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EdenPrairieArtist :
Not defending the other poster, as I do not know this person. However, the tone of my posting has been misunderstood before as people cannot hear the vocal inflections of the written word.
I think that this person was explaining that we each have a different interpretation of distance.
And, it really is a good suggestion to ask a hotel employee - although you're equally likely to receive equally varied replies from them.
Kamahinaohoku nailed the source of the disparity.

fitzie39

EdenPrarie Artist...go to www.bluehawaiian.com and click on "view your hotel from the air"...will give you an idea of the beach situation at the Marriott.

vivi

I can't think of too many hotel rooms in Wailea that are "steps from the beach." (Hmmm, maybe the $2K a night villas at the Kea Lani.) For example, it is quite a haul from the Grand Wailea to the pools and the beach. The Marriott has sprawling grounds, so depending upon your room location it could be longer walk than you want. We have stayed oceanfront at the Marriott and been practically on the beach path, we have also stayed up high in the Haleakala Tower whcih necessitates a longer walk.

TripleSecDelay

Fitzie39 - Thanks for the reminder. Good call.

dhoffman

My wife and I stayed at this Marriott in September. They have several fine pools and a nice one for young kids. It is not a big deal to get to the beaches that lie on either side of the hotel. You will pay 2 -3 times as much for a room in any of the other hotels located nearby. The rooms are fine and the hotel will be undergoing a update over the next year.

mauibound6mo

I really liked staying at the Wailea Marriott. Their staff was very friendly and accommodating. Also, you'll find that everything is a short walking distance away - - their two pools, the beach, dining, shopping.

Just go with your instincts - anywhere you stay in Wailea is amazing.

Have a great time!

ILOVEHAWAII

I had a great time in Hawaii! I went to all 4 islands, Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. I went to Hawaiidiscount.com and reserved my activites beforehand. I would definitely recommend this. They do really book up. We did'nt get to go on the helicopter ride we wanted. The name of the guy who helped us was John. Hope this helps.

carabro

We just got back from 5 nights at the Wailea Marriott and absolutely LOVED it!!! We got the room off Priceline for $150 - so were particularly happy with the deal. We were also upgraded to a WONDERFUL room no more than 15 feet from the ocean and with amazing views. We loved the entire Wailea area and were so glad to be there. This board was a HUGE help in planning our trip - my detailed report to come soon.

You can't go wrong with the Wailea Marriott. I know many people find it less fancy and too 'low-key' compared to the other Wailea properties - but that's just what we loved most about it. I went to the spa at Grand Wailea (highly recommend!) - and walked around the pools and property there. It was so big that I found it overwhelming. And everywhere you looked there were people, beach chairs, etc.

We spent a lot of time at the pool at the Marriott and were frequently the only ones there (in the mornings and evenings especially). I also loved how close it was to the water. Granted - it isn't smack on a beach - but I found the chairs overlooking the rocky 'beach' to be particularly relaxing. And never crowded. A HUGE perk for us!

We also had dinner at the Four Seasons and Fairmont.... and pardon me for saying this - but I found the atmosphere at those places to be a bit snooty and uptight. Again - I'm sure it's all just what you are accustomed to. But we felt infinitely at home, relaxed and treated quite well at the Marriott. You'll have a GREAT time!!

Just one more quick note though - it does appear they are gearing up for MAJOR renovations. I believe we were told the pools would be completely remodeled beginning this winter. So depending on when you go - you might want to check on that status first.

Aloha!!!

TripleSecDelay

Thank you, carabro, for reinforcing what I stated earlier here - for the price variance, the Marriott has to be the better choice.

Great to hear that you enjoyed the spa at GWR. That "rope of water from the ceiling massage" is exquisite! We each had an excellent masseuse there, as well.