Were you there Thanksgiving 2008 or before? If so, I'll note that the opening of the new, adults-only pool has greatly reduced the congestion around the pool areas.
Yes. This explains much. My stay was the last week of Jan 2006. Although I'll **never** return to this very poor FS, the addition of a 2nd pool would help.
In our experience, what might have been difficult to get during certain hours was a cabana, not a lounge chair. If you wanted a cabana, you would have to be at the pool by around 10 AM. If you missed that opportunity, you would have to wait until after lunch, when the morning people left.
No no no no no no no no no no. The FS employees were 'reserving' the lounge chairs and then demanding tips for access. This wasn't a well kept secret and was well discussed at the outside bar. That is where I heard about the nanny trick. We studied this carefully after being refused access on the first day. I was dumbfounded that FS management allowed the practice. Our room looked directly down onto the pool and I watched the process unfold several days in a row. Those FS pool employees were making a
$$mint$$. My opinion is that I shouldn’t have to fight AT ALL for a lounge chair at a FS. I don’t during the high season at FS Kona.
Parking was only $20 a day, not $50.
That isn't what I remember, but I stand corrected. I would note that self park at this FS is very awkward.
We had a Prime Ocean View room, the room was very bright, and the ocean was openly visible from our bed. Are you sure your room wasn't Partial Ocean View? Those are stated to have an ocean view only from the balcony. Ocean View, which you said you had, is supposed to let you see at least some ocean from inside the room.
Here is the description from my booking:
FOUR SEASONS MAUI - 890.00 WITH LANAI - OCEAN VIEW KING - LOCATED WAILEA
Your 'partial ocean view' description describes the dark room (cave) much better, although getting any ocean view required leaning out of the balcony in a dangerous manner. Perhaps they’ve changed the description? Or perhaps I wasn’t put in the room I paid for? Added note – there are very few ‘Ocean View’ rooms at this resort. Of the 380 rooms, there can’t be more than 50 that count.