Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY VERIFIED
If you want to live out your White Lotus fantasies, visit Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, the setting for the first season of the hit HBO show. But even without the fanfare, this Wailea stunner is a prime destination for those whose idea of a vacation is simply beach, sun and pool.
The hotel has impressive pool offerings, with a sprawling main one on the ground level of the property. But the star is the adults-only serenity pool on the lobby level, where you can sip a spicy hibiscus margarita in the water while gazing at Lanai and the West Maui Mountains. There are a few different restaurant options from which to choose, all of which include a view as well.
Work off all of that savory food at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel’s gym. Thankfully, the cardio center is outside under a covered portico, so you don't have to feel like you’re missing the wonderful Hawaiian weather. And whenever you feel like sightseeing, the idyllic town of Hana and Haleakala National Park are just a short drive away.
- Four Seasons Maui at Wailea has a great energy. The lobby is a lively spot for an evening cocktail, the pools are upbeat and celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck's Spago is a fun place for dinner.
- The resort is elegant and relaxed. Guests here are constantly on the move — golfing, snorkeling, taking Pilates classes, playing table tennis in the gaming area and exploring the island.
- The Five-Star resort is a multi-story, U-shaped building, a design that gives most rooms full ocean views. It's also spread out, so it doesn't feel like everyone is on top of each other.
- You'll find plenty to eat and drink while staying at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. The resort's three restaurants and great bars offer something to suit your taste any time of the day.
- Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has not one but three saline pools, but our favorite is the adults-only Serenity Pool. The infinity-edge swimming hole features underwater music and four bubble loungers, and is flanked by six luxury cabanas with flat-screen HD TVs and Wi-Fi (unlike those around the main pool, there's a fee for booking these cabanas).
- Wailea Beach doesn't allow motorized sports. Unfortunately, this means no Jet Skis or motorboats are allowed here, but the resort does offer a variety of non-motorized ocean activities, including stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling and outrigger canoeing.
- State law in Hawaii requires that all counties provide public access to beaches — including those in Wailea. So be prepared to share the towel space with residents and others, especially on weekends and during holidays.
- Even the most expensive, most luxurious accommodations don't have direct access to the beach. To get to the water, you'll need to walk across the hotel lobby, past the pools and down a right-of-way to the warm sand and crashing waves.
- The Five-Star hotel is designed in a U shape so most spaces offer either complete or at least angled ocean views. Some rooms face Mount Haleakala or the lush tropical gardens surrounding the resort.
- Every unit provides private outdoor living space with comfortable outdoor furniture that is perfect for enjoying the perpetually sunny weather.
- Rooms come furnished with contemporary artwork, well-lighted work areas, 65-inch flat-screen TVs (suites have two 75-inch TVs), in-room tablets, and plush beds with 300-thread-count linens and fluffy down comforters.
- Bathrooms are large, with separate tub and shower and plenty of room for two people to comfortably get ready.
Surrounded by lush foliage, the oceanfront Ferraro’s Restaurant & Bar melds Hawaii and coastal Italy with seafood, handmade pastas and locally sourced seasonal produce. Expect offerings like creste al nero di seppia, squid ink pasta, Kona lobster, creme rosa and basil, as well as a late-night pizza pairing menu. If you just want a drink, the open-air bar specializes in Italian wines and an extensive amaro selection, and it offers a spritz hour.
- The must-have cocktail at the Five-Star resort is the signature blueberry mojito at the adults-only Serenity pool. Swim up to the bar and order this tangy but refreshing concoction that's a specialty here.
- All of DUO's prime cut steaks are good, but its signature dry-aged bone-in prime ribeye with Kula corn and the restaurant's special barbecue sauce is awesome.
- The signature dish at the always-buzzing Spago from Wolfgang Puck is the spicy ahi poke cones. It's the most popular dish for a reason—the crunchy cones are filled with chunks of raw ahi and a spicy aioli, tobiko (fish eggs) and bonito (skipjack tuna) shavings.
Beach
Gym
Outdoor pool
Pickleball
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