Fairmont Kea Lani - Maui
Hotel · Wailea
4100 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea-Makena, HI 96753
Highlights
All-white royal palace resort with suites, villas, pools, spa
All-white royal palace resort with suites, villas, pools, spa
"Fairmont Kea Lani partners with the Hawaii Land Trust for voluntourism opportunities on the Waihe‘e coastal dunes."
"A family-focused Wailea retreat offering some of Maui’s largest accommodations—413 one-bedroom suites (starting at about 860 sq ft) and 37 two- and three-bedroom villas (starting around 1,800 sq ft)—with separate sleeping and living areas, furnished outdoor spaces, kitchen facilities, and villas with plunge pools and barbecues for group gatherings. The property recently opened an open-air cultural center, Hale Kukuna, developed with a cultural advisory board to host lei making and Native Hawaiian artisan displays; recreation includes two lagoon-style pools connected by a 140-foot waterslide, an adults-only pool, outrigger canoe journeys, and locally inspired treatments at the Willow Stream Spa, plus multiple on-site restaurants including an oceanfront bar serving sustainably sourced sushi." - Jill K. Robinson
"What was your first impression? Describe the aesthetic.From the outside, the Fairmont Kea Lani looks like an all-white royal palace, Maui’s answer to the all-pink Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki; indeed, Kea Lani means “heavenly white.” Once inside, that royal feeling carries throughout the grand spaces, where an open-air lobby has stone floors and domed ceilings and arches. What's the backstory?The Fairmont Kea Lani opened in 1991. Architect Jose Luis Ezquerra, an expert in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean design, is to thank for the resort's distinctly non-Hawaiian features. Ezquerra sought to represent Hawaii’s royal past by giving the property a palatial feel, a nod to the former kings of Hawaii. Thoughts about the rooms?The best thing about the rooms at the Fairmont Kea Lani is their size: only suites (one or two bedrooms) that start at 860 square feet and come with sleeper sofas, microwaves, and private balconies. Book one of the beach-facing villas, which have small kitchens, dining rooms, and private plunge pools. The hotel underwent a renovation and the resulting minimal decor is overshadowed by the epic ocean views in the rooms, which is just fine by us.... Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?Wi-Fi is included in the $48 daily resort fee, which also covers self-parking for one vehicle, fitness classes, kids' club access, cultural activities, snorkel rentals, and more. What's the deal with the food and drink here?Sourcing 90 percent of its food locally, Kō, the flagship restaurant, serves a menu that draws influences from the various cultures that inhabited Maui during the sugarcane plantation era. Nick’s Fishmarket Maui does fresh-caught seafood alongside favorites like filet mignon. Both restaurants have idyllic views of the ocean. To make the night extra special, reserve a private cabana near the Tranquility pool, where you can feast on select dishes from Kō. How did you find the service?The staff is well-seasoned in arranging activities like water sports, sailing expeditions, snorkeling, and luaus. There's also an energy ambassador, an onsite wellness guru who can help you find ways to stay active on vacation. Who else is checking in?Like most resort-goers in Wailea, the mix includes honeymooners, babymooners, families, retirees, and the occasional conference-goer. What's the neighborhood like?The Fairmont enjoys the full-service luxury of surrounding Wailea, with shops, restaurants, golf, and other resorts. Is there anything you'd change?The rooms need a little bit of design love. Are there any other hotel features worth mentioning?Polo Beach, surrounded on both sides by lava rock walls, gives this resort a secluded feel. There are also three main swimming pools, including an adults-only one. Rounding out the other amenities are a spa and kids' club. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Absolutely—if for the room size alone." - Juliana Shallcross
"A Maui beachfront resort he’s eager to return to; he associates stays there with feeling at home in Hawaii and values the comfort and relaxation it provides after travel, noting that when he lived closer to the islands he visited more often." - Annie Fitzsimmons
"From the outside, the Fairmont Kea Lani looks like an all-white royal palace, Maui’s answer to the all-pink Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki ; indeed, Kea Lani means “heavenly white.” Once inside, that royal feeling carries throughout the grand spaces, where an open-air lobby has stone floors and domed ceilings and arches. The best thing about the rooms at the Fairmont Kea Lani is their size: only suites (one or two bedrooms) that start at 860 square feet and come with sleeper sofas, microwaves, and private balconies. Book one of the beach-facing villas, which have small kitchens, dining rooms, and private plunge pools. Polo Beach, surrounded on both sides by lava rock walls, gives this resort a secluded feel. There are also three main swimming pools, including an adults-only one. Finally, the Fairmont enjoys the full-service luxury of surrounding Wailea, with shops, restaurants, and golf." - Juliana Shallcross
