Is the FS Maui truly overrun with kids at this time of year. I saw this statement in the rants and raves section and was wondering what others have experienced during the summer. I am going to the FS with my husband and we are looking for some peace and relaxation. I am a little worried that we will not have that. Will there be any resorts that are light on children during the summer months?

Your advice is most appreciated

Is there an echo in here?
It seems like I've read this same question every week for the past 2 months.....

No resorts will be light on children during the summer months. The four seasons is a zoo, second only to the grand wailea. I visit Hawaii 2x per year, stayed at mostly every 5 star property on all the islands. Have gone during the summer 2x and regretted spending hard earned money to listen to kids wailing the entire time - these were family get togethers when I went-never again. Believe me when I tell you NOT to go the FS or Hawaii in general or you will find it hard to relax. Not to mention the 3 year olds that scream their heads off the entire flight while the parents do nothing to amuse them. Sorry to sound so bitter but that's the truth =)

xxx, Just curious, why do YOU go in the summer months then?

If you read my reply know better I said I was there for family get togethers, one wedding at the Grand Wailea and one baptism there also last month. Stayed at the four seasons.
By the way Hawaii- a little more info about the four seasons- there are play toys on the table for kids while dining, kids restaurant menu, room service, and poolside, and a kid buffet! Not to mention the kids club, etc...

Sorry xxx, but I think you are exagerrating. We just returned from the FS and while YES, there were children there, my husband and I (celebrating our first wedding anniversary) hardly felt overrun by them! Never saw any toys on tables or in restaurants and the children's buffet was off to the side and never would have noticed it except the waffles looked yummy!

It IS a small pool and there most certainly are children playing in it but there are quieter areas around the pool where you can find peace. (there are several secluded cabanas overlooking the beach and if you get there early enough you'll have your pick).

You will have children no matter where you go...families travel too. If you are totally averse to this than better off choosing somewhere like Sandals for Couples or Hedonism. Also, you could always find yourself a nice quiet spot on the beach in front of the FS...why people insist on sitting poolside somewhere like Maui escapes me.

Good luck!

I just got back from the Four Seasons Maui for part of my honeymoon. Of the three places I stayed (Halekulani on Oahu, and Hyatt on Kauai) the kids were the most annoying without question at the Four Seasons. At the Halekulani there were very few kids. The Hyatt had lots of kids, but the layout was better for finding a quiet nook. Also, I found the parents and children at the Hyatt to be much more considerate. At the Four Seasons there was much more kid screaming. As long as you are willing to sit a bit away from the pool, you can find a quiet spot at the Four Seasons -- there are very private lounge chairs on the hill side between the pool and the beach, and there were no children there.

x -

how was your stay at the Halekulani and 4S Maui? Splitting our time between the two in November and looking forward to both resorts (I know there's construction scheduled for Maui, but should be late enough to avoid the noisy demolition).

What were a few of your favorite things to do (dinner, sights, etc.). Think we'll skip the road to Hana, but would like to watch the sunrise from the crater on Maui. Thanks

Both are fabulous hotels with distinct strengths, I'm sure you will be very happy. Believe it or not, I think that the Halekulani put the Four Seasons to shame in terms of service, but the Four Seasons has the better location. On Oahu, Hanauma Bay Nature Park is definately worth a visit -- beautiful beach and great snorkeling (although I got a bit freaked out by the reef shark!). On Maui we did the Feast at Lele, which is a sit-down dinner and luau (book in advance for the best seating!).

Thanks for the travel advice Rachael. We travel ten weeks out of the year and visit Hawaii twice so I think that makes me a pretty good judge of resorts. It's your $$, do what you want but I think people who do not like seeing kids running around restaurant tables and trying to hit birds will not like this resort. To each his own.

Board,

It is obvious to me that someone needs to write a definitive work on this resort. I have not been to FS Maui but will be heading there for a week in August for honeymoon. Good luck to me.

x -Could you please share more information on the Feast at Lele? I am trying to decide between the Feast and the Old Lahaina Luau. There have been lots of posts regarding the Luau, but not much on the Feast.

Did you like the entertainment?
How was the food?
Was the feast a good value?

Thanks for the information.

Also, I agree with xyz. There are so many contradicting reviews of this resort. Actually, not really. The overwhelming number of reviews are very positive -there are far fewer that are negative. I know that the FS is known for their complimentary children's programs and features, but they still have a reputation to uphold. Certainly, people who do not have children, and people who do have children whom are well behaved, will not continue to pay FS rates if what some of these posts say is true.

I think the key is the time of year that you go to the 4S Maui. Spring break, summer, probably winter breaks are definitely high time for people to go on vacation with their kids. I stayed there in March and it was really crowded and crawling with children. If you've been there you realize the layout of the hotel sort of forces most people to concentrate in several limited public areas. The 4S on the Big Island is much more spread out, with bungalows and I think three very large pools. I'm sure that even at peak times of the year you would be able to find privacy w/o kids at that particular resort.

XXX,
No need to get defensive. You very well may be a traveling guru with (it sounds like) much more experience than me, but I too travel frequently and having no children myself as of yet, also look for the quietest most romantic and peaceful spots especially since our everyday lives are chaotic and we only get vacation ONCE a year.

I merely meant to express that your experience at this resort was very different from ours. It could very well be the time of year or for that matter, the very week you go. FS does have its drawbacks with a smaller pool area in general and feeling a bit cramped, but we just felt that the good outweighed the bads and took it all in stride. Remember you are paying for service and amenities, not paying them to shut the children up or monitor how many they let in. Aside from enlargening their pool area, there is hardly FS can do about the children.

I will say that having walked through the Halekulani and visiting their pool, it did seem MUCH less inhabited by children and much quieter all around.

I think the solution is to just go from 5star resort to 5 star resort and compare them all...that seems right!

Just hoping that x will read this post and reply.