Hawaii Concierge - How Good Are The Resorts?

[WolfpackFan]

I was a little disappointed. I had it on my mind that when we go to Hawaii in a couple of years we'd stay at either the Kapalua Bay or the Mauni Lana resorts that are in the Concierge Collection. I was thinking these two resorts were considered a couple of the best resorts in Hawaii for some reason. I was watching the Travel Channel Friday night though and they listed the top ten resorts in Hawaii and neither of these two were mentioned. How nice are these two resorts? Right now after seeing the show, I'm thinking we would not stay at them but at one of the resorts shown on the show and not stay on points (which is a disappointment). Did anyone else see the Travel Channel show and how would you compare the two Concierge Collection resorts with those on the show?

 

[dvcmomdeh]

My entire family sat up and watched. We are anticipating a 2 week stay in July of 2005. DVC told me that we could put our name in and hope for the best for an exchange. They said to put it in this early and and that at probably the 1 year mark we'd here something.

We noticed that the two options we have for resorts were also not on the top 10 list.

I was happy to see this post, has anyone had experience with either of thise resorts; and with exchanging points there.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Sorry, can't help with the first part of your question as I have never been to Hawaii, but hope to go in the near future.

I did see the Travel Channel show and would like to know if anyone remembers the name of the Hotel with the "water elevator" and water park. That looked like a great Hotel!

I wanna stay there!

 

[Jimbo]

I wouldn't sweat the resorts not making the TC's top 10 list. There's literally hundreds of high-end resorts in Hawaii. Plus they crank these shows out on a pretty regular basis, and each time the list is totally different from the previous shows. It's the same thing with their Top 10 Beaches shows; one show had the beach in Kapalua as number one in the world, and the next show had it only rated 7th in Hawaii. And you can bet they don't visit every resort or beach on their wimpy budget.

The hotel with the water park and water elevator is the Westin Grand Wailea in Maui.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
I did see the Travel Channel show and would like to know if anyone remembers the name of the Hotel with the "water elevator" and water park.

It's the the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa at Wailea Beach on the southwest shore of the island of Maui. It's a big, impressive place -- too big for my tastes.

See http://www.grandwailea.com/

I wouldn't take the Travel Channel's Top Ten lists too seriously. I think the choices often have as much to do with which places cooperate with the show's producers as with actual merit.

All reports on this board have been that the two Concierge Collection resorts in Hawaii are fantastic luxury resorts with superb facilities and top-notch personal service. That said, I wouldn't use my points to stay at either of them because they require way too many points per night (unless I was swimming in excess DVC points). I'd rather use my points for DVC resorts and look for good promotional rates at Hawaiian resorts.

Originally posted by Jimbo
The hotel with the water park and water elevator is the Westin Grand Wailea in Maui.

It's not a Westin hotel. It used to be a Hyatt, but it's not currently affiliated with a major hotel brand. (It's a KSL Resort.)

 

[Jimbo]

You're right, HH, it was a Hyatt. We toured it on our one Hawaii trip a few years ago. Like you, we thought it wasn't right for us. It's an awesome place, but not what we'd be looking for in a Hawaii resort.

 

[travelbug]

Yes, I saw the show on Travel Channel and really enjoyed it. All the resorts looked beautiful, and I would say that some were downright spectacular. I was also surprised that the Mauna Lani didn't make the top 10. Having stayed there last year, I'd say that it certainly rivals a number of the ones that did make the top 10. On the other hand, it's hard to tell everything about a resort just by watching a 5-10 min. highlight clip. I remember that before I went to the ML, I read an article on resorts in Hawaii. It ranked the ML as #1 for all the islands. Those top 10 rankings are totally subjective, of course, so it's no surprise that they differ greatly from each other.

I've said it often on these boards, and won't hesitate to say it again. I loved every minute at the Mauna Lani. It is truly a world class resort, and I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. If you want more detail, do a search with Mauna Lani and my name and you'll find a lengthy trip report with lots of specifics.

Can't help you out about Kapalua Bay, but there are others around here that have been there and really enjoyed it.

Let's see if a few others will post here. I know there are others that have stayed at one or both of the Concierge resorts in Hawaii. Good luck!

 

[GrammieMame]

In June, we spent 12 nights at Kapalua and 3 at Grand Wailea. We absolutely loved Kapalua for it's secluded nature and natural beauty. When we visited other "high rise" hotels, we couldn't wait to get back to Kapalua. The 3 nights at Grand Wailea were for my grandsons, 6 & 9, who greatly enjoyed the pool/waterpark complex. But we still preferred Kapalua as a destination.

 

[WolfpackFan]

A question about the Mauna Lani - from reading the descriptions, it sounds like it is kind of remote. Are there places around it that you can drive out to for siteseeing? Also, I'd love to hear from anyone who might have played golf there. I'd love to play a round of golf - but would need to rent clubs, is that possible? Also, I'd be by myself (DW doesn't know one end of a golf club from the other); I wonder if the pro shop would match me up with some other players at my level (not real great). I don't mind playing with some strangers, but I know from experience real good golfers don't like to play with real poor golfers (and I kind of put myself in the latter category ).

 

[travelbug]

When we stayed at the Mauna Lani, we had a rental car. We went exploring on our own a few times, down in Kona (about 20 miles IIRC) and up in the nearby mountains. But for our best sightseeing, we booked a Circle island tour with Polynesian Adventure Tours. It was an all day tour all the way around the Big Island for about $70 per person, and we stopped at lots of highlights. Volcano Nat'l Park where we had lunch overlooking a crater, an orchid "farm", a coffee "farm", black sand beach, Thurston Lava Tube, two awesome waterfalls, a candy factory (great samples!) and other places that I can't recall offhand. It was a terrific tour, and we were so glad to let someone else do the driving while we just enjoyed all the sights. However, we were really glad to have our own car when we wanted to go shopping, go out to eat, whatever.

Can't help out regarding the golf at ML, since none of us were golfers. But considering the enormous range of amenities available there, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they'd line you up with other golfers or do whatever it would take to make you happy. If I remember right, there are actually 2 world class golf courses there. The Senior Skins tournament was held there a few yrs. ago.

Give a shout if you have more questions, and I'll do my best to answer.

 

[jekjones1558]

I also have posted before regarding Mauna Lani and Kapalua. We have stayed in these hotels on points and on cash. Neither is a "cheap" way to go, but if you enjoy being in really beautiful settings, then the "cost" is just part of the deal. I am not a golfer, but I know that the Kapalua course has also been frequently on the PGA tour. IMHO Maui has more choices for high end resorts while Big Island has some but not as many and few in the immediate Kona area. We had to cancel our Hawaii trip last Christmas and I can't wait to go back. Both Maui and Big Island are fantastic destinations and a first class hotel only makes the experience more heavenly. I love the Travel Channel, but their lists are certainly subjective.
P.S. Mauna Lani will be on the Travel Channel:
—_Aug 27 2003 @ 12:00 PM
—_Sep 22 2003 @ 12:00 PM_
—_Sep 28 2003 @ 11:00 AM
(Times are Eastern)

 

[Dean]

The travel channel have done other specials that did include each resort at one time or another. They are both world class resorts and have the room prices to match. I think the things they did that included Kapalu bay was on the beach and on the food. For Mauna Lani Bay, it was a "Girl Meets HI" episode and looked fabulous.

 

[carriep1657]

The Travel Channel also has an episode of "Great Hotels" dedicated to the Mauna Lani. It will be airing again on 8/27. I watched it and thought it looked absolutely amazing.

 

[dmadman43]

FWIW, Conde Nast Traveler magazine readers list the following top Pacific Rim hotels in 2002 (I got this from the internet...the 2003 list is out but I misplaced the magazine)

1. Four Seasons Hualalai, Big Island 91.9
2. Four Seasons Wailea, Maui 91.6
3. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui 90.5
4. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Big Island 90.3
5. Hayman, Queensland, Australia 88.8
5. Hyatt Regency, Kauai 88.8
7. Halekulani, Oahu 87.4
8. Hotel Bora Bora, French Polynesia 87.1
9. Lodge at Koele, Lanai 86.8
10. Manele Bay Hotel, Lanai 85.3
11. Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Oahu 84.6
12. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Big Island 83.7
13. Lizard Island Lodge, Queensland, Australia 83.6
13. Princeville Resort, Kauai 83.6
15. Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, French Polynesia 83.2
16. Orchid at Mauna Lani, Big Island 82.7
17. Hyatt Regency, Maui 82.3
18. Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, Maui 82.0
19. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Maui 81.2
20. Grand Wailea Resort, Maui 81.0
21. Kapalua Bay Hotel, Maui 80.0
22. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Big Island 79.0
23. Sheraton Mirage, Port Douglas, Australia 79.0
24. Maui Prince at Makena 78.1
25. Kona Village Resort, Big Island 77.7

We stayed at the Four Seasons 5 years ago and just got back from 10 days at the Kea Lani (celebrating 20th Anniversary). Both were absolutely FABULOUS. (We didn't have the kids at the Four Seasons, but did bring them to the Kea Lani) If you can swing it, I would pay to stay there over using points for the concierge collection. But, hey, that's just me. The Kea Lani is an all suite hotel, with plenty for the kids to do. It's down in Wailea, which is the opposite end of Kapalua. But I prefer Wailea. We walked over to the Grand Wailea. That place is the Maui version of Disneyland. If you like millions of kids running around 3 HUGE pools, then,well, you'll feel right at home.


Anyway...take it for what it's worth/ Not sure it helps.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Did I read at one time that one of these resorts doesn't have airconditioning? Or was that another Hawaii trade available with DVC?

 

[Allan]

We spent a week at the Mauna Lani a couple of years ago and it was awesome. There was a thing on the Travel Channel the other night where they approached a couple on vacation in Hawaii and gave them 24 hours to vacation as a millionaire, and the resort they took them to was the Mauna Lani-it was very impressive. We leave for the Kapalua Bay tomorrow and if it is anything like the Mauna Lani we are in for a great time--can't wait!!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

A number of HI timeshare don't have AC. this includes he Sands of Kahana on the DVC list but not sure about some of the others like the Schooner.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by Dean
A number of HI timeshare don't have AC. this includes he Sands of Kahana on the DVC list but not sure about some of the others like the Schooner.

Boy, I didn't realize this. I wonder why? Seems like a necessary amenity.

 

[greekboy32]

I recently put in for a trade at the ocean club in Maui for June 2004...(I have not heard anything back yet)
The hotel looked really nice and I like the idea of using only 170 pts for a week with a larger room rather than 370 for a concierge hotel sized room...
but after reading, I am thinking that maybe the Ocean Club isn't all that hot (because it is not mentioned) or maybe I won't get the trade? any ideas? Thanks

 

[Dean]

HI is generally very temperate other than in Mid Summer. It rarely gets above the mid 90’s and there is almost always a breeze of 15-25 mph. That makes AC a luxury that is usually only reserved for Condo/Hotel type locations. Most Houses there do not have AC. We didn’t and with ceiling fans and the doors/windows open, were usually comfortable. The other problem is it can get down to the high 50’s in the Winter at times during the night. With no insulation in most places, that can be quite cool with the breeze. It’s certainly no Bufalo or Minnesota but a bite non the less

1. SOK - NO AC
2. All Marriott's have AC
3. KCR - has AC but an extra charge, I think it's $50 and optional
4. Cliff's Club - No AC
5. Club Intrawest - No AC
6. Hanelei Bay does have AC
7. Lawaii Beach – No AC
8. Kaanapali Keys – I seem to recall at least some of the units having wall units but the info I find says no AC.
9. Maui Schooner AC in part of the units with large wall units but at least the second BR apparently does not have AC other than what you get through the door.
10. One Napili Way – No AC
    [/list=1] And if the Embassy's are added, Maui has AC and Kauai has it in the Bedrooms only.