Maui Hotel
 

I am going to Maui in December. It is my first time there and i am looking for a really nice hotel. It is my honeymoon so i am looking for a luxury hotel that will make our trip romantic and memorable experience. Any suggestions?

If you want something really nice/ romantic, I'd recommend the Four Seasons in Wailea and the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua. My best friend actually stayed at the Ritz on her honeymoon and found it very romantic.

There are also a number of great hotels in the Ka'anapali area, but they generally tend to be a little more family oriented. Still, if you'd like to be someplace that's more lively and less secluded, the Hyatt and Sheraton in Ka'anapali are nice.

Be sure to let whatever hotel you choose know that you're coming for your honeymoon. They'll let you know about romantic options that will make your stay even nicer. Good luck!

Thanks so much for responding. Do you know anythig about The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui. Expedia has it as 5 star

I've been to the Kea Lani twice...it's the nicest hotel I've stayed at. While others will always recommend the 4S or the Ritz, I will always send people to the Kea Lani. Why spend as much at the other hotels for a basic room when you can spread out in a suite (with a big bathroom) for the same price at the KL? It's clean, bright, cheery and the staff is perfect. It has 3 pools (one adult only), large lawn, a great beach (sea turtles!) and several excellent places to eat. I was a little tenative going there a 2nd time because I'm one to like to try new places but as soon as I stepped out of my car, the valet said "welcome to the Kea Lani" and after I took one look at the lobby framing the ocean view, I knew I had made the right decision to come back.

The rooms at the Four Seasons and Ritz on Maui are hardly "basic" as described above.
Why would someone spend more for these?
One reason is level of service (which is not important to the majority of travellers)....it's a cut above at the RC and FS.
Another is actual room quality. The Kea Lani offers size, but the quality of the furnishings, beds, linens and such is not the same as the FS and RC. Again, for many people, they won't know the difference or care.
But there are reasons why people are willing to pay more at places like the FS, and why they keep coming back. FS Maui guests all know what the Kea Lani is. It's right next door.
Some people find that the KL gives them everything they want (and for fewer dollars). Some prefer what the FS offers.

Wow that sounds fantastic. Have you ever stayed in the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa or the Westin? My fiance' is leaning towards staying their because the pictures are amazing but i have my doubts. KL's pics on expedia we not as nice but it has 5 stars.

I found the 4S to be FAR more romantic and luxurious than the Kea Lani. Also, the beach at the Kea Lani is puny, and the one at the 4S is large and wonderful - yes, you can walk to any of the beaches in Wailea, but why would you want to when you can just stay at the 4S and have the honeymoon of your dreams?

Do you think the 4s is a lot nicer than The Ritz-Carlton??

I also agree with the posters about the Four Seasons. My stay there was perfect and memorable. Though the hotel was fully booked during our stay, it felt like we were the only guests much of the time (except around the pool and the restaurants). Service was exceptional. The only flaw I can probably think of is that you'll have to wake up early to get a poolside cabana, but the attendants can set up deck chairs and shade for you on the beach (which as Brooklyngal said is really nice and shared by the Grand Wailea and I think the Marriott). I personally don't like lounging by the pool so it wasn't a problem for me.

I've never stayed at the Ritz Carlton or Kea Lani so I can't comment on them. However, I've heard that Kapalua has more unpredictable weather than Wailea.

Seems like everyone loves the FS but is the Ritz on the same level or a step below. The FS isnt availale on Expedia thats why i ask.

Wailea is a nicer area for a honeymoon--just my opinion-so I'd go with FS or another Wailea hotel.

I think you should consider your fiance's thoughts on the Hyatt. The property is just as fabulous as the pictures. We visited some of the hotels in Wailea during our stay in Ka'anapali, and were very happy that we decided on the Hyatt. I originally had reservations at the 4S and Hyatt, and had a very difficult time deciding between the two resorts.

The Hyatt's pool is much nicer than the 4S, although the beach area is small. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. One of our concerns was that there might be a lot of kids (we were there in July). However, there is a waterfall and bar that sort of separates the kiddie pool area from the larger "adult" section. During our stay, we didn't notice any kids, other than older teenagers, on the "deep end" side of the pool area. We were there when the resort was at full capacity; however, it never seemed too crowded. The rooms are nicely furnished and the beds are so comfortable.

I know many posters here love the 4S and Grand Wailea, and they seem like very nice properties. However, you might also want to consider what you want to do while on Maui. For us, there were many more restaurants and activities available around Ka'anapali. We loved just walking the Beach Walk during sunset, even with no destination in mind. The Beach Walk is a paved walkway that goes along the beach in front of the resorts on Ka'anapali Beach and also fronts Whaler's Village which has nice shops and restaurants. There is a similar walk along the Wailea beach area; however, much smaller scale.

This board contains endless opinions from both sides of the Wailea/Ka'anapali "which is better debate". I recommend you research a bit about each area, it might help you with your resort choice.

I have been on Maui 4 times in the last 6 years. Stay at the GRAND WAILEA in WAILEA. It has a Hawaiian feel -- very open, lush, tropical; the 4S has more of an Asian art approach. Kanapaali was the original beach; now it's crowded; hotels are older. The Ritz unfortunately is in an area that can get rain when everyone else isn't -- it's too far off the "beaten path" for me. Again, stay at the Grand Wailea -- next door is a shopping area with a Tommy Bahama bar that looks out over the ocean -- ah! The Kea Lani nearby had a nice jazz bar (lower level) but sorry anyone with kids -- the place was overrun and I can't handle crying and whining first thing in the morning or for that matter, any time (had breakfast there once). AGAIN, stay at the Grand Wailea. Lahaina is mostly t-shirt shops anyway -- why do you need to be nearby to this. Visit Lahaina one day eat at Longhi's for breakfast. Go up country to Makawo for an interesting day trip -- also the Rain Forest, if you need to say you did Hana -- drive there -- but be prepared to be disappointed. Hope this helps.

I would suggest spending a couple of days at the Hotel Hana Maui. Extremely romantic! It is remote and there is little to "do", but I can think of no better place on Maui to spend at least part of a honeymoon. Some of the Sea Ranch cottages have sublime ocean views and some have spas on the decks so you can soak and snuggle while admiring the views. Ahhh...

They're all nice hotels. You won't go wrong with any of the ones mentioned.

Yopu can go wrong with a couple of days at the Hotel Hana. This is not an experience that will interest the majority of people. Hana is EXTREMELY quiet and laid back.

You're right about Hana... I was typing as that was posted.

Thanks for keeping Hana so wonderful!

I never meant that Hana isn't wonderful... personally, I would love to stay there for a couple days... but I don't think it is for everyone.

Hana is far from wondeful for many people. There are few places to stay in Hana because there is not a lot of demand. But those who like it like it a lot.

rusty: You are absolutely, 100% correct and I am glad that more people don't like it as an overnight/multiday destination. I thought it would be helpful for francineB to know that there are high-end/luxury/romantic choices open to her besides the usual suspects in Wailea, Kaanapali and Kapalua. Hence the suggestion for the Hotel Hana Maui.

Wow thanks so much. I hadnt even considered Hana. Maybe we will split the trip between hana and the Ritz.

You may wish to investigate the Hotel Hana. Hana and its environs are magical, though unquestionably quiet. It's biggest promoter/benefactor, Paul Fagan, called that "heavenly". Charles Lindbergh found peace living in the area his final years on earth.

My opinion only but.........I'd do a night or two (no more) at the Hotel Hana Maui. The rest of the time I'd do at the Sheraton or the Hyatt in Kaanapali (make your new husband happy) or the Kea Lani in Wailea. The 4S in Wailea is nice though, I just prefer the Kea Lani. The Grand Wailea is EXTREMELY popular with families with children (not my idea of a honeymoon!). The Ritz Carlton in Kapalua in December may get you more rain and wind. It's usually less rainy in Kaanapali and even less in Wailea. But of course, you're on your honeymoon and may not even notice how much it's raining.

I just returned from a trip to the Ritz Carlton Kapalua and the Four Seasons Wailea. Both were beautiful, but I must say I was a bit put off by the general "air" of the clientle at the 4 seasons. Everyone walked around with long faces and their cell phones glued to thier ear. If you did not get down to the pool by 6:30 am, you did not get a cabana. I took a morning walk on the beautiful beach and actually heard people fighting over a cabana and verbally abusing a pool attendant. I usually greet people with a "Good Morning" or "HI" when passing(and Iam from New York) and the greeting was usually ignored. My Mom uses a walker and is a bit slow. Many people rolled their eyes if they were detained for a minute by her. I found the place manificent but the atmosphere from all the people from LA awful. I hope this does not offend anyone as that is not my intention, just my experience. I dont think I would go back there.

I am fron New York also. That puts me off totally. Thanks for sharing that with me.

Was the Ritz like that too or just the 4S?