Grand Wailea Resort vs. Mauna Lani Bay

[MrsG]

We think we might go to Hawaii for our 30th Wedding Anniversary. Does anyone have any feedback on the Grand Wailea Resort vs. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. It's just DH & I so we don't have to worry about activites for kids. If anyone has researched this, we'd love to hear your comparisons.

A few questions:
1) Are either "all inclusive" resorts?
2) Is the island of Maui or Mainland Hawaii better to visit?
3) Is it easy to island hop from the resort?

Thanks friends!

 

[ceejay13]

We've been to both and prefer Maui and the Grand Wailea. They are both very, very nice and for us it doesn't have anything to do with the resorts but the island. They are not all inclusive. You can island hop fairly easily but it will be by air. We were in Maui in March of 2005 and just stayed on the island. In 1999 we cruised the islands and 2 years before that we stayed on Maui but flew to the Big Island of Hawaii for 2 days. For us, Maui is heaven on earth. The Big Island is gorgeous also and if you have not been has lots to see. There is the warm dry side of Kona and the wet cooler side of Hilo. Vocanoes National Park is a must see also. Mauna Lani Bay is on the Kona side and is a spectacular resort. The Big Island's resorts are more secluded and there is not as much to do in the evening. Maui on the other hand is smaller and has a great combination of isolated beauty and lots of variety in dining and nightlife. The Humpback whales come to visit every winter and they are unbelievable. Although they are spotted on the Big Island their home is Maui. The beaches are more plentiful on Maui, as well. Either way you go you will enjoy it very much.

 

[Dean]

Depending on the room type you're looking for and the time of year you are going, it's likely the Grande Wailea will be a better value. Both are great resorts and both have been on the travel channel. If you get it you might want to look for features that cover these resorts. I remember at least 2 different features that dealt with each resort.

 

[DVCLiz]

How are these available - only as Concierge Collection, or could you rent them for a week using the point schedule listed in the Member Guide (270 for a week in high season, isn't it?) I thought the point price of 85 points was a little steep compared to the rates I saw on their web site - is this a case of points not being as well spent on non-DVC properties? Sure looked gorgeous, though, and a definite maybe for the future!

 

[Dean]

How are these available - only as Concierge Collection, or could you rent them for a week using the point schedule listed in the Member Guide (270 for a week in high season, isn't it?) I thought the point price of 85 points was a little steep compared to the rates I saw on their web site - is this a case of points not being as well spent on non-DVC properties? Sure looked gorgeous, though, and a definite maybe for the future!

These are hotels, not timeshares. And yes, almost all points exchange options that are cash equivalents (DCL, DC, CC, AC) will have similar economics and will not be a good return on value for the points.

 

[GrammieMame]

A few years ago, we did Kapalua Bay on points and then 3 nights at Grand
Wailea so the kids could experience the pools, which are truly spectacular. Like a mini-waterpark. But as hotels go, we are heartbroken that Kapalua is no longer available. We loved the feel of not being at a super-sized hotel; the grounds were gorgeous and it was laid out so well, plus the great snorkling beach. Oh well, no use crying over spilt hotels. But the bottom line was that while the pools were wonderful, we didnt care much for the hotel. Our room had a parking lot (mountain view, if you never looked down) view, it smelled mildewy, and the hotel seemed very cold to us. Very expensive to eat there, although other options were just down the road. If you do decide on that, we did an excellent laui (I can't remember how to spell it - the outdoor buffet/show thingee) next hotel over (I think the Marriott).