bawc

We have opportunities to rent direct from owner at either Polo Beach Club or Makena Surf. Which would be best with an active 4 y.o. boy? The PBC is a ground floor unit, which could give lots of running room--could be a good or a bad thing! The Makena Surf is in the F, G or C building, depending on which unit we take. Prices are pretty close. We will be in Maui for 12 days, early to mid- August.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Barbara

iamq

I am not familiar with Polo Beach, but I can tell you that there were lots of families with small children at Makena Surf when we visited there in February. It seemed very popular with families. It is a great complex on a wonderful beach. Unit F would be my choice.

bawc

thank you for your reply. Is it inconvenient to drive everywhere from Makena Surf, as oppposed to walking along the boardwalk or to the Wailea shops from Polo Beach? Not that we would do much shopping with a child in tow, but we might go out to dinner occasionaly in the area, and could do so on foot with a stroller, if need be.
Barbara

iamq

It is not inconvenient to drive to Wailea from the Makena Surf. It is about 5 minutes tops. If you want to walk to the hotels, shops and restaurants in Wailea, I would stay at the Polo Beach club.

bawc

Thanks again for your reply. I was mistaken about the location of the Makena Surf condo, it is on the second floor of building B, also, it will cost almost $100 more a night. Still worth it, in your opinion? In the grand scheme of things, we are spending so much money anyway...

iamq

Building B is built just off the beach and is in a great location.

$100 x 12 = $1200 = a fair chunk of change. Go with the one that feels right.

TTess

Building B is on the beach but that building is dark compared to building C. If you're on the second floor of building C, you can have a light and airy condo that is larger than building B. The floor plans are much better in C. We much prefer C over B for those reasons. Polo Beach Club is better for strolling the beachwalk but you have to share the BBQs with everybody else.

bawc

Thanks once again. I am so confused between these two condos, and I want to my family to be happy on vacation (my husband can be quite particular!). Destination resorts is offering me a choice at MS of buildings C or G--but I won't get to pick the specific unit, and I have heard it can be pot luck on whether they are renovated. They are offering two free nights, however, making the price comparable with Polo Club. Anyone have experience dealing with any other rental companies in Wailea? There seem to be quite a few other smaller ones.
Barbara

TTess

Bawc - you're dealing with a company that we've dealt with for over a decade. Just to throw another little cog in this for you, you can choose your unit at Wailea Elua. Makena Surf isn't doing that yet but may some day. I'd like to suggest a specific and wonderful unit to you but hate to do it because I really don't want it booked since its our favorite and more people than you will be reading this post. Sorry! If you want to post your e-mail address, I can write to you. If you stay in building C, tell them that you want to be upstairs and closest to the beach. This building is at an angle. Tell them to not place you on the end that is closest to the street. If I remember correctly, building C is less than B. C is newer, bigger and sunnier. These condos sell for $3 mill. You're not going to go wrong.

To weigh the difference between the two properties, if you've never stayed in the Wailea/Makena area before, I'd suggest you stay at Wailea Elua or Polo Beach because walking the beach walk is fabulous day or night. The Makena experience is for those of us who've been to the islands forever and want peace with a fabulous place to stay. You can't walk to any of the Wailea properties from Makena Surf. Your son will enjoy the pools at Wailea Elua better. The big pool at Elua is a stone's throw from the beach. The grounds are lovely - he can run all around and burn off that little boy energy. Get a unit as close to the water as you can. Hubby will be happy and so will you and your son. Also, you can grill on your own lanai at Elua, Polo Club doesn't allow them. You have to grill on their BBQs on the grounds. That's a big deal for me. I have to grill that opakapaka, you know? Aloha!

bawc

Thanks TTess. my email is [email protected]. I would love the unit you prefer at Elua or MS, because as it turns out, the one I was considering at Elua is not available the whole time we needed it. On the other hand, there is a unit Ekahi, 11F, which is available. Polo Beach is still a consideration, only because my husband said he could walk to the grill and back, particularly with the ground floor unit. If my son cannot escape around the front, it may give me the opportunity to sit while he runs himself into the ground!

I have been to Maui several times before, but did not stay in the Wailea area (I was in Kapalua last time, before I had a child). My husband has never been to Hawaii.
Barbara