stever

pcutrone: WOW - that's a pretty strong recommendation for the FS Big Island if I've ever heard one. I'm just going to leave the reservation at both and decide in a few months. My internet buddy Brian highly recommended spending the bucks and just staying there as well. I'm surprised you found the FS Maui that displeasureable that you checked out and went to the Grand Wailea. What room type were you in? What was so bad about your experience there?

I'd be interesting in hearing more about this! I went to the Grand Wailea's website and they have a buy 4 nights get 2 nights free deal with breakfast, but it's STILL more than our FS Maui rate of $425 night by $70 a night (but it is Partial OV at the GW). They're regular rates are a bit less than the FS Maui from what I see. We are all set to do the FS Maui unless you know a good reason why we shouldn't!

Steve

Sally30

I think you should decide what are the most important factors for you. If you want to be totally pampered, have the best service and have a beautiful room, it sounds like the Four Seasons is best. If you want a great beach, still great service, less great room and relaxing environment (in part bc you don't feel like you are paying a lot more $), then the Hapuna Beach might be better. Personally, if I am going to Hawaii, the beach is #1 priority for me. If i want to stay at a beautiful four seasons hotel, I can stay down the street from home where I live now and save 20 hours on the plane.
Having said that, Hawaii is a big trip. It is far and you are planning it a year in advance! it seems dumb to look forward to this big trip, plan for a year, fly a great distance then ruin it by trying to save a few bucks. if you really want to stay at the four seasons and that will make your trip, go for it. if you don't think you'll enjoy it because you are spending too much, don't. Not sure if this is an option but my favorite is the mauna kea next door to the hp.

mar_76

Steve --- I've been following your travel saga on the boards as you have been interested in many of the same hotels I am looking at for my May 2005 honeymoon in Maui and BI. I've never been either place, but I ended up choosing the GW and Hapuna. About the GW --- where did you get that pricing? When I look up rates using the reservation feature on the opening web page, I get a rate of $291 for a terrace level room. I assume that's the equivalent of a 4S mountainside room. That's way cheaper than the 4S room, although I know you get breakfast and car at the 4S. Anyway, just thought I'd mention the non-package rates at the GW, as they seem to be a great value. You could stay at GW on Maui, then splurge at 4S on BI --- I know people who've been to both 4S and they all like the BI one better. Sorry if I have added more to consider to your already full plate.

dee7493

My husband and I had the very same dilema. We are using Starwood points in Oahu (W Honolulu) For the Big Island we opted for Four Seasons Hualalai instead of Hapuna Prince. I was most concerned about the 'basic' guest rooms at Hapuna.

I had been to FS Hualalai on business a few times without him. The resort is so beautiful and romantic.

You have to decide -


If you decide on staying at Hapuna do not even go over to the FS Hualalai for lunch - you will be very sorry you did not pick to stay there.

If we were then going on to Maui, I would opt for the Maui Prince and save the money for all the wonderful activities
Though the Wailea beach is nice but did not care for Four Seasons Maui or Grand Wailea, very hotel row -area,the pool areas were crowded zoos. I was there March (during Spring break).
Loved The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua! Location, price, Ritz-aloha service outstanding!

Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

stever

You folks are so well traveled and well intentioned. Thanks for your eager to help comments. It's funny how one person will say that the FS Maui is fantastic, and another will say that the Grand Wailea was MUCH better in comparison and they were SO glad they stayed at the GW. One says the FS Maui's rooms were amazing, and the next says they're worn. One says that the Moana Surfrider was the best Starwood hotel they've stayed at in Oahu (we have enough pts for 5 nights), and another thought the rooms were noisy and in need of updating and much preferred the stylish W Hotel to use their Starwood points. One says that the rooms were noisy at the W Hotel as they were just a few floors above the "happening" restaurant, while another experienced the quietest of rooms while staying there.

Some think the FS Hualalai can't be topped for ambiance and quality, and another complains about the lack of sandy beach and wished they just saved the money and stayed at the Hapuna with it's amazing sand! One stays at the FS BI and finds the outdoor lava rock shower the most amazing thing and an absolute must, while the next who also stayed on a bottom floor room to get the outside lava rock shower wished they hadn't as there was noise from the people above them walking back and forth with thinnish ceilings unfortunately separating them.

Some loved saving the money at the FS Maui with their Mountainview Rooms and found the views of Haleakala pretty great, while others complained about the noise from the front drive while they were on their lanai and said the view was most unsatisfactory.

It's been interesting - the variety of experiences and contradictory, opposing views. I think we will wait and see how we feel about it in a few months. Maybe we'll email the GM at the FS BI and at least try to get the dates we need first before deciding what to do. Right now the dates they've given us aren't what we wanted.

Peace,
Steve R

HiloJo

Aloha Stever,
I live on the Big Island, and really love swimming at Hapuna Beach and staying at the Prince. However, the FS Hualalai has been rated one of the best resorts in the world for pampering. I go to the Prince for peace and quiet and beach and pool time. By the way, if you choose to stay in Hilo, the Waterfalls Inn bed and breakfast (a new B&B in town) is a great place to stay. Check it out on Tripadvisor. It is really close to downtown Hilo, so you don't need to drive far if you go out at night to some of the great new restaurants in Hilo such as Kaikodo and Hilo Bay Cafe. There is a lot to do and see on the Big Island!

ForkinMouth

I have stayed at both the FS and Hapuna and urge you to stay at the Hapuna Prince and save the excess $ for the nice grill you've been hankering for. The Hapuna Prince is a lovely resort, with a beach consistently rated among the nations' best (in fact, #1 in one survey). If you were visiting in the winter, I'd recommend the FS, as Hapuna Beach gets rough and loses alot of its charm at that time. If pool swimming and lounging is of paramount importance, then the FS is the way to go, with several great pools, including a stocked pool that is great for tranquil snorkeling. The lone pool at the Hapuna Prince is a nice rectangular pool sitting on a bluff high above the beach....but its not in the same league as theFS pools. Restaurants should not be determinative, as you will undoubtedly want to try out several, both at and away from your hotel, regardless of which hotel you choose. Although the distance between both hotels is not great, I do prefer the Hapuna Prince's more convenient location for closer access tothe mountains, Waimea and the Hamakua Coast. You have a wonderful choice to make, but I felt that I received a better bang for my buck at the Hapuna Prince, a lovely hotel.

stever

Thanks Forknmouth. Great info for us. We still have no idea yet, but will have to see how are finances are next year. They're both reserved now, so serendipity will decide for us. The thought of saving the $1083 and picking out a nice grill for the difference when we return is VERY TEMPTING!!! Can you imagine how nice an outdoor grill you can get for a grand? Nicer than we were hoping to get. Lets me, the Weber Genesis aluminum looking grill is about $599, we don't even have an outdoor patio set that's gonna run about $500 for a decent, cheap set at Target on sale... hmmm, - this is a tough call for us!

It's all good.

As far as staying at that B and B in Hilo, I appreciate the info but we're all set to stay at Kilauea Lodge for those 1 or 2 nights instead in Volcano. Their restaurant is a big attraction for us as well and we have dinner booked those 2 nights.

Steve