pete

Have read many postings on the Renaissance, but not much on the Westin Maui Prince in Makena. Can anyone give some input on Wailea vs. Makena and maybe recommedations between the two hotels?

lisa

I'm not going until October so can't compare them yet, but when we were researching our trip, a few people said that the Maui Prince was practically "at the end of the road," a little farther away from most things than the Renaissance Wailea, and a few people commented on the somewhat spartan design style at the Maui Prince. It got good reviews in guidebooks but overall on this forum and others most people recommended the Renaissance Wailea more highly, so we made reservations there.

sammie

I agree with above post, Maui Prince is remote, I am not sure if there is an oceanfront boardwalk. It seems off the beaten track but I only drove by it on the way to the Makena harbor.
Renaissance is wonderful , we were there in June for 8 days, we especially loved the oceanfront walking path. only 5 hotels on the path, all hotels have huge properties, nothing feels crowded there. Some low level condos along the way also.
I would go with Renaissance.

Debie Valencia

Forget about both of those dumps. Ritz Carlton Kapalua is the only place to stay when in Maui. Its a palace and is one of the top 5 ***** hotels in the world. Travel Magazine voted them the BEST in the world as far as service last year. My sister is the PR director and her husband is the golf pro at the Bay Course that is associated with the Ritz. David Rau is his name. Also, the Ridge Villas on the grounds of the Ritz are also great to stay in. They are atually apartments built on the side of the coast, ocean front and you are entitled to all Ritz amenities when you stay there. Those are great. Forget those other places.

Barbara

Debie,

Please don't say the Renaissance Wailea is a dump! In 2 weeks we will be leaving for our first trip to Hawaii and staying at the Renaissance. We were booked at the Outrigger Wailea, but I read they were under renovation, so I had the travel agent change to Renaissance. I have read wonderful things about the Renaissance. I don't recall seeing anything negative about the place. I'm sure the Ritz is wonderful, however, I doubt the Renaissance or Westin Maui Prince would be classified a "dump". All the travel guides rank them high. The Renaissance is even on Conde Nast's Gold List.

KK

Debbie your over the top opinions are getting old....this is the 3rd time you've written in today (that I've counted so far) to tell everyone about the Ritz. Guess what? I didn't like the Ritz! Go figure. Believe it or not, not everyone agrees on things like this and your opinions will be appreciated more if you dispense with the cutting remarks.

Now, as to the Prince. It sits back from its own beach (which is very nice and secluded, but small) and is separated from the beach by a berm that blocks some of the view of the water.
The big knocks against the Prince are its very stark design (rooms and public areas) and remote location. It's not a bad hotel, it just isn't in the same league with the Renaissance in terms of proximity to things you'll want access to and room luxury. I'd predict that he difference in overall experience would not trivial, not knowing your tastes, though.

sammie

The Renaissance is anything but a dump. not sure why the previous poster is so negative about it.
I would agree the Ritz is probably nicer but is probably twice the price as well.

Lani

Pete,

The Renaissance Wailea is wonderful, upscale, tropical, location unbeatable, beaches a delight. The Ritz is far more formal and certainly lovely, but you'll feel more like you're in Hawaii at the Renaissance (and I've never heard one thing bad about it before!) Have vacationed there 3 times, and getting ready for a 4th!

Maui Prince is (or was) owned by a Japanese company, and it is a starker place in design and decor, and away from everything. I believe it was designed to cater to Japanese tastes more but then the tourism market in Japan fell flat. Very nice but not what I prefer.

Have a good friend who stayed at the Ritz, visited the Renaissance for lunch and mightily wished she'd stayed there - I think you'd love it!

Amy

Well, this is another vote for the Rennissance. We were just in Wailea last week and while we stayed at the Grand we did go to all the hotels. We went to the Rennasisance for lunch -Maui Onion great food. It had a nice lobby, great pool area, and very nice beach. On the other hand when we went to the Maui Prince which is at the very end of the strip the beach seemed to be a public beach and the hotel seemed a little run down. To further downgrade our impression we found two condoms on the beach at the Maui Prince - not what you have in mind for a relaxing day on the sand. Definitely go with the Rennaisance.

Paul

I love the Ritz Carlton hotels and I have stayed at both the Ritz and the Renaissance in Maui. In this case, I would choose the Renaissance. Great hotel and a far cry from a dump. I have never stayed at the Maui Prince.