My wife and I are going to Maui the first week of March. We are holding reservations at the Four Seasons, but recently learned that rooms are available at the Grand Wailea for $200 per night less than what we are paying at the Four Seasons. Is the Four Season's worth the extra money? Everybody seems to think it is the best and I've heard mixed reviews on the Grand Wailea. Help, we need to decide soon.

I was faced with the same decision and chose Grand Wailea. There have been some posts on the GW lately, try a search. We're going in May for a honeymoon and chose the GW both because it's cheaper and looks like more fun (we're late 20s-early 30s). This is what I've gathered: FS is supposed to have better service, fewer kids, and better food. GW has better pools, better grounds, and a better spa.

My, experience with Grand Wailea - pools are excellent with choice of family pool or quiet adult pool. The grounds are immaculate and the rooms have excellent views.
I have no first hand experience at the Four Seasons. It is 'tucked away' more or less in the corner of the bay on wailea beach. The grounds seem to be be somewhat less impressive than the Grand Wailea.

My husband wanted GW, I wanted 4S. So a few years back we stayed at GW for 5 nights, headed to Hana for 3, and returned to 4S for 5. We ended up liking 4S much more. This was a few years back. I would spend time at both. Going with 5th night free or whatever to you gut insinct and adding the additional night or two at the other. Have fun!

What specific prices are you talking about doc04? The FS has a deal as I'm sure you know that's $425 a night for a mountainview room (we're not really in the room that much) - still a 600 sq ft room that's gorgeous, including a mid sized rental car AND breakfast buffet for 2 (enough food to carry you through to dinner). To me, this actually ends up being a reasonal deal, for Maui. We COULD have gotten a room at the GW for $290 - terrace, no view room, but add in the car for $50 a day, then add in a killer breakfast buffet at about $50 a day total and you're very close to the FS pricing. If we had kids, we'd definitely do the Grand Wailea. I'm sure they're both great. You can't go wrong with either. Also, you could book the FS and after 2 nights if you're not "into it", just check out and move next door! That's the good thing about booking directly with the hotel. Easy cancellation options. We're doing the FS for the first time in Sept 2005 for our 5th anniv, and then the Big Island FS for a few nights too.

Peace,
Steve R
Maryland