Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

Expect to be impressed when entering the 22-acre Fairmont Kea Lani ("white heaven" in Hawaiian, though the sand is more golden), which ranks among Maui's best luxury resorts -- including the top-of-the-heap Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and the Grand Wailea. More discreet and laid-back than the former, and less chaotic than the latter, The Fairmont is a sophisticated choice for both families and couples.

If architect Jose Luis Ezquerra's undulating white domes seem all but Hawaiian (his design has often earned the property the nickname "Aladdin's castle"), the island-style vibe and hospitality -- fresh orchid lei greetings, nearly life-size murals of ancient Hawaiian life, regular "alohas" from the staff -- give a sense of place. The spacious, open-air lobby holds clusters of couches and chairs, as well as a gorgeous sky-lit fountain at its center. 

The property attracts well-off families and couples with its features geared toward both, like the adults-only pool and kid-friendly pool with a waterslide. Although oddly, the swim-up bar is at the family pool. Nevertheless, the gorgeous grounds are packed with loungers, and daily activities are offered for guests of all ages. Evening entertainment is largely lacking, making for a relaxed atmosphere.

The Fairmont has a mostly classically elegant design, with lots of warm earth-tone decor and marble flooring throughout. However, some areas are more modern, such as the Luana Lounge off the lobby with its chic wicker-accented furniture, fun patterned rugs, and Moroccan-style lanterns. Overall, the property's look is sophisticated with ocean- and Hawaiian-inspired touches.

The Fairmont is one of a handful of luxury resorts in Wailea, a manicured, planned resort development that lines two spectacular beach-dotted miles of Maui's southwestern shore. Besides the beaches and the almost perfect weather -- rain rarely falls in this arid microclimate, and the temperature hovers around 85 degrees year round -- golf and shopping are the area's big draws. It's a short drive (or free shuttle ride) to the Shops at Wailea, an open-air mall with high-end shopping and dining options, as well as grocery stores. Expect a 35-minute drive from Kahului Airport. There's a charge for valet parking while self-parking is included with the daily resort fee.

Accommodations at The Fairmont consist of 450 suites or villas, all of which are huge. The standard One-Bedroom Suites measure 860 square feet and are larger than the Standard Rooms of the neighboring Four Seasons or Grand Wailea. Each suite features one king or two double beds, plus a living room with a reasonably comfortable, sectional pullout couch. The earth-tone palette, brown carpeting, and classic wood furniture give rooms a sophisticated feel, while quadriptych paintings of beaches provide some local flair. Amenities are excellent, consisting of two flat-screen TVs, music players, small wet bars, empty mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and packages of coffee and tea. Walk-in showers, separate soaking tubs, dual marble sinks, robes, and Le Labo toiletries can be found in the luxe marble bathrooms. The differentiating factor between suite types is the view and balcony; Oceanfront Suites with wraparound decks are the cream of the crop, and the Standard Garden Views are the cheapest.

Two- and three-bedroom villas include all of the amenities found in the suites, plus a private terrace with a plunge pool and barbecue grill. Two levels means extra privacy for families or groups. These luxe digs include a full kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and a washer/dryer. Along with the over-the-top rooms, guests who book a villa get loads of extra services: free breakfast, a gourmet welcome basket, free valet parking, and free water and juice daily.

Fairmont Kea Lani is fronted by Polo Beach, one of the most private-feeling in Wailea (all Hawaii beaches are public) due to rocky surrounding shores. Public beach access is available through a small parking lot next to the resort, but the beach is filled mainly with guests. The generally calm waters are good for snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking, and are safe for children, but the waves aren't generally good for surfing here. Color-coded flags are put in the sand to alert guests to the safety conditions. The soft, fine-grained sand is groomed every morning and the hotel provides free beach chairs and umbrellas to guests. Snorkel rental (for one hour) is included with the daily resort fee. Guests can take a canoe lesson right off the beach.

The resort centers around the hotel's three well-designed, well-maintained pools. Although they can't rival the water wonderland at the nearby Grand Wailea (few hotels on Maui can), they provide areas for both adults and kids to enjoy. The adults-only pool is quieter and calmer than the other pools; it's located near Ko restaurant and bar. The upper, family-friendly pool has a swim-up bar. The lower lagoon pool is a large, amorphous pool, dotted with landscaped islands, basketball nets, and footbridges -- plus whirlpools. There's a long twisting water slide monitored by a lifeguard. Cabanas are available for rent and there doesn't seem to be a problem of getting a free lounger and umbrellas throughout the day, though some guests may be on one on the lawn instead of the deck. 

The Fairmont's restaurants are generally pricey, though that's typical for Maui and Hawaii. There's a good range of types of food and formality. The Kea Lani restaurant serves a daily breakfast buffet with high marks for freshness and variety -- but it costs extra unless you book a villa. Ko, the hotel's open-air signature restaurant, features regional Hawaiian cuisine for lunch and dinner daily, and it has a bar. Ama Bar and Grill has poolside seating for casual Hawaiian fare. Nick's Fish Market is the most romantic spot on the property, serving seafood dishes. Luana Lounge offers live entertainment and specialty rums. Makana Market and Cafe is the newest addition, offering a counter for made-to-order food and coffee beverages, a large variety of snacks and alcohol, and sundries. Room service is available 24/7.
 

What Other Features are Available at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui?

This well-rounded resort offers a full-service spa and salon, kids' club, 24-hour fitness center, and daily lineup of activities.

It would be hard to fault the Fairmont Kea Lani for any of its amenities -- from the spa and fitness center to the kids' club and daily activities -- as they're all top-notch. And even if each feature taken individually pales slightly in comparison to what's offered at other top-tier Maui hotels (there's stiff competition here), overall, the Kea Lani's offerings combine to create a well-rounded, satisfying retreat.
The Willow Stream Spa offers several treatment rooms (and a beachfront cabana), an excellent range of services, mud bar, hot lava stone foot bed, and Hawaiian rain showers. A full menu of salon services are also available. The resort's 24-hour fitness center has a wide selection of Technogym cardio equipment, plus water, magazines, towels, and classes such as yoga and aqua aerobics in the adults-only pool. The kids' club offers full- or half-day programs that include educational walks along the beach (for a fee); by comparison, the Four Seasons offers its full-day kids program for free. Babysitting services are available with 24 hours' notice.
Destination weddings at The Fairmont are popular. The property can host up to 300 guests and add everything from a fire knife dancer to a conch shell blower to an outrigger canoe transporting the bridal party. Of course, if you prefer to keep things simple and elegant, that can be done too. With such a mind-blowing amount of extras, fees, and restrictions, it's best to consult the wedding planner included with each package. Ceremony locations include The Pacific Terrace, a semiprivate Tropical Gazebo, or the Polo Lawn. There's a back-up spot indoors in case of rain. Note that there isn't a special honeymoon suite, here. Most brides and grooms opt for a suite or villa with a deluxe ocean view.
The business center in the lobby is accessible 24/7, and offers services like boarding pass printing and a fax machine. A free shuttle runs throughout Wailea, including to other resorts, the Shops at Wailea, and the golf courses. Fast Wi-Fi is included in the daily resort fee.