Biggy

We are visiting Maui for our Honeymoon in 3 months and we want to stay at the best resort. The 4 seasons is under renovations at that time so we are considering The Grand Wailea Resort and The Kea Lani Resort. Which is the best and which rooms do you recommend?

We would appreciate advice from people who have actually stayed at either resort or both.

annemarie

We have only stayed at the Kea Lani and can reassure you that their suites are of superior quality. All is decorated in white, 2tvs, VCR, minifrig, coffemaker, micro, barsink. The bathroom is absolutely huge with double sinks, massive bathtub and separate toilet. A balcony goes the length of your room with patio furniture, table, chairs, outside. We enjoyed using their Caffe Ciao in the morning for fresh baked muffins, etc., gourmet coffees or at lunch for takeout cold salads and in the evening for wine and pizza(when we did not feel like getting dressed up to go out) I don't think you will be at all disappointed.

Biggy

AnneMarie...which type of room did you stay in? How is the beach?

annemarie

Yes, I was under the impression that all suites were exactly the same, that is what they told us. We had a partial oceanview room, i.e., from our balcony we could see both land and water but not the beach directly in front of the property. The beach...we went in July and, I am not sure if it was called Polo Beach, the yellow flag was up. My son did go boogieboarding a bit but only very close to shore. I am not sure on the conditions during your month, but it does vary according to both the time of year and the position on the island. Not to fear, however, as this whole area of Wailea is connected by a beautiful jpaved walkway ...easy to get to any one of the 5 crescent beaches in a row. Apparently the Elua Beach is supposed to be the most favoured one and that is front of the Renaissance if I am not mistaken. I know it seems like a shame, but we have always preferred the pool area to the beach in Hawaii. I don't know if you have seen pictures of the property, but it is often advertised in the Islands magazine or Honeymoon magazine.

Jon

The Grand Wailea is certainly the most spectacular resort on Maui. The rooms are bigger at the Kea Lani, and it is a much quieter hotel.
Have you considered the Kaanapali (West) side of Maui. My wife and I like that better than Wailea, because it is greener and lusher and has more great restaurants and is close to the great town of Lahaina.

LOTS more info about Maui restaurants, hotels, activities, sights, etc, at this web site:
http://www.mauihawaii.org
(note it ends in org, not com)
Jon

Ruth

Hi Biggy, Haven't stayed at either of the hotels, (we love the Renaissance Wailea), but the best beaches in Wailea, according to Rick Carroll's "Best Beach Vacations Hawaii", are as, Annemarie said, the Ulua, in front of the Renaissance, and Wailea Beach, fronting Grand Wailea & Four Seasons Hotels. I understand that Polo Beach, in front of Kea Lani, is fine for swimming on very calm summer days but can be pretty rowdy other times. We've always enjoyed Ulua when we're there!

You can't go wrong in Wailea, despite what that Jon tells you! (Hey Jon, how are you? Knew I'd find you on this thread!) Seriously, you won't go wrong on Maui - it's all wonderful! Have a great trip!

Aloha, Ruth

Bob

Biggy, either one will be just fine, so don't worry about it. However, if you want to see the biggest, most luxurious resort you've ever seen, then choose the Grand Wailea. Their standard rooms are 600 sq. ft., perhaps even a bit larger, which would make them even larger than ANY standard room in Hawaii! I don't think the Kea Lani's are too much larger than that except that it might appear that way because the room is SPLIT into two sections, with a separate living area and sleeping area. As for beaches, my personal favorite is actually in front of the Maui Prince Hotel, just about a mile or two down the road!

David

Without a doubt the Grand Wailea is the grandest of all. When we first walked into the hotel we were awe struck. I have never seen a larger or more fantastic hotel (including hotels in Bermuda, Grand Cayman, Cancun, Cozumel, London, or Paris). Take a look at www.grandwailea.com. There is also a web site where you can actually look at most of the hotels (rooms, lobby, and grounds) of Hawaii in a 3D surround video- I thinks its at www.2hawaii.com (you'll have to download a plug-in but its worth it.) The hotel also has a dance club called Tsunami, and some of the best beaches in Hawaii are nearby at Makena. You'll have to drive to Kaannapali for some decent shopping though.