We are spending the last week in August on Maui and have big discounts through work at both the Renaissance and the Ritz. We have read postings here on both resorts, but are wondering whether it makes sense to split our time the between the two. Any thoughts? This will be our first time in Hawaii.

Message:
According to this months Travel and Leisure (August 2002)they handed out the World's Best Awards.....Top 25 in Hawaii
1. 4 Seasons Resort Hualalai
*2. 4 Seasons at Wailea, Maui****
3. Halekulani, Honolulu
4. Lodge at Keole, Lanai
*5. Fairmount Kea Lani, Maui
6. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Hawaii
7. Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii
*8. Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, Maui***
9. Ritz-Carlton, Kapualua, Maui
10. Princeville Resort, Kauai
11. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hawaii
12. Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa, Kauai
13. JW Marriot Ihilani Resort and Spa, Oahu
14. Orchid at Mauna Lani
15. Alii Tower
16. Manele Bay Hotel, Lanai
17. Kona Village resort
*18. Grand Wailea Resort, Hotel and Spa, Maui***
*19. Kapalua Nay Hotel, Maui***
20. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Hawaii
21. Kauai Marriot resort & Beach Club
22. Whaler on Kaanapali Beach, Maui***
23. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Maui***
24. Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort
25. Maui Prince Hotel, Maui***

I think the Renessaince Wailea is the best value in all of Maui.

You know, that's an interesting ranking.
I almost always have gripes about some of the slots, but I agree with virtually the entire list there.

Notably:
--Grand Wailea is well down the list
==Ritz is lower than some people seem to think it should be
==Kapalua is well down the list

I think they did a very good job with that ranking.

I agree with all of the prior posters and must say that Wailea Renaissance is an excellent value. I enjoy the spa at Grand Wailea, but the decor is too gaudy for my taste. Food is also mediocre. Renaissance just feels like Hawaii to me. It is a peaceful, relaxing place with warm, friendly service. If money is no object, Four Seasons is a good choice though.
The Ritz has a great beach located rather far away from the hotel itself. Because of the Hawaiian gravesites, the resort is set far back from the shore. Strange hotel design and very windy at the pool. I prefer the weather in Wailea.
For your first time to Hawaii, Renaissance IMHO feels more like "Hawaii" than the Ritz.
Best regards and aloha,
Kehau

I'll agree.
When you factor in value, Renaissance is really a great option on Maui.

Sounds like the previous posters gave advice about the "value" of the Ritz vs. Renaissance. We were up in Kapalua last year and are planning to return for our honeymoon. We stayed at Kapalua Bay, closer to the beach, and thought it was a great value - we didn't even think about staying at the Ritz because of the beach access issue.

However, you asked specifically about "splitting" your time. I think Kapalua was great, but we are dividing our honeymoon between Kapalua and Wailea this September to make sure we get some sun - it was rainy a few of the days we were in Kapalua last August - although we could drive 10 minutes south to Kanaapali for sun if we wanted it.

If you do this, I'd suggest staying in Kapalua first... we thought it was absolutely great until our day trip to Wailea - then we were sorry we didn't choose the Renaissance!!

Definitely both areas have their charms and if you have a week or more I'd spend time in both places.

splitting is the ideal way to see the island, so much to see in each area!

We just got back Sunday from a week at the Ritz in Kapalua and thought it was great. You do have about a 5 minutes walk down to the beach. We didn't have any problems with rain. It could be windy in the afternoon. I think splitting your time between the two is a great idea because you'd see the two different sides of Maui. Kapalua is very pretty, much more lush and green than Wailea, and less developed. Wailea is much dryer and brown, but has great beaches. I recommend the book "Maui Revealed" -- we used is religiously during our trip. Aloha.