If you read my recent posts, you'll notice I am switching our plans back and forth (Big Island or Maui, one island only for 1 week or 2 nights in Oahu, etc) due the the availbility of flights we can book with our points.

Now we finally got things narrowed down, and at the same time found great deals for Car + hotel Maui packages on Expedia.

We are thinking of:
1) Fly direct to Maui and stay 5 nights, head to Honolulu and stay 2 nights. Fly out of HNL.

2) 7 nights in Maui

Which is a better way?

Also, I can book either of the hotel at the same cost. Any feedback on which one to go with?

In Maui, we are looking to relax for the first two days (this is our honeymoon), then want to do some snokerling, visit the volcano park, and do the route to Hana.

As for Honolulu, I don't know what I want to see ... just want to see one more place in my trip. i.e. get the most out of our trip. We are Toronto - a far trip for us!

Any suggestions on itinerary would be great.

I would do 7 days in Maui. After two relaxing days, it sounds like you have 3 days of things already planned. Hana is a full day, Volcano(bring warm clothes) is a full day, a snorkeling trip can be a full day. There are so many activities on the islands, check here
http://www.mauiactivities.net/maui/

I would take the Marriot. Maui Prince has location and a great beach, but it must have the worst pool atmosphere on the island.

Agree the Maui Prince has a great beach with good snorkeling to the south (left side)beyond rope swing. Suggest checking to see if Expedia can get the breakfast included with your package as you will need to drive to dine elsewhere.

The Wailea Marriott has a rocky ocean front but excellent snorkeling can be found with a few minutes walk to adjacent beaches. Marriott is closer to neighboring upscale resorts and shopping, with more dining options that you can walk to.

Believe you will be satisfied with either choice.

FrankS, can you elaborate on the "worst pool atmosphere" comment? I'm curious what you mean. Is it boring? bad service? not pretty? "Maui Revealed" seems to agree with you, but I want to understand.

thanks!

china cat,

The pool at the Maui Prince is an older one tucked in between the hotel and what I can best describe as a giant sand dune with vegetation growing on it. The pool is small, no view and the lack of air circulation(blocked by the hotel on 2 sides and the sand on one) makes it feel too hot. Most of the time we stayed there few used the pool, as the hotel is on such a nice beach. What few people that did go to the pool seem to be happy due to the uninterrupted service by the bar there.

i checked out some reviews and pictures on Trip Advisor. It looks like the Maui Prince shows its age more than the Marriott. Is that right?

Can anyone tell me about the $25 resort fee per night at Wailea Marriott? Expedia indicates that it includes self-parking, Marriott website says it doesn't include parking. i guess it's better to take the words on the hotel website?

I think the biggest draw of the Prince's pool is the lack of kids running around. But, we spent little time there and opted to spend the time on the beach. We had come from the pools at the Hyatt so maybe we were just ready for great beaches

Sayko,
I think the $25/nt resort fee covers self parking.

starrs,
I mention the pool issue because its important to some. After years of cleaning up sand dragged in by me, my traumatized Mom has become a devout pool person. If you do get her to the beach, she is one of those private covered cabana people. Which is a double issue for the Prince, as there are no cabanas available on the beach. When we were there, some people had to drag lounge chairs over the hill just to use them on the beach.

"It looks like the Maui Prince shows its age more than the Marriott. Is that right?"

The Wailea Marriott was renovated and refurbished a couple of years ago, so this may be so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn9dDaJjjE4

I stayed 3 nights at Prince 10 days ago and I hightly recommended it. I do not think any photos i saw truely reflect its conditions. It's freshly new and magnificient. Whenever you step into the lobby, you will be impressed.

Rooms are large especially those on 1st and 2nd floors. Double doors, double showers and large balcony. The size of balcony alone could be that of a motel room. No resort fees (free parking, safe, refrig) though no free internet access.

Maui Prince's pool is not something to write about but who goes to Maui to stay at pool?

I got my partial view room (all rooms have at least partial view) for $165/night before tax from Priceline.com bidding. It's also very convenient to go to other beaches in south maui either walking or a short drive (we do have a car though).

Marriott is close to Wailea shopping center. Not too private but easy for dinning.

BTW, I split my 7 nights in Hawaii by staying 4 nights in Maui and 3 nights in Kauai. It's our second time to Maui so we skipped Hana and Volcano and focused more on beaches. We encountered whales while kayaking out of Wailea beach in front of Grand Wailea hotel. No question the unexpected experience is the top of our vocation.

We also had great time in Kauai hiking trails inside Koke'e park. The views of Na-Pali were so wonderful that we were speachless.

FYI. Just noticed that Maui Prince has started charging a $15 per day resort fee as of May 1, 2009. I think they were the last hotel on Maui not to charge a resort fee.