Region: Maui Island

Kama‘ole Nalu

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Proximity to the water is good at this condominium. Units vary in décor and many have been updated. The 774-sq.-ft. 2/2s feel cramped, and they allow only four (sometimes six) people per unit. The building is oriented away from the water, so lower-numbered condos are farther from the water. Ask for upper floor units ending in 03–06 for the best views. Short path to Kama‘ole II Beach. 5- or 14-night minimum. Discounts on longer stays.

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Address

(866) 284-2544 or (808) 879-6284
2450 S Kihei Rd, Kihei
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March 15, 2012
Royal Mauian

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This is a mid-’70s, semi-circular condo building with a great location overlooking Kama‘ole I Beach, but you’ll have to walk next door for the sand. All rooms have dynamite views, except the rear-facing corner units. Units ending in 09 are recommended because the master bedroom is also on the ocean side.

The property is very nicely maintained. The glass walls around pool really embrace the ocean. About half of the units have A/C, so ask if you need it. They have a great BBQ area on the roof for watching sunsets. 1/1s are 600 sq. ft., 2/2s are 850 sq. ft., 3/2s are 1,553 sq. ft. 3- to 14-night minimum.

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Address

(855) 627-9527 or (808) 879-6284
2430 S Kihei Rd, Kihei
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March 15, 2012
Kama‘ole Beach Royale

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A mid-’70s condo building, but it’s lovingly cared for and clean. The overall caliber of the rooms is good. Floors 4 and up have decent but partially tree-blocked ocean views, and Kama‘ole I Beach is across the street. Double lanai rooms are desirable because the bedroom is on the ocean side. The rooftop BBQ area is “the spot” for your evening meal with its great sunset view of the ocean, and they often have parties up there during some holidays. Comfortable and reliable. 1/1s are 580 sq. ft., 2/2s are 851–906 sq. ft., 3/2s are 1,182 sq. ft. 4-night minimum.

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Address

(800) 808-3138 or (808) 879-2700
2384 S Kihei Rd, Kihei
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March 15, 2012

Maui Coast Hotel

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A small hotel with good services, pleasant rooms and a central Kihei location. Live music nightly by the pool. Grounds are unremarkable, and views are pretty much non-existent. Lots of airline personnel stay here. Rooms are adequately sized and have been updated nicely with new bedding, baths and furnishings, including sofa beds and microwaves in all rooms. Rooms are 388 sq. ft., suites are 710 sq. ft. Packages are almost always available, so ask.

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Address

(808) 874-6284
2259 S Kihei Rd, Kihei
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March 15, 2012

Maui Vista

On mauka side of road not far from Kama‘ole I Beach. Mostly average units in an average condo complex of three buildings, though each building has its own pool and tennis courts. The two-bedroom units have one bedroom as an open loft, so there’s not much privacy. Some units are more updated and have been priced accordingly. Building 3 is the farthest from the road and beach, which isn’t directly across the street anyway, like some other condos farther south. Priced about what it is worth. All units have A/C in the living room, some units have A/C in the bedrooms, and some units may not have a phone. 1/1s are 693 sq. ft., 2/2s are 840 sq. ft. 5- or 7-night minimum on some units.

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Address

(800) 488-6004 or (808) 879-7288
2191 S Kihei Rd, Kihei
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March 15, 2012

Punahoa

Excellent views from this condo building, and you’re super close to the water. They have an elevator in this 4-story building—unusual for such a small building. It’s an early ’70s structure, but it’s a well-maintained, intimate property. The units are clean, some are updated, and others could use more updating. The large fourth floor roof deck is a great place to sit and watch turtles (if you rent a unit up there). They have a good attitude here. Soap is provided free for the coin-op washers. Top floor units have A/C. North corner units are the best. South corner units can get a little hot. They have 350 sq. ft. studios (which have pull-down beds, cooktops and convection microwaves instead of full ovens), 1/1s are 620 sq. ft., 2/1s are 896 sq. ft. 5-night minimum. Discounts on longer stays sometimes available.

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Address

(866) 786-2462 or (808) 879-2720
2142 Iliili Rd, Kihei
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March 15, 2012

Polo Beach Club

The location of this condo sure is amazing—right next to Polo Beach. In fact, because it’s so close to the water and also so close to where you park your car, it’s popular with folks who don’t want to walk much. The building is shaped in a series of notches, so if you get an oceanfront unit, ask for one of the notches closest to the water. (The front notches are called Prime Oceanfront and are the priciest.) Layouts are pleasing with both living room and the master bedroom next to the ocean, so you get to live and sleep to the sounds of the ocean. Ocean view units are farther back, but the angle of the building allows for good views from most units. There may be some stairs in your unit.

No one will accuse the Polo Beach Club of being a bargain, but its location and spacious, well-furnished units certainly qualify it for the gem rating. The smooth, sandy beach in front of the property also earns a gem rating from us, but resist the temptation to spend all of your vacation parked on it. There’s even an herb garden on site.

The main rental agent, CoralTree, has extra services, such as private chefs, various food packages with local specialty items, fresh flowers, wines and spirits, special event cakes and rental cars.

A few units have room safes. 2/2s are 1,186–1,321 sq. ft. 3- to 14-night minimum.

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Address

(800) 367-5246 or (808) 891-6200
4400 Makena Rd, Wailea
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March 15, 2012

Fairmont Kea Lani

This already iconic resort got a big popularity boost as the first location in HBO’s White Lotus series. While there’s some things from the show that don’t reflect reality (you won’t be brought here by boat… and way less murder), it’s a gives a decent glimpse of what the property is like. The architecture and design is unique for Maui—according to the resort’s story, the developer asked the architect to create something that blends with the land. The result is a mix of Hawaiian and Moorish design.

Something the show does get right—once you get inside you realize that everything about the resort screams money. The results are impressive. Everything feels expensive. The name Kea Lani means White Heaven, and it certainly lives up to its name. Much of the building is bright white, so don’t skimp on the expensive sunglasses (though they have added some earth tones in recent years on interior spaces). One downside to the white (aside from being a bit blinding) is that the resort is hotter than others in the area. The bright reflective light and the U-shaped building (which prevents breezes from passing through) make the resort pretty warm much of the time.

The rooms are air conditioned, with eco-friendly units that automatically shut off if you open lanai doors or leave the room. Speaking of the rooms, all are either suites or villas. The suites are a spacious 860 sq. ft. (including lanai) and nicely furnished. The bathrooms are huge with deep tubs, a door-less shower and a posh feel. All rooms have very large lanais. Villas, on the other hand, are for the rich and famous. They all sit very close to the ocean. These two- and three-bedroom, 2-story units feature their own 3.5-foot deep plunging pool, BBQs, washer/dryers, full kitchens and extra services features, valet parking in the room rate. Are the villas worth it? Of course not; that’s beside the point. If you have to ask, you’re probably in one of the “ordinary” suites with the rest of us peons. But you can dream, can’t you?

Their beach, Polo Beach, is nice, and their neighbors have even better ones, accessible from the shoreline path linking the Wailea resorts. The overnight valet parking is extra, but you may want it because their narrow parking spaces could make a motorcycle rider sweat. They rent beach gear for your convenience and soak you, just like other resorts. Beach chairs and umbrellas are free, but the covered cabana (four) chairs are extra per day by the pool, which includes a cooler stocked with juices, sodas, water, snacks and fresh fruit. Their on-site restaurants, such as Kō, are excellent. They offer complimentary cultural activities on site such as a Hawaiian canoe experience, cultural tour and more.

Kea Lani succeeds in their attempt to create a dreamy luxury resort, and rooms, frankly, start cheaper than we would have expected (making it an exceptionally good value among Wailea resorts), especially considering that they have such spacious suites are 850–861 sq. ft. Villa 2/2s are 1,776–1,797 sq. ft., 3/2s are 2,174–2,195 sq. ft. Some packages and promotions are available during parts of the year.

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Address

(866) 540-4456 or (808) 875-4100
4099 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea
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March 15, 2012

Four Seasons Resort Maui

Oh, my, where do we start? We’re fearful of sounding like drooling stooges for the Four Seasons, but this is our favorite resort in Wailea. When you walk in, you can actually feel the tension falling from your limbs. It soon becomes evident why. Here, they did everything right. The resort is immaculate and lovingly cared for. The smallest details seem to have been anticipated. The grounds are impeccable. Not a dead leaf or blade of grass in sight. The staff here is the most professional we’ve seen and seem genuinely concerned about your happiness. There are two and a half employees for every room. (It’s getting harder and harder to find those half employees.) While you’re at the pool, they’ll come by and offer snacks every hour. Their beach, Wailea Beach, is one of the best on the island, an absolute dream. The pool area doesn’t feel as packed as some other Wailea resorts. Their adults-only pool has bubble loungers (a flat area to lie on with jets under your body), underwater music and a swim-up bar. Also, private permanent cabanas (for up to four people) at pool’s edge with TVs, laptop safe, sofa and fridge are truly the ultimate in luxury (some outfitted by big-name designers)—albeit at hurt-me prices per day with amenities that are similar to other resorts, but include a split of champagne, fresh fruit and any other add-on you may wish.

The number of complimentary services is way too long to list, but includes a children’s program (if available) that goes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (you only pay for their lunch), cabana chairs (four chairs under cover) and casabella chairs (two chairs with a folding cover) at the beach and main pool (other resorts charge a lot for those simple cabanas), snorkel gear for an hour at the beach each day, scuba lessons, daily fitness and yoga classes, access to their indoor-outdoor fitness room, Nespresso coffee makers in rooms, golf putting green, croquet and cultural activities like an outrigger canoe experience. They even have a free game room with free video games. It goes on and on. It’s clear that they’ve made a decision not to nickel and dime their guests. We were a bit surprised that they charge for valet-only overnight parking. They have an excellent collection of contemporary Hawaiian or Hawaiian-influenced artwork, and a free self-guided tour is available.

Rooms are very large at 600 sq. ft., and the bathrooms are fit for a king—lots of marble, deep tub, separate shower and tons of space. The décor is in keeping with the rest of the resort in pale neutral colors and warm woods. Bedding can be customized to your tastes. The housekeeping staff would make an operating room nurse proud. Dirt is simply not tolerated and is dispatched with extreme prejudice.

Oh, yes, you have arrived, and you’ll weep when you have to leave. The Four Seasons doesn’t give many discounts, but they do offer promotional rates and packages throughout the year on their website. Suites are 1,000–3,700 sq. ft.

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Address

(800) 334-6284 or (808) 874-8000
3899 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea
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March 15, 2012

Ho‘olei

This gated 30-acre condo property is a series of buildings in three terraced rows on a hillside across the road from the Grand Wailea. (Their numbering scheme is so strange, it can’t be explained.) The views range from garden view at the front to full ocean view at the back of the property (though it is over the rooftops). Some of those back row views are quite spectacular from the huge lanais, which open up entirely into the living space via a sliding wall of glass (with optional sliding screen) and Sub-Zero fridge. The units are all enormous, 2-story three-bedroom units with 596–705 sq. ft. of lanais and their own internal elevator from the private garage level. The kitchens are huge and have top-of-line appliances and everything you need to cook up a gourmet meal. Each bedroom has its own ensuite bath. The master baths have deep infinity tubs that fill all the way to the top in a unique way—from the ceiling. (Some people mistake it for a plumbing leak.) The separate showers are either rainshower or full-body showers. All units are expensively furnished with luxury bedding. The master bedroom even has its own fridge. There is a mid-week housekeeping service for stays of five or more days.

The grounds are not much to speak of, but the pool is lovely with a large waterfall and two spas. There is also an outdoor kitchen there for the guests. They have an on-site concierge to get you anything you want (for a fee), including pre-stocking your unit with groceries. They will shuttle you to the Grand Wailea so you can enjoy the pool, beach, day spa, restaurants, etc., at which you have full signing privileges, if you book directly through the resort.

The main downside to this property is its location across the road from the Grand Wailea. You’ll almost always use the shuttle to go to the beach. The rates can jump a lot from garden to oceanview, so only spring for those if you really care about the view. 3/4s are 2,563–3,301 sq. ft.

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Address

(877) 346-6534 or (808) 856-2000
146 Hoolei Circle, Wailea
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March 15, 2012