Many of the big-name beachfront hotels in Maui, like their Honolulu counterparts, are exactly that — big. Loud pools, crowded elevators, and hordes of tourists. This may sound like paradise to college-aged travelers on spring break, but for those of us looking for a more serene and reclusive Hawaiian experience, there’s a better option. Couples across the globe have discovered a tranquil alternative to the bustling beachfront: Hotel Wailea, Maui’s only luxury boutique hotel.
Travelers have lots to say about Hotel Wailea, which boasts a 4.5/5 score on TripAdvisor and ranks third among hotels in Wailea, Maui. We’ll cover a few of the highlights below and give you some tips on how to have the most enjoyable stay.
Hotel Grounds Overview
Unlike many of the beachfront hotels, Hotel Wailea is not one big building. Instead, it’s a secluded enclave of double-story villas, spread out across 15 acres of rolling hills. The property receives lots of praise for being well manicured and beautifully landscaped. In fact, guests often spend their first moments simply exploring the property, admiring the tranquil gardens, relaxing fountains, and koi ponds with fish. The architecture is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright with a Zen Japanese twist.
The hills are great for snapping photos of the ocean, but be aware that you may be walking for a bit to get to your room. The walk is nothing unreasonable but will certainly require more effort than the nice flat layout you’ll get in a regular hotel building. TIP: Request a room near the lobby or parking lot if you’d rather not walk a lot.
The upside of the large layout is that you feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Many guests note that they see very few people around, except in the common areas. This place definitely lacks the touristy, chaos element you’ll find at the larger hotels along the beach.
Suites
The property has a total of 72, one-bedroom suites. The suites are located in detached two-story villas with two suites upstairs and two on the ground floor. Rarely are there any noise complaints, so the suites appear to be well insulated. TIP: upstairs suites have the best ocean views and have room numbers that end in 3 or 4. Suites are usually sold according to the type of view they have, and guests highly recommend the panoramic ocean view suite.
The first thing that travelers notice about the rooms is their spaciousness, which is evident even from pictures you’ll find online. Every suite features a kitchen area with cook top, refrigerator, and sink. TIP: be sure to request pots and pans ahead of time if you plan on cooking in your room. Very few pots and pans are left in the room by default. You can also request a microwave.
In terms of furniture, there is a full table that seats two for dining, a family room with a pull-out couch, coffee table, and LCD television. Every suite has a private, spacious lanai (patio) with lounge chairs facing the ocean.
In some of the older reviews, travelers used to complain that the rooms were outdated. In response, hotel management has made great strides in bringing the rooms up to date with brand new carpeting, furniture, luxury linen, and new beds.
Most rooms have a king sized bed, but a few have double beds. The master bathrooms have large soaking tubs and walk-in showers, these are right besides each other with no separation between–great for couples but it might be awkward for friends and family. Still, some bathrooms could use some updating but most guests do not find this to be a problem.
Some suites are near a koi pond, and these receive mixed reviews. Some travelers love being able to feed the fish from their patio every morning. However, sitting pond water may attract mosquitos, especially at dusk. So if you’re mosquito magnet, be sure to avoid pond-side suites.
Amenities
The hotel’s amenities cater more towards couples than families with children, and most guests seem to appreciate the relative lack of children on the property. One of the prime amenities is the on-site, japanese style spa (Spa Wailea), which guests have complimentary access to. Guests absolutely love the reclining baths where you can engage in the japanese art of ofuro or “spa bathing.” There’s also a hot tub and dry sauna.
The pool is small compared to what you’ll find at the bigger hotels, but guests say this makes the setting more intimate and relaxing. There are several full sized beds and beach chairs throughout the pool area, along with a pool bar that sells drinks at certain hours. Most people are pleased with the fitness center, which is located in a beautiful room that’s open to the sea, but hardcore gym goers may be disappointed. The equipment isn’t extensive–there’s a treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, and a Bowlflex. As of May ’12, there isn’t a complete set of dumbbells.
When you want to head down to Wailea beach, the hotel has a free shuttle (a Cadillac Escalade) that guests say is very prompt. The hotel has a private beachfront section at the Grand Wailea with beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, and bottled water (covered by the resort fee). You can also charge your account while at the Grand Wailea, allowing you to have lunch or order cocktails there and not worry about having to bring any cash to the beach.
All of these amenities come at a cost — a mandatory $25/day resort fee. But don’t let this scare you off; guests insist that it is money well spent.
Location
Be aware that Hotel Wailea is not a beachfront property and is quite secluded in general. According to Google Maps, it’s a 1.4 mile (~26 min) walk to the beach and down a slope, so unless you’re an avid hiker, you’ll really want to use the free shuttle. The shuttle will take you to the beach and anywhere else in Wailea, including the Wailea Blue Golf Course.
Dining
There is one highly-acclaimed restaurant on-site called Capische which serves delicious italian food. The restaurant has earned several awards including the Zagat 5-Star Award for being the best italian restaurant in Hawaii. But the prices are very steep. The dinner menu is found on the hotel website.
There is a free continental breakfast each morning. Guests rave about the locally made banana and lilokoi bread and fresh guava juice. Your other dining options are in Wailea. There’s a General Store in the Shops at Wailea that sells freshly made meals, like Bento salmon.
Service
Travelers consistently rate the service as top-notch. Housekeeping does an excellent job because there aren’t hundreds of suites to clean. Maids try to clean while you’re out of the room so they wont disturb. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. One traveler was on a gluten-free diet and was told that had she notified staff before her arrival, they would have been able to provide a gluten-free breakfast. So when you book be sure to tell them about any allergies and dietary restrictions you might have. In general, staff seems far more cordial than at major chain hotels.
Summary
Hotel Wailea is perfect for couples looking for a tranquil Hawaiian vacation without the chaos of large beachfront hotels. The rooms are spacious but may need some updating. The property itself is spread out and well landscaped, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific from most suites. Rates run between $250-$399 per night during the summer, which is an excellent value considering how the major hotels in the area easily cost double or more. If you purchase at least 90 days in advance directly through hotel, the price dips to around $170 per night, which again, is an unbeatable value for this area.
