I am stuck between the Manele Bay, Grand Wailea, and the Four Seasons Maui. We are travelling with our two male teenagers. I would like whichever is the best not the best for families. I have heard that certain of these hotels are old, run down, have poor service, bad food, and then I have also heard the total opposite. What's the truth?

I can only speak to the Four Seasons and it was magnificent when we stayed there 2 years ago. It was a bit "stuffy" for us - we prefer the Kaanapali area with all the activity - as I would bet your male teens would. But if you are stuck on Wailea, you can't go wrong at the Four Seasons. We walked through the Grand Wailea and the grounds are something else - almost "too much" -- but I can't speak to the rooms since we didnt' stay there.

If you are going to Maui, the absolute best hotels for luxury,amenities and service would be The Four Seasons Wailea or the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. Both hotels are located in beautiful areas with gorgeous beaches and luxurious and private settings. The service is very friendly and attentive, dining options are endless and the food is great (cocktails and snacks under the private cabanas by the beautiful pools or beach is the best) and there is world class shopping, golf, watersports and spa services. Can't go wrong with either resort. Have fun!!!!

I just want to live at the Grand Wailea!! I'm not a breakfast person, but I got up for that excellent view and food in the morning. It is very "grand" there. This would be my pick.

Manele Bay is beautiful, but it's not on Maui, it's on Lanai'i. I think your teenagers would get really bored! There's not much to do there but swim, snorkel & scuba.

I have stayed at the 4 Seasons 5 times and have visited friends at the Grand where our conference was many many times. Last visit about three years ago. Room quality pretty close. The Grand has a much better pool and grounds but the service is much better at the 4 Seasons. There is also a marked tendancy to get nickled and dimed for all sorts of things at the Grand according to about 10 to 15 people I know who have stayed there. We all stay at the Four Seasons now.

The Grand Wailea is probably one of the best hotels in the world for kids(and its pretty amazing for adults too). That's not to say that the 4S(which is next door) is not great, but I think its more for couples who are seeking a romantic getaway and want incredible service. When we travel with our children, they beg us to stay there and to tell the truth, we love it, too. Good Luck !!

In reasearching the same topic my unofficial findngs were:
GW- Amazing pools, lots for kids to do, "Vegas" vibe, lots of nickel and dime charges (like $100/day for a cabana)
FS- Better service, less crowded feel, fewer hidden charges.
Based on that we chose the 4S.

Read through the rants and raves section of fodors to get an idea of some of the feedback on these two.

Thank you everyone, I have decided to go to both hotels on Maui, and to Randy... I really don't know what to say, that was the most bizarre response I have ever read. Just one question though, and I don't mean for this to sound rude, I am really being serious, if your idea of a vacation is staying under a cardboard box, why would you take the time to become a member of fodors.com and post a response like that on something having to do with Hawaiian Luxury Hotels?

Randy's posted a total of two responses at Fodors and both were essentially lame chain-yanking jibberish. He's either a bored inmate or grounded junior high schooler I'd guess.

As MauiGirl says, forget Manele Bay. It is on Lanai where it is very quiet with little to do except take it easy.

Well it is probably too late, but I would just stay at one as they are right beside each other I believe. If the FS is still the FS I know, the cost includes free tennis, free cabanas(85.00 a day next door at the kea Lani), snorkelling gear for 2 1 hour daily and free parking. I know that you can pay to use the pool at the Grand Wailea on a daily basis( the cost of a cabana for a day at KL) The Grand Wailea is walking distance and you head over there for dining or whatever. the FS chain has always aimed to please.

Uh - is there a particular reason you're leaving the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort out of this discussion?


...150-foot lava-tube waterslide
...splashing through twin waterfalls
...two-acre pool
...romantic Grotto Bar
...venture out to endless Kaanapali Beach for sun, surf, snorkeling, diving, or sailing aboard a 55-foot catamaran.

(pssst, kid, wanna buy a timeshare?)


hey-ho
35 days to Princeville!

The rooms at the three hotels in the original question are markedly better than the rooms at the Hyatt.
That's probably one big reason.

If you want to get into the subject of rooms, then why leave the Kea Leani out of the original question? If you want get into the subject of luxury, why leave out the Ritz Carlton?

Plz people, all you have to do is a search and you'll get the whole shebang on all the luxurious hotels on Maui....plenty of good and bad. WHAT'S THE TRUTH? They all are because everyone has individual preferences and priorities, and each experience is unique. What's not common here on this forum is someone who has been to all these great hotels recently and can give you a very objective report. What IS common is everyone raving about their recent hotel stay, which will help them ratinonalize all the dough they spent!

The simple truth re luxury hotels on Maui...it's hard to go wrong with any of them!