Grand Wailea alternatives

Hi! On our honeymoon in October 2002, my husband and I said we would come back to the Grand Wailea. Well one child, a mortgage and 4 years later that date is almost upon us! I was looking in to the ';best'; price I was able to find on their website and the $490 per night (no breakfast) price took me a bit aback! Are there any recommended alternatives for a bit of a better value? Or is there a way to get a better deal at the GW? We will have our (will be) 4 year old daughter with us so a child-friendly environment is a must. I know that Wailea is not a budget-friendly locale and my husband and I would like to stay in a nice place. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated and thanks, in advance!

Grand Wailea alternatives

If you are flexible with the dates, try to go May - mid June, or late Aug - Nov, and you will get better prices.

Try booking 3-4 months in advance, prices will be better.

We got 5 nights in a garden view for next week + car for 5 days for 2000$ including taxes from Expedia.

Another option is to split your trip between a condo to the Grand Wailea. That%26#39;s what we are doing with a 2 years old child. It will reduce the cost, allow for a longer stay, and will give you and your husband some privacy for part of the trip. We booked the Maui Kamaole in Kihei through VRBO, which looks great for kids, and the location is good for exploring the island.

Another alternative is the Hyatt. I%26#39;ve heard it is beautiful, and we were debating between the Hyatt to Grand Wailea. It also has a beautiful kiddie pool. Check out their web site. I found a great deal for 6 nights in the Hyatt in a Mountain view + daily buffet breakfast (which suppose to be one of the nicest on the island) + 6 days car for ~ $1800 in costco. If you have membership with costco, go online and check their deals. Hyatt is on the Kaanapali side.

Grand Wailea alternatives

It depends on when you are going,

For May, 2007, you can do Four Seasons for $440.00 a night,

Another option: Talk to a local travel agent, They may be able to deal with consolidators who can get you a great package including hotel, air and car for less than you can find online.

Traveling with a young child...I%26#39;d prefer to have a condo so that you and DH could have some privacy. You%26#39;d all have four times the room, two baths, a kitchen, lots of beach equipment. Maui Kamaole and Wailea Ekahi are much like resort hotels -- just no room service. Two other nice condos are Grand Champions and The Palms -- both on golf courses above Wailea%26#39;s beaches.

I%26#39;d rent a condo direct from an owner via vrbo.com; arrange for a babysitter for a night; you and DH have dinner at GW or another posh hotel.

Hi, I just bumped a post that I had with a member- Grand Wailea review- happytraveler2006 who got a room at GW for $315 a night.

Not sure when you are going but just keep looking at GW site to see what the special rates are. I know for the summer they will post special rates in Nov/ Dec. I remember at the end of August, they were advertising fall rates starting at $315.

Also, if you join the GW membership, $3000 one time fee plus a small annual fee, than you can get 50% off rack rates. They just sent me a flyer that if I joined by a certain date than they will give me $400 credit for GW restaurants, Spa Grande, Camp Grande... it may be worth it if you plan on going annually. Sign up at their site.

Yes, extend your Maui stay by staying at a condo or cheaper hotel. We will do the same, oceanfront condo in Kahana for 6 days and we%26#39;ll try to do as many ';touristy things'; on the island as we can with 3 young kids, then the Grand Wailea for 4 days to relax and enjoy the beach/ pools.

Young Family Fun- have a great time next week! Can you let me know if the GW has a book featuring all the artwork that is on the property? Mahalo! Good Luck!

Thanks everyone for the replies. We are aiming to go next October (2007) and I am trying to weigh my options. Would I have to wait until next summer for the best rates for next fall?

Aloha!

I would look at Embassy Vacation resort or the new Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas...both are family orientated with NICE pools. Embassy%26#39;s pool is heated. Plus, Embassy gives you a FULL breakfast and afternoon cocktails. Embassy also gives you a suite at over 800 sq. feet with a microwave and wetbar and a small fridge. Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas offer a FULL kitchen and a washer/dryer.

Bryan Brown

BBrown9825@aol.com

Mcubed,

We were just there in Sept. and had a $297 pirce for Terrace room which is beautiful. To get this price we booked in January, 9 months before our trip.

If you wait unitl the summer to book for the Fall you are least likely to get a good price.

Scorch - Thanks for the tip. I really don%26#39;t ant to wait until summer to book, but that%26#39;s what it sounded like from the other post that I had to do. I am glad you were able to book that far in advance w/such a great deal. Did you book through their website?

we stayed for our honeymoon in Oct 2003 and booked through www.classicvacations.com

I%26#39;ve always had better luck contacting the hotel directly than by going thru other purveyors, even travel agents, especially if you are a return customer. Call %26amp; explain the situation--you were a past customer, had a wonderful time, and want to plan your return trip, but you only have $___ to spend per night. Ask them about packages that may not be shown on the web, such as bed %26amp; breakfast or a free night (5th night or 7th night free). And ask them if you can get a better deal thru their website, or perhaps through another website. I%26#39;ve always found the person on the other end of the line to be understanding and very helpful, and I%26#39;ve gotten some great deals this way.

To stay in our budget, we also do at least a couple picnics on the beach, rather than eating every meal at a restaurant. You can do that even if you don%26#39;t have a condo by stocking up at the local grocery store and keep everything in the fridge in the room.