Also, is 4S Big Island worth the money. Will be going to Maui and the Big Island for May/June 2005 honeymoon. Any advice appreciated.

ttt

I have only stayed at the 4S Maui but I must say that it was fabulous. However from the info I have gotten about the BI property, it sounds even better! Service will be first class at both properties. The Maui resort is like a palace while the BI resort is like a small village, with only two story buildings with a very tropical feel, the lower level rooms have outdoor showers. If spending 500+ on a room is not a problem for you, then I'm sure you will find that the experience is worth it for you. If you don't plan on spending much time relaxing at the resort, you may feel guilty for spending so much money when you are not even there.

We've stayed at the 4S BI and weren't impressed at all. Their beach is narrow and rocky, you need water shoes to go swimming, every 5 minutes we saw and heard hotel staff with their silly walkie talkies, trying to look real important. Etc. etc. It all just added up to ruin the Hawaiian experience/atmosphere for us.

For a honeymoon I'd recommend either the Mauna Lani or Mauna Kea (if a nice beach is a necessity) or Kona Village (if a nice beach isn't a necessity, and you want a real "get away from it all" Hawaiian experience -- rooms at Kona Village are individual and have no phones or TVs). But service is absolutely stellar at all three properties.

4S BI. I've stayed at both Maui and Hualalai. Hualalai is the MOST special.

Agree with 4S Hualalai - it is the most impressive property I have ever seen. There are about 30 buildings, each with 3-8 guest rooms max. Each room is oceanview, and I didn't think the beach was as bad as fdecarlo did. 4S Wailea on Maui ain't bad but is much larger therefore more people to crawl over. However the 4S Hualalei is expensive. There seems to be more things to do in general on Maui since the island is physically smaller so you can do various things on the same day. If you choose Maui, don't miss the Maui Ocean Center near Maalea {sp?} It's great, particularly if it's not a good beach day. You can get discount admission tickets if you belong to AAA.

I have also stayed at the Orchid in Mauna Lani on the Big Island. It too is very nice - is probably a little less expensive than either of the 4Seasons - closer to 4S Maui in layout than Hualalai. It is further north up the Kohala coast on the big island

The 4S BI has often been rated the top hotel in North America. 'Nuff said, I think.
If someone can honestly say they 'weren't impressed' by the 4S BI (I'm specifically referring to the grounds, rooms, service, food) then I'd have to say their taste is far removed from 97% of the rest of the world.

Now whether or not it's "worth the money" will depend on one's budget. That's another subject entirely. With an open budget and no guilt, the hotel itself is top notch in every way.
Anyone travelling there should already know that the BI's beaches aren't the best. There are a few nice ones, though, and MK has one. But there's simply no comparing the quality of the resorts themselves. FS is tops.

Four Seasons big island all the way! I stayed one week at the big island and one week on maui for my honeymoon in September of 2003. They are both amazing but the BI is peaceful, fabulous service, all over great experience. We did not even leave the hotel for a week! BI all the way!!!!!