CHRISTIE STILSON
1 Had the 8th edition, and bought the 9th !
I reviewed the 8th edition of this book in an earlier review. Now that we are planning a second trip, I shelled out the pukas to buy the 9th version! I was so impressed by the authors' accuracy I knew in advance that I would not be disappointed.
If you are a returning visitor to the islands, spend the money and get the new version. A lot has changed over the years, so why risk missing something important? Compare the price of the book to the price of your trip, and you'll see that it's one of the best investments you'll make. And there are a lot of uses for the book, too! We made notes in our book during our trip. Re-reading the book later brings back memories, almost like a scrap book.
Don't listen to anyone else that slams this book. Heck, maybe they work for the competition!
;) Steve
2 the best of the maui guidebooks
accurate and extensive information. right on the money! felt it was WELL worth the space and weight in the suitcase.
3 Not the best ....
We have recently returned from a week in Maui and a week in Kauai. This was our Maui guidebook, and although it did lead us to the perfectly beautiful Kapalua Bay, it was not worth the volume and weight it added to my luggage. Another guidebook, "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook", Doughty/Friedman was smaller and lighter, yet packed with valuable information. I'm stll searching for the ultimate Maui guidebook. Next time, I'll leave this book on the shelf.
4 Honest and accurate, which is more than you can say for some
I bought six different guides before our first trip to Maui. After our trip, I compared what they all had to say about the numerous activities we had crammed into seven days. I felt that this one was by far the most accurate and honest. The authors aren't afraid to let you know that something may not live up to your expectations. I loaned my copy to a couple of friends, and they found it equally useful. Some of the big-name guides were surprisingly out of date and inaccurate. Anyway, you can trust this one.
5 We took 3 tour books with us, and this was the best of them!
We just returned from Maui, and took 3 books with us. Fodor's, Frommer's, and this one. By far, this book was the best of them. Having all three while on the island was the best way to compare the books. Driving to various locations or eating in various locales while reading the same section in all 3 books is about the best way a fellow tourist can evaluate them.
The content, accuracy of information, and organization of this books makes it the winner in our opinion.
6 One of the best guidebooks I've used
This book is superb and it's not just for families. We visited Maui as a couple and found the book to be extremely helpful and very accurate. The prices for restaurants and accommodation were often exactly what the book quoted. And the descriptions of the accommodations, restaurants, activities, and scenic drives were extremely detailed and accurate.
7 Complete and critical; extremely useful for anyone
The authors have opinions, often articulate, that give you a valuable heads-up in choosing from the dozens of alternatives for any Maui activity. Unlike so many guide books which simply list alternatives, this guide gives has the kinds of information that will enable you to choose and plan the activities for your valuable vacation. Reviews of tour operators, cruises, and beaches, with good driving directions, are terrific.
