I have been to Maui several times, always STAYED on the Wailea strip (at the old Renaissance Wailea.) Haven't been back in years though I'm getting ready to go again this Spring, and renting a condo in Kihei. This question is for a recommendation to friends ... We found the Kaanapali Beach area more congested than Wailea but still very beautiful, but we never stayed there.

"Maui Revealed" author Doughty gives the HR Maui high, high ratings for overall ambience, only caveat being that some of the beach is a little rocky. Says the Wailea Marriott feel too modern, not as warm and "dreamy."

The Wailea Marriott ... $250/nt total, standard, no-view room, 1/3 mile walk to beaches on either side .... OR ...

Hyatt Regency Maui, golf/mtn view, right on beach, $285 nt./total.

Which would you recommend? These ladies are in their sixties, will probably be their first and only trip to Hawaii ... one sister cannot walk long distances. Going for overall best Hawaiian feel ... Thanks ...

ttt

I have been to the Wailea Marriott at least 20 times, most recently a few weeks ago. It isn't as fancy as the other hotels in Wailea but I do love it and the whole area. The views are lovely, it's low key, there is a luau several times a week that you can watch from the kiddie pool. I love love love the adults-only "infinity" pool, it is fairly new and being in it is truly dreamy! HOWEVER, for ladies with mobility issues I think the Wailea Marriott might not be ideal; it's built on a hill, there are stairs, the grounds are expansive. Plus there is really no beach there.

I am not a fan of Kaanapali but I think you have to weigh overall accessibility.

(PS The old Wailea Renaissance still looks abandoned.

Be aware of West Maui Lahaina Kaanapali. Maui News Fen 17 2010. Activity, restaurant prices are hurting visitors

A tourism executive said, "We haven't seen such revenue, reservation and visitor declines in Maui since we've been keeping records."

A fresh sign of the woes are being unleashed by a Maui economy mired in boom-time pricing marketing and the Great Recession.

Those vacationing on Maui are, unfortunately, not finding ways to reduce their restaurant and activities expenses once here. Visitor confidence in finding reasonably priced activities and restaurants in Lahaina/Kaanapali is exceptionally low.

Next year will not be any better than this year if the needs of visitors cannot be met.