Alan Wong at FS hualalai or Wolfgang Pack Spagio in Maui

dreamytraveller · Feb 21, 06, 2:50 pm

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!

Leisuremiles · Feb 21, 06, 10:32 pm

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.

Cascadia · Feb 21, 06, 11:34 pm

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

stimpy · Feb 22, 06, 12:47 am

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?

AirJunkie · Feb 22, 06, 4:16 am

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

Marin 1K · Feb 22, 06, 7:57 pm

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

rfletche · Feb 22, 06, 8:00 pm

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!

UA1kMFR · Feb 25, 06, 7:47 pm

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.

sscott77 · Feb 25, 06, 10:18 pm

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!

sscott77 · Feb 25, 06, 10:20 pm

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.

dreamytraveller · Feb 27, 06, 6:13 am

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!

rfletche · Feb 27, 06, 4:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamytraveller

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.

dreamytraveller · Feb 28, 06, 5:48 am

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!

rfletche · Feb 28, 06, 8:49 am

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.

lvnvflyer · Feb 28, 06, 12:49 pm

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.