The Valley Isle is the finest single island for luxury hotel stays in the Pacific. Wailea's concentration of five-star properties — the Four Seasons, Montage, Andaz, and Fairmont — represents the highest density of luxury within a 2-mile oceanfront stretch anywhere in the United States.
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Ranked by overall score. 11 hotels listed — 49 more being added.
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Maui is the most popular honeymoon island in the United States, and the competition for the finest honeymoon hotel is genuine. The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea leads the market — the cliff-top setting, the three pools, the Ferraro's Bar e Ristorante beach dinner, and the spa treatment programme constitute the most complete honeymoon infrastructure in the Pacific. The Andaz Maui is the contemporary alternative: the Morimoto Maui beachfront restaurant and the adults-friendly pool programme attract couples who want Wailea's quality with a younger aesthetic.
Occasion Edit
Hotel Wailea — the adults-only Relais & Châteaux property above Wailea's hotel district — is the finest anniversary hotel in the Pacific. The private hillside setting, 72 suites, no guests under 21, and the Lobby Bar's sunset programme produce an anniversary that the Wailea beachfront resorts cannot match for intimacy. The Montage Kapalua Bay is the alternative for couples who want the full beach resort experience with anniversary-level service.
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Maui is the family vacation Americans grew up dreaming about. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is the family resort against which the entire Hawaiian market is measured — Kids For All Seasons is the working asset. Grand Wailea holds the nine-pool Hibiscus complex with the 600-foot Volcano Slide. Montage Kapalua Bay is the all-residence multi-generational pick — every accommodation is a one-to-four-bedroom residence with full kitchen. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua runs the Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment programme — the most-serious cultural-and-educational kids'-club programme in Hawaiian luxury.
The family vacation Americans grew up dreaming about. Twenty resorts ranked for kids' clubs that work, multi-pool waterslide complexes, snorkel-soft beaches, and the connecting-room or villa multi-generational infrastructure.
Read the Top 20 →Ranked by overall editorial score.
The finest resort in the Pacific. Three pools on the cliffs above Wailea Beach, and Ferraro's Bar e Ristorante at sunset with the turtles below. Five-Star. From $700/night.
All-suite on a crescent bay in the most secluded corner of West Maui. The most private five-star experience on the island. Five-Star. From $800/night.
The most contemporary resort in Wailea. Morimoto Maui beachfront and the adults-focused pool programme attract a younger five-star clientele. Boutique. From $600/night.
Adults-only, 72 suites above the Wailea hotel strip, and the most private pool terrace in Maui. The Lobby Bar's sunset programme is the island's finest hotel moment. Adults-Only. From $500/night.
The most extravagant resort in Maui. The 2,000-foot water activity pool system and the $30 million art collection justify the megaresort premise. Five-Star. From $500/night.
All-suite Wailea resort in the white Mediterranean building. The suite configuration makes every room a family or honeymoon suite by default. Five-Star. From $500/night.
The end of the Road to Hana. The most remote luxury in Maui, and the most genuinely Hawaiian hotel experience available at this price tier. Boutique. From $500/night.
The most complete full-service Marriott property in Hawaii. Three pools, a full spa, and the Wailea Golf Club adjacent. Beach/Island. From $400/night.
The Kapalua hillside above the bay, with the most complete golf resort programme in West Maui and the Jean-Michel Cousteau ocean programme. Five-Star. From $500/night.
Ka'anapali Beach's most complete resort. The Drums of the Pacific luau is the finest hotel luau in Hawaii. Five-Star. From $400/night.
City Guide
Maui's whale season (January–March) is when humpbacks arrive in Maui waters — the Wailea and Ka'anapali hotels offer whale watching directly from their beach chairs. The peak shoulder seasons of April–May and September–November offer lower rates and calmer conditions. Summer (June–August) is busy with mainland families; Christmas and New Year's produce the highest rates of the year. The Road to Hana (3–4 hours one way) should be booked as a full-day excursion with an early start.
Wailea, on the southwest shore, is the luxury hotel district — the Four Seasons, Montage, Andaz, Fairmont, and Grand Wailea are within a 2-mile stretch of oceanfront. Ka'anapali, on the northwest shore, is where the Westin, Hyatt, and Sheraton are located. Hana, on the remote east coast, is where the Travaasa and the Hana-Maui Resort offer total seclusion. Kapalua, on the northwest tip, has the Montage and the Ritz-Carlton.
Maui luxury hotels are among the most expensive in the United States — the Four Seasons Maui starts at $700, the Montage at $800. All properties charge Hawaii's 14.42% total tax (GET + TAT). Resort fees run $45–$65 per night. Summer family season and Christmas–New Year's produce rates of $1,500–$3,000 per night at top-tier properties.
Rent a car in Maui — the island's road system is linear enough to be manageable, and the distances between Wailea, Ka'anapali, Hana, and Kapalua require independent transport. The sunrise on Haleakalā (10,023 feet) requires a 2am departure from Wailea and a national park reservation (book 60 days in advance). Snorkelling at Molokini Crater is the finest snorkelling in the United States; book through the hotel concierge for priority departure spots.
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