Hello all! Wondering how to get a better rate at the Four Season in Maui for October 2005. Also wondering if the Mountainside package is alright and what the chances were to upgrade the room when we get there because it is our honeymoon. Thanks!

I think the chances of you getting upgraded are very good.

Many on this board (or on trip advisor) say they were upgraded.

So were we, and we didn't even ask. We had booked a garden room and was upgraded to a garden suite.

One word of caution though. If you end up with a room overlooking the service road, it can get noisy. Trucks, employees wandering in the area (some talking very loudly), and at times (though rarely) a whiff of the truck fumes. Can be a problem if you are relaxing on your balconey.

If you have a choice try and get a room either facing the ocean (more expensive) or a garden room facing the INTERIOR of the hotel grounds.

I seem to remember reading on this board a while back that the 4S has a policy of not upgrading if you get the mountainside package. Maybe other posters can remember? Or you could call the hotel?

It is my understangding that they do not upgrade Mountainview rooms. I doubt that policy has changed. However Garden rooms and better are often upgraded if they are not at capacity, and return guests are most always upgraded as first priority. Good luck.

If you can't get a room with a view at 4S, it's REALLY not worth the money. Have you checked out rates at the Ritz?

I would happily stay a third time at 4S in a mountainview room.

I did not stay at the 4S, I stayed at the Grand Wailea next door--but in a similar room category (i.e., the cheapest). Our room faced the 4S mountainside rooms and they looked absolutely fine to us. There is indeed a parking lot in your line of view but we weren't bothered by noise or fumes--and we even had a bit of an ocean view from our terrace. I'm guessing the mt. rooms at 4S are very similar since they are positioned so parallel to the GW terrace rooms.

The 4S is a gorgeous resort--we wished we'd stayed there--and I'd go for the mountainside package any day. The breakfast, car, and room combo is a great deal.

I think the mountain view is lovely anyway. Watching the shadows play across Haleakala at different times of the day...
I never have any luck getting upgrades. I think almost everyone visiting Hawaii is having a honeymoon or anniversary. So just decide you'll be content with the mountain view and you won't be disappointed. I always spend less time in the room looking at the view and more time exploring the grounds and walking on the beach than I expect anyway!

Many of the mountain view (or even garden view) rooms overlook the service entrance/road.

Yes you may have a lovely view of Haleakala as well, but you may be putting up with noise of he trucks and the occassional truck fumes.

Remember, it's not just the view.

Ask in advance to stay in the part that is on the highest floor AWAY from the part where the trucks unload! Have them put it in the special comments area of your reservation. It's worth a shot. That's what we did as we have this exact package in Sept booked. We just decided today that an extra $369 for the Hualalai FS isn't worth it to us after all and are only going to do the Hapuna instead ($219 a nt vs $580 a nt). It IS worth it to stay at the FS Maui for us as the price is almost half as much as the BI!

Steve R
Maryland

thanks for the help!