Buying Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas Resale: North vs South

Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas Resort Map

South Views

The Villas in the South Phase are predominantly Ocean View and Ocean Front views, with a minority offering an Island View classification. It has been mentioned by many travelers that the South Phase tends to offer a better location in terms of view of the ocean, with most units facing the coast and offering breathtaking views.  On the other side of the south phase, the majority of the island view units in the South Villas face either the parking lot, the road or the west Maui Mountains.

For many buyers on the resale market, the predominant sentiment is that, when buying within this phase, the Ocean View units seem to strike a favored balance between initial purchase price and spectacular views. It is also worth noting that some units in building 4 of the South Phase are considered Ocean View, but are placed with a parking lot between the ocean and the unit. Many owners have been successful in requesting being placed in building 2 or 3 for the optimal Ocean View experience, due to the majority of Ocean View units being held within those buildings.

For the villas in the South Phase that are considered Ocean View, it’s also worth mentioning that those units are located on the 3rd floor and above, while the 1st and 2nd floors are considered Island View.

North Views

The North Phase, on the other hand, features a larger number of units with ocean-front views when compared to the South Phase. At the same time, the North Phase also offers many more Island View units than the South Phase, meaning there are fewer Ocean View units available.

In addition, the North phase is situated closer to the famous Black Rock, a renowned snorkeling spot. This proximity allows easy access for those interested in marine life exploration.

Moreover, the North phase is slightly more secluded, providing a quieter atmosphere for those seeking a peaceful retreat. The landscaping around the North Villas is lush and well-maintained, adding to the serene ambiance.

The rooms in the South Phase are slightly larger, but both phases offer identical sleeping arrangements. The maximum occupancy is identical when comparing each villa size between their North and South counterparts.

When looking at the amenities found in each villa type between the two phases of this property, they are remarkably comparable. One notable difference has to do with the outdoor spaces offered. Studios at the South Phase feature a Juliet Balcony, which does not allow space for seating, whereas the Studios at the North Phase offer a full lanai complete with seating. You can view the differences in floor plan by clicking to expand the sections below.

For the 2 Bedroom Lock Off Villa in the South Phase, you do get a full lanai from the 1 bedroom portion of the villa, but instead of a second lanai that is found in the North Phase, you have the same Juliet Balcony that is found in the Studio in the South Phase.

If you’d like to learn more about the each of the villa types, including sizes, floor plans, features & much more for each villa type offered at both Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas for both North & South phases, you can read our in-depth article here: Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas: Villa Types, Sizes, & Features.

In terms of their proximity to the property’s many amenities, both phases have their unique selling points. In this section, we’ll be taking a closer look at what amenities are closest to each phase, but keep in mind, any of the amenities on this property are just a short walk away for guests staying at either phase.

Dining & General Stores

The North houses the Pailolo Bar & Grill, whereas Auntie’s Kitchen is located in the South. The North Phase also features Pailolo Bar & Grill, an oceanfront sports bar ideally located by the poolside, serves a delightful array of bistro-style food.

The Kai Ala Market in the North phase and the Pu‘ukoli‘i General Store in the South phase cater to different needs of the guests at Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort. The Kai Ala Market is your one-stop-shop for essentials, from replenishing in-villa groceries to picking up ready-to-eat meals and snagging last-minute ingredients or other necessities any time of the day.

On the other hand, the Pu‘ukoli‘i General Store is a foodie’s delight, offering a range of freshly baked goods, deli sandwiches, and fresh salads, perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely meal.

Pool Areas

Both the North and South phases of Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas offer their own extensive heated pool areas, ensuring that guests have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Maui sun.

The pool and common grounds in the South Villas are much larger than the North. This results in a larger area between the buildings on the south side, offering more space for relaxation and activities. Meanwhile, the kid’s pool is much more separated from the main pool in the North Phase, with a pirate-themed playground nearby, which may be seen as a benefit for some guests.

Common Areas

Common areas in both phases are designed to offer comfort and convenience. These spaces may include stairwells, hallways, laundry rooms, and more. Since these areas are shared among all guests, they are kept clean and well-maintained in both phases, contributing to the overall welcoming atmosphere of the resort.

Despite the similarities, there could be slight differences in the ambiance and layout of the common areas and pools in each phase. It’s often said that the North Phase can feel slightly quieter with fewer people, whereas the South is slightly more vibrant throughout the day.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Lobby, Concierge Desk, and Welcome Station are located in the South Phase, as well as the Tennis Courts and the Shuttle Stop.

Beaches

While both phases of the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas are located along one continuous stretch of the coastline, it is generally accepted that the beach closest to the South Phase is a great section for swimming, whereas on the beach along the North Phase is best for snorkeling.

In the south, you have the fabulous Kahekili Beach Park adorned with a boardwalk, featuring a sheltered picnic pavilion, barbecue grills, showers, and restroom facilities.

In the north, you have an excellent entry point to the Pacific Ocean for snorkeling at Black Rock Beach. This location is ideal for beginners due to its proximity to the beach and being sheltered from the open ocean. With an abundance of reef fish and turtles, it’s a fantastic place to experience snorkeling during your vacation.

Timeshares at the Westin Kaanapali can be purchased directly from owners, with resales often being 30 – 50% cheaper than retail. This offers a cost-effective way to acquire a timeshare, with numerous offers available for both North and South Villas.

Vistana Signature Network (VSN) Mandatory Resorts

Both the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North and South are Mandatory Resorts which means StarOption benefits are transferrable to buyers on the resale market. This allows for booking into other Vistana Signature Network resorts, beginning at 8 months prior to check-in.

Reservations can also be made 12 to 8 months in advance at your home resort, guaranteeing your desired view. When booking your home resort less than 8 months, being assigned a villa with the view you purchased isn’t guaranteed, but during that booking window, you are granted the flexibility of booking partial week stays.

Learning about StarOptions and how they work is absolutely vital to understanding how Vistana timeshares work. If you’d like to explore our in-depth article that explains everything you need to know about StarOptions, you can find it here: Vistana StarOptions Explained: What Are They & How To Use Them.

StarOption Values For Booking Each Villa Type

The StarOption Value Charts, which show how many points it takes to book each villa type, are identical for both phases of this resort. This simply means it will require an identical number of StarOptions to book each comparable villa type, regardless of what phase an owner is booking.

Available Vacation Ownership Interests

When purchasing a Vacation Ownership Interest (VOI) for either the North or South Phases on the resale market, there are many different configurations to choose from. Each VOI will differ based on the following attributes:

• Phase: North or South
• View Type: Island View, Ocean View, and Oceanfront
• Villa Size: 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom, or 2 bedroom deluxe

The StarOption values an owner would receive are identical when comparing unit size and view type across the property’s North or South phases.

Resale Prices

While specific prices tend to change through time due to market conditions, it’s clear that there are differences in the resale market prices between the North and South phases of the Westin Ka’anapali, which are highly dependent on the view type you choose to purchase.

While the South phase generally has lower initial purchase prices on the resale market for Island and Ocean Views when compared to the North, the Ocean Front view types in the North phase tend to command a lower initial purchase price when compared to the South. However, it’s crucial to note that prices are determined by individuals and the current market conditions. Therefore, prices can vary and should always be researched thoroughly before making a purchase decision.

If you’d like to browse our current listings for either phase to view the most up-to-date pricing, click the buttons below for your preferred phase.

Choosing The Perfect View Type To Purchase

The price difference between the different view types at each of the phases is one major factor to consider when choosing the right resale listing for your situation. For either phase; Island View types will usually be the most affordable option, Ocean View types will generally represent a middle ground in pricing, and Oceanfront View types will often be the most expensive option to purchase on the resale market.

One interesting factor to consider is that, for both phases, Island View and Ocean View VOIs award the owner an identical number of StarOptions, while Ocean View types tend to sell for a higher initial purchase price. If a prospective buyer is simply looking to purchase the maximum amount of StarOptions for the lowest initial purchase price, an Island View VOI could be a great option to look into. For buyers who wish to guarantee an Ocean View or Ocean Front villa during their home resort booking window, purchasing a VOI with their preferred view type would be recommended.

Booking in the 12 to 8 months home resort booking window, you will need to reserve the exact unit size and view type you purchased for a full 7 night stay. During the 8 months or less booking window, it is possible to use StarOptions to book any available unit size for partial week stays, and the view type that is assigned to your reservation will be dependent on availability.

Maintenance Fees

In the table above, there is a noticeable difference in the 2024 maintenance fees between the North and South phases.

In the South phase, the 2024 maintenance fee for a 1 Bedroom Premium villa is $2,683.05. For a 2 Bedroom Premium Lock-off villa, it increases to $3,180.39, and it’s $3,785.45 for a 2 Bedroom Deluxe Lock-off villa.Comparatively, in the North phase, the 2024 maintenance fee for a 2 Bedroom Premium Lock-off villa stands at $3,515.78.

This shows that the maintenance fees for the 2 Bedroom Island View or Ocean View are higher in the North phase than in the South phase, but the maintenance fees for the 2 Bedroom Oceanfront are lower in the North phase than in the South phase

Also, as can be seen in the maintenance fees chart above, your annual maintenance costs are determined by your villa type, and do not change based on your view type, whereas the number of StarOptions each view type is awarded each year does depend on the view type you purchase. For example, if you were to purchase a 2 bedroom with an Ocean Front view type in the North Phase, you will pay the same maintenance fees as an owner who purchased an Island or Ocean View type, while receiving a larger number of StarOptions each year.