dolciani

Okay, I've got Marriott points to use up for 6 days in Maui. It's between an Ocean View at the Marriott Maui (which has construction going on), the Renaissance Wailea (Makapu beach club) which I'm hearing is not worth the extra money, and the Outrigger (next door to the Renaissance) at Wailea. We plan to snorkel, golf, and sightsee. I'm leaning toward the Outrigger for the entire 6 days so that we don't have to spend a day moving from one hotel to another. Has anyone stayed at the Outrigger (I've currently holding a Deluxe Ocean Front (points plus $90 extra per night). The Makaput is points plus $120 per night. The Marriott Maui is points +$30 per night for an Ocean View. What do you think?

LoisL

I stayed at the Marriott with an ocean view room. The view was beautiful,with Lanai off in distance. I think it depends on what you are looking for in your stay, and who is going. We are in our fifties, and were looking for a more laid back, native Hawaiin feel than we got at Kaanapali. When we checked out the Renaissance, we knew that was where we'd go back to, if we return. From what I've read on this site, the Outrigger is possibly even better. It wasn't a Marriott when we were there last year.

If there are kids involved, the Kaanapali area is great, since it's easy to explore by foot, and has more to entertain teens. The pool there is great, and has a wonderful section for younger kids. However, the beach directly in front is not especially good, with rocks/lava in it fairly close to shore. We were advised by the hotel to go down a bit to the right, in front of the next hotel! There is a walk along the water, connecting all the hotels, including also Whaler's Village, with good restaurants, some shops, and a store where you can get some stuff for the refrigerator in your room. Now, this walkway along the water is both a plus and a major minus, with so many people strolling along, it is like Grand Central Station, so to speak. And, there were many of those people taking over the pool area making it way too crowded. At least, that was my experience. We were there last June.

hockey58

Hi, My wife and also used Marriott points to stay on Maui. We stayed at the Rennessaince and paid the upgrade cost for the Mokapu wing.... It was worth it to us. We wanted a quieter hotel than the Maui Marriott. There is a seperate attendant just for the Mokapu wing and he was very helpful getting anything we wanted. There is also a small pool just for this wing. It is a 2 story building facing directly west right on the beach. We could watch beautiful sunsets and walk right to the water for swimming and great snorkeling. We stayed on the first floor and had a wonderful time. Definitely stay in one place. It is not worth time checking in/out. Hve a great time....
Joe

Gale

I've stayed at all three and much prefer the Outrigger. I just like the atmosphere there and the quiet of Wailea.

vivi

I really like the Outrigger/Marriott Wailea. The deluxe oceanfront rooms are great. The grounds are expansive with rolling green lawns. Beautiful open air lobby, very tropical feel to it.

dolciani

My husband and I are going alone (we both 50) like to snorkel, play golf, and sightsee. We aren't interested in night life activites other than good restaurants/dining. I'm leaning toward the Marriott Outrigger - is their beach as nice as the other two choices? I went on wizardpub.com and it didn't seem to have as much of a "sand beach" as the Renaissance.

LoisL

Whatever beach it has, it must be better than what is directly in front of the Marriott Kaanapali. There are good restaurants in town, just minutes away from either resort in Wailea.

Elainee

Was the Marriott Outrigger once an Intercontinental?? We had stayed at the Intercontinental three times and loved it. Not as upscale as FS or some others, but nice size rooms, great balconies, good beach. Nice feeling hotel and closer to shore than the other hotels.

Suzie

I looked through your post to see when you were expecting to go but couldn't tell so I'll just tell you what I noticed on our stay there in Nov a week before the Thanksgiving vacation. The Maui Marriott Ocean Club in Kaanaplai is a nice place but it is a timeshare with construction going on in the wing that is currently the hotel section. Because it is a timeshare it is much more crowded during the off season than any other hotel. We noticed very low occupancy at all the hotels along the Kaanapali walk except at the Marriott. Lots of families with children. Lots of yelling at the pool between kids and between kids and parents. This actually got annoying after awhile. Thought we had a nice room with a nice view but could see that some rooms did not. The hotel and pool staff were good and teh restaurant Va Bene is terrific. Location is good if you like Kaanapali and Lahaina which we do. Visited Wailea for a day and thought it was very upscale and residential. The beach next to the Renaissance is fantastic.

vivi

Yes--the Outrigger/Marriott used to be the Intercontinental.

dolciani

we'll be there the last week of July (23-29) for 6 days and we prefer to avoid the crowds (if possible). I've heard that the Renaissance beach is great for snorkeling, but I've not heard any info about the beach at the Outrigger.

Gale

The reason you haven't heard much about the beach at the Outrigger is because there is no beach. The coast in front of the Outrigger consists of large rocks and the water is not accessible fom the shore. Despite that...I think you'll find the Outrigger has a warmer, more tropical feel to it than the Renaissance. All beaches in Hawaii are open to the public so you can just take a short walk over to the beach at either of the hotels on either side.

Elainee

It is a very short walk from the Outrigger to the next beach, about 2 minutes. I never thought of it as not being part of the hotel. I personally would not pay the extra money for the Deluxe Ocean Front room. A side room (not one facing the road away from the hotel and beach) was fine for us, but full ocean is nice if you don't mind the money. Our last trip we stayed at the Four Seasons, very nice, but next trip we will be back to the Outrigger.

nancyl

We are going to Maui in June and using Marriott points....sounds like Outrigger is the favorite....When asked for room location preference...WHERE would you recommend?? Ground floor, which floor and location. We are going to upgrade to an oceanfront.

vivi

I like the lowrise buildings but not the ground floor. It's nice to be able to sleep with the sliders open but I don't think I would do so on the ground floor that opens right up to the public pathway.

We have also stayed in a deluxe oceanfront on the top floor (9th?) of the tall building, we had a magnificent view there. You might want to ask for a room that looks out over the luau but some of these are a tad far from the ocean.

We are going to be at the Outrigger Marriott Wailea starting tomorrow and I don't really care what building we are in as long as I can see the ocean!

One of my favorite things about this hotel is the humongous banyan tree at the entrance. You will not believe your ears at sunrise and sunset when the birds start chirping!

nancyl

Elainee.....now that you have been to the Marriott Wailea...I assume you are back. How was it?? Do you still recommend this hotel to the Renaissance??

haydencat

My husband and I are also planning a 7-day stay in Maui with Marriott points in October. How do the rooms at each of these hotels compare, in terms of quality of furnishings, space and bathrooms? Also, any advice on whether it would be worth it to sacrifice time in Maui for a few days at the J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina in Oahu?