Hawaii Meets Hollywood Glamour at This Seaside Resort on Maui

The fact that Jeff Bezos owns a $78 million home down the street from the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea should tell you something: This part of the island is extra ritzy. It’s just as common to spot an A-lister at this opulent resort as it is to see humpback whales passing by in January. And, believe me, I was certainly on the lookout.

In June, I checked into the 383-room hotel for a two-night stay. At the entrance, the giant ceramic head sculptures by Jun Kaneko were the first thing to draw my attention (and demand a photo), and I later learned that much of the artwork here is by artists who have lived in Hawaii or been inspired by Hawaii. With hundreds of original pieces to discover throughout the resort, it felt a bit like an Easter egg hunt — good things around every corner.

Rather than waiting at the counter to check in, I was ushered to the Club Level floor for a private check-in and a peek at the snack drawer packed with Snickers, Skittles, and Kit Kat bars. Staying on this floor meant I could pop in for meals, tea time, and after-dinner desserts. Come evening, I was back in the lobby watching strolling musicians and hula dancers while dining on fresh sushi. Upbeat and sophisticated, it’s a place that invites one to linger.

“[The resort] was built as a representation of a modern-day palace the alii (Hawaiian royalty) would build today,” says resort manager Lanikai Lindsey. “In harmony with the resort’s location on the sunny side of Maui, the open-air design is grand and elegant, revealing elevated ocean views overlooking Wailea Beach.”

Built in 1990, the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea was one of the first resorts in what is now an ultra-swanky tourist haven. Here’s a full review of what to expect at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

The Rooms

The hotel has seven types of premium rooms and suites, including two presidential suites, five suite types, and five room types. I stayed in a top-floor deluxe club ocean view room where I couldn’t take my eyes off the West Maui Mountains and the Wailea coastline. From my private lanai — angled so that I could not see my neighbors on either side — I ate pineapple chunks and sipped on a tropical drink.

“The 600-square-foot rooms are designed in soft blue, white, and beige hues that provide a relaxed and sophisticated feel,” says Lindsey. “Hardwood floors in the entryway lead to spacious, carpeted bedroom and lounge areas. The spacious bathrooms are expansive, with deep-soaking bathtubs, large showers with luxurious shower heads, a thoughtfully placed dresser, and double-sink vanities accented by LED mirrors.”

The Four Seasons mattress, which customizes to your preferred level of firmness, encourages guests to sleep in and order room service (which happens to be offered 24 hours a day). Further, the R&R is complete with a soak in the tub with Bathorium bath flakes and Lokahi bath salts. I especially loved the music channels on the bathroom wall. I found myself searching for the Hawaiian songs to make my own playlist.

For an over-the-top splurge (Jay-Z and Beyoncé, I’m talking to you), the Maile and Lokelani presidential suites start at $29,000 per night.

Food and Drink

In the morning, ube pancakes with coconut ganache and coconut syrup are a must at DUO Steak & Seafood. Come evening, the signature dish is a 48-hour bone-in short rib with smoked potato puree and shallot jus.

Dine under the stars at recently redesigned Ferraro’s Restaurant & Bar for coastal Italian eats paired with fresh Maui ingredients and artisan pizzas from the wood-burning oven. Spago offers a fusion of Hawaiian and California cuisine and ocean views. The Lobby Lounge is a buzzy spot to order pupus, handmade cocktails, and fresh sushi.

Activities and Experiences

The adults-only pool is known for its underwater music system, swim-up bar, bubble loungers, and infinity edge, where a selfie is utterly irresistible. Cabanas come with a smart TV and lounge sofa, and several have themes like Missoni or Gray Malin. The waterfall pool is designed with children in mind, and the sanctuary pool includes oceanfront cabanas that are perfect for families. If ocean swims are more your style, have a beach attendant set up a chaise lounge and umbrella on Wailea Beach. The Beachwalk Cafe is right there, too.

Whether it’s stand-up paddleboard yoga or kiteboarding lessons, staying active here is easy. Pickleball fans will appreciate the round-robin sessions, and water lovers will enjoy the surfing lessons and sunset sails.

The Spa

The spa has 13 indoor treatment rooms and three open-air hales (thatched treatment huts) for outdoor spa treatments, complete with waves crashing and birds chirping. Standout treatments include infrared deep-tissue and sleep-well massages, the latter incorporating chamomile flower extract, magnesium, and sweet almond oil. There’s even a reiki master, acupuncturist, and chiropractor on staff.

Thanks to a partnership with health-optimization brand Next Health, the resort has a huge focus on wellness. During my stay, I took a food sensitivity test, and a few weeks later, I chatted with a nurse practitioner about my results. Learning how to reset my gut was a game changer and never something I expected to learn while at a resort. Beyond that, Next Health also offers nourishing IV drips, a four-hour NAD+ treatment, stem-cell therapy to improve overall vitality, and exosome infusions for rejuvenation.

“NAD is very popular right now for its anti-aging benefits,” says Allison Martinez, a Next Health registered nurse. “It’s kind of been coined the fountain of youth. You can basically biohack your system into acting younger.”

At the nearby fitness studio, you’ll be treated to dreamy views of the Pacific Ocean while running on the treadmill. Can’t be bothered to head to the gym? A Peloton can be delivered to your room for a fee.

Family-friendly Offerings

Kids for All Seasons — for guests 5 to 12 years old — is complimentary. For younger kiddos, private nanny service is available. Events like Spy Academy, Pajama Jam, and Crab Hunt keep kids happy. Bonus: The game room — with billiards, ping pong, foosball, shuffleboard, and old-school arcade games — is hours of fun.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Service animals are welcome at the resort, which is ADA-accessible and has numerous configurations of accessible rooms.

Rooms are stocked with refillable water bottles (and a marker to personalize the bottles), and chilled water dispensers are spread throughout the resort. Guests may participate in Blue Aina, a monthly reef clean-up on a luxury catamaran where participating guests receive a $250 resort credit.

Location

The resort, on the island’s southside, is about a 30-minute drive from the Kahului Airport. Because you can walk to The Shops at Wailea and a slew of restaurants and bars, it’s easy to get around without a car.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Staying in one of the 26 exclusive rooms on the Club Level comes with a private check-in and check-out, around-the-clock personal concierge, and complimentary meal offerings throughout the day.

The resort offers more than 70 complimentary cabanas and no resort fees. Book during the off-season (late fall and spring) for lower prices.