The Best Wailea Hotels

Sexy modern design and world-class amenities showcase contemporary Hawaiian culture at its finest.

A sleek wooden arrival bridge leads to an airy lobby where you can put your toes in a sand pit with ocean views and a welcome drink even before arriving at your room. The resort fee here includes GoPro rentals, daily fitness classes and cultural activities from hula lessons to lei making.

This certified LEED Silver resort is committed to supporting local businesses, whether it's sourcing 80% of the produce at Ka'ana Kitchen from Maui farmers, featuring farm-to-bar Maui Ku'ia Chocolate for turndown service or spotlighting resort wear by local designers Billy Aloha and Jaxsea in a chic boutique. Several homegrown brands are featured at 'Awili Spa and Salon too, where you should arrive early to relax in the spacious sauna, steam and hot tub before your lomi lomi massage or Maui ti leaf wrap.

In May 2021, 19 new three-bedroom villas opened in the 'Ilikai building, with connecting doors for up to 15 bedrooms. All 31 villas include an in-unit washer and dryer, along with full kitchens, Viking outdoor grills and personal concierge services for groceries. Many have private plunge pools or Jacuzzis too and the lush landscaping consists of mostly native Hawaiian plants.

• Artist in residence Welzie Art Gallery hosts daily hands-on art classes for kids and adults
• The Feast at Mokapu is Maui's most luxurious luau
• Mālie Organics bath amenities infused with aloe are super hydrating and made in Hawaii with local botanicals

This hotel gets all the details right, with small touches that make you feel like royalty, and the largest rooms in Wailea.

Kea Lani means “heavenly white” in Hawaiian and the white-washed Moorish architecture lives up to the name. Relax in the new cabanas by the adults-only pool and indulge in body scrubs and massages powered by native Hawaiian plants at Willow Stream Spa.

Executive chef Tylun Pang has been running the restaurants here for 25 years and the food and service are among the best you'll find on island, from a sumptuous breakfast buffet with homemade pastries to an excellent lobby lounge poke bar with sunset views. Signature restaurant Kō is celebrating 10 years and has a strong local following. Many dishes, like the chicken and mushroom lumpia, are family recipes from hotel cooks.

Plus, the hotel is embarking on a multimillion-dollar renovation of all 413 one-bedroom suites and 37 two-story villas in the spring of 2022, followed by improvements to the entrance and lobby. All villas have private cold plunge pools and outdoor BBQ grills, along with full kitchens, and are popular with families.

• Free photos sessions by friendly and talented photographers
• Complimentary canoe excursions are a great way to learn about Hawaiian heritage and get a morning workout
• State-of-the-art fitness center with Technogym equipment and a virtual trainer

Kids of all ages will love the epic pools and nobody in the family will be bored with the plethora of activities.

This behemoth resort is the largest in Wailea, with direct access to Wailea Beach and 40 acres of lavish gardens and outdoor artwork to explore. Between the spa, golf, tennis, pools and daily cultural activities, there really does seem to be something for everyone in the family to get excited about. Kids are sure to make new friends splashing about in the jungle pools and intertwining slides at Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, which boasts the world's first water elevator and a swim-up bar for babysitting parents.

Napua Club tower offers more personalized services, including an exclusive lounge serving breakfast, afternoon tea and evening hors d’oeuvres. The spa and lobby are currently under renovation with no firm completion date, but they've done a nice job repurposing guestrooms temporarily for spa treatments at Mōhalu by Spa Grande.

• Newly renovated shopping promenade
• Unique activities include astrology readings and spiritual sunrise morning chants
• Kids receive a passport of educational activities upon check-in

For honeymooners and those who prefer being far from the madding crowds, this Relais & Chateaux property is the perfect getaway.

Hotel Wailea is the only Relais & Chateaux property in Hawaii and the smallest high-end hotel in the area. You're greeted with a fresh lei and glass of Laurent-Perrier brut champagne before being whisked off to your villa. This meticulously landscaped property is a favorite among honeymooners and babymooners, many of whom book the treehouse for romantic private dinners.

Guests here tend to stick to themselves, but the hotel's weekly complimentary cocktail classes are a great opportunity to mingle over Mai Tai. The new open-air Birdcage bar is another great spot to enjoy a drink with ocean views and Japanese-inspired izakaya bites like gyoza and yakitori skewers. Although there's no spa, guests can book in-suite lomi lomi massages.

• Complimentary shuttle service in Tesla Model X house cars take guests anywhere in the Wailea area
• Complimentary yoga and tropical mixology classes weekly

This brand new hotel is not a full-service resort, but it's a great pick for seasoned, independent travelers who plan to spend most of their time off property exploring the island.

The newest hotel in Wailea opened in May 2021, with spacious, minimalist design that appeals to younger travelers without kids. There aren't as many resort amenities here as you'll find at Wailea's other resorts, but the infinity edge pool, hot tub and cabanas are ideal for a day of relaxing.

AC is very centrally located for guests who plan to shop and dine out in Wailea. It's across the street from The Shops at Wailea and just a few minutes away from Wailea Gateway and Wailea Village, which features all locally owned small businesses. When it's time to hit the beach, walk to Ulua or Mōkapu, which are closer and less crowded than the more popular Wailea. For a long morning or sunset beach walk, continue walking north through Ulua and Mōkapu to Keawakapu, which is even more serene and frequented mostly by locals.

• All guestrooms have a private lanai
• Self-service laundry room
• 24-hour fitness center with two Peloton bikes
• Local Hawaiian music performances every Wednesday and Saturday night at KAI poolside bar