with a nice Hawaiian feel, with a nightly turn-down service. They really make you feel like a part of their family, especially with their good-bye ceremony. They also have the best Pina Coladas and Lava Flows on the beach!! So if you're looking for a real Hawaiian vacation, this is the place!

I was nervous about this hotel, as I had read mixed reviews, but definitely wanted to try this "most Hawaiian" of all hotels. My first impression, as we stood in line to check in July 6th, was dismay. The wallpaper behind the check in counter was stained and peeling, the lobby looked in need of a makeover.
I was slightly reassured by our two teenaged girls (15&17) who explored the grounds while we waited in line. They declared it was fabulous, pretty grounds, nice beach, etc. Our room was not ready, so we walked out to the Tiki Bar for a drink. Let the vacation begin!
The bartender (Dale) was great, courteous, seemed to know all the people there. The guests were incredibly friendly and helpful. We met two women in their late 60-s or so who were at the KBH for the 25th time! The girls ordered food from the Tiki Grill, which they enjoyed and we relaxed while waiting for our room to be ready.
Our room, when we entered it was just at it appeared on the web site, and perfectly positioned as I had requested, ocean view in the Lanai wing. Things were definitely improving! The girls were a little disappointed by the lack of room service, but got over that rather quickly.
The staff is incredibly friendly, and all the guests were, too. We chatted every day with different types of people from all over. I did receive a dirty glass and knife in the Mixed Plate restaurant, but that was it for poor service. The food was mediocre. The sunsets were glorious, and the nightly entertainment was fun, and we all learned to "Just Hang Loose".
The farewell ceremony was very touching, and our Hawaiin hostess actually cried. My 17yr old felt guilty as we were just moving down the beach to the Marriott,, as previously planned. The KBH is a lovely, friendly place to stay. I recommend it.

My family (wife, sons 10 and 6) and I arrived at the KBH on July 7th for a week's visit after spending a week in a 2-bedroom condo on the Big Island. My wife was a bit apprehensive about having the entire ohana in a single room after staying in a beautiful apartment, but her fears melted soon after our arrival at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. This wonderful resort offers few of the luxury trappings of a corporate mega-resort, but it is far superior in providing the sense of feeling welcome. In a week's stay, we never received less than a smile and a warm "aloha" from a single staff member. My kids enjoyed visiting different parts of the hotel to get their "aloha passports" stamped and to receive free gifts. My wife and I were delighted to receive a beautiful fruit platter as a gift for returning to the hotel after an 11-year absence, and were downright surprised a few days later to receive a box of chocolate-covered macadamias as an additional "thank you". The Guest Services staff got to know everyone in our family over the course of our stay, and made a point to ask us to join them in the lei-making classes and other free activities offered daily. Most evenings, we marked sunset by grabbing frozen drinks at the Tiki Bar and taking in the free nightly hula show. Even though many of the songs were the same each night, the show truly made us long to stay in our Hawaiian paradise. Yes, the room was a bit more cramped than our Big Island condo, but with everything going on in the hotel, not to mention the beach and pool just steps away, we never felt crowded a bit. Of course, having our sons with us cut into the potential Hawaiian romance a bit... but that's why we're already conspiring to return to Maui next spring... ALONE! And when we do return, it will be to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel!