Just when I was all set to book our honeymoon stay at the Four Seasons Maui, I happened to look at the Grand Wailea website and noticed the really low rates there for May 2005. I know that there will be a lot of kids there, but I'm not too worried about that. I want to know what people thought about the Grand Wailea outside of the kid issue. If you stayed there, how did you like it? Obviously, the pools are awesome, but what about the rooms, are they 5-star luxury rooms? Any thoughts on the Grand Wailea appreciated ...

We liked our room, the height gave us a view over the trees, to the ocean, and the koi pond below. The bathroom has a good sized shower with detachable showerhead, adjacent large tub, a pedestal sink is ADA-compliant, with a large countertop, lighted telescopic mirror, and a separate toilet room. I don't know if I could agree with 5-star. I could go 4-star on this very nice room. We didn't have any of the higher grade rooms. Desk, minibar, all the usuals : Q-tips, safe, hair dryer, ironing board, coffee maker. Everything you'd expect. Zero complaints. Really.

Here's one knock against the GWR itself. Unless it has been changed, the tiled hallways outside the rooms make for a bumpy ride when the room-service and maid carts roll past in the morning. If you're a light sleeper, I suggest bringing those soft earplugs we use for target practice.

There are nicer rooms than the one in which we stayed. However, my plan in Hawaii is not to be inside the room except to shower and sleep. We had breakfast on the patio every morning and it was quiet and peaceful. I have photos if you want them emailed. If you don't have an email box that has a lot of room available, consider getting another Free email at Yahoo! with their standard 100MB of storage. It will activate same day.

The beauty of GWR is their spa, their commons areas are stunningly beautiful, the pools, slides, hot tub, swim-bar, etc. The mosaic murals, the grand rooms, the spa-again. We will return, no matter the price, but I will conserve on the room cost, because it's just us that will see the room. I want to see Hawaii when I'm in Hawaii.

we stayed at the GW in September, and loved it. we have no children (as a side note)
the resort is spectacularly gorgeous, a real jaw dropper. the grounds are just a landscaped paradise!
Our room was very nice, very comfortable king bed, 2 chaise lounges, a desk, large armoire, dresser.. nice size balcony with wood chairs with thick cushions on them and foot rests, that was a nice touch.
The bathroom was huge with a very large tub, separate shower, double sink...
the room itself was not "extra luxurious" or anything, but just fine.

my husband and I loved the pools, we went down the slides about 30 times

the adult only pool is a real haven as well, with a very large area of lounge chairs all for adults only.. on the patio around the pool, and then a huge grassy area that is all adult only.

We loved the Botero bar in lobby, very nice, and great bartenders!

You'll love it if you stay there.

We just made our reservation for December

It depends on what you value about a resort. First off, virtually ever rating done in the past 10 years puts the FS Maui well above the GW as an overall resort experience. Are there areas in which GW outdoes FS? Sure. Pools. Overall resort space. Glitziness (if that's your taste).
The rooms at the FS are certainly nicer, but this is 'island elegance' not formal Victorian luxury like you'll find at most city-based FS hotels. Also, my impression is that people who don't value privacy and quality service tend to appreciate FS hotels less than those who don't value those things. Often I hear complaints about FS being a letdown from people who have done minimal luxury travelling. The FS is not flashy or nouveau riche.
If you can figure out which type of resort appeals to you most, you'll have a nicer trip. The two appeal to very different types of people on average.

TedTurner --- you say the two resorts appeal to different types of people, and I have heard others say this also. I have done minimal luxury travelling, whichever hotel we stay in will probably be the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in. Can you tell me more on why some people think the 4S is a letdown?

We stayed at Kea Lani on Maui and loved it, but if I had to choose between FS and GW I would choose GW. The pool area is really spectacular and unique (especially if you are a kid at heart). We met a couple staying at FS while we were there and they were disapointed w/the size of their room (however this was in comparison to the suites at Kea Lani so I'm not sure how it stacks up versus GW).

The way I see it, you can stay at FS in many cities throughout the country if you want to experience FS luxury. However there is only one GW and it really is spectacular. That's just how I would look at it. Either way I'm sure you'll have a great time.

The FS Maui is not like any other FS hotel with regard to its interiors, and relatively few FS hotels are oceanfront resorts. Each FS hotel is a bit different, unlike Ritz Carlton, where most use similar materials.
Service is the great constant at FS. I've never had a negative experience in hundreds of nights at their various properties.

Mar76: I would recommend the GW for your honeymoon if the rate is cheaper, if you're under 40 and if you've stayed at relatively few world class hotels. The younger people are, the more they tend to like GW, GW has a lot more of a vibrant feel to it, any money you save you can spend on other fun things like meals and excursions and you can feel guiltless about it, and if you stay at GW then wander around the FS I'll bet you'll come back and say "geez, I'm glad we chose the GW. The FS didn't look all that special to me". I can list several reasons why I think that'll be the case, but I'd predict that the GW will be the best fit for your current trip.
You have a wonderful problem. You can't go wrong either way.
Hope it's all you wish for and more.

Ted, your take is very interesting.

We've stayed at almost every luxary resort in Hawaii, including GW, but have never stayed at the 4S. We will be soon and I look forward to seeing the reasons for their rave reviews.

We did walk around the property, and I must say, though well appointed and detailed, I did not see anything that would set it apart from other resorts. It didn't have the WOW affect that GW or Manale Bay might.

I look forward to the experience though. I suspect the little details that one doesn't experience unless one stays there will be the difference.

We just returned from Maui and we stayed at the Fairmont. We had a wonderful time there, but the Grand Wailea looked so cool. We are in our late 20s and like activity so that might be why we thought it would be a fun place to stay when we return. The pools are amazing and the grounds are beautiful.

Thanks for all the input everyone --- I think the GW is the way to go. We're a young, active couple, so that sounds like a better match.

I'd highly recommend renting a boogey board for the week even if you haven't tried it before. They are a blast and the waves on Maui will take you for a ride!!

Travelinandgolfin: please post your impressions upon your return.
I find it interesting to read other people's impressions of things I have a strong opinion about, only because it reinforces just how differently people can perceive the same thing.
Whether it's restaurants, cars, hotels or sites, the same variability in opinions exists...much moreso when it comes to restaurants and cars, I find.
I'm a Zagat contributor and just found some of my comments in their new USA 2005 restaurant review book I received today. I often emphatically disagree with the reviews I see there.

During our stay at GWR, we sauntered on over to all the neighbor hotels there and have to say that we appreciated the clean architectural lines of the FS. Ate at one of their restaurants (remember name? - soon) and found everything to our liking. The main pool area was mature. The pool areas at GWR were also mature, as this was after school summer vacation had passed.

Although our honeymooning friends did stay there, we did not stay overnight at the FS - so, we do not have a full, personal, impression. During our conversation(s) the staff knew we were staying elsewhere and did not oversell us and we were made to feel welcome even before our "visitor status" was made known to them.

I am told that the level of security is greater at the FS, and this is one of the reasons that celebs stay there.

As I said before, the open air bars, the statuary, the gardens, wateralls, banquet rooms, mosaic murals, the chapel, everything at GWR would not disappoint.

Those who posted (on another thread) that the grounds are spread out too far for walking are making comical exaggerations in favor of the size of the resort.

Will do Ted.

We stayed at the Grand Wailea Hotel the last time we were in Maui. There were a ton of kids in the pool, but we had a fabulous time! I agree with the room service cart making a lot of noise. You can always tell when they are down the hall.

You'll enjoy the resort. It's definitely one of the best in Maui.