With its glistening white exterior, grand arches and marble lobby, Fairmont Kea Lani makes an impression. Add a backdrop of lush green hills, a dramatic volcano, golden sands and rich blue waters, and you’ll begin to see why this is somewhere special. The resort fronts a lovely stretch of sand. Enclosed with lava rock at both ends, Polo Beach is a secluded area with calm waters, particularly in the mornings. Activities here include snorkelling, sailing and kayaking. If lounging poolside is more your style, there are three pools to choose from: two lagoon pools – one with a swim-up bar – connected by a 140-foot slide, and a quieter adults-only pool with ocean views. Dining at the Kea Lani is award-winning. There are casual eateries for daytime buffets or picnics, but come the evening you’ll want to splash out at Kō – the signature fine dining restaurant serving up cuisine inspired by Hawaii's sugarcane plantation era – and Nick’s Fishmarket Maui, with its fresh seafood specialties and 2000-bottle wine cellar. At sunset, make your way to the Luana Lounge and ask the bartender for a Moki Sunset cocktail, available for one hour only. The award-winning Willow Stream Spa combines locally-inspired experiences with ancient Hawaiian tradition and the latest in spa technology. The one-bedroom suites are spacious and elegant, with a contemporary design and beautiful furnishings throughout, separate living room and balcony. Recently renovated, views vary from the resort gardens to the Haleakala volcano or the ocean. To watch the sunrise over the volcano from your balcony, opt for a Fairmont Mountainside Suite.
Unadulterated Hawaii luxury awaits at this incredible hotel on Maui’s western shore, which is the only Relais & Chateau property in Hawaii. You could be forgiven for thinking you have this entire place to yourself as you wander through the spacious garden. There are hidden-away nooks, private gazebos, tree-shaded orchards, cosy fire pits and sea views at almost every turn. Even the fitness studio has the wow factor; if 180-degree views of the beautiful grounds and the Pacific beyond aren’t a good enough reason to work out (try aerial yoga or a boot camp session) we don’t know what is. Down by the shore – which is reached by eco-friendly Telsa cars – there’s staff to provide you with towels, bottled water and umbrellas and you can rent paddleboards and kayaks to explore the region’s glorious coastline. You can also give kite surfing a go with lessons at Kanaha Beach. As you would expect from Relais & Chateau, the cuisine here is really something to write home about. The chef, Zach Sato, and his team source their produce as locally as possible and there’s a real focus on artisanal and organic ingredients. The main venue is The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea where there’s an incredible menu of seasonal, island-grown dishes. For a special occasion there’s the Treehouse which is like a secret retreat where a 7-course private chef dinner is served alongside breathtaking ocean views. This is an all-suite hotel with wonderfully spacious accommodation options with either a garden, partial ocean view or a full ocean view. The style is exquisite with coral and limestone walls, features and furnishings created using local and sustainable wood and light oak floors. Each suite has a furnished balcony and the floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors mean that the outside can be brought in.
This is the Hawaiian hideaway of dreams if you seek an unpretentious and simple vibe and a real sense of place. The décor is typically Hawaiian with bold colours and artworks on the walls, dark wood furnishings and there’s a real old world vibe thanks to the plantation house building which the hotel is set in. It’s beautifully quiet and serene but you’ll can also head over to the hotel’s sister property, the larger Kaanapali Beach Hotel where there’s a real focus on island traditions and numerous enriching activities. Back at the Plantation Inn you can enjoy some of the finest French dishes in the state at Gerard’s the hotel’s award-winning restaurant or head out into town to enjoy some typical Hawaiian cuisine. An ẚ la carte breakfast is included and is served by the poolside between 7.30 and 9.30am (gratuities at extra cost). Due to the nature of the historic building, no two rooms are alike. There are Standard Rooms which are delightfully light and comfortable, however we recommend choosing one of the Lahaina or Lanai Rooms which have access to the shared lanai – or porch – which wraps around the building on the ground and first floors.
Fairmont Kea Lani
Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateau
The Plantation Inn
