Hi Joanie, Jerry and Jane.

We're going to Puerto Rico in late August and were wondering if it gets very crowded at this time of year. Does the Condado beach have gambling? What currency do they use?

I am not sure about the gambling. My husband and I fin Casino's to be the devil's game and try to avoid. We do find their chapel to be quite comforting and Reverend Luis Aguiar gives a very inspiring sermon. As for currency, I don't know what it was called, but loked very similar to American currency. I almost wonder how they tell the diffence.

Have you considered the Sheraton in Maui or the Hyatt Regency?

Michelle & Fiance
I don't know if the level of service is the same at the Kea Lani but I have been in the Kea Lani and it was very nice and, as I mentioned previously, I have a friend who stayed there on her honeymoon. She loved it and couldn't say enough about it. Why don't you stop by a travel agent and get a brochure or check if they have a website. I'm sure the travel guides all say positive things. Wailea is a pretty exclusive area and all the resorts are beautiful - Grand Wailea, Kea Lani, Renaissance and the Four Seasons. Is the Kea Lani equal to the Four Seasons, probably not, but will you be happy at the Kea Lani, I'm sure. By the way, what type of dog do you have? Would it get along with my pomeranian?

Michelle, my wife and I stayed at the Kea Lani last June for two weeks on our Honeymoon and it was fantastic. The service was excellent, the suite was huge and very comfortable, the pools and beach were beautiful. Feel free to e-mail me for more info but I would not hesitate to book there. Also, not sure how long you are going for but for two weeks, the suite proved far better and more livable than any hotel room would have. Regarding the Ritz, I have heard that as a hotel it is very nice but that it is on a very windy part of the island making lounging outdoors less desirable versus the Wailea section which has the best weather.

I was quite offended when I read some of the above comments re: my advice. I don't come on this website to tear people apart or to complain. Yes, I was indecisive about where to stay in Boston and had the opportunity to visit New York as well. What is the problem with seeking out different possibilities. Here, I have never been! I have been to Hawaii 4 times, so before you start accusing me of shooting off ratings, take a step backward and realize I am speaking from personal experience. The ratings were only there to back up personal opinion which changes from person to person!

Thanks to the people who stood up for me. If youhave read my comments before, you will know that I speak from experience with the ratings and book comments to back me up. Everyone has his or her own personal opinions which can be confusion when receiving recommendations so to have some ratings just solidifies one's beliefs. Sorry, Michelle...never wanted this to get off topic.I think you probably guessed that I was speaking from experience having visited 4 times already. Feel free to email directly if you have any more questions. Annemarie

Just back from my honeymoon which included 6 nights at the Four Seasons (after 5 at Princeville...highly recommended). Live in NYC so I could come to the wedding but allergies would prevent me from taking the dog. I will echo others enthusiasm for the Four Seasons and the opinion that I would opt out if the pool were closed. The pool and lobby area were the best I saw in Hawaii and the atmosphere at the pool was intimate and social. Just a great place to hang out. Both the Kea Lani and Grand Wailea seemed to have much more kids primarily due to the suites at the Kea Lani and the amusement park like grounds at Grand Wailea (swinging rope into pool, etc.) The Kea Lani was very nice and spoke to prople who were happy there. The pools were set back from the beach a bit (closer at FS) and one pool was for adults only (the need for this probably supports that there are more kids). Stopped by the Ritz as well. The setting probably topped all of the Wailea resorts (closer to the Princeville, which sets the standard in terms of setting). Very nice beach and the West Maui mountains are beautiful. It is also much closer to Lahaina, which is touristy but definitely has charm as well. The lobby was nice but seemed better suited to a Ritz located somewhere other than Hawaii. The tiered pool and hotel are set back quite a bit from the beach. I have also heard that it can be more windy and rainy than Wailea. Since we were also staying on the rainy side of Kauai, this was a deal killer for us. Having said that, rain was not an issue on Kauai nor would it have been in Kapalua during our stay. Congratulations and good luck. Feel free to e-mail for more info.

Michelle and I decided to stay at the Kea Lani for our time in Maui. We are still staying at the Hyatt in Kuai. Thank you to everyone for your helpful advise and too bad nobody wants to watch our dog while we're gone...We'll be sure to post our positive advise on our experience when we get back!

Although the Four Seasons and Ritz have great sevice, they are both much too formal, too elegant, too quiet, for my and my wife's taste in Maui accomodations. In addition, we much prefer the Kaanapali (west) side of Maui, over the Wailea area. The west side is much more lush and green and beautiful, while the Wailea area is more dry and barren (except of course for the actual grounds of the hotels). Great hotels on Kaanapali Beach are the Hyatt and the Sheraton.
LOTS more info about Maui restaurants, hotels, activities, sights, etc, at this web site:
http://www.mauihawaii.org
(note it ends in org, not com)
Jon