The Hotel Wailea is one of Maui's gems. While not on the beach itself, the warm service, sense of space, tranquillity, glorious views and tropical landscaped gardens more than compensate and guests can take advantage of the hotel's shuttle down to the beach where they have beach service or hire a car and find one of the islands more secluded beaches.
Formerly a Japanese country club and specifically designed as a retreat, the Hotel Wailea has some striking architectural features such as the towering bi-level stone reception building whose wooden roofs are designed to resemble a geisha's parasol.
The suites are located in fours in two storey buildings surrounded by 16 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with colourful shrubs, palms, koi ponds and waterfalls. The suites are spacious with separate living rooms, kitchenettes and covered terraces or 'lanai's, all with some view of the ocean. The newly refurbished Luxury One Bedroom suites resemble simple beach houses, with their stripped wooden floorboards, stone walls and neutral colours accented with red.
The outdoor pool is surrounded by day beds and draped pool cabanas backed by vibrant bougainvillea. Drinks at the pool are a highlight, from coconut based smoothies to lavender mojitos, all prepared with care and flair. An enormous Japanese whirl pool is attached to the spa which offers a wide range of treatments, and there is an open-sided fitness room with ocean views.
Capische is the hotel's award-winning Italian restaurant which is run by passionate locavores who make everything in-house and grow half of what they cook. The setting is lovely, with tables on the breezy lanai the most sought after for their ocean and west Maui mountain views.
The hotel operates a shuttle service to Waliea Beach (about 10 minutes away) where there is beach service (sun loungers, towels and complimentary water) as well as to other restaurants in Wailea and guests also have signing privileges at the Grand Wailea's spa, shops and restaurants.
