Toddlers at Four Seasons Maui
 

Are we crazy? I have a reservation for a garden-view suite at the FS Maui for next February when we will be traveling with our toddler and infant. On our last trip to Maui we stayed at the Kea Lani--which we enjoyed very much--but since their poolside rooms are already booked, we decided to go with the FS since they appear to be so accomodating to children (and have been so at other locations) and the rate was not that much more. Does anyone know anything about the children's pool at the FS? Since FS are known to be very kid friendly, I am confident that the staff will be great but what about other guests? Have others experienced other problems? Our toddler is very well behaved and has travelled extensively but he is still just a kid and likes to splash in the water, laugh and have a good time. Although I anticipate we will spend much of our time at the beach, will we feel totaly out of place by the pool? Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

That one has pretty snooty no-kids allowed type guests. I would probably feel out of place at first and then not care. That beach isn't the kind young ones can hang out and safely wade in the water like others. You could keep them in the small beach area with a pail I guess.

When we were there on our honeymoon, we spent a lot of time at the pool and never even realized that there was kid's pool virtually around the corner until we saw Arnold Schwarzenegger and his kids coming back from there! So although we never went over to the kids pool, it seemed to be quite isolated from the other, so you wouldn't feel like you were being disruptive.

I've also noticed that they have a children's program there, as I've thought about it for the future with my three kids. As they have a reputation for being an "adult-friendly" resort, I'm guessing that they are pretty well-prepared with areas where kids can be kids, away from all those kidaphobic guests!

Plus, it's such a wonderful resort. Don't pass up the chance to stay there. February is a vacation time for many schools (mid-month for us in Mass.) so maybe there will be more kids there than usual that week. Good luck!

We stayed here with our two kids over Christmas Break (ages 5 and 9) and they loved it there! They are very accomodating with the kids and I would highly recommend it! The room will be childproofed on your request, there will be bath sponges spelling out your kids' names, beanie baby type iguana toys with the 4S name on the belly, cookies, kids'shampoo etc. on request, special kids' buffet area in restaurant at bfast time and other meals as well.

As far as the pool goes, there are two. One is too deep for your children. That is the main pool with the fountain in the middle. My youngest could not touch; I believe it was four feet all over. There is a second pool up on the hill that is not easily seen from the main pool area. Ask if you can't find it. This pool is perfect for your aged children. It really is two pools connected by a very small slide. The deeper pool has a waterfall and is too deep for children but the connecting pool is much shallower and you could help your toddler go down the slide. Part of this shallower pool is sectioned off (like a jacuzzi is often done on some pools) and is extremely shallow for infants/toddlers. It might be a foot deep. There were many young babies in this area on our trip. I also saw a lot of beach toys in this pool and for kids down on the beach. Also, the pools are all heated which is nice, especially when the wind blows. There are two hot tubs next to the main pool.
The hotel has two mackaws named Ricky and Lucy which are kept in cages on the way to the pool. My kids loved seeing the birds and trying to get them to talk.
I chose this hotel for our family because they went above and beyond my expectations during the holidays to make it special for them. Santa came on an outrigger canoe on Christmas Eve and gave all the kids a gift. Later that night, stockings were delivered to the rooms with more gifts. On Christmas Eve they set up two big blow up things that kids jump inside (not sure of the correct name for those things)in the ballroom, craft stations for making ornaments and decorating cookies, and they played bingo with an impressive prize table. My kids had a blast! On Christmas Day they made Gingerbread Houses.
They also loved the kids' Club where they learned to play the ukulele and made crafts. When the hotel has more kids than normal (summer and holidays) they have special night time activities for a fee. My kids participated in Pajama Night, Star Party Night, and one with sports for the older kids(played games on the beach). As you can tell, this hotel makes sure ALL the people who stay here have a wonderful time.

By the way, I never felt like this was a snooty place. I was worried that it might be but it wasn't that way at all. We had a very relaxing, wonderful time.

Thanks very much for all of your responses and particularly Ashley for the details about the pool. Your testimonies have convinced me that this is the right place to stay--unfortunately I now have to wait until February! Thanks again.