United States Hawaii The Best Wailea Hotels Andaz Maui is our top choice in this stunning resort community By Amber Gibson Updated on 03/29/22 Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Wailea is a lively, high-end resort development in Maui, with more luxury accommodations than you'll find in the Ka'anapali resort area. The hotels here are on par with those found in Maui's Kapalua resort development, but Wailea has many more dining and shopping options in close proximity to the hotels. Plus, Wailea is closer to the airport and many of Maui's major attractions (like Haleakalā National Park, the Kula volcanic field, and the Paia neighborhood on Maui's North Shore). A convenient oceanfront boardwalk trail connects most of the resorts and public beaches in this area, and it's an easy 3.5-mile walk with an option to stop at Wailea Point for whale watching in winter. Many hotels featured below participate in the Malama Hawaii program, which allows guests to earn a free night or discounted stay by completing a volunteer project, like a beach cleanup. (Note that these packages need to be booked in advance.) Whether or not you choose to go that route, book one of the hotels below and you'll have no shortage of options for comfortable accommodations along this beautiful stretch of Maui coastline. The 5 Best Wailea Hotels of 2023 Best Overall: Andaz Maui Best Luxury: Fairmont Kea Lani Best for Families: Grand Wailea Best Boutique: Hotel Wailea Best for Returning Visitors: AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea The Best Wailea Hotels View All The Best Wailea Hotels Our Top Picks Andaz Maui Fairmont Kea Lani Grand Wailea Hotel Wailea AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea See More (2) Compare Hotels Methodology Best Overall : Andaz Maui See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Sexy modern design and world-class amenities showcase contemporary Hawaiian culture at its finest. Pros Connecting villas are great for large groups and multigenerational travel High-quality shopping with pop-up boutiques featuring Maui-based designers and artists All rooms have private lanais Cons Passersby can see into the living rooms of oceanfront villas Service can be inconsistent There are a lot of stairs 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. Notable Amenities Artist in residence Welzie Art Gallery hosts daily hands-on art classes for kids and adultsThe Feast at Mokapu is Maui's most luxurious luauMālie Organics bath amenities infused with aloe are super hydrating and made in Hawaii with local botanicals Best Luxury : Fairmont Kea Lani See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This hotel gets all the details right, with small touches that make you feel like royalty, and the largest rooms in Wailea. Pros All 450 rooms are suites and villas Polo Beach feels more private than other beaches in Wailea Best hotel restaurants in Wailea Cons Guestroom décor feels a little dated The kids club has yet to reopen 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. Notable Amenities Free photos sessions by friendly and talented photographersComplimentary canoe excursions are a great way to learn about Hawaiian heritage and get a morning workoutState-of-the-art fitness center with Technogym equipment and a virtual trainer Best for Families : Grand Wailea See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Kids of all ages will love the epic pools and nobody in the family will be bored with the plethora of activities. Pros Massive pools Dozens of weekly cultural activities are included in the resort fee Pet-friendly Cons Many new staff are still learning the ropes Resort is undergoing multi-phased renovation, which can cause minor inconveniences 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. Notable Amenities Newly renovated shopping promenadeUnique activities include astrology readings and spiritual sunrise morning chantsKids receive a passport of educational activities upon check-in Best Boutique : Hotel Wailea Courtesy of Hotel Wailea See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It For honeymooners and those who prefer being far from the madding crowds, this Relais & Chateaux property is the perfect getaway. Pros Adults-only All rooms are one-bedroom suites Excellent poolside cabana service Cons Not directly on Wailea beach Only partial ocean views No spa 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. Notable Amenities Complimentary shuttle service in Tesla Model X house cars take guests anywhere in the Wailea areaComplimentary yoga and tropical mixology classes weekly Best for Returning Visitors : AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It 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. Pros Modern design with plenty of outlets Central location Most rooms have ocean views Cons No full-service restaurant Closet doesn't have doors No bathtubs No shuttle to the beach 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. Notable Amenities All guestrooms have a private lanaiSelf-service laundry room24-hour fitness center with two Peloton bikesLocal Hawaiian music performances every Wednesday and Saturday night at KAI poolside bar Compare The Best Hotels in Wailea Hotel Room Rates Resort Fee Number of Rooms Free WiFi Andaz Maui Best Overall $$$$ $48 321 Yes Fairmont Kea Lani Best Luxury $$$$ $50 450 Yes Grand Wailea Best for Families $$$$ $45 776 Yes Hotel Wailea Best Boutique Property $$$$ $40 72 Yes AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea Best for Returning Visitors $$$ No 110 Yes Methodology We evaluated a dozen hotels in the greater Wailea area to choose the best in each category. We considered an array of criteria when making our selection, including the design and quality of guest rooms and public spaces, location, value, service, and food and beverage options. Plus, we considered the availability and quality of notable hotel amenities, like an on-site spa or pool. In determining the list, we analyzed more than a hundred customer reviews and incorporated our first-person experiences at each property. Maui Coastline aerial view from above Wailea. M Swiet Productions / Getty Images Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies