We love a great meal when we go to Hawaii and were alittle dissapointed by the chef at FS Manele bay. We are now wanting to choose between FS Hualalai and FS Maui. We have tried Wolfgangs Spagio in Maui and loved it. How does this compare to Alan Wongs restaurant in the Hualalai Big Island. Any input would be hugely appreciated!

I would go with Alan Wong all the way! Having said that I have not been to his restaurant at FS Hualalai, but have been to the HNL restaurant many many times and feel there is not a better restaurant in all the islands.

I also lived in Wailea, Maui and I have been to Spago many times but I truelly feel Alan Wong's cuisine is very special.

I am glad to hear he has a presence on the Big Island again as he was also the chef that made the Canoe house at the Mauna Lani Hotel famous.

You must go with Alan Wong! W. Puck is not even in the same league.

What happened at Manele Bay? A few years ago back when it was Sheraton the food and service at the top restaurant (can't recall the name) was superb. Did it actually go downhill after becoming an FS?

Been many times to the Wong rest at the FS. You cant go wrong.

Alan Wong's at Hualalai is great, and another big island dinner spot to try is Merrimans up in Waimea - awesome locally produced food.

While I enjoyed Spago, Alan Wong's Hualalai Grille is much better. The tasting menu is great - don't miss the foie gras sandwich and tomato soup - a great combo. While on the Big Island, make sure you get to Merriman's in Waimea. His preparations are more simple, but his ingredients are incredible. It is worth the drive!

While the FS Maui property is lovely, sadly Spago is not up to par. the service is not that good and this comes after several visits -- so there seems to be a trend there. Hotel guests get nothing better than those who walk in.

The food is good but it is the service that consistently brings this resturant down.

I ate at both restaurants on a Big Island/Maui trip last April. Alan Wong's blows Spago away. It is not even close. Alan Wong's was the best meal we had in Hawaii.

Have fun!

The other restaurant at the Big Islan FS is also pretty good. It is on the beach, and has a great souffle for dessert. If you go, Tic is a great waitress.

Hi, thanks for your comments, FS Manele bay was a huge dissapointment food wise. all i can say is that at the main restaurant (which is closed 2 nights of the week) we ordered a mahe mahe that came over grilled with absolutely no flavour and a milted zuchini underneath with a side of plain rice, and my husbands meal was equally completely tasteless. We were gobsmacked. Also the place had no atmosphere. The only decent place to eat was the ocean grill, which though not outstanding was good solid tasty food!

Of course, you have completely confused me about Wong cf Spagio! I cant believe hes better (though he obviously is!) Does anyone have any thoughts of the FS maui cf FS big island? After trying Lanai and being dissapointed, i felt that Maui was the safest bet so as to avoid dissapointment... but input would be apprecated as there is no longer much difference in the price!

Of course, you have completely confused me about Wong cf Spagio! I cant believe hes better (though he obviously is!) Does anyone have any thoughts of the FS maui cf FS big island? After trying Lanai and being dissapointed, i felt that Maui was the safest bet so as to avoid dissapointment... but input would be apprecated as there is no longer much difference in the price!

I have stayed at both FS Maui and FS Big Island. They are really apples-to-oranges. Maui is a lot more high energy, cosmopolitan feel with lots of restaurants, shopping, and activities. The Big Island is much more laid back and relaxed. There is some amazing natural wonders to behold on the Big Island, but the restaurant scene and shopping are more low key.

The best part of FS Maui is the Club Level. We really thought the Club made the experience wonderful. Had it not been for the Club level, the hotel would have been good but not great.

Hualalai was amazing even without the Club experience. Our first impression of the Big Island was that we had made a big mistake. The Kailua-Kona landscape is pretty barren, and there didn't seem to be much worth doing in the area. However, as we got into the 2nd and 3rd day, we did a complete 180. It's a great island for relaxation and to appreciate the natural wonder that is Hawaii. In a week's vacation, we felt like we didn't even explore half the island.

If you want a tropical destination with the luxuries of a metro area, Maui is the place. If you want to escape from the busy world, see some amazing landscapes, and have a low key luxury experience, FS Big Island is the choice.

I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Thanks so much for your thoughts here, I think Maui is more for us considering our thoughts on Lanai being abit slow! regarding the Club level in Maui, what are the advantages other than the obvious better room..? I hadnt even considered this before. Thanks again!

I don't know if the rooms at the Club Level are much better or not. What we liked about the club was the dedicated concierges, the free drinks, and food throughout the day. I found the food offerings at the FS much better than food presentations at most RC Clubs. You can easily eat one meal a day at the club or maybe even two. We also met several couples in the lounge with whom we really enjoyed chatting. The concierges also went out of their way to provide assistance but also offered great tips. It made the hotel seem much smaller and more intimate. Our biggest disappointment is that the FS really doesn't offer Club Level in many other properties.

We stayed at the FS Hualalai last year and it is a terrific resort but I agree that it is much more laid back than the FS Maui (which i"ve been in but haven't stayed in). The FS Hualalai is very private and not really close to any other resorts, while the FS Maui is right in Wailea near all sorts of action. We loved the Hualalai and consider it the best place we've ever stayed, but it depends what you are looking for. Alan Wong at the Hualalai is terrific, great food and fun presentations; we thought it better than the ocean front restaurant, P'ahia.

Alan Wong's any day over Spago - I can't believe the Beverly Hills branch has anything to do with Maui's - totally different experience & food. And, while at the Four Seasons, Pahu i'a is also wonderful!

We spent two weeks on the Kohala coast in Feb. Alan Wong @ Hualalai is by far the best dining experience. We stayed at Mauna Lani and made the drive three times. We also had a wonderful meal at The Pineapple Room in Honolulu the evening before we returned.

We actually had a very nice meal at Spago at the Four Seasons, and it is different than other Spagos you might try mainland.

Have not been to the Alan Wong's location you mention, but our absolute best Hawaiian meal was at Alan Wong's restaurant in Honolulu.

Have not been to the Alan Wong's location you mention, but our absolute best Hawaiian meal was at Alan Wong's restaurant in Honolulu.

Same here and such a great staff there! ^ ^

our absolute best Hawaiian meal was at Alan Wong's restaurant in Honolulu.

Closed for renovation through early April 2006.

Alan Wong is probably the best of the local Hawaii chefs. His food is very unique that draws from his classic French training and local food favorites. It's hard to describe but so delicious. Don't miss his ginger crusted onaga; my absolute favorite fish dish, anywhere. The atmosphere is resort-like with views of the Hualalai golf course and FS Resort. Spago Maui is Wolfgang Puck's version of Pacific Rim cuisine, and it too is excellent. Very hip, very now, the place to "be seen" on Maui. That also describes the FS Resort Maui...it is the place to "be seen" and is a favorite hangout of many stars and Hollywood-types. It has that vibe. Besides Spago, one of our favorite outdoor restaurants is at the FS Maui, Ferraro's. Classic Italian cuisine in an outside setting overlooking Wailea bay. When there's a moon, stars and live music, its setting can't be beat.

FS Hualalai is a resort that grows on you. It is quiet, sprawling, slow, lush, beautiful and leisurely. Much slower pace and less formal here, even with service. The rooms and the Resort have every amenity you could want, and the fitness facility here, especially the separate spa facilities, are hard to beat. The Saturday night BBQ is memorable especially at sunset and if you're sitting at the tables on the beach (go early). Pools? There are four (Maui has two)...if you want to be seen, go to the infinity pool. If you want quiet, the palm grove pool. If you want to snorkel with a thousand fish, go to the lagoon. If you want kids, go to the large kid-friendly pool. The choice is yours.

If you have the time, try a few days at both. Then come back to one or the other depending on your mood! You won't go wrong with either resort or restaurant...

Would definetly recommend the Star, Surf and Sand cookout at Hualalai every Saturday evening. Everything you could want, with dinner on the beach and a very festive atomosphere.

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