We may be going to Oahu via my husbands work in October (crossing our fingers!)and we'd like to stay a few extra days to do our own thing. We're thinking Wailea in Mauii, but are having a tough time picking a hotel. Your opinions on Renaissance and Kea Lani would be greatly appreciated! Grand Wailea sounds to flashy/busy and Four Seasons definately out of our price range. Any recommended condo developments on the water you'd recommend? Thanks in advance for your valued help!!

Stayed at Wailea Ekahi Village in June. Condo units-great service, reasonable price. Next to Renaissance. Call Destination Resorts for a price. Get the lower village if you can.

I just returned from Maui a few days ago and we stayed at the Renaissance. It was great. A beautiful resort. You are right about the Grand Wailea. It was very busy and didn't seem to have the relaxing feel that all the other resorts and condos there had. Wailea has a much more laid back feeling then Kaanapali. You will love it.

Consider Grand Champions Villas in Wailea. You can get a list of owners who rent directly by calling the management office at 808-874-3700 or can rent thru Destination Resorts (much pricier but there is daily maid service) at 800-367-5246. Try for a unit on the golf course with a part ocean view rather thsn s tennis or garden view.

I am pretty sure that Grand Champions is not on the ocean, it is on the other side of the road.

My husband and I stayed at the Grand Wailea on our honeymoon and absolutely loved it!! The grounds are gorgious and the service is great. The spa is to die for. I would highly recommend the hotel and that side of the island. You will love Maui no matter where you stay.

If you are staying a few extra days in Wailea than I am not sure a condo(Elua) would be what you would want. The Grand Wailea will be too pricey if the FS is too pricey. Your best bet is to look into the Renaissance Wailea...their entertainment rate...and if you get a good rate, you can stay in their premium section...have forgotten what it is called, but rooms are separate, as is concierge service, cont. breakfast, second pool. Kea Lani is beautiful if it is in your range.

The Four Seasons isthe best barring none.

Joy,
Grand Champions is not oceanfront but a number of the units have an oceanview. Plus sitting on the lanai having breakfast or lunch and watching the golfers is being on the golf course is great!

We just returned from Wailea in June. We stayed at the Grand Wailea and it was very nice, but very expensive. We went to the Renaissance one afternoon and were not impressed. The pool was tiny and so dirty you could not see the bottom. We also saw the Kea Lani. It was very beautiful, but I think it is almost as expensive as the Grand Wailea. If you are only going to be there a couple of days I would splurge and stay at the Kea Lani. Just my personel opinion. Good luck with your decision!

Loved the Kea Lani. All suite hotel. Big rooms and big balconies. The grounds are gorgeous. You get alot for your money.

There is a BIG difference between staying at an oceanfront hotel, and a condo on the golf course with views? that are a long way from the ocean. The most wonderful thing about going to Hawaii is a place to stay on the ocean.Paula Marie specifically stated that she wanted a waterfront location. She should be receiving just such information.

Joy is right there is a big difference staying at an oceanfront property and at a property with an ocean view. The BIG difference is the $$$$$$$$$$ that you're throwing away for the oceanfront room when you're in your ocean front room for about an hour a day when you're not SLEEPING! I've stayed in ocean front hotels in Wailea twice and oceanview condos about a half dozen times!

Think about the Outrigger Wailea. It has just been redone. The prices are more reasonable. The Grand Wailea is the Disneyland of hotels, some people love it. Not me. Kea Lani is fabulous even the mountain view rooms have a great view. It is as expensive as the FS and of the same or nearly the same quality, a younger crowd than most at the FS. The Elua Village is on the beach they have one bedroom condos. They may have a 3 night minium. It is nice and on the same strip of beach as the others.
Try the web sight of the Westin Maui Prince it is farther south and more removed than even Wailea. Not in expensive but very beautiful. In October you should be able to find some deals.

Paula-
My husband and I stayed at the Renaissance for our honeymoon in October and already want to return!! The hotel is beautiful--we hope to go back to Hawaii soon, and it would be hard to find something comparable to the Renaissance. The customer service is superior, the open air resturant has wonderful food. I read a previous comment about the pool being "dirty", but this was not at all our experience. The pool and the hotel grounds are clean and well-manicured. The Grand Wailea is very flashy--I have not seen the Kea Lani, but we give our "thumbs-up" to the Renaissance.
Aloha!