Condition of Grand Wailea?
 

A few years ago, we were considering staying at the Grand Wailea. When it first opened in the early 90's, the reviews were wonderful. The reviews a few years ago had changed and depicted it as being run down since being taken over. Who owns the resort now and has it been refurbished? Thanks for your help!

It was great last year!!!
The furniture did not appear to be brand new at that time.
Here is our Trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34456218
:S-
And here is a more recent report from Crazy4Hawaii:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34508307

Stayed there last year and walked through the property earlier this year.

Same as always. HUGE, if you like that kind of place.

Not rundown at all.

I would AVOID the Grand Wailea like the plague. I've never been there, but from my research it sounds like a brat 'n breeder -- I mean family -- haven. You might want to choose the Four Seasons or a cottage in Hana to avoid a holiday ruined by children.

One thing's for sure about these internet travel boards....posters don't mince words!

wow, gwen_anderson...bitter, kid hating person much???

Wow, for someone who has never been there, she has quite the opinion. Sorry but I will take the advice of someone who has actually gone. One thing I will say about this property is that reviews are mixed (as with most of the hotels).

I have booked my reservations for next year and I (and family, "brat" and all) are looking forward to it.

summer04-

We stayed at the Grand Wailea for a week this summer and it is not at all run down. However, when we were there service was seriously lacking; the only way I can describe that aspect is just plain bad.

Maybe since we have three kids, the number of families didn't bother us. The pools are great and made up for what the hotel lacked in service. The kids could care less about service--they just want to have a good time!

Thanks for all of the replies! Actually, I'm a teacher, so the kids don't bother me-only have one of my own and she's 16. I've stayed at large resorts like Atlantis and Disney, so understand the atmosphere. We thought it might be nice to try GW for 4 nights and then a more peaceful one (Fairmont or Four Seasons) for 4 nights. My main concern about GW was paying the $$$ if it was not kept up, but it sounds as if it is.
I also have some points to use at Westin and Marriott. Has anyone stayed at the Maui Westin or Maui Marriott in the timeshares?

Hi, summer04. I have stayed at the Maui Marriott last year in a hotel room, and the place, although popular, is pretty run down and old. It's billed as a 5-star resort, but our group felt it really is about a 3 star. The hotel rooms were pretty similar to a Best Western (which is fine if that's what you're paying for, buy you're paying a lot more for it in Maui!). Some friends own a timeshare room there, and it was just okay. Better than the hotel rooms, sure, but still nothing too impressive. The only good thing I can say about the Maui Marriott is that it has a great pool. We went in Sept 2003 and there was no beach. It had been washed out and there were only sandbags and rocks. I don't know if that's still the case.

My hubby and I toured the brand new Westin Kaanapali Ocean Villas (I think that's the name) which is NOT the same as the Westin hotel, which is near the Marriott. If you have the opportunity to stay at the Westin timeshare villas, GO FOR IT!! They are gorgeous!!! Beautiful grounds, and the rooms -- wow!!

Have a great time!!

summer04 -
It's a beautiful place and you can see exactly where your money is going. One of the engineers told me that the electricity bill is over $70,000. per month. It was not easy for me to spend the money to stay there, but while I was there I did not give it a thought. (I just felt very privileged!) Because of the large grounds and pools, we stayed in the summer during FULL capacity and never felt crowded in at all. Plenty of lounge chairs and times in the meandering pool complex where no one was in our line of sight!

Juanita-Thanks for the tip on the Maui Marriott. I will avoid that. I wondered about the Westin timeshares-sounds good, so will look into them.