How is the Renaissance in Maui? Also, can you recommend restaurants nearby, both casual and fine dining for dinner. Thank you.

I am staying there b/c of Marriott points and from the research I have done, it is a nice hotel with beatiful grounds and on a very nice stretch of beach. The downside is that the rooms are a bit tired and the carpets seem old (go to travelocity and you can read recent comments). The hotel is in proximity to the finest hotels in Maui like the Four Season and the Grand Wailea which is why most posts list this as their preferred place to stay. Personally, I think you should be fine at the Renn as there is no reason to spend a crazy amount a night.

We've stayed at the Renaissance Wailea three times, each time better than the last. The grounds are beautiful and it has one of the best snorkeling beaches on Maui. Go. You won't regret it.

F.Y.I.
The Renaissance will soon be sold as its Japanese owners have to liquidate their Hawaii holdings in the hope of being able to hold on to their Japanese holdings. They will also be selling their Wailea golf course holdings.

Ginger, please provide more of an explanation. Last time I checked, this hotel is owned by Marriott Corp., not Japanese investors.

Possibly the Renaissance is managed by Marriott. I'm not sure about who does manage it but I know for certain that it is Japanese owned. Perhaps you can contact the Wailea Community Association for more information. I know they have an e-mail address but I don't have it available to me.

We stayed in the Renaissance at Wailea in May. It was wonderful. As a previous poster said, the beach was small - but nice - our room was great, and very spacious. It is a Marriott property - don't know if they're planning on selling it, but it is a Marriott now. I don't think you can go wrong there - we loved it! One night, we did the luau there, and while I really don't like those, this one was actually quite nice - and I would recommend it.

According to a letter from the WCA Board of Directors dated November 13, 2002 a restructuring agreement has been reached between the Resolution and Collection Corporation (RCC) of Japan and Shinwa Golf Group of Kyoto(the parent company of Wailea Resort Company and Wailea Golf Resort). "The agreement provides that Shinwa will maintain ownership of its eight golf courses in Japan and repay its restructured debt to RCC over a twelve year period. The agreement also requires Shinwa to sell its assets in Hawaii, including the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, the five golf courses on Kauai and Maui, and the ubdeveloped lands in Wailea."

Wailea area has some great restaurants. At the Grand Wailea is the HumuHumu room, which has great food. Everything is most probably casual. I always wore a Hawaiian shirt and shorts. We enjoyed Spago's and the Pacific Grill at the 4Seasons and loved Nicks at the Fairmont. In Kihei, about 10 minutes north is Roy's. Owned by famous chef Roy Yamaguchi. Out of site stuff. Also if you like sushi try Sansei's. I like the decor of their Kapalua restaurant more. This one is in Kihei, in a plaza and lacks ambiance, but the food is just as good. You can get typical sushi, plus their own creations. Excellent.
Frank

We stayed there about 5 yrs ago. The hotel is really nice, but I was very disappointed by the pool. However, it is right next to a GREAT snorkeling beach (you can walk to it). As for restaaurants,try Mamas Fish House. It is right on the cliffs and really romantic. Also as touristy as it is, go to Hana. It is a beautiful drive. Aloha