Just came back from spending a couple nights at the Four Seasons Maui. For those contemplating a stay, here are my thoughts.

Positives:

Staff: Friendly. They all greet you with a smile and a "hello." Genuine, not forced.

Upgrades: This may be something they automatically do if rooms are available. I recall many reviews on this board saying an upgrade was offered. It happened to us as well. Without asking, we were upgraded from a garden view room to a garden view suite.

Room design. Very nice. Two balconies, both huge. One had a large round wooden table with four chairs (each with cushion). The bedroom balcony had two wooden loungers with cushions. The fact that they're made of wood adds a touch of class. Living area and bedroom huge. Subtle tones of browns, pastels. Two bathrooms. Music playing in master bath. Separate shower in both. Sitting vanity area. Double sinks in master bath along with separate tub. We peeked into a standard room and it looked very nice and spacious as well.

Size of resort: Just right. Not too large. Well layed out. Pool a little small (which some may consider a negative), but to us, it was fine.

Guests: I'll list this as a positive as I read many reviews saying the guests here were a bit snooty, always talking on cell phones, etc. We did not find this to be the case. Everyone walked around in VERY CASUAL attire, mostly T Shirts, shorts and sandels or slippers. Not a cell phone in sight.

Negatives:

Room in need of upgrade: Actually, entire resort could use a little sprucing up. Little worn. Carpets looked a bit old with some stains. Furniture also was worn a bit.

Noise: DO NOT book a room over looking the service road (north side of resort). Trucks and vehicles are noisy. We walked around that area and saw signs saying to use your "whisper voice" because of guests above. Unfortunately, the workers rarely heeded this advice, which added to the noise. In fairness, they may not have been Four Seasons employees, but employees of the trucking firms, etc. Anyway, avoid a room in this area. Just remember AVOID SERVICE ROAD.

Overall, a very nice resort and certainly comparable to the other big resorts (GW, Mauna Lani, Manele Bay, Kea Lani, etc.) Is it worth the extra cost (it's the second most expensive resort in Hawaii behind Hualalei). In my opinion, not quite, but certainly something to be considered.

Thanks for you excellent report but it kind of scared the he** out of me! Uh, when you say that AVOID the rooms above the service road like the plague (OK - I'm putting some extra words in there), are you referring to ALL the Mtnview rooms, because that's what we booked for next Sept?! The deal we got was $425 a night with car and breakfast buffet for 2 which is all we can afford! We can't afford even the gardenview rooms, unfortunately. Can you elaborate on which room specifically to avoid! Is it ALL the Mtnview rooms or just certain ones? Or is it some other rooms altogether that you were referring to?

So the place is getting worn? Too bad... Though it seems all hotels I go to have more wear than I'd like, unless they are brand new. Is it REALLY worn or just normally worn like many older hotels?

Regards,
Steve
Maryland

Steve, I didn't mean to scare you. Not all mtn view rooms will overlook the service road, but you will still probably hear the trucks as they pull in. I don't mean to insinuate that they are pulling in there 24 hours a day. But when they do come in, well, they're trucks, so.....

If you are facing the mountains though, you should be ok. The rooms in the wing that faces directly NORTH (technically, they are garden view) face not only the road, but the loading area. Hence, you get a lot more noise, as the trucks are trying to manuever in this area (yes, I actually was watching.... ). You also get the employee noises, because they are congregated in that area. You shouldn't have that problem in a mountain view room (which faces EAST, or the back of the hotel). You will be overlooking the parking lot, but I doubt you'd hear the cars.

Worn? Well, I would say it's the normal wear and tear of age. Nothing that will make you shake your head at, but noticeable (and I do tend to notice everything... ).

I think you'll be fine and have a great time!

Any questions, feel free to ask.

What a great review travelin! I have stayed twice at 4S maui and love it. Here's my dilemna...I am bringing first time visitors, including a 9 and 13 year old, to Hanalei, Kauai for a beach house introduction to Hawaii. After that we have 3 nights....full resort experience in order....considering Lanai, as we loved the Lodge, Big Island 4S or other resort........what would be that wonderful finish in you opinion? Mahalo

Thanks for your reply, travelandgolfin. You have alayed my fears. I'm excited again.

Steve

Stever, any room at the 4S Maui is wonderful....I have paid for the ocean veiw, and would return in a hearbeat at the most affordable room I could, rather than stay ocean view elsewhere. You are going to have a remarkable trip. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Did you get a chance to eat at Spago's? What did you think of the restaurants in the Four Seasons?

gippie, JMO, but for 9 and 13 year olds, I'd take them to the Grand Wailea. I think the Lodge (though we loved it as well) and the 4S may be a little too quiet for them. GW is sort of like a water park. They may enjoy it more.

For us personally, we like Koele and Mauna Lani (though some say the ML is also a bit "old" and small). But then, we're not teenagers either!

Mauibride, sorry, we did not eat at any of the restaurants at the 4S. I'm sure you've read the same reviews I have regarding Spagos. Always been rave reviews.

Steve, you should be excited . I think you'll have a great stay and a great time.

I'll add a few more "positives" for you.

Gardens. Beautiful. Take a nice stroll through them. Very relaxing.

Beach. Very nice. Lots of sand. More than enough space and lounge chairs.

Walking path. Goes up and down Wailea past several of the resorts. Take the stroll during sunset. Just beautiful watching the sun setting over Koolawe.

Game room. Nice touch. Pool tables, ping pong table (in separate air conditioned room), foose ball table, video games, couches and a big screen TV.

Treadmills. Again a nice touch as they are all outside (though covered), so you are basically getting your workout in the fresh air and sunshine.

You'll have a blast!

Hi,

My wife and I are planning a trip for a week in Maui (with an additional week at one or more other islands). We have a choice of staying either at Wailea Beach (Marriott Resort or Renaissance), Kapalua Bay Renaissance, or Marriott's Maui Ocean Club on Kaanapali Beach, Lahaina. Any suggestions which area would be preferable for a retired couple looking for beauty, peace and quiet? Also, any suggestions on what to see or not see on Maui for first time visitors to Hawaii?