Hi Stever

We are staying at a moderate resort Napili Kai Beach Resort in an oceanview studio for 6 nights and in an oceanview sea ranch cottage at Hotel Hana Maui.

My husband is not an early morning person and this way we can leave a little later since we are spending the night and take our time at the stops we make and then the next morning be at the 7 sacred pools and Lynberg's grave long before the crowds get there. Plus we don't have to check in and out of hotels just pack an over night bag. This way if someone did break into our car on the drive up they would not find anything but overnight stuff. Plus we will get to spend time at the beach near Hotel Hana Maui and experience this wonderful hotel if only for one night.

Hope this helps you in your decision

Kay

Steve, in helping you make your decision...since it's been awhile, the road to Hana drive takes around two hours without stopping (if I remember correctly). If you want to stop and see waterfalls and/or beaches longer. I think two nights in Hana and the rest at the FS would be enough...After the long drive you will be ready to just sit and relax...then take the next day to explore.

We stayed in a sea ranch cottage which was nice, but honestly our "view" of the sea was blocked by some sea grapes/palms out front so it wasn't all that. I believe the junior suites garden view will be just as nice. They were renovating them last year while we were there. You won't be missing anything by staying there. How much will you be sitting in your room anyway? There is a beautiful pool at the hotel and expansive grounds to wander around on.

I need to tell you that there is nothing to do there however other than the following: sitting by the pool, reading, swimming in the pool, going to Hamoa beach, horseback riding, and hiking in Haleakela National Park...I mention this because of the sun factor. No stores, restaurants or anything other than the Hotel. It does rain more on that side too so that could help with the sun thing.

We drove back to the FS the other way around, in our rental car. It was fine, just a few gravely roads. We stopped at the winery on the way down to the FS, this could be fun for you if you decide to stay in Hana.

Thanks again!
Travelchik - from a monetary standpoint I like your idea about staying in the cheaper (by a $100 a night!) Bay Cottage (garden view room) by the main building... that's alot of free food for the $$$'s difference. I talked to a lady that works the desk there today and she RAVED about the Sea Ranch cottages over the Bay cottages, though. She said if we can swing it, it's definitely worth the difference in money. Hmmmmmm. Not sure about that one. She also said they do a 10% discount (which helps) for AAA but the reservation lady wasn't in. I always get her voice mail! This place must be really small:o)

Kaymit: That sounds like a good plan you have there to have BOTH rooms at one time for your purposes. Lucky your other room isn't TOO expensive. My wife wouldn't allow for the 2 room at one time deal. I think we might do the first 2 nights in Hana Ranch now and the last 4 at the FS. Still not totally sure...

Now: Bay cottages vs $100 more for Sea Ranch cottages. ????

Steve

steve...IMHO it's a good choice to stay in Hana. It will allow you to do the drive at a more relaxed pace, and even though you both have done the road to Hana before, maybe you'll have time to see some sites you missed before. We stayed one night in Hana and even with that missed some spots. Plus, after all the deliberations, at this point, if you decided against it you may find yourself staying at the FS the entire trip and wondering if you missed out by not staying in Hana too.

3 islands, sounds like you're in for a great trip!

ggrtist: Thanks for the comment and spot on, too! That sounds like a plan. I'd hate to NOT have done the Hana part of the trip, and wonder if we should have just "gone for it".

Now: to spend the extra money for the Sea Ranch vs the Bay cottages...

$375 vs $495 a night. Ouch for the $495 rate, you know!? Even with the 10% AAA discount it's steep for us, but doable if need be. Anyone stay in the Bay Cottages and wish they had sprung for the Sea Ranch ones? Or were they just fine as is?
http://hotelhanamaui.com/rooms_rates.shtml

Steve

Steve, here's my two cents. We stayed in a deluxe ocean view sea ranch cottage with spa. Room looks exactly like when you go to hotelhanamaui.com and click on the first pic in their photo gallery. I didn't think it was worth the money and I'll tell you why. 1. We barely had a view of the ocean. If you went out to the end of your deck and craned your neck around you could see some ocean waves in the distance. 2. We spent 95% of our time at the pool and wandering around, eating dinner, and going to Hamoa beach. I would only recommend the sea ranch cottages if you were going to book the Ocean Front category since those do have great views. The only advantage to the cottage we booked was the spa on the deck and perhaps a little more privacy, however not much since these are duplex style in case you did not know so you still have a neighbor. If you book the bay cottage and you want to see the ocean the resort has adirondack chairs set up all on the large grassy area that overlooks the ocean and you can sit out there and gaze if you wish. There is a pic of those in the photo gallery page 2 I think. Save your $$ and spend it for a nice dinner in the restaurant or get a massage at their spa.

To Travelchik - Your 2 cents has turned into $100 for us!!! I'll take you up on your suggestion and just book the cheapie room and save the rest for yummy food. I'm assuming that this is the type of place that doesn't upgrade you based on availability :o) , right? I'm sure we'll be happy without the ocean views.

Fodors is invaluable due to kind people like you. Try to get this kind of unbiased info from ANY travel book.

Steve

Steve, enjoy and post when you come back. I'm interested in hearing your opinions of the FS (which was too plastic/fakey for me). I do think the service can't be beat. Wonderful. I forgot to mention that the Hotel Hana Maui also has a hot tub at one end of the long pool. You can sit in there and see the entire view of the ocean and beyond. It was better than the one on our Sea Ranch deck by far. Food in the restaurant is expensive but equal to the prices in other Hawaii resorts. There is a small lunch place across the road that is also owned by the restaurant that is a bit cheaper. But the food is kind of gross. Good for a hot dog or ice cream and that's about it. I don't know what nite you will be there but one night the resort invites all the guests up to the plantation cottage and offers free drinks and food. I think it was called the manager's cocktail party. My goodness I ate my entire dinner up there.

I don't think they'll give you an upgrade but you never know. Very small only 65? rooms in total....but nice to experience once.

Travelchik: I most certainly WILL post a just back report when we return, hopefully telling everyone how great the Bay Cottages were in relation to the money charged for them.

Great perspective you have. Thanks for sharing it.

Steve