We will be visiting Maui soon. We received comparable rates at the Westin in Ka'apanali and the Renaissance in Wailea. Any opinions?

Renaissance, hands down, unless you especially want a huge pool. The Westin has a great big pool; otherwise, I like everything about the Renaissance and the Wailea area much better!

I have stayed at the Westin. It has a nice pool and the hotel amenities are good. However, the room is nothing special. The location is good, close to Lahaina, if you want tourist kind of action. Never stay at the Renaissance. Wailea is a pretty area but much quieter.

Never stay at the Renaissance...much quieter? The Renaissance is one of the highest rated hotels (check out rants and raves). It is Wailea that has the Grand Wailea, the Kea Lani, Renaissance etc. You are the first to say Never stay at the Renaissance on this site (do a search). The only criticism I saw was that while it is great for honeymooners, the pool is smaller and not for families who like nicer pools. Maui in some spots is like NY or LA in its bustle. I respond because someone who just makes a statement like that despite all other indications to the contrary then states something positive like Wailea, with its major hotels is quiter, must be questioned.

P.S. Does the four seasons stink too.

Maui is one of our favorite vacation destinations, and have spent the majority of our time in Kihei/Wailea/Makena, so that we know the area quite well. We prefer that side of the island because it is much more upscale and quiet. We always rent a car and go into Lahaina and Kaanapali. We've stayed at the Renaissance twice and highly recommend it. There are also many other newer properties including Kea Lani, Grand Wailea, etc. One is more fabulous than the next. It all depends on what you want to pay. We have stayed at the Westin Maui Prince in Makena twice. This last time it was overrun with children and unless you have a family yourself, I wouldn't steer you in that direction. Have a wonderful time!

Hi, i stayed in the Westin one year ago exactly, and we hated it! Like Ann said, the place is FULL of little kids running around - which is normally not an issue for us, but after a whilel we felt a bit overwhelmed by the number of them.There are lots of business conventions on too, so it has a wierd feel about it. Our room and bathroom was positively depressing - dirty in fact, and so rundown that we didn't want to go back to our room. There was a nice variety of animals in the lobby, eg. swans, ducks, flamingos. But you hardly want to go to a hotel for these. We were not impressed at all, and actually ended up cutting short our trip and heading back to Waikiki just to get back to the Halekulani Hotel ,which is a marvel. I am not exaggerating when I say that the Westin was one of the most depressing hotels I have ever stayed in. But hey, that's just me.

Have a great trip.
Jill

I stayed at the Renaissance for a few days when I went to Maui (stayed at a great B/B the other days). I liked it except for the noise that you could hear (thin walls). The pool was great, the grounds were beautiful, the location was wonderful, the room was nice. I would recommend it over the Westin as well unless you do have children.

As far as "huh" attacking (IMHO) the other poster - I thought it was just a typo and they meant to say they had never STAYED at the Renaissance. Can't you give people some grace? Read the whole post.

I stayed at the Westin Maui in September. I think there is a difference in which tower your room is in. We were in the Beach tower and our room was great. I heard that the other tower is older, and has smaller rooms. Sign up for Starwood Preffered Guest and you might get an upgrade. I loved the Westin and would recommend it to anyone I know.

We stayed at the Renaissance six months ago and loved it. (We have stayed there three times over the last few years.) Not sure of the rate you were quoted, but we just booked several nights there in April in their "Mokapu" beachfront rooms, which I have heard are spectacular. ($299/nite) Those rooms also come with a daily buffet breakfast in their open air restaurant. The breakfast is fantastic. And, as with every Marriott, the service is friendly and excellent.

Fot the past 3 years we have spent the week before Christmas at the Renaissance we always book a room at their Mokapu Beach club. It has its own garden area and pool and it's own wait staff. The service is outstanding! The room is comfortable and being on the ground floor of the two story building ,the terrace leads to the lawn and all you see is the green and the blue of the ocean. If you decide to go say aloha to Moki he is the Food &Beverage director and we call him the unofficial mayor of Maui! Let me know if you decide to go there how you liked it. P.S. Sunset dinner at the Seawatch restaurant is a must.