EDD

What about the Four Seasons Resort?

andrea

The Four Seasons is beautiful! We were in Maui over Christmas. We were told that where the Four Seasons is receives much more rain than where we stayed. We were at the Maui Marriott.It was wonderful in every way! I would recommend that you contact Kay Ryan with Maui Vacation Consultants. She can give you lots of info (email: [email protected])

L. Montgomery

Sorry to disagree with the previous "post" but the Four Season's is in beautiful Wailea, the area of the Island which has the MOST sun and is the driest.
We have stayed at the Four Season's and consider it to be absolutely lovely. Their beach is considered to be the finest on the Island, and Wailea is considerably less crowded and conjested than Kapalua.
The only drawback to the Four Season's (and I believe it is the same at most of the Hawaii resorts) is the fact that 1st timers are way in the back of the Hotel, still beautiful, but a long walk to pool, restaurant, etc. You must either pay the price for Ocean Front or expect this.
We have stayed in one of their Executive Suites and would recommend doing so to anyone who wants to splurge, purely ultra-deluxe!

Neal Sanders

I just returned yesterday from eight days in Maui, so my information is reasonably current. If what you want is sun and a great beach then, by all means, go to the Sheraton Maui, Four Seasons, or the new Ritz Carlton. You can also save yourself a five hour plane trip and go to San Diego or Santa Barbara instead, because there's nothing the least bit Hawaiian about these places; the staff is imported from the mainland, ditto the cuisine. Also, except for the self-contained high-end resorts, you're surrounded by a depressing array of McDonalds, Pizza Huts, and Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets. There is, however, one resort to which I can give my highest recommendation: the Hotel Hana-Maui. Hana lies at the other end of that twisting road from Kahului and is one of the most beautiful spots on the face of the earth. The village of Hana (population 300 or so) is populated by Hawaiians who, in turn, provide the staff for the hotel. The Hana-Maui has 97 rooms on 30 lush acres, all of them single-story bungalows and suites. By the second day, the staff greets you by name and your server at breakfast knows you want Earl Grey rather than coffee. There are no high rises or condos to block your view of the ocean. Hamoa Beach is the idyllic, crescent beach of white sand you always dreamed about. There is formal Hawaiian entertainment three nights a week in addition to the nightly entertainment in the bar; a weekly beach dinner cookout with yet more entertainment. You want to see the "real" Maui? You'll find it in Hana.

Mike

I have to disagree with one of the posts here. Wailea/Kihei are absolutely, no doubt, more congested than Kapalua. Kihei is like being at most mid-size ocean towns on the mainland. Most of the same restaurants (Denny's, McDonald's, etc.) They do have some nice though (KKO is one my wife and I enjoyed). It may have the same congestion as Kaanapali, but Kapalua seems much quiter.

andrea

L. Montgomery, thankyou. I stand corrected. I was thinking of the Ritz (not the Four Seasons)

Andrea

Katherine

I have to agree with Neil. Many parts of Maui are just like Santa Monica. I am surprised no one ever mentions Napili Kai (just south of the Ritz). It is also a very Hawaiian resort with staff who have been there for decades. The beach it is on has one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. Even more importantly, it is a secluded cove that is only shared by one additional condo complex so the crowds are non-existent. The hotel has huge rooms with beautiful, Hawaiian art. The restaurant has a breathtaking view. We are planning on going back in May for the second time. This will be our 5th trip to Maui and having been at the Hyatt (highrise!), Ritz (cookie cutter to all other Ritz' AND situated on a burial ground!), a Kihei condo, and Napili Kai, I would not consider staying anywhere else (except maybe the Hana-Maui).

Tifany

I read your e-mail (kind of old by now) about Hana. Would you recommend staying an entire 5 days there. We are planning our honeymoon and I am a bit worried that we will be "trapped" there do to the long drive to "civilization". Any comments would be greatly appreciated.