we are looking for a luxury resort in Maui to spend a week at. Which resort has the nicest beach, restaurants, kids program?
Thanks.
Jeanne

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I vote for Grand Wailea. It is very popular, and may be fully booked. Your best bet might be the Napua Tower (concierge), which includes breakfast in the AM, and wonderful appetizers and cocktails in the late afternoon. Good enough for dinner most nights.

They have the best pools, gorgeous beach, good kids program and a fabulous, fabulous, fabulous spa.

If your kids are older (teens), they may be a little bored in Wailea and would be happier in Kaanapali.

The Grand Wailea would be ideal - beautiful beach, fantastic pools, and good restaurants nearby (not necessarily AT the resort). Just get the least expensive room (terrace view) as the cost can really skyrocket for a slightly better (resort sits way back from the beach) view.

We will be on Maui - Kaanapali for spring break with our 12 and 14 year old boys. There seems to be more for them to do there... along the boardwalk and snorkeling, boogie boarding and surf lessons. We will take extra cell phones to give them alittle more freedom around the area. Whalers Village has great stuff and free hula and dancing shows. Lots of teens and families strolling around in the evening. We have stayed at the Sheraton (nice pool) and Alii and Whaler condos are great but, not much in way of pool area for kids. March 2006 we are going to try the Westin for the waterslide and designated adult and kids pools. Kaanapali is close to Lahaina also. We will still drive to the Makena beach area and Wailea for the day or when going on excursions... but we prefer the Kaanapali area with our kids. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

thanks for your feedback. I will look into these options.

any thoughts about the four seasons hotel located there?

fyi, we have three boys aged 8, 7 and 1.

Thanks.

I believe the 4S has a free kids' program? That alone might tilt me toward them--however, the Grand Wailea beats 4S hands-down when it comes to the pool area. We stayed at GW for our honeymoon and there were tons of kids there, having a BLAST.

Given the ages of your boys, I'd go with the Grand Wailea. It's much more "fun" than the 4S. They have a very nice pool for the little tikes. The older boys would love the Tarzan Rope and water slides. The kids club is fun, but would only work for your oldest two. And for you, mom, you deserve a day at the spa!!

If you are serious about the Grand Wailea, you should look into reservations immediately. They are often booked up a year in advance for some rooms during Spring Break.

I would suggest trying to get as close to the pools as possible (the Lagoon Wing being the closest). We actually liked the ground floor so the kids could run out and play while we sat on the patio.

If you can afford it, the Napua Tower is a great option, too.

Good Luck.

thanks for your advice. I'll look into the GW as well.

My husband and I were just at the Westin for 8 days this past October. It's been about 15 years since we were there, but in our opinion, the hotel seemed "tired." Our first assigned room was a garden room which was okay except for there was "no closet!" Kind of difficult to go for 8 days with no closet. What was originally the closet had been removed and remodeled into a counter top space with the honor bar. Good idea, but in place of a closet??? The only closet was literally in the amoire and the space to hang clothing was about 12 inches wide and about 40 inches tall. There were 3 drawers only half the width of the chest under the hanging space. I went back to the front desk and told them there must have been a mistake -- that we needed a closet, and after about 30 minutes the manager reappeared and lo and behold -- a room opened up that had a full size closet. We were willing to pay for an upgrade to anything to get a closet, but at that point I felt we shouldn't have to bargain over a place to unpack. Hotel property is nice, but after walking up and down the beach, there are definintely more hotels that are equal to or better than the Westin in our opinion. The Kaanapali Beach hotel property even seemed nice. Of course the pool area isn't as nice, but surely you could fix a drink and take it to the pool for the difference in $$. The beach is the same as at the Westin and I would definitely consider it on our next trip. I just hope we don't have to wait another 15 years.