Last weekend we took our niece (who is 10) and our nephew (who is 13) on a trip to Sandusky, Ohio. We call little get aways with the kids “adventures” and usually start off by asking them if they want to go on an adventure before we tell them where we are going.
They were up for the trip, so we packed up the car and headed out for our first destination, Maui Sands Resort & Indoor Waterpark. This wonderful Hawaiian themed facility is a one-stop spot for any family! The indoor waterpark features fun (big) water slides, several pools, a hot tub, and a lazy river. The large hotel has ample room for wandering and it features a full bar, a restaurant, a game room and complimentary breakfast with waterpark package.
One of the most memorable parts of our trip is when the kids walked into the front door of the hotel upon checking in. We heard a heartfelt “wow, this place is aweeeesome” from our niece! The decor of Maui Sands is top notch and you really feel like you are in a tropical paradise as soon as you step foot inside. The staff is very friendly and was always available if we had a question or needed assistance. When we checked in we received our armbands that allow access into the indoor waterpark. Without an armband you are not allowed inside, which is a great safety measure for the guests.
We quickly went to our room, which was very spacious and comfortable. The decor blends from the main areas of the hotel into the hallways and the guest rooms. Our niece was delighted at how even the ice bucket looked like a coconut! If you are traveling with a larger family be sure and ask about their Hana Suite which accommodates 6 people. We’ve stayed in that room before and it was ideal for a larger group. Since there was only 4 of us we stayed in a Queen Lily Room.
We changed and headed down to the waterpark. Wow! More ooohs and aaaah from the kids as they stood and took in the enormity of the place. You can read more about the waterpark features.
The lazy river is called the Kai River, and it is a leisurely winding river that is a perfect spot for relaxing away your stress while the kids play. The waterpark is well staffed with personnel placed at each feature as well as along the lazy river route. We felt very safe and looked after while enjoying the rides, and felt comfortable with the children wandering in the park as we relaxed in the lazy river or sat at one of the many table & chair sets. The staff is friendly and engaging with the guests which is fun. There is a strict code of behavior in the waterpark and the staff will correct those that are not adhering to the rules. We liked that too!
The huge bowl slide, called the Maui Wowie Bowl Slide was our niece’s favorite. Can you see why? It’s massive!
Our nephew preferred the windy tube slides.
We would strongly recommend this resort to anyone, especially those with children. We were blessed with amazing weather while we were traveling but in the event of a rainy or cold day, having this place to spend the day in would be wonderful. Even if you are traveling with smaller kids, Maui Sands is a perfect spot. There are several areas geared towards younger kids including the MakaMaka Treehouse with smaller scale slides, water drips and drops to dodge and a huge bucket that dumps water periodically.
We were in the indoor waterpark for a long time because there was so much to do. Afterwards we retreated to our room and ate dinner. If you want to eat right at the resort you can enjoy the Volcano Grill which is super convenient! The food is good and there is a decent selection of choices at fair prices. If you would rather eat out you will have a lot of choices nearby, some within walking distance from the resort. The location is ideal.
If you are in Sandusky and plan to hit Cedar Point, the park is only about 10 minutes away from Maui Sands. It’s a simple, well marked route without a lot of congested traffic.
All in all, our trip to Maui Sands Resort was perfect! We all enjoyed it and created memories that will last a lifetime. We give this one our seal of approval! You can find out more about Maui Sands and request to be notified of special offers. There is also a Maui Sands Resort Facebook page.
**We were given complimentary one night’s accommodations and entrance into the waterpark in exchange for our honest review.
