Maui Recommendations
 

Going to Maui for a wk in Jan08. Has anybody stayed at the Fairmont in Wailea? Also, what are your "must see's and do's (and don'ts)" - would also appreciate your thoughts on what is overrated as far as sights, restaurants, etc. Have researched a good deal at this point - would appreciate your experiences. Thanks!

I didn't stay at the Fairmont, but did stay at the Marriott just down the road. Wailea is very nice, pretty high end. If you enjoy snorkeling, most boats will take you out on a very nice trip, where first you go to Molokini and snorkel with bunches of other boats, but the snorkeling is fantastic. Then you leave, and go to a private spot to snorkel again. That trip is fantastic and well worth it.

Wailea is a beautiful area and I think you'll enjoy your trip. You'll be close to the Shops at Wailea (high-end mall) so you can spend some time there. Be sure to take to trip to Hana, Black Sand Beach (on your way to Hana), Haleakala crater, Kula (on the way to Haleakala), Tedeschi winery.

And if you're brave, take the unpaved road back from Hana - it's awesome!

I started the thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=736984 and have gotten a lot of good food responses.

I will be at the Fairmont over Halloween so can get back with comments later.

There are a lot of other threads on Maui.

Bike down the volcano (or at least sunrise there).
Stop at Kula Lodge on the way down for a hot breakfast.
Hana is a long windy drive but some say it is worth it. The upaved road back badjuju recommends used to 'void' your rental agreement.
Big Beach (near you in Wailea) is my fav in the world and Little Beach is nextdoor (over the rocks on the west) if you prefer 'natural' sunbathing.

I've gotta put in a plug for Kapalua. This of course depends on your picture of Hawaii. We go to relax and enjoy the water, the weather and the quiet. Being from WI, we have to soak it up. Kapalua has a beautiful view of Molokai and the island around it. It's green, not brown, and very quiet and secluded.

I don't know where things are at with construction, but we were there in June at the height of it, and it didn't bother us at all, staying in an oceanfront bay villa. If you aren't looking for luxury (there are some very nice ones, some are a little older, but still very nice...just not the rooms at the Ritz, but how much time do you sit in your room?), just a nice place to stay and enjoy the water, look to rent directly, and get one that is right on the ocean...we do it every time, and it's been great. You can sit on the lanai for hours with nothing between you and the water (except the rocks).

We've done Turtle Bay, Waikiki, Kaui, and Mauna Lani, but the Kapalua Bay villas are definitely our favorite, and we'd consider going there for an entire trip next time. It's simply beautiful.

I can't speak to the weather in January though...we've done June, and always had good weather...windy (with clouds hanging over the mountains behind you), but no rain, except the very occasional afternoon shower.

Even worse - it's closed due to earthquake damage at Kipahulu. Has been closed for about a year now.

The fairmont is wonderful. All the rooms are suites and extremely comfortable and luxurious. Pools are beautiful. Beach is nice . . . can snorkel off the right. Staff is great. Be sure to take the drive to Hana. Have a great time!

Great, please let me know, thanks!

A few thoughts from a recent trip -

Take advantage of the time change and go up to Haleakala for the sunrise your first morning. I left Ka'anapali at 3am sharp and had plenty of time, even getting to the upper parking lot at the summit before it was full.

Have kids? The Maui Pineapple Plantation Tour was a favorite of ours - be sure to go on an early tour while the workers are still there (they work 3am-noon, or some insane hours like that), and take some home (we took 6:))

Road to Hana, certainly. If the shops's still there, stop at the beginning of the drive and pick up the ride-along CD - it's worth it.

Snorkel at Black Rock - by far the best of the half dozen places we tried - comparable to the famous snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, IMHO.

Stop at Peter Lik's gallery in Lahaina if you're a photography fan - stunning work, but that's a particular passion of mine. What you see on his web site doesn't do it justice.

The Sugar Cane train ride wasn't worth the time/$$$ to us.

Submarine trip - something different and interesting, although a bit pricey (what isn't in Maui?)

Great, thx for the recommendations.

Great, thanks for the recommendations.

Great, pls let me know

Living here! ;) :)

In my opinion, Kaukau lives in the best part of Maui. Lahaina-Kaanapali-Honokowai-Napili-Kapalua - this is a great area to spend time in and around. Lots of first class beaches, great snorkeling (try Honolua bay if the weather/surf permit), restaurants (one of our favorites is Aloha Mixed Plate - inexpensive and tasty - and a $million view - Mala warf and Lanai beyond - plus you can enjoy the music from the Old Lahaina Luau next door). Take the drive around the north end of West Maui and go through Kahakuloa - try Julia's banana bread for sure! Splurge for one dinner at Mama's Fish House. Try the 7-bridges hike. Big Beach (Oneloa) Beach is really one of the world's premier beaches - clear, turquoise water you won't believe - and more sand than the entire Big Island (maybe a bit of an exaggeration). Maui is wonderful during whale season - and West Maui/Kehei is the area to view them. For a good whale watching trip, you can take the Molokai Ferry - see some of Molokai - then take the ferry back in the afternoon/evening and it makes a wonderful day trip with lots of whales on the way over and back.

So is it still true that you can't drive all the way around past Hana on the backside?