My DH and I went to Maui for our honeymoon this year and stayed on Kaanapali. We are already dreaming of our next trip to the islands. We are planning on staying in a condo this time, for the majority of our vacation. For the last 2-3 days we would like to stay in an upscale hotel. DH is a kid at heart and would love to stay at the Grand Wailea for the pools. I would personally like to visit a different island, but I am not sure if there is anything quite as over-the-top as the GW pools on either Kauai or the Big Island. Any suggestions?

I suggest you read all the reports on this site regarding GW. Many, many people are dissappointed with crowd, lack of service, cellphone users and posers. Yes the pool is overthetop, but sometimes that's not a good thing. And yes, I spent 5 nights there a few years back. I'm a cup's half full type of person, so we always enjoy and make the best of wherever we land. I'd consider a condo in Princeville area of Kauai, and a couple of nights at the Hyatt in Poipu. Or the Big Island...still trying to get there....GL

gyppielou, Thank you for your opinion & suggestion. The Hyatt is actually one of the hotels I was looking at, as I think we would enjoy Kauai very much. DH is the one I am going to have trouble convincing. We had friends stay at the GW this spring, and the husband is still raving about the pool! I guess it is a little silly, but it seems to be pretty important to him

I'm still raving about the pool at GWR as well. Somebody please direct me to a hotel in a tourist area that is not overrun with cellphone users and others. When we stayed at GWR, we were 90% happy. I don't issue top grades to any hotel.
What impact does a poser have on another's vacation experience, anyway?

Stayed at Hyatt Kauai and was disappointed in the pools. Lost interest in them pretty fast. They do not have a good swimming beach and I realize it's all about the beach for me. A good beach is superior to any number of fancy pools anyday, in my book.

Angie, on the BI, look into the Hilton Waikoloa. I think it will meet your needs of "over-the-top". And, if you like the Waikoloa area, there are villas and condos in that area also.
Here's the Hilton's website: http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/

Well dear angie, the only reason we landed at the GW, was mrlou NEEDED to go there! We had toured the property on our previous trip. There is plenty to love about GW, and enough things to keep us from returning. On the other hand, I wanted to confirm the good things I'd heard about the 4S, so we spent 5 nights at GW, headed to Hana for 3 nights and returned right next door for 5 Nights at 4S. He never would have known that he'd prefer another type of resort destination, had we not stayed at HIS dream location.

Hey, that's what marraige is about right? Working together and compromising. If it's that important for him to experience...then go for it. You'll never know unless you try it. I'd make a list of good and bad reviews and let him decide if this is really his dream resort. Given more information, he may decide to try something else.

Heading out on our 7th trip next month. If you're possitive people, you'll have a blast wherever you land! 7 trips and we still haven't been to BI! All in due time!

Thank you for all of your advice everyone! The Hilton on the BI looks like it has a pretty impressive pool area. It looks soooooo big, though. At this time we are kind of just batting ideas around, so we'll see what happens when it is time to do some serious planning! Gyppielou, that is funny about your reason for and experience with staying at the GW. I will definitely be making him a pros/cons list!

Angie810,

I just returned from both the Grand Wailea and the Hyatt Regency. I have a 7 yr old and felt that the pools would be very important part of the vacation. I was right.

However, while the GW is definitely "over the top", you can expect next to zero service around the pool. Furthermore, if you like having to get be out of your room by 8:00 am just to be able to find a decent spot and you like being packed in like sardines by noon, the GW is the place for you. Yes, the hotel is beautiful and the hotel service is very, very good but the pool side service (or lack thereof) was enough to tell me not to go back. Don't get me wrong, we did have a good time but just know what you are getting into ahead of time.

Converserly, we found the Hyatt Regency just about perfect. The pool area was great and the pool side service, albeit a little slow the first day, really picked up for us. I cannot wait to return.

gyppielou,
Can you clarify: Which hotel did your husband prefer???

I have never swam in a pool in Hawaii. Don't do the sun anymore, but when I did, it was the beach, beach, beach. That fabulous water!!!!! I, can certainly see going to a pool if you have little ones, the ocean can be too rough for the little guys. I'm just posting this as an observation, not to be critical. Vive la difference.

I'm taking my daughter back to the Waikoloa next month for a long weekend - specifically so she can enjoy the pools. The last time we were there, she came down with a stomach ailment and could not really do anything the entire weekend - so this trip is to make up for her not being able to enjoy anything last time.

The grounds of the Waikoloa are huge - there's a lot of ground to cover, and the amount of time it takes to get anywhere on the property can get tiring after a while.

I think the resort works best if you have no intention of leaving the property and intend to laze about the entire time. Using it as simply a nice place to stay gets old when it takes you 7-10 minutes just to get from your room to the main lobby.

There are several pools with waterslides. The center lagoon area has kayaks, water bikes and these small motorized boats for rent. You can also snorkel in that lagoon - but I personally wouldn't snorkel there. There's another pool with a "lazy river" current moving through it, which is kind of neat.

Totally agree with you Crefloors! How do you guys afford the GW and the 4S???

My not using a pool did not relate to where I stayed. I have stayed at the Royal the Moana, and Hyatt on Waikiki and just didn't use the pool because I preferred the ocean and the beach. Stayed at Hyatt on Maui. It's just my preference. I also never left the beach because it was raining. I was wet anyway and it's "liquid sunshine" to me!

Thanks again everyone. I did want to clarify that we love the beach, and we will probably spend the majority of the first 7-8 days lounging on one! The pool question is really just a big (though adult) kid looking to play around on some waterslides for as long as they will let him. (And probably a good opportunity for me to get a fun spa treatment!)

Oh dear. I saw this Hilton Waikoloa renovation schedule on the AAVacations.com site. The Kona pool will be closed from Sept. 27th to November 30th:

RENOVATION SCHEDULE:
*Lower Lobby Renovation: Start July 24th through January 15th 2006
This should not affect guests as this is the lobby used for groups.
*Floor Tile replacement on the ground floor of the Lagoon Tower: Start August 29th through Septembet 23rd.
No sections of the hotel will be closed during this time.
*Shower renovation at the Kohala Spa: Start September 21st through November 20th
The Spa will be closed during this time
*Kona Deck - Pool Deck Renovation: Start September 27th through November 30th
This is the large pool with the waterfall and water slide.
The pool will be closed
*Orchid Cafe renovation: Start September 27th through December 19th
The cafe will be closed during renovation
*Plam Terrace restaurant renovation: Start October 13th through November 16th
Restaurant will remain open for breakfast.