kimak

We're going to Maui in May for our honeymoon. I'd love to scale down on the planned activities, but there are so many things we really want to do. How does this itinerary sound?

Mon-Arrive at Four Seasons and explore!
Tues-Sunrise and bike down Haleakala
Wed-Ferry to Lanai and golf at Challenge at Manele
Thurs-Relax
Fri-Snorkeling at Molokini
Sat-Road to Hana
Sun-Relax and fly home (plane leaves at midnight)

Also-we'd like to eat at the following restaurants:

-Sarento's on the Beach
-Pacific'O
-Roy's
-Mama's Fish House
-Nick's Fishmarket

And we'll do something like Hula Grill or Cheeseburger in Paradise on our more casual nights.

How's that sound?

hmmm

Several minor points. Sarento's and Nick's are under common ownership and management. Might try something a little different, e.g. Lobster Cove in Wailea, or Spago's at your doorstep.
Do Molokini only to say you've been out there. The snorkeling is not that good, though it's not bad. Better snorkeling from shore around your hotel, starting north at Keawakapu (Sarento's) running beyond Makena. Or, you might try snorkel trip to Lana'i. Great water
life. Great clear, smooth water.
I would not do the trip to Hana my next to last day: it can and should wear you out if done properly. It's a long excursion. Do the full circle. Some of the best views are west of the Oheo Pools.
Never got Cheeseburger in Paradise. Been there several times over the years (kids). Best features: view, t-shirts. Ordinary fare. But, if you're touring Lahaina, and you should, it's acceptable. It's just not a destination restaurant, especially if you're traveling from Wailea. There's a sister in the Shops at Wailea. Roy's original location (Kahana) is a long drive-and, it's in a shopping center around Kapalua. There are top-tier restaurants with a better view in that area, such as Pacific'O, Sea House or Bay Club. And, there's a Roy's in Kihei, next door to Wailea, if the food moves you. Finally, Mama's and Sarento's are best around sunset. Reserve far in advance. Though both purport to take reservations on-line, I had better results calling. For a real Hawaiian experience, visit www.oldlahainaluau.com. Well worth the trip and expense.

shelbyl1

You must do the Old Lahaina Luau! We just returned from our honeymoon- we spent five night in Maui and it should have been longer! I wish we had just relaxed more and enjoyed the ocean and our resort. I honestly would have skipped the road to Hana now that I look back on it. It took so long to get there, do the drive and return to the resort. I felt like we could have spent a couple hours on the road and enjoyed it just as much. Maybe consider doing it for half of your last day?!

kimak

Great feedback! Thanks!

kindra178

Do not miss Sarento's under any circumstances. It's excellent.

gyppielou

Skip Molokini, and explore on island options in West Maui

sfmvca

Just a couple of comments. It seems you will be doing a good bit of driving from one place to the next. That may not be the best way to spend your time and you may find it easier to hang out in a smaller geographical area. As another poster noted, for example, some of the restaurants on your list are way up beyond Lahaina. And to get to the road to Hana you first have to drive to the other side of the island from Wailea. For novice snorkelers, Molokini is great, but just south of the Four Seasons is some terrific snorkeling, with lots of sea turtles close to shore. Molokini tends to be crowded with lots of snorkeling boats and swimmers, and reportedly the excess sun tan lotion washed from many backs has been rough on the coral.

amelie

I have a question about reservations at those restaurants... "reserve far in advance". How far exactly, two weeks, a month, more???

Thanks

Amelie

dreamathers

I second the idea to include snorkeling at the various beaches on the South Side of Maui. My husband and I spent an entire day using Maui Revealed and driving from beach to beach- starting at the Maui Prince and heading south. The beaches are only 5 minutes apart but they are all very different. THis was one of our favorite days on Maui.

hmmm

Amelie: We were on Maui at a busy time-Thanksgiving week. We made sunset dinner reservations with both restaurants 2+ months in advance. Both are fairly small; tables for 5 available at sunset are finite. There was no charge to reserve. Believe neither required a credit card for the privilege. Keep in mind you can always cancel if your plans change (or come together). No good reason not to reserve if you really want to dine at a particular restaurant on a particular date at a particular time. As an aside, we reserved Old Lahaina Luau 6 months in advance and were half way down the list: seating priority is assigned according to reservation time.

amelie

Thanks hmmm... I guess my thing is that I worry they will lose our reservation by reserving so far in advance, or they will laugh at me if I call 5 months ahead of time (that's when we will be there).

We did reserve the Old Lahaina Luau one year early and got front seating (on the ground)- thanks to the advice on here

Amelie

hmmm

Amelie:
Wouldn't worry about them laughing: they work for you, and graciously realize they are in the hospitality industry. Further, you'll never see them again anyway. Mama's gives you a reservation number when you make your reservation (Don't recall about Sarento's. Do recall being miffed with both-they each have an e-mail reservation address, though neither responded to multiple requests when I used e-mail). If you're worried, call a couple weeks before you arrive to reconfirm.

AES

We also HM'd in Maui and stayed at the 4S. As the others said, we decided to skip Molokini and did a sea kayak tour with Maui EcoTours. A highlight of our trip - 2 "regular" snorkel stops and stops with spinner dolphins & sea turtles. It leaves about 10 min. south of the Four Seasons and was about the same price as the Molokini tours.

If you don't believe us now, turn on the visitors' channel when you arrive at the hotel like we did and you'll skip Molokini when you see how many people are there!

Also, definitely move the Road to Hana up. It's long, but worth doing and i think you'd want the downtime afterward. Maybe put that on Wed. & do the Lanai trip on Sat.