My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon in Maui and Kauai in September. We're booking through AAA Travel, who uses Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays. We're staying at the Hyatt in Kauai, and are debating between the Marriott Outrigger Wailea and Fairmont Kealani. Has anyone been to either and can make a recommendation? The Outrigger is $500 less.My fiance likes low-key travel (usually backpacking) and is not into chi-chi resorts so we're trying to strike a balance. The Outrigger looks like it might be a little more his speed. Thanks!

I have stayed at both. I think you're right that the Outrigger fits you better. It's a very nice property, but you have to take a path to the beach; the pool area is nice, but smaller. I wasn't not impressed with the Kea Lani, as their service was terrible and the rooms were dirty (white carpeting and upholstery). For $500 savings, go with the Outrigger. If you want the spa or Nick's Fishmarket, you can always go down to the Kea Lani for that without paying to stay there.

You have already answered your own question.

You stated your fiance is not comfortable with more upscale hotels and you're trying to balance a nicer hotel on Kauai with one which is less so on Maui.

The only way you could justify staying at Kea Lani would be if it were humbler than Outrigger/Marriott, which, of course, it's not.

No need for discussion.

The Outrigger is really very nice. Some of the rooms are closer to the ocean than the other hotels so you can hear the surf at night. The dining room has a great view of the ocean and other islands. It is pleasant and low key. Great honeymoon.

We just went to Wailea.... really read and thought about where to go - and read lots of appends. We were surprised when we got there - all the resorts are beautiful. We stayed at the Rennaissance. Maybe the cheapest- but just lovely. I recommend - if money is an object - you stay where you can get the best price. The differences, in my opinion, just aren't worth paying for.

Not original poster but I am also thinking about Outriger Wailea - do they have beach cabanas available?

My wife and I stayed at the Kea Lani. It was fantastic. The service was excellent and the entire hotel is beautiful. The rooms are all suites and are very spacious with their own lanais that are as big as the width of the suite. Very nice rooms. We would definitely stay there again. But if your fiance is not really into upscale resorts, the Kea Lani is not for you.