Apology up front -- I am really, really late with this trip report because we went in early summer. But I always enjoy reading other people’s so I still want to post. I hope it will be helpful and/or fun to read! I’ve done daily summaries first and more specific reviews right below.
Day 1 - We landed around 2:30 pm after flying Ft. Lauderdale-Phoenix-Kahului. Our first stop was Wal-mart for towels, sunscreen, etc. Then we headed to the Snorkel Bob’s in Kihei for our gear for the week. They were very nice and made sure everything fit properly. (Nice thing about renting from them is you can call any of their shops on the island and they will tell you which beaches have good conditions for snorkeling that day.) Since it was right there and we were hungry, we got a quick bite at Maui Tacos - surprisingly yummy! Then it was off to the Four Seasons in Wailea to check in. We love this hotel; we stayed here 5 years ago for our honeymoon. It is just wonderful. Next came 6 pm dinner reservation at Ferraro’s. We were worried given some reviews, but it was excellent! And the view is difficult to beat!
Day 2 - We woke up at 4 am. Darn that East coast time change! But it was ok because we wandered down to the pool at 6 am and handpicked our cabana. (They don’t officially set up ‘til 7 am though.) DH walked on the beach while I staked out our cabana until the staff came by. We had a great spot facing out to the ocean but just a few yards from both pools. They brought around chair covers and towels. We told them we wanted to eat at Duo’s for the breakfast buffet, but that it would take us more than 30 min. (You can only leave your cabana for 30 min. supposedly.) They said it shouldn’t be a problem and we could let them know we’d be gone longer after the 30 min. were up. Off to Duo’s around 8:30 or 9:00 for the magnificent buffet! We then spent the day going into the pool, onto the beach, and really just laying on the lounges. DH snorkeled twice, but I was too chicken. (I got better later.) I also ran into the shops in the hotel quickly to buy some overpriced 4 Seasons gear. Then at 5:30, we were scheduled for our vow renewal right out in front of the hotel on the beach (done by Enchanted Weddings of Maui). We had our little ceremony - just the two of us, the minister and the coordinator/photographer, Lisa V. (She was excellent - see below.) We took pictures for quite a while and waited for the sunset for more pictures. Then it was off to Spago for a fantastic meal - one of my all time favorite top 3 meals!
Days 3 and 4 will follow in another post!
HOTEL
THE FOUR SEASONS: We probably will never stay anywhere else on Maui. We’ve stayed here twice now. Both times we booked the mountainside room - its price isn’t too bad relatively speaking. Both times we were upgraded - this time to an oceanview! The staff goes out of its way to be friendly and helpful. The pool cabana set up is amazing -- they are free to use; it is first come-first served. You receive muffins, fruit, popsicles, chilled towels, Evian spritzing, sunglasses cleaning throughout the day. The rooms are lovely and spacious. Its location on Wailea Beach is gorgeous and there is snorkeling right out front. Another great free activity is the outrigger canoe paddling - I highly recommend! We even saw 2 turtles that way.
RESTAURANTS
MAUI TACOS (Kihei): We had the fish tacos; it was ahi and just what we needed for a quick bite. Well worth it for a lunch or snack and the price is definitely right.
FERRARO’S (Wailea, @ the 4 Seasons): I requested a table near the “edge” so we could have an unobstructed beach view. Our 6 pm reservation was in plenty of time for the sunset close to 7:15 - definitely wear your sunglasses! I had the lobster risotto and it was worth the reputation IMO. DH ate the sea bass - if I am extremely picky, the crust was just a tad salty. But it was still excellent. We shared a chocolate mousse for dessert which was good but not as good as the entrees.
DUO’S (Wailea @ the 4 Seasons): We only ate here for breakfast (twice!). While their buffet is pricey ($35-ish pp), it is wonderful. Hot and cold items, pastries, made to order entrees. The bananas in coconut milk were awesome, the Hawaiian sweet bread French toast was to die for. They would make you omelets or pancakes almost any way you liked. Of course, lots of eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, fruits, veggie dishes. All set right by the pool with ocean views. Free amuse bouche smoothies each morning too.
SPAGO (Wailea @ the 4 Seasons): Again - nervous given some reviews, but to me, the bad reviews are unfounded. First, Spago was accommodating. I had asked twice before we arrived if just I could get the 9 course tasting menu. (DH is not adventurous.) Our waitress said that wasn’t possible, so we checked with a manager, she asked the chef and voila - 1 tasting menu coming up! I very much appreciated this. I’ll get DH’s meal out of the way: seafood risotto - fabulous; chicken (yes, I know, chicken) - terrific, but too salty mashed potatoes; banana cream pie (w/ a twist) - excellent. My courses (and I’ve lost my list!) were all excellent. I can’t believe I’m saying that honestly, but they were. From the ahi poke cones to the big eye tuna piece I can still both taste and picture to the melt in your mouth kobe beef. I did not care for the yuzu sauce on 1 dish. My 2nd to last course was a type of fruit fizz which I thought might be a copout -- but it was so light and refreshing and just perfect for that point in the meal. Even dessert was kind of a high end take on the ubiquitous molten lava cake and it was wonderful. When we return, DH has agreed to get the tasting menu too!
WEDDING PLANNER
www.mauiweddingvows.com / Enchanted Weddings of Maui: Her name is Lisa Villiarimo and she is laidback, easy to work with and a great photographer. She has a fair-priced package that includes photos (24 of them), 2 leis, the Hawaiian minister, the certificate. I did pay extra for a bouquet and it was just as lovely as my wedding bouquet and a completely different style. She arrived early that day to stake out the Wailea beach spot she wanted so we didn’t have to worry about a thing. She was so nice about answering all my questions and has a fun personality to boot. I highly recommend.
Trip Report - Days 1 and 2
This makes me wish I had gotten married on Maui...alot more than 5 years ago, though!!
It sounds like you had a wonderful time...congratulations and many, many more.
Trip Report - Days 1 and 2
Loooong story as to why we renewed our vows after just 5 years . . . but it was great to do it in the spot where we honeymooned! :)
';';';';I had the lobster risotto ';';';
we split it as an appetizer-- makes the 50.00 plus price seem almost reasonable that way
We may have to try Four Seasons sometime. It sounds great! Thanks for writing the trip report!
Excellent idea on the splitting of Ferraro%26#39;s risotto . . . we skipped appetizers in part b/c I was getting that for an entree! :) Was it over $50? I had $48 stuck in my head - either way, it is obscene I agree.
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