Just back from first visit to Hawaii, 25th anniv. April 20th-29th. I had read MANY Trip Advisor reviews of almost all of the accomodations in the west Maui area, read the forums, wrote to and received responses on some of the accomodations from other reviewers, and finally settled on the KBH. I appreciated the information that others provided and hope this will help others with their trip planning. We are "middle of the road" travelers, wanting mainly clean, safe, comfortable updated rooms, for as little $ as need to spend to get them. We reserved a partial ocean view room, king bed, requesting a higher floor, hoping for an upgrade to ocean view (which is available for anniversary couples at no extra charge, if room available). We took advantage of a package from the hotel web site for the "room,meals and wheels" deal, finding that the rate was better than the room alone rate, and better than any discounter rates. We arrived on a Sunday and left after a 6 night stay. The car was thru Dollar rent a car. It was easy to catch the shuttle from the airport to their location nearby, very little waiting to actually get the car and get going. We were to have had a compact car, but got the next size up (Sebring), no extra charge, as there wasn't another available. It took 45 min to get from the airport to KBH due to the traffic and the sections of road where the speed limit is 45 MPH. Pretty drive. Gasoline was $4.18/gal. Upon checkin the front desk person had us in a ground floor garden view room and I needed to request the manager to get our partial ocean view room (the staff person disappeared into the back and came back to let us know they had "switched some rooms around " so we could get ours. Whatever. It worked for us.) This was after I let her know that I had actually spoken with another staff person the night before we left to confirm our partial ocean view room, and knew they had many rooms available in the partial ocean view and a few in the ocean view category. I was very apprehensive, remained calm, kind, but firm, when that exchange started and it was all sorted out within 5 minutes. We were in the Lanai wing on the 4th floor, which is the partial ocean view we had reserved-never did get the upgrade. We did get a card, bottle of sparkling wine and glasses for a anniv. toast. Cookies every night with turn down service. The room was spacious with the king bed and daybed and looked just like the photo in their website. The bed was very firm to hard...even with the extra padding on these middle aged hips I could have used a memory foam topper on the bed for a little cushion. The room was very clean. I would guess that the most recent refurbishement of the room had been about 6-7 years ago judging from colors, decor and condition. We did use the elevator in the Kaui wing and there was a definite persistant funky/BO odor in the corridors (enclosed) on the 4th floor, which, strangely, wasn't noticeable on the first floor. Other reviewers had commented on this also. We didn't go in any of the rooms in the Kaui wing. There is external remodeling going on in Maui wing, with the lanais being taken off and replaced. Had we not been aware of this from Trip Advisor, we wouldn't have been able to request NOT to be in that wing. As it was, there was no noticeable impact to us from their work. In our Lanai wing, which has nonenclosed outside corridor entrances there were no offensive odors. Our partial ocean view was beautiful! The lanai overlooked the immaculate grounds, trees, pool and out to the ocean beyond and had two chairs and table with extra space besides. We could easily see Molokai. There were always lots of loungers available all over the grounds, which people were able to move where ever they liked. The pool was cleaned every morning at about 7 am. so was crystal clear. We could hear some footsteps overhead at times but it wasn't intrusive, nor were there loud neighbors around us. We were able to hear the surf at night only a couple of nights when the trade winds were blowing. (We were there when the VOG from the volcanoes was there and there was NO wind for several days. On those days even Molokai was obscured from view.) The beach itself was great and not crowded. The water color and clarity is incredible. Whales were visible off shore just from the beach. We had the "Welcome breakfast" the first morning we were there and it was informative and helpful. The activities desk persons were very friendly/helpful/available to answer questions. I found that the Maui Revealed book was helpful for finding our way around our side trips. We did the valet parking, but if I return wouldn't probably spend the extra $2 a day for it. Food: the Mixed Plate for breakfast buffet was actually "home-style", quite varied, and filling. The chef traded one-two new hot items into the buffet daily and all else was the same otherwise. I noticed that the local police and ambulance crews there for breakfast several days. No donuts though :). A couple of days we ended up eating a "late" breakfast, getting the early bird special dinner between 5-6 pm at the Whalers Village (The Hula Grill, Lelanis) and then had some fruit and cheese in our room later, and that was plenty. Check your check in folder: there were some coupons we didn't notice till checking out for the spa and restaurants. Food is expensive everywhere on Maui and in Hawaii. The Hula pie at Lelani's is yummy, big and rich enough to split 4 ways. The fish was very good at all of the restaurants we ate at. Old Lahaina Luau was great, get reservations early, before you go to Maui. For me, one luau in my life is plenty,especially at those prices! Also ate at Aloha Mixed Plate, Lahaina, and saw whales just off shore, playing. We got some snacks/beverages at the Safeway and kept in the fridge which helped with keeping expenses down. In the evenings we could sit on the lanai, and hear the music from the nightly program. A couple of nights we went to their free entertainment and hula show which was very nice. Some reviewers comment on the same performers being there the whole time, but we noticed that there were 3 different groups rotating thru it seems, on different nights. The whole place was quiet by about 9:30 pm. Most of the hotels and restaurants all along the boardwalk/resort area at Kaanapali beach have good live music every night from about 4 pm on. The Maui airport has zillions of pounds of paper brochures to choose from. I would recommend picking up some of them for the coupons...we got two for one snorkel gear at the Maui Dive Shop due to the coupons. Lots of buy "X" amount and get something free coupons, tour/admission coupons also. While in Old Lahaina town went to the Old town hall information center by the Banyan Tree Park and got 1/2 off coupons for several cool restaurants (Pacific O, etc). Tip: While shopping, esp in the jewelry stores, if you seem interested in something, but hesitant- the price starts to come down even without haggling, and then the final price was with the "extra 10% local discount" to seal the deal. The snorkeling at Black Rock was wonderful! Fish, coral and turtles close in. It was only 5 min walk down the beach. Locals advised us not to take anything with us as it may disappear while we were in the water. This was especially true if you go to some other bays. Don't leave anything in your rental car either. If you wear glasses consider renting the prescription goggles because it really makes all the difference in being able to enjoy, and is only a couple of dollars more. Whalers Village was just a 5 min walk away and tons of good shopping. Do go into the Whaling Museum-we didn't discover it until the last minute-it's free and was really well done. ABC store had the best price on the Macadamia nuts. I would recommend that you try one or two of the activities offered thru the hotel for a more "Hawaiian" experience and to get a taste of what everyone is going on about feeling like "family" at this hotel. For me, it elevated the experience at KBH from being mediocre to excellent and I only did the cultural garden tour, and a leaf printing class. Do sign up in advance for these offerings and if your plans change let them know so others can fill in the spot. Maui Ocean Center was good side trip. I would advise going in the earlier am, when we were there later in day a lot of tour buses came thru and it got pretty stuffy and crowded. Iao Valley was peaceful and beautiful. We went on a side trip north of Kahala and some of the bays there were incredible and not at all crowded. The lei ceremony at depature was very nice-don't miss it if you stay there. We went from Maui to Waikiki for 3 nights and learned that while Waikiki was not to be missed we are definately more Maui speed and style. For us KBH was a good choice and we'd probably stay there again if we return to Maui. The location can't be beat, it's clean, they're updating some of the hotel now, it's family friendly, couples friendly, the staff is genuinely wanting you to love Hawaii, and compared to the other properties in the area it's priced fairly. Mahalo and Aloha.