Many of the big-name beach hotels on Maui, like their Honolulu counterparts, are exactly this big. Noisy pools, crowded elevators, and hordes of tourists. This may seem like paradise for college-age travelers during spring break, but for those of us looking for a more serene and secluded Hawaiian experience, there is a better option. Couples from around the world have discovered a laid-back alternative to the bustling beach: Hotel Wailea, Maui’s only luxury boutique hotel.
Travelers have a lot to say about Hotel Wailea, which is rated 4.5 / 5 on TripAdvisor and is ranked third among hotels in Wailea, Maui. We’ll cover some 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, the Wailea Hotel is not a large building. Instead, it’s a secluded enclave of two-story villas, spread across 15 acres of rolling hills. The property receives high praise for being well-kept and beautifully landscaped. In fact, guests often spend their first few moments simply exploring the property, admiring the tranquil gardens, relaxing fountains, and koi fish ponds. The architecture is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright with a Japanese Zen twist.
The hills are great for taking photos of the ocean, but keep in mind that you may have to walk a bit to get to your room. The walk is not at all unreasonable, but it will certainly require more effort than the nice flat design you’ll get in a normal hotel building. TIP: Request a room near the lobby or parking lot if you prefer not to walk far.
The advantage of the large layout is that you feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Many guests find that they see very few people around, except in common areas. This place definitely lacks the touristy and chaotic element that you will find in the larger hotels along the beach.
Suites
The property has a total of 72 one-bedroom suites. Suites are located in two-story self-contained villas with two suites on the top floor and two on the ground floor. Noise complaints are rarely made, so the suites appear to be well insulated. TIP: Suites upstairs have the best ocean views and have room numbers ending in 3 or 4. Suites are generally sold based on the type of view they have, and guests highly recommend the Panoramic Ocean View Suite. sea.
The first thing travelers notice about the rooms is their spaciousness, which is evident even in the pictures you’ll find online. Each suite has a kitchen area with a stove, refrigerator, and sink. TIP: Be sure to request pots and pans ahead of time if you plan to cook in your room. By default, there are very few pots and pans left in the room. You can also request a microwave.
In terms of furniture, there is a full table that seats two for dinner, a family room with a sofa bed, a coffee table, and an LCD TV. Each suite has a spacious and private lanai (patio) with oceanfront lounge chairs.
In some of the previous reviews, travelers used to complain that the rooms were outdated. In response, hotel management has made great strides to update rooms with new carpets, furniture, luxury bedding, and beds.
Most rooms have a king size bed, but some have double beds. The main bathrooms have large bathtubs and showers, these are next to each other with no separation between them, great for couples, but can be uncomfortable for friends and family. Still, some bathrooms could use some updating, but most guests don’t find this to be a problem.
Some suites are near a koi pond and get mixed reviews. Some travelers love being able to feed the fish in their yard every morning. However, pond water can attract mosquitoes, especially in the evening. So if you are a mosquito magnet, be sure to avoid the poolside suites.
Mod cons
The hotel’s amenities are more suited to couples than families with children, and most guests seem to appreciate the relative lack of children on the property. One of the main amenities is the on-site Japanese-style spa (Spa Wailea), to which guests have complimentary access. Guests love the reclining baths where you can participate in the Japanese art of hot tub or “spa bath.” There is also a hot tub and a dry sauna.
The pool is small compared to what you’ll find in larger hotels, but guests say this makes the setting more intimate and relaxing. There are several full-size beds and beach chairs throughout the pool area, along with a swim-up bar that sells drinks at certain times. Most people are satisfied with the gym, which is located in a beautiful room open to the sea, but hardcore gym fans may be disappointed. The equipment is not extensive: there is a treadmill, an elliptical, an exercise bike and a Bowlflex. As of May 12, there is not a complete set of dumbbells.
When you want to go to Wailea Beach, the hotel has a free shuttle (a Cadillac Escalade) that guests say is very fast. 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 load your account while at Grand Wailea, allowing you to have lunch or order cocktails there and not worry about having to bring cash to the beach.
All of these amenities come at a cost: a mandatory resort fee of $ 25 per day. But don’t let this scare you; the guests insist that it is money well spent.
Rental
Note that the Hotel Wailea is not a beachfront property and is fairly isolated overall. According to Google Maps, it’s a 1.4 mile (~ 26 minute) walk to the beach and downhill, 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.
Meal
There is a highly acclaimed on-site restaurant called Capische that serves delicious Italian food. The restaurant has won multiple awards, including the Zagat 5-Star Award for Best Italian Restaurant in Hawaii. But the prices are very high. The dinner menu is on the hotel’s website.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning. Guests rave about the locally made lilokoi and banana bread and freshly squeezed guava juice. Your other dining options are in Wailea. There is a general store in Wailea stores that sells freshly cooked meals, such as Bento Salmon.
Service
Travelers consistently rate the service as top-notch. Housekeeping does an excellent job because there are not hundreds of suites to clean. The maids try to clean up while you are out of the room so they don’t disturb you. The staff is very friendly and helpful. A traveler was on a gluten-free diet and was told that if he had notified the staff prior to his arrival, they could have provided a gluten-free breakfast. So when you book, be sure to tell them about any allergies and dietary restrictions you may have. In general, the staff seem much friendlier than at the major hotel chains.
Resume
The Wailea Hotel is perfect for couples looking for a relaxing Hawaiian vacation without the chaos of large beachfront hotels. The rooms are spacious but may need some updating. The property itself is laid out and well landscaped, offering stunning views of the Pacific from most suites. Rates range from $ 250 to $ 399 a night during the summer, which is an excellent value considering that the area’s top hotels easily cost twice as much or more. If you buy at least 90 days in advance directly through the hotel, the price drops to around $ 170 per night, which is again an unbeatable value for this area.