TravelDiva

Hi All,

My brother will be getting married in Maui this Valentine's Day and I'm going crazy trying to find a nice place/good deal for my boyfriend and I to stay at for 7 nights.

They will be staying at the Fairmont Kea Lani and the ceremony will be held at a private beach by Makena. Though it would be nice to stay at the same resort, we're trying to save some money and are willing to stay elsewhere in the Wailea area (Makena, Kihei, etc.).

At the price range I'm trying to limit us to (around or under $2000 per person for hotel + r/t air from Chicago), we're going to need to choose between trade-offs. I like the amenities of a hotel and would prefer a package if possible through American (I'm an AA frequent flyer), so I haven't really looked into condos much.

Here are the four that I'm considering:

Moderate suite at the Kea Lani:
Pros - great resort, nice pool, a lot going on
Cons - worst room in the resort/view of the parking lot

Oceanview room at the Maui Prince:
Pros - view, nice grounds, good restaurants, nice beach
Cons - Run-down rooms/bathrooms, bad pool, remote location means not a lot going on here at night though things are a 15 min. drive away

Terrace room at Renaissance Wailea:
Pros - Nice grounds, beach access, good location
Cons - Also read this property's rooms are in need of sprucing (e.g. musty smell?), no view

Terrace room at Wailea Marriott:
Pros - Similar to Renaissance
Cons - Similar to Renaissance

In scouring Internet reviews, I've seen both good and bad things about the Maui Prince, Renaissance Wailea and Wailea Marriott, so I appreciate any advice on choosing between these or opting for the lowest-end room at the Kea Lani.

Thanks in advance!

auntiemaria

tt

vaca03

I highly recommend the Renaissance Wailea. Stayed there a year and half ago and was very pleased. I didn't think it was musty at all. The grounds are immaculate and the rooms are very cheery. It's a small boutique-like hotel but don't expect it to be in the same class as the Kea Lani or FS. I think it's nicer than the Marriott Wailea. However, when I was there the Marriott was the outrigger.

sherrie

What's the difference in room price for the lowest at Kea Lani and the Renaissance? We stayed at the Kea Lani two years ago and it was very nice. We also stayed at the Renaissance for one day because we had a late flight and the Kea Lani did not allow us to get a super late checkout. The pools at the Kea Lani are much nicer than the Renaissance, but I DID like the atmosphere at the Renaissance, it was less stuffy and they were really nice to us there just for one day. The Shops at Wailea is very close and I believe you can walk to the other hotels via the beach walkway if you want to check them out. If $$ is an issue, I'd stay at the Renaissance.

TravelDiva

Thanks all for the input. Money unfortunately is an issue, b/c normally I would love to splurge since we won't be getting to Maui often, but we're trying to save money right now. The difference is significant between the Kea Lani and the Renaissance (approx. $1000 for air and hotel).

I'm just worried b/c of all the negatives I've heard about the quality of the rooms at both the Renaissance and the Prince (that they're desperately in need of makeovers). But I'm not so sure that's worth spending an extra grand on. What do you think?

TravelDiva

To clarify, the add'l. $1000 is for two people.

sherrie

I'd definately go with the Renaissance. The room we had was smallish, but clean with everything we needed. I really liked it and would probably stay there in the future. Just my opinion, but I hope it helps you.

sherrie

Another thing to think about is just how much time you'll spend in the room. That extra $1,000 could be used to splurg on several great dinners, or activities that you will definately enjoy and remember longer than the room at the hotel. But believe me, I agonize all the time about choosing "just the right overnight accommodtions" and understand your question completely. Good luck.

GoTravel

TravelDiva, have you checked Hotwire and Priceline vaacation packages? You may get a lot more bang for your buck.

When recently searching for a Miami package, I found the very best deal at USAirwaysVacations.com. They aren't really a part of USAir they just license the name or something similar.

TravelDiva

I've scoured the Internet for packages and the best ones I'm finding are actually via American Airlines Vacations (I'm also an AA frequent flyer and ideally would like to book through them for points.). I'm considering putting a low bid on Priceline just to see what I'd get since it would basically be the Renaissance, Prince or Marriott I'd be getting if I won. Only hitch in that is that is if I get the Marriott is definitely undergoing renovation when I'll be there.

It's boiling down to the Renaissance and the Prince. I've gotten great feedback on the Renaissance, but haven't heard much about the Prince. Anybody been to the Prince? I know their beach is supposed to be great. The upside to the Prince is the automatic ocean view.

Thanks again all!

SAdamsrec

We stayed at the Maui Prince for 4 days in May and we perfectly happy. I wouldn't call the room rundown, it just isn't as elegant as some other places. We had just been at the Hotel Hana Maui and, of course, that was rather elegant. We were quite comfortable. Had a partial ocean view and had great sunsets. We thought the pool was perfectly nice but we only spent one afternoon at it as we were gone all the time. Their beach is fabulous for snorkeling. It isn't particularly far away from everything. As I remember it is in Makena. We had no complaints. We aren't used to the ritz but we like to be comfortable.

GoTravel

Traveldiva, if you get a priceline or hotwire package, you don't place a bid.

You tell them where you want to go and they come back to you with packages for flight + accommodations. They TELL you the name of the hotel ahead of time.