Troop

Had a wonderful time. I'll answer any questions about the resort or the surrounding properties.

Ashley24

We will be visiting the 4S over the holidays and would be interested to know your opinion on a few matters.
Did you find a lot of the cell phone crowd around the pool?
Is there a decent size table in the room (not a suite) for a table top Christmas tree?
How was the breakfast buffet?
Is there good snorkeling on Wailea Beach?
Did you go biking there? Do they still provide free bike rental?
What category room did you have? Could you hear the ocean from your room?
What was the best part about your stay?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the resort?
Thanks!

Alohamom

I am curious about the walk to the Shops at Wailea, is it along the road or the beachwalk or perhaps it's own seperate route? How long does it really take? One poster mentioned that one of the resort pools is around or below a restaraunt and that poster mentioned how uncomfortable they felt swimming in the evening during the dinner hours with people watching. Did you notice this? My kids love to swim before bed and I would not want to have to worry about that kind of thing. Thanks in advance, Aloha

Troop

I'll try and answer both of you with one response. To start off with, I'll rate the Four Seasons a 10. We stayed there for a week after Oahu and Kauai. I'm glad we saved the best for last.
1) There are many people around the pool area with cell phones. I noticed it more because so many people on this board complained about it. However, it never became an annoyance. There is a section of small cabanas between the beach and the pool that are little more secluded (that's where we always sat).
2) There were two tables in my room, a small rectangle coffee and a round one with two chairs. You could put a small tree up. I'd even venture to say the 4S staff would do it for you.
3)Breakfast was good, but also expensive at 25.99 for the full buffet.
4)Snorkeling was great on the beach. The first hour is free with their gear than it's $5/hr after each day. Their gear is mediocre so my suggestion is to go down to Maui Dive Shop in the Shops at Wailea and rent for the day ($8) or the week ($30). MDS equip. was excellent. When you enter the water, go to the left towards the rocks. We saw many tropical fish, lobster, eels and even turtles along with all the coral. A few dolphins came by at the end of the week.
5) Never biked so I don't know.
6) We had a partial ocean view and could not hear the water. I think the only rooms that may are oceanfront prime but not sure.
7) The best part of my stay? The service. Hands down, it was perfect.
8)To get to the Shops at Wailea, you can walk along the sidewalk on the road. Maybe a 10-15 walk.
9) As for the pool situation. I rarely, if ever saw people swimming after 6:00 PM. The pools are positioned between the three restaurants. People are also watching you swimming during breakfast and lunch too. No big deal, just less people at the pool after nightfall.
The resort was worth every last penny spent for the room. Our food and spa bill was over 1200 before the end of the week (not including the room rate). We ate everywhere at the resort and she spent time at the salon and spa. Spago is a bit overrated in my book and I found Nick's Fishmarket at the Kea Lani a better choice. The Pacific Grill at the 4S has a decent seafood buffet on Friday nights for $47. You get to choose one prepared entree which they prepare why you stuff yourself on crab claws, shrimp, tuna, etc. Buffets were never that big with me, but it was very good. Wine list was a bit high, but what isn't in Maui.
I checked out the Grand Wailea and the Kea Lani too.
I did A LOT of research before I booked this hotel and was very close to booking the Kea Lani (also a great property). I am so happy I decided to stay here and look forward to returning.

Ashley24

Thanks for your reply! We have a partial ocean view room too. Were you facing the other side of the resort (inside of the "U" shape)? How well could you see the ocean? Is there room for four people to sit on the lanai? Is there room to eat out there?
We have already arranged for the 4S to get us a 3 foot lighted tree but I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't have to be on the only table in the room. I'm sure it will look great on the coffee table!
How big is the slide in the pool? It only appears to be about 3 feet high. Is that about right? My five year old is excited about it...she's not a big fan of the faster slides!
Did you happen to notice if there is a reduced rate at the buffet (bfast) for children? I am hoping that we can eat enough at the bfast buffet to skip lunch...what do you think?
Thanks again for your info!
By the way, where did you stay before the 4S? We are staying at the Princeville (2 nights) and Hyatt Kauai (3 nights) after the 4S and was hoping that those two resorts would not be much of a let down after the great service at the 4S. I am sure my kids will not be complaining at the Hyatt with the great pools!

Troop

Our room was on the outside of the U. In other words, the croquet area and putting green were between our room and the water. We could see the ocean without a problem. I found that the rooms on the fourth (4) floor had the largest lanais. The fourth floor lanais extend out into the grass and there were 2 lounge chairs and 2 other large chairs. There is room enough to eat out there and the 4S asks if you want them to set up room service on the lanai.
The slide is very small. It extends from one of the pools to the next and your 5 y.o. will love it. It's all about 5 ft long if that.
The buffet is large enough to eat and make it until dinner. However, if the kids are in the water and running around, you may consider lunch. I did not notice if there was a children's buffet price. Another thing you may want to consider is where you are traveling from. If you're on the east coast, you may be waking up earlier than you think (like we did).
Before we went to Maui we stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Oahu and the Hyatt in Poipu, Kauai. Your kids will absolutely love the pools at the Hyatt. I'm 30 and couldn't get enough of them. Just keep in mind that this is not the 4S by any stretch of the means. You have to wear a wrist band for certain areas in the pool and they made sure that you signed for your towels. The Hyatt also nickel and dimes you for everything. We paid $6/day to park the car at the resort while the 4S valet's it for free. I guess you get what you pay for.
I don't know when you will be at the Princeville, but we went to the seafood buffet on Friday night after reading about it on this board. Much nicer hotel for the adults and great seafood.
Many areas to snorkle in the Poipu Beach area. The helicopter tour was the highlight of the trip.

Ashley24

Hope this isn't a stupid question, but do you tip the people who spritz you or set up your chair? If so, how much? Thanks!

travleis

No tipping at that time (most people don't even have cash with them out at the pool).
Although you are welcome to offer a collective tip at the end of your stay.
Always appreciated by the staff.

Troop

Everyone that I saw tipped the attendant at the pool when they set up the chairs. However, when the Evian spritz and water comes around, the previous statement is correct. Not too many people have cash at that time.

gyppielou

yes, tip early morning towel setup

travlnut

I too, just came back from a 5 night stay at the 4S, and I agree it was top notch, especially compared to the two resorts on either side of it, that is, the Grand Wailea(ugh!) and the Fairmont Kea Lani, which looked like something out of Aladdin. As far as the pools are concerned, they have a sign that the pools close at sunset, and no one was swimming after hours when we were there. When we ate at Nick's Fishmarket, which is at the Kea Lani, I noticed families swimming in the Kea Lani pools after dark. I like the Wailea side of Maui better than the Kaanapali side- the beaches are much nicer, and we really loved the town of Kihei- terrific beaches, and fun, less expensive places to eat. Another word on the 4S- one restaurant not mentioned is Ferraro's, which was by far our favorite- it is informal during the day, but at night, sooo beautiful and romantic, with delicious Tuscan cuisine, and an incredible staff, that knew a lot about the great Tuscan wines they served.