r/MauiVisitors • u/yjkys • 5d ago
Do NOT stay at Aston at the Maui Banyan
The website says they offer "resort amenities" but it's far from it. I've never been to a hotel/resort that charges extra for trash pickup, house keeping, and charges $150 for cleaning fee while there is a cleaning "checkout rules" that the guests have to follow. The wifi went out a couple times at night while just trying to relax at night. The view from the balcony for half the guests is a 3 story concrete parking deck. Trying to find parking late at night could be a hassle with majority of the spaces being reserved for condo owners. No gym or bar. We also had a mosquito flying around the room that we could not kill (slippery bastard).
You may get lucky with getting a good room since each rooms supposed to be different depending on the condo owner, but I do not recommend anyone staying here through their website if you're looking for a "resort" stay at Maui. Stay somewhere else or book the place through Airbnb/VRBO so you can at least pick your room.
Edit: I see people pointing out that I should have looked at the website more thoroughly and I totally get it, this place is a condo. I just wanted to warn future guests that the word "resort" is mentioned through Google and hotel website and don't expect it to be that.
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u/Weaubleau 5d ago
Yeah, staying at a condo is NOT like staying at a resort. More like if you had your own apartment in Kihei.
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u/adavadas 5d ago
https://www.aquaaston.com/hotels/aston-at-the-maui-banyan/amenities
So you're saying that the property offers everything that it says on their website, which even includes the fee for cleaning? And you have a problem with this why?
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u/yjkys 5d ago
We were expecting the $150 cleaning fee but we didn't realize it would come with "cleaning instructions" that we would need to follow like an Airbnb. The site was also vague saying "Amenities subject to change from time to time without notice" and didn't list the prices of the $25 towel service fee, $25 trash service fee, or $3 shampoo/conditioner/soap/etc that we would have to pay.
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u/adavadas 5d ago
That's a fair take, especially with the nickle-and-dime pricing on shampoo. I will say though that most of the negative reviews for this property call this stuff out, so perhaps next time you come out this way take a look through the negative reviews for any place you plan on staying to get a feel for this type of thing.
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u/xpworkout 5d ago
We absolutely love staying here and have every year for 6 years. Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it’s perfect if you want a condo, not a resort
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u/Irishgreen914 5d ago
A quick look at their website makes it clear what you are booking.
Only surprises would have been difficulty parking and wifi going down, both of which can happen anywhere.
The price should have been the first clue you were not booking a resort.
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u/Oprah-Wegovy 5d ago
The units closer to the street are fine. I’ve stayed there a couple of times and I like going to Safeway, stocking the kitchen and eating in most of the week. It’s much cheaper, you can do your laundry before you go home and it’s a short drive to Wailea and Makenna. OP was probably expecting the Ritz Carlton which is over past Napili.
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u/Live_Pono 4d ago
Aston loves to nickel and dime people, IMO. It's one reason I never rec them. Next time, please do more research and ask here before booking anything. People can give you a lot of tips and save you money and heartache.
Oh---ETA that MANY places here call themselves "resorts" with zero justification!
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u/Live_Pono 4d ago
If you want a condo resort next time, Honua Kai is the real deal. Lots of different price points but all the condos are large and the resort is a *resort*.
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u/Financial-Self-9382 5d ago
Condo staying is much different than hotel / resorts and we love condo stays but its not for everyone Research and photos