Westin Nanea Ocean Villas

This is the newest resort in Ka’anapali—and that’s a title they’ll probably be able to hang on to for a long while since the resort was built in 2017 on the last remaining stretch of vacant land along this part of the coast. 

The comfortable, modern, apartment-like villas are ideally suited for people who want to stay a week or longer. Spacious with well-appointed living rooms, “Heavenly” king beds (yeah, that’s their branding not-so-subconsciously working its way into this review, but the term fits), fully equipped kitchens and luxurious bathrooms. There’s a consistent design theme that runs throughout the resort that incorporates elements of ancient Hawaiian culture, but it’s subtle and not at all stereotypically Hawaiian.

Lounge chairs are tightly packed around the pool, which is nicely landscaped and includes a separate shallow section with a small splash pad for keiki. Cabanas are available for rent per day and include a mini fridge, safe and flat-screen TV, perfect for relaxing and watching a movie or the game between dips, while still enjoying the outdoors. Unlike most resorts where the fitness room exists solely so it can be listed as an available amenity, this one is large and stocked with plenty of exercise equipment, so people actually use it.

The resort is fronted by Keka‘a Beach, and the sand can be a little narrow here (there’s a reason why this was the last section of beach to get built up), but it’s uncrowded, usually tranquil and a fairly easy stroll to wider Kahekili Beach to the south. Whoever did the resort landscaping was savvy, because they removed most of the evil kiawe trees (notorious for dropping flip-flop-piercing thorns) from behind the beach, except for a few needed to help keep the berm in place. 

There is an on-site grocery market, and they’ll stock your room before you arrive for a small fee.

This place is upscale without feeling snobby, but it’s certainly not cheap. Many of the resort view rooms also have ocean views. 1/1s resort view are 840 sq. ft., 2/2s resort review are 1,260 sq. ft., 3/2s oceanfront are 1,470 sq. ft. They often run specials and packages.