Maui Prince second thoughts...
 

My fiance and I have planned a 14 night honeymoon for next June/July. On the second/third legs of the trip, we will be going from Kauai Hyatt to the Maui Prince. Is this going to be a letdown? I know that it is not the FS, but is it still a nice place? I've heard mixed, but mostly positive reviews.

Also, we will be in Maui for the 4th of July. Is there much going on there on the south side? This is our first time to Maui, but we were thinking that staying south v. west would help minimize kids and crowds. I guess I'm not totally convinced we've made the right decision. We can still change our reservation if need be. Any advice would be appreciated!

As you stated, the Maui Prince is not the FS. It is a low-key sort of place. The rooms are average, the gounds are very nice, the pool is very simple (no slides, caves, waterfalls) like at the Kauai Hyatt. The location on the beach is wonderful.The beach is one of nicest on Maui with great swimming and snorkeling. At the Hyatt, you won't have the great swimming beach you will have at the Prince. Just like at the Prince you won't have the pools like you will at the Hyatt. The Prince is a bit isolated (which I happen to like) and secluded. Have a great time!

I've stayed in both hotels and I like both hotels.

The Hyatt is very glamorous and has unbelievable pools...it also has no swimming beach and millions of kids...the hotel is very spread out (lots of walking)...I doubt I would go back in a big rush...just too much like Disney for me and I greatly missed the beach.

Of all the areas in Maui I like the Wailea/Makena area the best. Maui Prince is at the end of the line and is apart from the other hotels...it is not as glamorous as the other Wailea hotels (or the Hyatt Kauai), but in some ways that makes it nicer...it is certainly a very very nice hotel and it has an outstanding and somewhat private beach, few kids and a fairly let down pool...I usually get a great rate when I stay there and feel the difference in price is well worth the difference in glamour.

If you are a "pool person" you will be disappointed at the Prince. The hotel itself if very low key and minimalist...

Check for my 2 part post from January on my last trip!

Thanks for the comments. I think we'll stay put. We don't need a "scene" nor a huge pool when we've got the ocean! Thanks!

Just one more thought...you cannot walk anywhere from the Prince. From the other hotels in Wailea you can walk along the ocean quite a distance on a lovely walkway, visit other hotels for a change of pace, go to a shopping center, etc. without needing to get in your car. Wailea is our favorite place, but we found the Prince too isolated and very, very quiet. Do drive further from the center of Wailea, past the Prince to one of the nicest, most intersting areas of the island. It is the remains of the last lava flow, incredible sights, and fab snorkling on the beaches. The is also a lovely old church in the area.

I believe there'a a July 4th rodeo up in Makawao...

We stayed at the Maui Prince our very first trip to Hawaii about 17 years ago. It had just opened and we loved it. This past summer we thought of spending a few nights there. We were on the island and wanted to see how it had held up. I like the setting but I found the rooms to feel very old and faded. We opted out. Just my 2 cents.

Wow, thanks! If there are any other thoughts, let me know. I sure appreciate it.