martas

Message: Can anyone comment on the Orchid vs. the Mauna Lani? Also, on Maui, what about the Kea Lani vs. the Four Seasons? Thanks in advance.

nyc

Martas:

Haven't been to the places on the Big Island you name. I have stayed at both the FS and Kea Lani on Maui.

Both are first rate. To summarize briefly:

Kea Lani:

All suites, more space
Bigger pools
Adult only pool (big plus)
Larger grounds
Less expensive (check luxurylink website, they have a discount package there)

Four Seasons:

Better service
Better food
Free pool cabannas (KL charges extra)
Faces better beach (Wailea)

martas

Thanks, nyc. Very clear description of differences! Follow-ups:

Even tho the cabanas at FS are free, is the pool too crowded to get one?

I thought that FS and KL were next door to each other so I'm curious about why the FS has a better beach.

I've heard the food at Nick's (KL) is some of the best on Maui. Any thoughts? What's good at the FS?

Thanks again!

nyc

Martas:

Because the pool cabannas at the FS are free, they are allocated on a first-come basis, so you need to get down in the morning (usually before breakfast) to reserve one.
The FS and the Kea Lani are not exactly next to each other. There is a condo complex in between, so the Kea Lani is overlooking a smaller beach (Polo beach). The Grand Wailea is right next door and shares Wailea beach.

I've been to Nick's Fish Market and thought it good but not exceptional. The formal restaurant at the FS is Spago (of LA fame) and it is also good, but somewhat more innovative. The casual dining at the FS is better than the KL.

martas

Thanks again, nyc. Any others have info. on the Big Island?

myname

I have never been to the BI, but the Orchid has changed hands quite a few times. From Ritz to Starwood to Fairmont. Although I have never heard a bad word about the Mauna Lani, I have heard complaints about the Orchid.

martas

Myname: Do you recall what complaints you heard about the Orchid? Thanks.

DavidDJ

I have been to the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows back in June, 2000 for a conference. It is definitely a 5 star property with excellent service and large rooms with balconies. They have a good restaurant, however it is expensive. I remember that a waffle with berries on top was $9.00, Ouch!! They have an excellent beach setting. If you like a quiet and relaxing resort, this is the place. I also would look into the Hilton Waikoloa Village http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/

While I did not stay there, I did check it out when I was on the Big Island and felt that it had a little more in the way of places to eat, shops, etc. than the Mauna Lani, however it did seem to have more people there, so not quite the feeling of isolation from the outside world that you get at Mauna Lani. I guess the best comparison between the two properties is that Mauna Lani seemed more "old money" (a more mature crowd average age 40-50) while the Hilton Waikaloa Village seemed to be more "new money" (younger professionals and families, the dot com crowd before the technology bust)

I have no information on the Orchid, sorry that I can't be of help there.

The advantage with either place is that you are relatively close to Kona if you are looking for some nightlife and more reasonably priced restaurants. The one thing about Mauna Lani I did not like is that after 7:00PM it was rather quiet. I was thankful that I had rented a car so that I could go to Kona.

myname

Regarding complaints about the Orchid. Those who have been there said that the rooms were getting a little old, service has its high and lows, and most of the rooms are set back from the ocean ( therefore, few rooms have an oceanview).

RuthMc

We stayed at the Mauna Lani in January and loved it. The beach cabanas are free and plentiful. The beach while not huge was certainly big enough for me. Service was excellent. We got the Mauni Lani experience package which included the full buffet breakfast every morning and was excellent. I guess it depends upon what type of experience you want--it's definitely not the swinging, happening type of resort but quiet and beautiful.