Kapalua or Wailea?
 

I will be going to Hawaii for the first time in November. I am torn over where to stay. I have heard good things about the Kapalua area (I would be at Kapalua Bay Hotel) and also heard great things about the Wailea are (I would be at Kea Lani). If you have stayed at either or both, which do you recommend? <BR>

We spent a week at Rennaissance Wailea in June, the area was very beautiful, the oceanfront walk in Wailea is wonderful. Hotel properties are spread out, each has lots of land with condo's mixed in. <BR>It is easy to get to/from the airport. <BR>The one downside is that it is a 35-40 min drive to Lahaina , where many restaurants and activities are. <BR>Otherwise, Wailea is top notch.

Between those two properties I would go with Kea Lani in Wailea. The Wailea area has wonderful beaches and often always has good weather. I am not sure if you have visited their web site yet although you can visit it at: <BR> <BR>www.kealani.com <BR> <BR>In additon, something that I found to be VERY helpful in deciding to go there or not was a Virtual Tour CD-Rom of the property which was free of charge. I was able to receive it by contacting them via e-mail on their web site. <BR> <BR>Hope this is of some help, any other questions please feel free to ask! <BR> <BR> <BR>

Krysten, <BR> <BR>I also will cast my vote for Wailea. I stayed there at the Outrigger last July and had a wonderful vacation. It is such a beautiful resort area. I had a rental car and used it alot. Driving to and from Lahaina and Kahalui was pleasant. Loved the smells from the sugar cane fields. <BR> <BR>Happy planning! <BR> <BR>Sandi

The Kapalua Bay Hotel has more of an old Hawaii feel to it, and some people really like that. To me it just felt kind of old and tired. <BR>Kea Lani is relatively new and feels like it. I think the pros for KL outweigh the cons comparing it to KBH. <BR>

Thanks for all your responses, <BR> <BR>After reviewing much information on this site, it seems the vast majority of people favor Wailea. Therefore, I am beginning to lean that way. <BR> <BR>I have a new question. I have narrowed my search down to two proerties. The Kea Lani and The Renaissance. Has anybody stayed at both or have comparitve information? - All comments are helpfull Thanks, K

If you do a Fodors search on these hotels, you will find a great deal of good information. We stayed at the Renassaince last March and thought it was a great hotel. If you are a pool person, be aware that the pool is small compared to other hotels I have stayed in Maui. Neverless, we loved the hotel and recommend it.

If price is an issue at all, you can get much better deals at Renaissance Wailea than at Kea Lani.

I'll cast a vote for Wailea hands down, and the Kea Lani -- and then put another one in the ring...(depending on what type of vacation you are looking for). We stayed at the Grand Wailea last year, and it is a great hotel -- large, pools, water slides and a wonderful beach. The Kea Lani is smaller, and more intimate -- but a beautiful hotel -- you can't go wrong with either one (and they are right next to each other...) <BR> <BR> <BR>

i stayed at the grand wailea resort.it was unreal and yes the costs were out of sight, but i have to tell you it was a dream. the grounds are gorgeous to walk with fish filled streams. at night real torches are lit. granma played tennis, teenage niece sunbathed , wrote, volleyball in the pool,read;brother-in-law did some work took van up to haileakala for sunrise; sister-shopped and spent entire days in the waterpark with 10 yr old nephew and me the "pool" is on 5 levels- you float, glide, take slides and waterfalls from top level down to bottom pool, there are painted tiles in pool-right on the ocean-with water trampolinesetc.-and to get back up to top pool to start again a WATER ELEVATOR!! oh yes in the spa i had a hot stone massage(stones were blessed by the hawaain gods. i am not making this up