Hello:

My fiancee and I have a our honeymoon planned for the first week of September, and are trying to decide where to stay. I have heard great things about both hotels, but I am a bit concerned about some of the posts I read on the Ritz, including weather and location.
However, the Ritz is $800 cheaper for the 5 nights. Is it worth it? Any advice on Maui honeymoons in early september would be very much appreciated!

Thanks

I recently stayed at the Plantation Inn on Maui. It is in the best location and has a gourmet resturant.

Lucky you, congrats on your upcoming wedding. We've been to Maui 8 times and stayed at Marriott 7 times and Ritz once. The Ritz is long walk to the beach. Very nice hotel but the 4Seasons is a lot nicer. I definatly recommend Wailea over Kapalua for the weather. The location is not a big issue. We prefer Kaanapali and it's proximaty to Lahaina.
Check out the Renaissance in WAilea. We may stay there next year. Did an inspection in Febr. and it's 1st class and competitive rates.
Bart

I have not stayed at the Ritz, but I have heard that the Ritz is suppose to be beautiful.

Have you considered the Hyatt in Maui? My husband and I spent our honeymoon there in 1996 and loved it. It is very convenient to restaurants, shops, etc.

If you don't stay there, be sure to have dinner at their restaurant called Swan Court, very very romantic!!!

I guess my previous posting did not go through. We stayed at the Ritz and it is a superior property but I would not recommend anyone else choose it unless they divide their time between Kapalua and Wailea if they feel so inclined. A gorgeous resort area...BUT...windier, rainier, long downhill walk to a beach area that is not always safe and it quite open. Restaurant prices that are exorbitant and a limited array as in Kapalua you only really have 2 properties from which to choose. I like Wailea area better as well. What about choosing a gardenview room at the Four Seasons to save on money...the rooms are all exactly the same and many amenities are included in the rate...take this into account. If still to pricey look into the Renaissance Wailea and ask for their entertainment rate. Four Seasons is superior but Renaissance is a beautiful property. Annemarie

Annemarie,
Recently there has been an interest to get information about the Kapalua Area and you really seem to push people into staying in Wailea. However from what I,ve been told Wailea is a much farther drive to Lahaina than Kapalua and would not be a good base if you want to frequent Lahaina. I believe Kapalua is
about 10 miles from Lahaina.

In my opinion, the Four Seasons is much nicer than the Ritz. Also, I concur with previous posts that the weather is much better in Wailea. Wailea is beautiful. You will be spending a fair amount of time in Lahaina, but it's not that long of a drive. It's actually a beautiful drive and we always stopped and watched the surfers along the way. Go for the 4 seasons -- you won't be disappointed! They are the best in Maui.

Does anybody have an information on the Renaissance? How comprable is it to the Four Seasons? Kea Lani?

Hi Angela,
As stated , we checked out the Renaisance in Feb. for a future stay- want to try Wailea. We have stayed in Kaanapali and Kapalua and really enjoy that section. The Ren. is a beautiful hotel and the rooms are very nice. The nice part, is that their rates are more competitive. You can get good deals - check the Entertainment Book.
Maui and all the islands are beautiful, natural with lots to see. While the hotels you listed are all very nice, the best of the islands is not at any hotel, it's in teh nature. If this is your 1st trip, you'll spend a lot of time away from the hotel.
Just my opinion.
Good luck

Bart

Just returned from the Four Seasons and it is beautiful. We had a package that our 5th night was free. You may want to check into that. Also, I agree with the previous posting, don't pay for an upgrade to the room. We had a garden view with a lanai and we never used it.

We went to Lahina a couple of times and the drive was about 45 minutes. But most of your drive is along the ocean so the view is beautiful!