After careful consideration, my husband and I have decided on the Sheraton Maui for our first visit to Hawaii (not honeymoon) Feb. 16-Feb. 23, 2007. The lowest rate I have found is from the Sheraton website - $365/night. I would like to make sure I have the best possible rate before I book. After calling the Sheraton directly, the reservation person told me their AAA rates will come out in September. Has anyone had luck with AAA rates at this Sheraton - how much can I expect to save? Should I wait until September and join AAA for the savings? For only $50, it seems like a good buy if it will save us money. I also tried the Starwood points number posted elsewhere on this site, and the $749 promotion for the Westin is sold out. Will they offer additional promotions for the Sheraton?? We were really hoping to book a package that includes the breakfast. Are there any other discounts, websites, promotions available that I may be missing? Any information or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

I also found a rate of $385 for the Ritz for the same week. Both have the mandatory resort charges. Should we consider the Ritz instead? We are leary because we don't want to feel isolated in Kapalua. Please advise.

Ritz over the Sheraton for $20 more? I'd jump on it in a minute! Book it, and then check back in Sept to see if the Sheraton's AAA rate is a lot less. Then decide between the two.

A Ritz or a 4S trumps any other hotel chain in Hawaii - IMO anyway.

These reservations can be cancelled without penalty. Book now, then re-book when the prices improve!

AAA usually saves 10%-15%.

The Sheraton is convenient to shopping and dining, and there is very good snorkeling right off its beach.
We have found that most of the hotels in the islands offer some sort of deal for guests staying as long as you will be, like stay four or five nights and get one free.
Like previous posters, I would recommend making a reservation now and keep looking.

ALso check Kayak.com. The compare rates across many, many webstes, and give you the best deal they can find. I've had pretty good luck with this.

Also, as suggested, book now through the hotel, if the hotel changes the rate or offers a better one, you can call and rebook under the new rate (I've done this). If you find a better rate elsewhere (not hroughthe hotel itself), you can always book the better rate, and cancel the original. Most hotels let you cancel without penalty up until 24hr in advance (but ask about cancellation policy when you book).

Isn't that President's Week? If so that is peak season for vacationers.

Saxbe, as above replies say, that's one of the nice things about hotels or car rental (vs airlines)--no penalty to change your res , after checking policy (sometimes you have to cancel by 72 hr prior to arrival). So book now, at either or both Sher and Ritz, and narrow it down later.
Re; your concern about "isolated" at Ritz... If you like to be nr activities, you're better off at Sheraton. I love Kahana area north of Lahaina--not as far north as Ritz in Kapalua, but some friends just complained that my recommendation of Kahana was too far from Lahaina(a 15 minute drive--but longer after lava flow drinks?) So depends on how much town life you and your husband want.
DA bit off topic of your question, but highly recommend Feast at Lele if you book a luau for your trip.
One of the Fodors posters, Beachgirl86, is in Hawaii now, staying part of the time at Sheraton Maui. She booked it last Feb or so, and by putting together deals on Hotwire and Priceline, got it for about $200/night! So don't despair of getting a much better price.

Oops--meant "don't despair of getting a better price than $365."

Thanks so much for all of your advice. I'll book now w/ Sheraton and hope the prices go down in September. Thanks again!

Are you a Starwood FF member? I think (but not 100% sure), that they offer preferred rates for their frequent stay members, and even if this is your first time staying at a Starwood property, as long as you are a member, you get some sort of discount. You have to ask for it I believe. It's worth a shot. Also, I know that several people that post on this forum have gotten really good deals for the Sheraton on Priceline and Hotwire. It would mean that you could not cancel without losing $ if you took that route, but it's another option if you decide to try it. Good luck.

I am in Hawaii now...we are on Kauai, but stayed at the Sheraton in Maui last week and had a great experience there.

Cali Nurse is absolutely right that I got it for about $200/night by getting 5 nights off Hotwire and 2 nights off Priceline. I would definitely recommend looking into that. They were full, and we still got upgrade to ocean view, even though it was on the ground level.

We'll be home on the 19th if you want to ask any more questions

Beachgirl, sooo looking forward to more details of your trip. Especially interested in your feedback about Sheraton Maui, where I've yet to stay (but now have enough of Starwood Starpoints to help pay for accomodations--yippee).
To you and your DH, aloha, and continue to have a great time 'til the 19th.
Saxbe, good luck with your search. Please let us all know when you get that good deal!

Beachgirl: Great to hear from you. Can't wait to read all about your trip upon your return. Hope Kauai is all you hoped it would be.

CaliNurse and sherrie: Thanks so much for the good wishes! This trip has been awesome...I will have lots of Sheraton Maui details in my TR. We are at the Grand Hyatt Kauai now, and it is AMAZING! And I have to say, it's a little embarrassing how much time we've spent here at the resort considering it's an island we haven't been to before

In February I think you would be happier at the Sheraton. I have stayed in Kaanapali and Kapalua many times and Kannapali is better weather-wise in the winter.

Contact a travel agent like Liberty Travel. We got a great package which included :the hotel, car rental & breakfast buffet for 2 daily. We tried pricing it ourselves, joined the Starwood preferrefd guest program, & tried to price it with the AAA discount & we still didn't come close.Check with travel agents & see what they have available. The only thing that you can't avoid is a daily resort fee(it occured at all of the hotels in Hawaii on 3 different islands.)Hope this helps.