Last Updated on September 16, 2025
Marriott took its first dive into the vacation club business on the island of Maui when it converted the former Ka’anapali Maui Marriott hotel into vacation villas in 2001. The Lahaina Tower, a freestanding vacation club later opened in 2007, followed by the Napili Tower in 2009.
Located on the tourmaline waters of the Pacific on Maui’s picturesque west coast, the vacation club offers stunning ocean views with awe-inspiring sunsets. Ka’anapali Beach, a three-mile stretch of white sand fronts and heads north and south from the resort; it is well known for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and sunbathing.
Maui Vacation Club Accommodations
Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club offers an option of one bedroom guestroom suites with two baths in the main central building, along with one and two-bedroom spacious villas in its two freestanding towers.
Guests can choose between island, garden, pool, ocean view and oceanfront accommodations with colorful, sea inspired décor in hues of blue, turquoise, tan and white. Guest rooms and one-bedrooms offer kitchenettes without a cook-top stove or washer and dryer en-suite, however, there is a communal kitchen available along with a full laundromat in each tower and main building at no cost to the occupants.
Two-bedroom units include the stove and washer-dryer setup and all accommodations have a lanai (balcony) or patio if staying on the first floor. All suites and villas have a living room with sofa bed and a dinette or dining room. Barbeque grills are located throughout the resort for guest use no matter the unit selected. Thank goodness there are plenty, as they always seem to be popular during the dinner hour, with guests comparing notes on their selected cuisine choices, be it seafood, steak, burgers or veggie kabobs.
Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club Amenities
You won’t find a resort fee at this lovely property or find a more impressive pool in the Ka’anapali area resorts. The 3.5‑acre ocean-facing ‘superpool’ complex includes waterfalls, grottos, waterslides, whirlpool spas, and a children’s “Shipwreck Beach” pool area. Cabanas are available for rent, reservations required.
Each of the towers also sports its own pool. A full-fitness center is on site along with a spa offering a variety of body and facial treatments. The three-hole putting green is located just off the Napili Tower building and offers shuffleboard courts for guest use.
If you’re looking for local dining or activity recommendations, a concierge team in the lobby is available for suggestions and reservations.
On-Property Activities
During check-in, guests are given a Daily Activity/Fitness and Poolside Entertainment Schedule that lists on-site activities for adults and the family to enhance the vacation experience on days where you’re looking for a bit more relaxation.
Activities include hands-on art events such as “make your own ukelele,” sports, koi fish feeding, and gambling-type games. Live music and hula shows occur poolside on select days accompanied by happy hour food and drinks. No worries about being bored at this resort.
Dining at the Resort
Longhi’s is Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club’s main restaurant, an Italian-inspired eatery on the main level offering prime steaks, fresh seafood and Italian fare accompanied by stunning ocean views.
Beach Walk Kau Kau To Go is a pool area grab and go eatery with cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches and salads with an outdoor seating area. Both the Lokelani Pool Bar and Maiki Tiki Bar offer tropical cocktails, sandwiches and salads which can also be ordered poolside. Starbucks fans will love stopping in for a favorite hot and cold coffee drinks.
If you’re looking for other dining options, Whaler’s Village, a popular waterfront dining and shopping area is located within easy walking distance from the vacation club resort along a stunning beachfront promenade. As an added treat, honu (sea turtles) tend to hang out along the shores of Ka’anapali Beach. On a morning beach walk, we happened to see a group of three swimming in the surf and occasionally coming up for air.
Nearby Dining
When I come to Maui and dine out with family or friends, I’m looking for places providing impressive cuisine with a value component – the cost of eating out here can come with a hefty price tag.
While there are outstanding choices all around the island, here are some within walking distance of Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club that consistently offer a quality and impressive experience.
Roy’s Kaanapali
Though it’s not on the water (one of my typical island dining criteria), Roy’s has golf course and sunset views and is one of my favorite places to dine. Here’s why.
This family of restaurants by renowned chef Roy Yamaguchi started in Oahu and spread to the other Hawaiian islands and the western U.S. Consistency is the key element here, and this restaurant definitely meets the standard, and then some.
Open for lunch and dinner, the venue features Asian-Fusion dishes that absolutely tantalize the palate.
Hula Grill
My family tradition is having our first meal in Maui at this restaurant with feet in the sand (yep, it’s ok to kick your shoes off). The seaside setting is idyllic, and the food is spectacular with its brunch, lunch, and dinner entrees.
Hula Grill not only has the best Mai Tai I’ve had on the island, but it’s almost impossible to get past the impressive appetizers to tackle the main menu selections.
Ulu Kitchen by Merriman
Ocean views come at no extra charge at this lovely indoor-outdoor Peter Merriman restaurant. Sunsets are stunning and it’s fun to watch the surfers catch a wave. Land and sea entrees are mouthwatering and daily specials make it even harder to choose since everything here is amazing.
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman
Another Hawaiian islands chef-inspired eatery, Monkeypod is named after the Hawaiian and other global exotic trees.
The Whalers Village location is ideal, providing lovely water views and an open-air dining experience. Food and service are outstanding but save room for their famous dessert- a selection of house-made pies, perfect for sharing.
Leilani’s on the Beach
Two different menus and two different experiences here. While downstairs features a bar and appetizers, the upstairs second level offers a full dining experience with superb ocean views, specializing in steaks, seafood and ribs.
