My wife and I stayed at the Renaissance Wailea in early March and loved it. Wailea is quieter, a resort area, but its is beautiful. There is a pathway that runs along the beach connecting all the resorts and you can stroll this and see all teh great sites. The Grand Wailea is the most incredible edifice I have ever seen, I spent two hours one night just strolling the grounds..my jaw hitting the floor with every turn. Definitely drive around to Hana and stop along the way for a picnic. It is easy to get around the whole way despite the warnings. Whale watching is a must if in season and by all means bike down Haleakala. The island is paradise and has many good restaurants: Mama's Fish House, the Sea Watch in Wailea are two that come to mind. Have a great time!

I am preparing to honeymoon in Maui during the first week of October and was wonderinf if anyone has stayed at the Ritz Carlton? If so, how was it? Our travel agent claims that it is fantastic and there are some pretty good deal available right now.

Also, what can we expect to spend on activities and dining. I have been told that prices are about 50% higher for these services than on the mainland.

Any info is greatly appreciated

We honeymooned on Maui Jan 1998. I've been 3 times before, and adore Maui. We stayed in a condo--Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Some of the tips mentioned getting pampered the entire time--we ate dinner out every night (except the night we'd gotten up at 2:30 to see that Haleakala sunrise--that night we crashed!!) but we ate breakfasts and packed lunches for our days. That's why we wanted the kitchen. Plus the space to spread out for a week. I recommend a condo!!

Do NOT miss Scuba!! You don't have to be certified--I am but my husband wasn't. He adored it and is dying to get his cert so we can now go on scuba vacations! Scuba is easier than snorkeling, IMHO--you don't have to worry about getting water in your snorkel! You just breathe!

We stayed in Kaanapali because I wanted to be near black rock and the good snorkeling there. I've always stayed at Kaanapali b/c of all the action. However, I think next time Wailea would be good, just for a change.

I agree about the Crazy Shirts for T-shirts. They are a little more pricey, but I have several that have lasted 10+ years!!

Our first nite we ate at the Kobe sushi bar in downtown Lahaina...best sushi I've ever had!!! We continued to have sashimi and fresh fish every single night we were there... don't miss Mama's Fish House on the other side of the island, kind of near the airport. Pricey, but well worth it--they serve truly fresh fish, with a blurb about how bob/dave the fisherman caught it!

I stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Kona (big island)
and it was wonderful--although it was very similar
in terms of room accomodations to the Ritz Carlton in Pasadena, CA. Very very nice, but nothing particularly hawaiian about it.

Whatever you do and whereever you stay, you will have a marvelous time. Enjoy!!

I just checked back to this site and noticed I had 22 responses!!! Thank you all so much for the information!!! I printed it out and showed it to my fiance and now we're busy making our final choices...so much to see, do and choose from! It's great to hear from "real" people about these sorts of things other than reading different web sites that are naturally going to have great things to say about their property, even if it isn't so great. It's much better to get another person's point of view. thank you all so very much!!! Feel free to add any other suggestions...I'll be checking back!!

My husband and I honeymooned at the Ritz-Carlton, Maui. It is north of Lahaina and Kaanapali and in a secluded area (there are no commercial areas north of the Ritz). It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL and would be my first choice if I had to do it over again. There are tropical pine trees that line the road to the hotel, and a beautiful golf course. The beach is a short walk (through the golf course) from the hotel, as I understand the hotel was not allowed to build directly on the water as it is an ancient burial site.
You are away from the noise and bustle of Lahaina and Kaanapali but close enuf to drive there in less than 1/2 an hour (only 10 min to Kaanapali).

The deal we got at the Ritz (June, 1997) was awesome, it came with free breakfast and a garden room which overlooked the beautiful golf course. The breakfast buffet was truly amazing. We would go there around 11 AM and gorge ourselves and skip lunch. Mmmm...

Compared to the Four Seasons and Kea Lani in Wailea, I would say the Ritz is more traditional and elegant, with an island flair, while the hotels in Wailea are more modern in style and some (I think it was the Kea Lani that looked like Aladdin's castle) are more ostentatious.

Food is expensive, but on the other hand, the restaurants are very nice, and if your Ritz package includes breakfast you only need to worry about dinner. I think the two best meals we had were at (1) Roy's Nicolina (in Kaanapali - for the "foodies" - entrees around $20) and (2) Avalon (in Lahaina - go for the two for one special from 5 to 6 PM - the salmon on mashed potatoes and a tower of arugula, eggplant, etc. - can't remember the name was one of the best dishes I've ever had - entrees around $20).

May you all have a WONDERFUL, truly blessed honeymoon (I wish I could go back!!!)

Re the prior posting regarding the Ritz-Carlton at Kapalua, thank you. As Honolulu residents, we usually celebrate our anniversary at nearby outer-island resorts. We recommend the Lodge at Koele, the Manele Bay and the Princeville. The Ritz-Carlton at Kapalua seems to combine a pampered and elegant experience with seclusion and a beautiful stretch of beach. It has received excellent ratings, both for its food and its setting, and we look forward to experiencing it.
Thanks also for the restaurant recommendations on Maui. Lately, the Sansei Seafood and Sushi Bar (near Kapalua) has been earning raves and sounds like a great culinary destination.
If ever on O'ahu, our city boasts many wonderful Pacific Rim restaurants: Indigo, Roy's, A Pacific Cafe, Hoku's, Palomino's, are just a few. Although urbanized, O'ahu still offers visitors a generous slice of paradise. A day sail off Diamond Head is magnificent, and the city such as it is, is beautiful from the ocean. A short drive over Makapuu will lead you to Waimanalo and the sights and sounds of a far more unspoiled Hawaii. Aloha, and may you enjoy future visits to these islands.