Maui Revealed - Sheraton Maui

510 rooms, pool, keiki pool, spa, 3 lighted tennis courts, small day spa, room service, valet parking, hi-speed Internet access in rooms, free Wi-Fi in public areas, fitness center, 2 restaurants, shops, child care program (at the Westin). This was the first resort built in Ka'anapali, back in 1962, completely rebuilt in 1996, and was renovated again in 2005.

The resort lacks the same splash that other mega-resorts offer. (Well, except for the cliff diver who dives into the ocean every night at sunset from Black Rock.) Instead, the 23 acres of grounds are green but comparatively simple and less exotic, dominated by large expanses of lawn. The beach is the star here, and don't you forget it. Located at the north end of Ka'anapali Beach, the water here is heavenly, and the swimming is good during calm seas. Their swimming pool has a cool mist coming from the rocks that feels pretty good when you walk by. Part of the hotel is built on Black Rock (Hawaiian name Pu'u Keka'a, see page 50 for more). Every night they have a torch lighting ceremony culminating with the torch bearer leaping off the short cliff at Pu'u Keka'a. This is a re-enactment of King Kahekili's leap in the 1700s, which demonstrated to his subjects that he had god-like powers. (The Hawaiians believed that this is the area where spirits are said to go to depart this world after death, and any living persons jumping here would die.) The ceremony is dramatic and offers excellent photo ops. Snorkeling and scuba around Black Rock are superb.

A couple of nice features are the seamless check-in and check-out. Those paying with a credit card are allowed to bypass the front desk with the understanding that you'll come down later so they can run your card. "Arrive and Dine" allows you to order (from the Internet) food for your arrival delivered to your room--especially good for late check-ins.

They have a mandatory $25 per day resort fee that allows you the privilege of self-parking, making local calls, Internet access and other things you may have thought were free anyway. (Valet is $5 extra.)

Kids under 12 eat free at the buffet or at the pool if you pay to eat there, and their keiki program (at the Westin Maui resort) is $70 per day, $52 per night.

Regular rooms are fairly small and the furnishings fairly pleasing. But the reason for our Real Gem isn't the rooms or service, but rather the beach location. It's probably the best in West Maui.

When reading the rates below, bear in mind that if you become a Starwood Preferred member (which is free), you'll get a 30-35% discount off these rack rates. Rooms (320-420 sq. ft.) are $505-$790, suites (665-1,600 sq. ft.) are $950-$5,000.