Originally Posted by
Kagehitokiri
what about amanjiwo for example?
looking forward to the report. ^
in terms of value, there isnt much of a beach, and you have a "small" room instead of a large villa (which might be beachfront or overwater) even if you dont care about things like private pools.
also, one thing ive wondered about is how crowded it gets during peak season, considering there are probably a lot of residential members. although there are member-only offerings, and limitations. (
hualalai club) and perhaps FS went the nonbranded route there to avoid a situation more like FS punta mita, where its reportedly getting more crowded as branded residences/fractionals continue to be built.
Kagehitokiri,
Excellent questions all.
I have never been to Amanjiwo but it sounds and looks amazing. I'm probably in the minority on this board but I haven't been won over by Aman. I far prefer FS Jimbaran or Sayan to Amandari. I also didn't have a good experience at Amangani and do not care for the style of the Setai in Miami.
At FS Hualalai, the professional staff bring the tradition of warm aloha alive, surpassing that I have experienced at any other resort.
Even loving private plunge pools, my experience at Hualalai surpasses my private villa experience in Bali. Though, I would love to go back to Asia one day. Currently, we are in an ocean view superior suite on Kings Pond, with a great out door shower. The next time we come back I might choose the Beach Tree area to be closer to a lap pool.
The beach in front of the hotel is actually very nice, lots of sand, of course clean, and extends a great distance. Immediately in front of the hotel there is a very large pool sized area carved out of the coral for those who prefer calm ocean swimming but just on the other side of the reef wall is excellent snorkeling. And, towards Kona village (a five minute walk) there is a spot comparable to a small Black Rock on Maui. Wild life is everywhere here, with families of turtles sunbathing feet from the lounge chairs, not to mention Kings Pond, where they let you feed and pet the Eagle Rays (and 1600 other tropical fish).
I've been told that Hualalai is the development that owns the land on which the FS sits and that the hotel leases it from the development company. Considering that Michael Dell purchased the Kona Village resort adjacent to Hualalai I wouldn't be suprised if one day they expanded FS Hualalai or rebranded (and renovated) Kona Village. He might also have purchased it in order to keep the lease price of the FS reasonable (i.e. if Hualalai raises the lease price too high he could threaten to move the FS brand and recreate an FS Kona Village). All conjecture.
Regarding crowding during high season, I imagine that it is like high season at other Four Seasons properties. My experience during high season at FS hotels is that you have to make reservations for dinner and the spa but that the service remains at the highest levels. Usually during high season they also offer more amenities it doesn't make sense to offer during low season, like more fitness class options, extended gym and spa times, free shuttles, etc. The FS George V is almost always running at 100% and hasn't ever felt crowded. Actually, as different as the locations are, the level of service here reminds me a great deal of the gracious service at the George V.