My finace and I will be honeymooning in Hawaii in September '99. We will spend 2/3 nights in Oahu, 3/4 nights in Kauai, and 4 nights in Maui. We have decided which hotels we wish to stay at in Oahu and Kauai but are undecided about Maui. We would like to stay at a hotel that is rated 5 stars or higher but we do not want to go overboard on cost. We have been considering the Maui Prince, Renaissance Wailea, Sheraton Maui, and Ritz-Carlton. We really are having a tough time deciding. Can anyone help us or provide some personal experiences on the hotels? Thanks! Marisa

We just got back from 7 wonderful days in Maui last week. I did alot of research and finally decided on the Hyatt. I couldn't have made a better choice. It's located at the end of Whalers Village so you have 4 miles of uncrowded beach splendor. You are also 1 mile from Lahaina - where there are lots of great restaurants and shops. If you do 1 excursion on Maui you must take the trilogy trip to Lanai. It was such an awesome day. If we go back to Maui we would definitely stay at the Hyatt. The hotel is first class. The rooms were nice and spacious and the service was incredible. Enjoy.

I'll second that!!! The hyatt is a GREAT place to stay..stayed there several years ago and had a wonderful time..This past July we spent four days at the Ritz, its a very nice Hotel, but
we prefered the Hyatt. More to see and do there..plus the Kaanapali area where the Hyatt is located, seems to get better weather.Also, as mentioned above, the Trilogy tour of Lanai is fantastic,,we took it on our 25th anniversary and hada wonderful time.

PS..We stayed at the sheraton before it was remodeled,,drove by this last time,,looks very nice,,and if you like to snorkel, one of the best places in that area..

Thanks Ann and Rick. I really appreciate your suggestions. Can anyone who has stayed at the hotels that I listed in my initial message comment about them? Also, in another posting someone asked whether to stay in Kaanapali or Wailea. The responses were conflicting. Can anyone else comment about the areas? Thanks! Marisa

My husband and I just honeymooned in Maui at the end of September and we loved it. We stayed at the Aston Wailea Resort (very highly rated). It had several pools, free snorkeling, luau, etc... it was great!!! It is right next door to the Renaissance Wailea and Grand Wailea. We visited the Renaissance Wailea several times for lunch. It is a beautiful hotel (the gardens are incredible)! We loved Wailea because it is secluded, great resorts, excellent beaches and great golfing. It's a short scenic drive to Kanaapali and Lahaina (30-40 minutes). It's a great place to honeymoon and we can't wait to go back!

We stayed at the Sheraton Maui this past July for 4 nights. This was our second trip to Maui. Our first trip we stayed 8 nights at the Hyatt Regency Maui. Both resorts are wonderful.!! The beach in front of the Sheraton is gorgeous and wonderful for snorkeling at Black Rock. There are free scuba lessons in the pool every morning. The pool area there is very nice also. You have a wonderful view of the West Maui mountains that is breathtakingly beautiful with rainbows everywhere and then on the ocean side there is a beautiful view of Lanai. We also loved the Hyatt Regency Maui on our previous trip, but we could not get a good rate there since we were only staying 4 nights and you needed to stay 5 nights to get the special rate at the time. This changes every year I think depending on how tourism is going there. You can get good rates there through Hyatt Vacations and Sam's Club gives you an additional 10% discount and Target Travel Club gives you an additional 15% discount. Usually the rate includes a wonderful buffet breakfast. We got a very good rate at the Sheraton Maui. Sheraton Club International members (free membership) gives you a 35% discount, so that made our room $188.50 per night and then they gave us a free upgrade to mountain view which also had a partial ocean view. The rooms are gorgeously decorated and the resort is immaculate. The hotel was totally rebuilt a year or so ago, so it is essentially brand new and very CLEAN. We prefer the Kaanapali area because of the beautiful view of the mountains and its proximity to Lahaina. We like to go into Lahaina every night. The Sheraton was much quieter than the Hyatt Regency, but the pool area was nicer at the Hyatt and the Sheraton resort not as tropically landscaped as the Hyatt. You used to be able to get 50% off rate at Renaissance Wailea through Entertainment and Quest, but we have never stayed there. We just really prefer Kaanapali over Wailea. I hope this helps. If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me. We stayed 5 nights at the Hyatt Kauai this past July also and if you have any questions about Kauai, etc. just let me know. ALOHA!!! Tammy

Marisa, having gone through Honeymoon planning last year, I sympathize. My wife and I spent 10 days in Maui at a hotel called the Kea Lani. It is in Wailea next door to the Four Seasons (which we walked past and through and were not impressed by, very cramped). It is not a chain hotel so does not get as much press, however, it is five stars and every room is a huge suite with a king sized bedroom, full livingroom with entertainment center, huge bath with a sunken tub and separate shower. The prices are comparable to the other 5 stars and the amenities were amazing. Three pools, 2 hot tubs, private beaches, valet parking, free stretch limo service to restaurants etc. The staff was superb, very cordial and helpful whatever the request. We were pampered the whole time, had a fantastic trip and would highly recommend the Kea Lani. You can see more stuff about them on the web, just search on their name.

Well, here I go. The Ritz is fabulous but too removed from the rest of the island, quite windy and often rainly. I dislike Kanapaali a lot, checked it out. Lors of beach areas have coral where you can not enter, little sand, lots of tour groups and crowded pool areas. Stay away. I have even heard, the Hyatt there is only okay if you get one of the better rooms. Quite overpriced. Go to Wailea, please. This area has the best weather, classiest hotels, all connected by a gorgeous walkway. You will want to stay at the Four Season. I think their number is 1 800 334 MAUI(if I got this wrong, it should be in any travel book or phone for the number)They have a pay for 4 nights, get the 5th free. Their rates include parking, tennis, fitness centre, 1 hr. snorkelling gear for 2 daily, cabanas usage. This is unusual because we paid 35.00 daily at the KEa Lani to use a cabana. Yes, the Kea Lani is also a gorgeous property. The Four Seasons has exceptional ratings, and ranks in the top5 for hotels in Hawaii. They are extremely friendly and aim to please. I booked my niece there for her honeymoonin October and she raved about it. Arnold Schwarzenger was there with family at the time. Stallone and Stone go there also. For what it is worth. Feel free to email my for more questions. Annemarie

Marisa

While you're in Maui, be sure to visit the Swan Court restaurant located in the Hyatt Regency. It is truly romantic with waterfalls and swans. Be sure to make your reservation right before sunset so you can enjoy your visit even more!!

My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt in August 97 for our honeymoon and we loved it.

Be sure to write to the general managers of each hotel that you are staying at and tell them how excited you are about visiting there hotel and that you are on your honeymoon. We scored a Regency Club upgrade in Maui by doing this.

Have a wonderful time.

Hi - you didn't request this info but I just wanted to make a suggestion for a very nice and romantic dinner with a beautiful view on the beach while in Oahu. Try Michel's, a French restaurant at the Colony Surf Hotel down by Diamond Head. Make reservations and ask for a table by the "windows".