Outrigger, a nice alternative to the big boys
Written: Feb 27 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Exclusive Area, nice surroundings, friendly staff, more reasonably priced than the others
Cons: Not as nice as the hotels down the street still a little $$
The Bottom Line: This resort gives you everything the really expensive ones do, you just don't have to mortgage the house to stay there.
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| jagc's Full Review: Wailea Marriott, an Outrigger Resort |
The Outrigger Wailea is the oldest resort in the area. Although it has undergone a major renovation, you can still tell that it is a bit older than the rest. Older doesn't always mean worse, however.
The Outrigger is located in the very exclusive area of Wailea Beach in South Maui. It is about a 35 minute drive from the major airport (OGG). I flew direct from LAX to OGG, (can't remember the name of the airport so I am using the airport code, however it is the only major airport served by the majors on Maui).
Anyhoo, the roads are well studded with signs showing you how to get to Wailea so it is not hard to find, even without a map. Once you get into Wailea, you will see that this area is for the rather wealthier folk or those wishing to have their money leave their wallets at an astonishing rate. The big resorts there include the Fairmont Kea Lani, The Four Seasons, the Grand Wailea and the Outrigger Wailea. All four resorts are located next to each other on the beach with a gap in between the Grand Wailea and the Four Seasons that is filled with multi-multi-multi million dollar condos. I don't even want to know how much those places cost. Anyway, I digress.
The Outrigger is on the west end of "resort row". Upon entering you will notice that it is next to the VERY upscale "Shops at Wailea" which has a Ruth's Criss steakhouse, Tiffany's, Louis Vutton, Gucci, Mont Blanc, etc. Get the picture? Stores where you can't drop less than $1000. It's the everything more than $1000 store!
The Outrigger's grounds are very nice. It is laden with palm trees, finely trimmed grasses and lush foliage. The main entrance has a grand "tiki" style roof with an open air reception desk and lobby. It is very cool. The ceiling is high and is about 20 feet over the open air lobby. The lobby contains many plush chairs and a nice view of the ocean. As with all the resorts in this area, everything is open air. All the walkways, the lobby and lounge area is all open air. It really gives quite a nice feel of the tropics.
THE POOL AREA
All the resorts in this area try to outdo the next in terms of pools. The Grand Wailea is famous for its multileveled pools which include huge slides, a water elevator (a pool that fills with water and floats you up about 30 feet to the higher level pools) and a pool "river" complete with current to push you along to its different pools. It is very impressive. Unfortunately, the Outrigger does not have anything like this. There are three pools. None of them are connected by a "river." However, they are clean, warm, and offer a spectacular view of the ocean. There are two jacuzzis located on the lower level pool. There is also a kids area with a water slide, but no where near the level of the Grand Wailea.
ROOMS AND SERVICE
The rooms are nice, clean and comfortable. There is a refrigerator, a couch, a desk and a porch/deck area. I was on the ground floor and did not have an ocean view. Who spends any time in their room anyway? I could not justify paying an extra $150 a night to have an ocean view when I could walk out to the pool and look at the ocean. Service in the room was prompt, but I did find an empty McDonald's cup on my desk when I arrived. Overall the rooms are very comfortable and quiet. I was very happy with my room.
FOOD
I ate at all the restaurants in the hotel. Although I cannot now remember the names, there are two. One more formal restaurant and one that is located in the pool area. The prices there are reasonable for Maui. If you have never been to Hawaii, be prepared to spend a LOT of money on food. I mean A LOT! Unless you plan on going to McDonald's plan on spending at least $20 a meal in any hotel, and that is on the low end. I sought out these allegedly "local" places where the prices were more reasonable, but it turned out they were about the same and the food was worse.
The food in the restaurant by the pool is very reasonably priced (for Maui, all is relative here), you can get a chicken sandwich and a beer or soda for about $10, which is a deal compared to the Grand Wailea where I got a chicken sandwich and a gatorade for $16. The service is friendly and prompt.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
My overall experience at the Outrigger was very good. Most of the hotel has a beautiful view of the ocean and literally sits on top of the ocean. There is no beach in this area so the end of the resort opens up to the volcanic rock that lines some of the coastline. Everyone at the resort treated me well and were happy to talk to you about the island and recommend places to go. I would recommend this resort for people who don't want to blow $500 a night and still have a nice comfortable place to enjoy Hawaii.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jagc
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Location: Northern California
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 4 members
About Me:
Practicing Attorney.
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