No detail is overlooked at the oceanside retreat Wailea Beach Resort, situated along one of Maui’s most coveted stretches of coast.
It’s hard not to be floored when you arrive at Wailea Beach Resort, the hotel’s grand lanai framing palm trees and the sea beyond. But not that far beyond – from my Ocean View room I could stand on the balcony and throw a coconut into the waves. Other accommodations – there are more than 500 – come with garden views, some feature private lanais, and the freshly renovated Sundeck Collection offers a little taste of all the above design perks.
Cocktails and cabanas in Maui
Not that you’ll want to spend too much time inside – there’s far too much to experience across the hotel’s 80 hectares. Top of my list is one of the three pools. I opt for the adults-only, double-tiered Maluhia Serenity Pool, where the only sound is the swoosh of palm fronds and the occasional gasp as someone spots dolphins somersaulting by. Cabana service is a big deal in Hawaii, and if you don’t reserve one, you’ll be sitting on your towel on the grass. But you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to ‘float’ above the water in an infinity pool cabana, or grab a day bed to recline in while you wait for your mai tai to be delivered.
Food and flavour galore
You don’t have to move, come mealtime. But if you want a fresh perspective, there are a parade of restaurants and bars to choose from. Perhaps the Mo’ Bettah Food Truck for poke bowls and shave ice. Tacos and fun cocktails at poolside KAPA. Or Roy Yamaguchi’s concept restaurant, Humble Market Kitchin – think blacked ahi tuna, Japanese-style chicken and mochi waffles, and ocean-fresh sashimi. Channel island vibes every Monday, Thursday and Friday at the alfresco Te Au Moana luau, where the show is lively and the buffet bulging.
It’s a beach of a life
While the resort itself doesn’t have a beach, it’s wedged between two. A five-minute walk in either direction and you can be swimming, snorkelling with turtles, kayaking or partaking in a traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe expedition across the Pacific Ocean. My guides are very generous in lending their strength to paddling. As well as their wit in revealing the myths and legends of Maui.
The finer details
While the property is enormous, where it really excels is in the small details. Like the water stations at regular locations across the resort so guests stay constantly rehydrated. The strip of pop-up stalls where artisans sell handmade jewellery, clothing and trinkets. And the well-curated spa menu at Mandara, which takes inspiration from Hawaiian rituals. Don’t miss the ‘Awaken in Wailea’. Rise with the sun for a private oceanside experience that involves a Lomi Lomi massage and soundwave therapy using Tibetan singing bowls.
While this is everything my partner and I need, we can appreciate families around us making the most of the movie theatre, games room with a plethora of items that bounce and whirr, and the nightly fireside storytelling session – replete with s’mores, of course. Rates from $1,510.
What we love about Wailea Beach Resort Maui
The hotel knows that flights don’t always arrive or depart at a convenient time for you to check in or out. Welcome to the lounge. You can take a shower, cool down and rehydrate while you wait for your room to be ready. Or, for your transfer to arrive.
Where to find Wailea Beach Resort
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