Outrigger Maui Eldorado
“Dear Mr. Rees [Bill], I’d like to let you know about our recent stay at the Maui Eldorado. Had the experience been negative, I would have written, so the least I can do is let you know that this was the best vacation we have ever been on, and the reason for that is your staff. Let me first tell you that it took us six years to make this vacation happen. In 2005, our son had a traumatic brain injury, and after all the surgeries and rehab (he had to learn to walk, talk read, and write all over again), that pretty much wiped us out financially. I work with the Navy SEALs and travel most of the year, so I am no stranger to travel and living in hotels, so when it comes to critiquing a hotel, I’m no expert, but I am fairly qualified. So, we decided this trip was to celebrate our son’s full recovery and to renew our wedding vows (our anniversary was on July 29th; it’s been 27 years) at the cabana. Pam [runs the Eldorado market] found us the perfect minister (Blackie). Well, Michelle [Vogele] caught wind of this and made the four of us some leis that were better than anything we could have purchased. I can’t say enough about Michelle from that kind act to letting us know where all the good surf spots were; she is a warm person with a huge heart. In fact, after our vow renewal, there was a bottle of wine from Tedeschi Vineyards in our room from Michelle. When my wife saw that and read the note, she was brought to tears. Then there was Willy [Bellman], a great guy with a lot of information about all things local. We talked about food, and he told us about places to eat and drink, and we had some great meals while there, but because of Willy, we had the best meal at the best price and had the most fun. (Let Willy know the dynamite shrimp was unbelievable!) It may sound fairly simple, but he helped make the vacation special. Last but not least was Maryann [MaryAnn Valois], from beginning to end, she took care of us like we were rock stars. On the day of our checkout, our flight had been pushed back, so Maryann set us up with a later checkout time and that saved us from driving around with all of our stuff for a few hours. On that same day, we went out for lunch and when we returned to our room, there on the counter was a huge gift basket full of munchies and stuff and a heartfelt card that once again brought my wife to tears; Maryann is an angel! I just want to end this by saying we are by no means rich, but now I know how the rich are treated! We are coming back to Maui and when we do, the Maui Eldorado is where we will stay because after the stress of going to Maui after the negatives that happened, these people made the trip so fun. I just have to say that Michelle and Maryann spending their own money to make our vacation so special is unheard of and something the four of us will never forget. You hit the jackpot Mr. Rees, Michelle and Maryann are the heart and soul of your business, as well as the rest of your staff, take care of them as well as they take care of you. You’ll see us again! Mahalo! . . .”
Mike, Vickey, Justin, and Jade Kelley
Via e-mail