Hi, I would greatly appreciate help in deciding which Maui hotel I should choose for Jan '04. (Is that a good time for a visit?)

I am trying to decide among:
1) Four Seasons
2) Ritz Carlton
3) Fairmont
4) Grand Wailea
5) Hyatt

If it helps at all, my favourite hotel chains are the St. Regis and the Peninsula. The stuff that bothers me most are hotels where you can hear your neighbour flushing their toilets and stained furniture or carpets. BTW, how is the food at these place?

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

We stayed at the Grand Wailea last year with our teenagers and although it was very nice, I wouldn't stay there again if I was going without kids. Even though the grounds are large and very beautiful, it can feel a bit crowded and does have a more family feel than Four Seasons. We ate dinner at the nice outside restaurant at the Four Seasons and was wonderful. That is where I would pick in the Wailea area. Babs

Given your coments, the Ritz and Four Seasons are your best bets. The decor at the RC is like most RC's--traditional Victorian type. Some people find this out of place in Hawaii, some people couldn't care less as long as it's well done.
The FS has more island flavor with rattan furniture and such, but still speaks luxury and refinement in a more casual way.
Of course the other debate centers on the weather and overall appearance in/around Wailea vs. Kapalua, as they're definitely different.

The GW and Hyatt will not make you think "St. Regis/Peninsula" IMO.

I have stayed at all on your list and I have to rank FS tops with their excellent service and food. RC is also nice. I would not recommend Fairmont because I didn't like Roy's (because its by a pool) and their beach is small. FS restaurants are much more romantic with better food. By the way my favorite hotel is Peninsula Bangkok, simply unbeatable!

There is no Roy's at the Fairmont. There is a Nick's Fishmarket which is near a pool but I don't believe it is an issue when dining in the evening.

The Fairmont is nice because it's an all-suite hotel. I would pick one of the first three hotels on your list.

I just returned from a trip to Maui last week. We stayed at the Four Seasons Wailea (7 nts) and we wish we were still there. The service was right on the whole time. The rooms are very large and have nice lanais. If you enjoy the Peninsula hotels, then this is right up your alley. Cold towels, Evian Spritz, water and strawberries by the pool/beach. Ice pops in the afternoon. Housekeeping twice daily. All this included in the room charge along with cabana use and pool chairs. I did not feel the resort was out to nickel and dime me. All the restaurants were great. The hotel is small at only 380 rooms. The only thing you may hear from your upstairs or next door neighboor is the wood doors (don't know the formal name) that act as your blinds. Rarely though. Never heard the toilet.
As a comparison, I visited both the Grand Wailea and Fairmont Kea Lani. The Grand Wailea had a lot of construction both next to the hotel and in front of it between the resort and the beach. The area between the beach and hotel will be completed shortly but not next to it (they just started). The property is beautiful, and the pool area is huge. So huge, that there are children EVERYWHERE. If I was going to Maui with my kids, that's where I'm going. If I'm on a honeymoon or with my wife, we're going to the 4S. Nice restaurants including Humu.
The Fairmont was also a nice property. We ate at Nick's, and the food and service were fantastic. Worth a trip over. Property is set back a little from the beach and would be my second choice if the 4s wasn't available. From what I could see from the outside, the lanais were large and. The rooms are suites.
The Ritz is along the lines of the 4S but the only downfall I found was the weather (1 1/2 years ago). It rained in Kapalua more.
January is a great time to visit for whale watching. You may want to get on the ball now. A friend just tried to book for 10 days at the 4S and was SOL.