Hi there,

I have read so many negative posts about the Ritz-Carlton on Maui, that I am re-considering staying there for our honeymoon in September. I thought it was supposed to surpass the Four Seasons, according to some guidebooks I have read, most notably Fodors.

I would greatly appreciate your opinions and advice.

Do you think it will be so windy in September, and will we be able to swim at the beach at the RC?

How about rooms, views, service, and food? Which did you find better (again, this is our Honeymoon and we are really, really splurging, so we just want to make sure that we are making the right decision and truly getting our money worth).

I also read on a post here that some people though the buffet breakfast's food was just average, and the food you get if you pay extra $$$ for a Club room is definitely not what you would expect for paying out so much money.

Thanks so much for all the help and advice you can provide!! I truly appreciate it!!

Victoria

I have never stayed at the Four Seasons but I did stay at the Ritz Carlton last year. The Ritz would be a wonderful place for a honeymoon. This Ritz is like all of the ones we have stayed in: first class rooms, service and food. We stayed on the Club Level which is very special and in my opinion worth the extra money. The Club is large and offers excellent food all day long with cordials and desserts into the evening. The pool area is very large and nice. Hotel management seemed very concerned about the welfare of their guests. That said, the negatives are as follows: the beach is about a five minute walk from the hotel, the ocean is usually rough for swimming and Kapalua can be fairly windy at any time of year. Although I have never been to the Four Seasons, people who have stayed there seem to love it. It is not an easy choice but I don't think you can go wrong with either hotel.

You will have a great time no matter where you stay. Friends of ours recently went throught the same debate (as did I) and they decided on the Ritz and were very happy. On the other hand, we went to the Four Seasons, which I would recomend. We also visited the Ritz. They are VERY different in terms of surroundings. When we went to the Ritz we were in awe b /c the area was so UN-Maui like. Don't get me wrong - it is gorgeous. But it is up on a cliff and the beach is down below,etc. (I am sure you have heard all of these negatives before). Anyway, we just loved the FS and the food was amazing (although expensive, but everything there is). I just really like the sunny, beachy atmosphere and the fact that you walk down five steps and you are at the ocean and they practically hand your snorkels and flippers on the way!
Have fun!

Victoria: perhaps if you told us what you value most and what it is that led you to choose the Ritz, we could offer specific guidance.
I'm quite familiar with both places, and most all the top places in Hawaii. The Ritz is not for everyone. But not everyone likes the FS either. Heck, not everyone likes Hawaii in and of itself.
Key questions would be: is seclusion a pro or con (that is, Ritz is rather isolated, but some like that), do you mind driving to get to restaurants, etc, service is excellent at both places, how important is beach access, will you want to spend time at the pool, are you a 'hotel snob' or not (that is, some people are very picky about hotels and some are very easygoing).
Another question which might help me: what are the most memorable/enjoyable places you've stayed in the past? Knowing where you've been and what you'll be comparing to helps. If you haven't been on any really extravagant trips, you'll be happy with either one. I have my biases, but I'll wait to see where you're coming from.

Victoria -- I was in your shoes last year -- had to pick where to go on my honeymoon. If I were going to Maui for my honeymoon, I would choose the Four Seasons (we actually just got back from a trip there last week). We really like the Ritz-Carlton and got married in one (not the one in Maui). The service and food are always good. The Ritz in Maui however is too formal (and we actually like to dress up!). It is a very good hotel, but it just doesn't take advantage of the fact that it's located in Maui (beach is simply too far away; pool is not that nice compared to other luxury resorts)

The Four Seasons has outstanding service (even better than the Ritz-Carlton) and is in a great location. The weather in Wailea is much warmer and less windy than in Kapalua. You can get the seclusion in Wailea at a variety of beaches and in your room. When you want activities, the hotel goes overboard trying to help. We were overwhelmed at the Four Seasons -- just got back from there. Like everyone says, both are outstanding hotels (the Ritz is very good), but if I had to pick, I'd go with the Four Seasons.

Can I confuse you a bit more with another option? They are both on separate sides of the island. Why not spend half the time at one and half at the other. We just did this and split our time with the Grand Wailea. This way you can see both sides of the island without having to drive all the way back to your hotel. Also, both hotels will be very good about packing you up and making your move very smooth. Just an idea. Enjoy it wherever you go. Being married is fantastic!

First of all, let me thank Steve, Carol, Holls, and Paul immensely for your wonderful and honest advice! You have all helped me tremendously! I can't believe what kind people you are - I am always so wary of using message boards.

After discussing your responses with my fiance, and looking at pictures of the resorts again and again, I think we are leaning towards the FS.

The Ritz does sound wonderful, but we really love the beach, and I think it would be important for us to be able to just walk right out to it, and have a great view of it from the room. It is Maui after all! Also, it is important to have lots of restaurants nearby and the like, so it seems like Wailea has a lot more around. We are going to try to spend a few days on the Big Island as well, so I think we can get that perspective of the rougher, high cliffs and crashing waves type of Hawaii that also looks so incredibly beautiful!
Thanks again and let me know if I can ever be of any help to you! I'm sure you'll be seeing many more postings from me here in the future! Victoria

Victoria -- glad we could all help. I think you're making the right decision with the FS. I forgot to make one more recommendation . . . since this is your honeymoon and you're splurging, you should get a massage or package at the Grand Wailea Spa. That place is ridiculous. We got the romantic interlude package, which included the baths (they call them terme which are different dipping baths -- they also have sauna's, jacuzzi's, crazy showers), then a sandalwood wrap, then a private bath overlooking the ocean, then an hour massage in a room overlooking the ocean. It was unbelievable (and very expensive -- $500 total for the two of us). The only place you have to split up is the terme baths, but these are so amazing, you feel like a Roman Emperor. If you like this sort of thing, then do it. You won't regret it. Have fun.

Victoria:
I think you're making a wise choice. FS is really a great place, but in a very different way than the more frenetic/kid-oriented Grand Wailea. Nice to have the GW next door though for the restaurants (and spa if you take Steve's advice).
Hope you have a great time!