We have already reviewed the best luxury hotels in Hawaii, but when you drill down to the island on Maui, there are more than ten luxury hotels to choose from, and you need to know which is best. We have outlined the best luxury hotels in Wailea, and we now share our thoughts on the rest of the island.
The islands of Hawaii boast some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. Lava-spewing volcanoes, lush valleys, glorious waterfalls, and palm-fringed white, red, and black beaches make Hawaii a popular vacation destination.
These islands offer an otherworldly place to escape when the weather gets cold elsewhere. While it’s cold at home, you can escape to the sunshine. Even in the evening, the sand feels warm on your feet, and there’s a deliciously warm breeze. Unlike many Caribbean islands, you feel safe in Hawaii and can walk miles along deserted beaches.
1. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Situated in the sunny resort of Wailea, and easily the best hotel in Wailea on Maui is Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. This is the place to stay and see and be seen in Wailea. The resort area of Wailea is lively, and this resort is glamorous. Take your sunscreen, designer bag, and Rolex, and you’ll fit right in.
The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea is located on 15 oceanfront acres, overlooking a beautiful crescent-shaped gold sand beach in Wailea, also offering three championship golf courses. The hotel has 376 spacious rooms and suites located in an 8-story building.
A recent floor-to-ceiling transformation of all rooms and suites makes Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea a chic and sophisticated retreat for couples, families, fairway fans, and adventure seekers alike.
On one of Hawai’i’s finest beaches, you can enjoy complimentary snorkeling equipment, scuba demonstrations, and outrigger canoe paddling excursions here. Revitalize with morning ocean-view yoga, rejuvenate with an island spa treatment, or relax at the adults-only Serenity Pool.
At Four Seasons Maui, most of the rooms face the sea. Base rooms face the mountain and car park but are still large and lovely with a less sunny lanai. A top tip here is that this Four Seasons has a Club lounge, so you can snack for cheap if you book a room with Club Lounge access. Club Level rooms offer top-floor views and perks at the private lounge. Four Seasons is the only Maui resort to offer complimentary cabanas and no resort fee.
Sitting right on a beach shared with the Hilton and Marriott, this Four Seasons is up the road from the Fairmont and the Andaz. There is also a lovely open-air shopping mall, a short walk away to pick up snacks and buy new clothes.
This resort is quite busy and does not feel as exclusive as the Four Seasons Lanai across the water, but it is such fun. All the bars and restaurants look out over the beach, and a 2-mile (3 km) beach walkway connects all the luxury hotels and runs along the end of the beach in the resort, so you can walk for miles to wear off any overindulgence.
Four Seasons has five hotels in Hawaii, including Four Seasons Hualalai (on Big Island), Four Seasons Lanai, Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, and the Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina. They are all gorgeous and, in my opinion, are the best hotels in Hawaii. We’ve already outlined which is the best Four Seasons hotel in Hawaii.
While there is no Four Seasons reward program, simply book through our Luxury Travel Concierge to get brilliant free VIP benefits. To get the best possible rates, you should also travel out of the main season (avoid Christmas and school holidays). You can then often take advantage of their discounted fourth or fifth-night free offers, extra resort credits, and complimentary golf across all their resorts.
Review: Four Seasons Maui
We have reviewed the best Four Seasons hotels in Hawaii, which includes the stunning Four Seasons Maui in the most exclusive resort on Maui, Wailea. Four Seasons Maui is the most resort-based Four Seasons hotel on the Hawaiian Islands, being situated in the exclusive resort area of Wailea. I reviewed the best way to get deals and special offers at Four Seasons Maui. The key is to book your next Four Seasons stay via our luxury travel concierge, as we can give you free loyalty-style benefits, room upgrades, and perks while matching the rates on the Four Seasons Maui website.
2. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
We think the second-best luxury hotel in Wailea is the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. With 15 acres of prime beachfront in one of Hawai’i’s most luxurious resort communities, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is more a lifestyle than a hotel. Take a kayak tour, do sunset yoga, or try stand-up paddleboarding. Then again, lounging by one of the five ocean-facing pools may be as active as you get.
Step into the airy lobby at this resort, and you will be hit by its modern and trendy design. This resort is luxurious but also feels cool. With 301 guestrooms and suites, including 11 luxurious two- to four-bedroom residential villas, the hotel, with its stylish rooms with private lanais, designed to make the most of the stunning Hawaii sunsets.
The resort has two award-winning restaurants with island cuisine served family-style at Ka’ana Kitchen or Western and Japanese fine dining at Morimoto Maui, led by the acclaimed celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto.
Whether you’re here on honeymoon or booking a well-deserved vacation package, gentle ocean breezes and the pristine shores of Mokapu Beach provide the perfect backdrop.
3. Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
Just up the coast from the Four Seasons (you can walk between the two hotels) is the shimmering golden sand beach in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani. This oceanfront paradise offers an all-suite and villa luxury resort and spa.
From sunrise to sunset, Fairmont Kea Lani is the place to be. Awaken refreshed in your spacious one-bedroom suite or luxury beach villa to a picture-perfect Maui morning. Linger on your private lanai to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.
Experience the island’s healing mana and elevate your sense of well-being at the resort’s state-of-the-art Willow Stream Spa, which offers locally inspired spa treatments that combine the highest quality products with ancient Hawaiian traditions. Pamper yourself in one of our signature treatment rooms or an outdoor cabana.
Resort activities include three swimming pools featuring an adults-only pool and two family activity pools connected by a 140-foot water slide, Hawaiian Cultural Program, water sports, beach activities, a 24-hour fitness center, fitness and wellness classes, a Kids Club, and boutique shopping. Championship golf and tennis are located just minutes from the resort.
Dine under the stars at our award-winning signature restaurant Kō, and savor a variety of island-inspired favorites in the resort’s four restaurants and four lounges. Join us for sunset at LUANA to celebrate the day with a taste of Hawaii’s modern culture through cocktails in an unrivaled setting.
4. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua is the most expensive by points and one of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Hawaii. It is a stunning beachfront resort on Maui with Hawaiian-inspired dining, spa, culture, and activities.
Being at the northernmost point on Maui, Kapalua makes it wetter and windier than the rest of the island, particularly in winter. If you keep driving North beyond the hotel, there are some incredible snorkeling beaches and some volcanic tide pools that the waves crash around. There is the Honolua store (ABC store) right next door to the resort, which is ideal for snacks and a complimentary shuttle up to the Plantation Course to grab an alfresco bite with great views.
While elegant, this property lacks a Four Seasons level of service. The bellhops don’t always come to pick up your bags, and the restaurant isn’t great, although the cabana and pool service is excellent, with attentive staff, free sunscreen is available to everybody, and cool off mist at the adult pool section.
Review: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, is a beautiful and secluded resort in the high-end resort of Kapalua on the North West coast of Maui. It offers excellent golf and is the perfect place to unwind in acres and acres of grounds. We compared this Ritz-Carlton to the Marriott and Sheraton in Maui a few years ago. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, offers numerous pools, including a 3-tiered pool with a stunning view of the Pacific, a vast spa, a beach, and many restaurants.
5. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
There are six Hyatt hotels in Hawaii. Of these six, two main Hyatt hotels are on Maui, Andaz Maui, which currently costs 30,000 World Of Hyatt points per night and sits in the luxurious and peaceful Wailea Resort. Your other option is the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, which connects to the Hyatt Residence Club Maui on Kāʻanapali Beach.
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa currently costs 25,000 World Of Hyatt points per night, making it your cheapest redemption option on Maui. However, it is not one of the cheapest Hyatts Hawaii.
Hyatt Residence Club Maui, Kāʻanapali Beach features larger condos, costing 30,000 World Of Hyatt points per night because of their size, but these condos sit in the same location as the cheaper Hyatt Regency Maui Resort. If you have a family, the condo option might work out cheaper for you overall, as you may be able to share the same room.
Each hotel has an individual set of advantages. The hotel you choose depends on what sort of vacation you want. The Andaz sits in possibly the most luxurious resort area in Hawaii, Wailea, and is more luxurious, hence its position further up this listing.
While this is a huge advantage if you are looking for serene beaches and sophisticated and expensive dining, if you are looking for action, nightlife, cheap eats, and kid-friendly fun, the Kāʻanapali Beach area of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort may well be a better choice. It really depends on what you are looking for.
While the Andaz pool area is sophisticated for couples and honeymooners, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa offers more fun for kids and families. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa also offers the best views of any of the Hyatt hotels in Hawaii with Oceanfront rooms with balconies.
Overall, throughout the Hawaiian Islands, if you want the most bang for your points and a luxury resort in paradise, your best pick is the Hyatt Regency Maui, as it is the cheapest luxury Hyatt in Hawaii in points and sits on a gorgeous beach. The Hyatt Regency on Maui is also one of the few hotels in Hawaii with a club lounge.
6. Grand Wailea A Waldorf Astoria
The highlight of the Grand Wailea A Waldorf Astoria is the tropical freeform pool which comes complete with slides and is a dream come true for families. This hotel is right next door to the Four Seasons on the same beach but usually comes in somewhat cheaper. The rooms are not as special as the Four Seasons, but the pool is amazing.
Overlooking the southern shores of Maui, the Grand Wailea A Waldorf Astoria Hotel is a 40-acre property that provides open spaces for the active vacationer beauty for romantic getaways and fun for the whole family. The resort is situated on one of America’s top beaches featuring luxury accommodations, the action-packed 2 000-foot long Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, the unparalleled Spa Grande, the exquisite Seaside Chapel for weddings and vow renewals, and an array of recreational activities, including championship golf and tennis.
Set on 40 meticulously landscaped acres fronting Wailea Beach, the Grand Wailea celebrates the aloha spirit. The enchantment begins upon arrival with a lei greeting and continues as you soak up sunshine to the whispers of palm trees. Explore the beach and pools by day, then dine by torchlight after viewing a spectacular sunset. Sparkling fountains, koi ponds, and a priceless collection of art delight and captivate at every turn.
7. Ho Olei At Grand Wailea
Discover a blissful breezy retreat on Maui’s southern shore of Wailea at Ho Olei At Grand Wailea. The neighbor of Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, this private enclave blends residence living and resort amenities for the ultimate home away from home. This resort offers a cheaper way to enjoy the facilities of the Grand Wailea A Waldorf Astoria.
Each of the two-story luxury villas features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a lanai, a balcony, a full kitchen private elevator, and a garage, perfect for a family getaway or destination wedding.
Enjoy a laidback stay and peaceful Hawaiian living in these spacious luxury townhomes. When you’re ready for adventure, take the shuttle to the Grand Wailea resort for all the amenities and experiences you’re looking for on a tropical getaway.
Enjoy the sparkling pool with sandy beach entry plus waterfalls and a children’s pool, award-winning spa for pampering treatments, massage therapy, and couples packages, free SCUBA lessons for ages 12, and unlimited access to kayaks and snorkeling equipment, eight restaurants and bars all with distinct menus and panoramic views.
8. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Maui
Our third best Marriott Bonvoy choice on Maui is the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa on Kaanapali Beach, Lahaina Maui, a category six property and starts at 50,000 Bonvoy points per night. While Kaanapali Beach is not such a sophisticated resort as Wailea and Kapalua, the Sheraton is right on top of the beach, and there is great snorkeling. The Ritz-Carlton, by comparison, is set back away from or above the beach. This Sheraton is right on the beach with a great club lounge.
9. Hotel Wailea
Hotel Wailea is an intimate 5-star enclave set within the most exclusive resort community on Maui. Hotel Wailea boasts 180-degree, unobstructed ocean views of three Hawaiian Islands, breathtaking mountain scenery, and 15 acres of Zen-inspired landscaped grounds comprised of tropical gardens, cascading waterfalls, and winding pathways.
This adults-only resort in Hawaii is a peaceful retreat that is nestled within a lush tropical hillside perched 300 feet above the sea, with convenient access to island adventures by day, from beaches, water sports, and golf to restaurants and shopping and luxurious tranquility by night. As there are only 72 suites on the entire 15 acres of ocean view property, it is boutique and very special.
10. Wailea Beach Marriott Resort
The tastefully redesigned Wailea Beach Marriott Resort, Maui welcomes guests with stunning views of the Pacific. It is on the same beach as the Four Seasons and the Grand Wailea A Waldorf, on the headland at one end.
This means that rooms at the back and entrance to the resort can be a downhill walk to the beach and an uphill walk back from the beach. Right in front of the hotel is rocks as you are on the headland, but to the side, you will find the soft golden sands of the beach.
The hotel also offers loads of pools, a modern fitness center, championship-level golf courses, and our tranquil spa. Diverse dining options include the signature restaurant, private floating cabanas, and a luau show, among others. The hotel boasts sparkling outdoor pools and the longest resort water slide in Hawaii, ideal for the kids.
Every room and suite has been updated with ocean-inspired decor, including mini-refrigerators, plush bedding, and Wi-Fi. Large balconies and oversized lanai reveal stunning views, including vibrant sunsets and the occasional humpback whale.
This hotel is a Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Category 6 hotel and is your best Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Wailea.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Image courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.
