Palms at Wailea

The Outrigger Palms at Wailea, which is also referred to as the
Palms at Wailea by Outrigger (or seemingly, any other combination of those
words), offers 150 spacious one- or two-bedroom villas on a gently sloping hill
in a quiet neighborhood. A majority of the condos are managed by Outrigger
Resorts, a company which operates several condo properties around Hawaii. Guests
check in at the lovely open-air lobby that overlooks the pool area. There’s a
small tower that looks out over the property, and from an aerial view, the pool
below looks like the outline of a fish.The condos are arranged in two-story buildings and are
spread out over the large property, providing privacy. While there are ocean
views from some upper levels, the property is set back from the beach quite a
bit. It takes about a 15-minute walk to reach the nearest beach, or a short
drive, which families with kids and a lot of gear may prefer. But what you get in
return for being farther from the ocean is more space – the condo units here are some of the most spacious we’ve seen in this category, with airy living-dining-kitchen
areas and large lanais. This condo property is very family-oriented and there
are often many kids playing by the pool. The atmosphere is relaxed and
casual, and it's rather quiet at night. For budget-minded travelers, the Palms
provides a good value for the size of the condos, decent amenities, nice
floor plans, and comfortable lanais – especially in pricey Wailea. (Though be
sure to factor in the mandatory cleaning fee.)

As the name conveys, this condo property is located in Wailea,
a small upscale town in South Maui that is know for many golf courses and
high-end resorts. The Outrigger Palms is located on the north side of Wailea,
closer to Kihei. The property is slightly inland, and it’s about a 15-minute
walk to reach the closest beach. This property is in a more suburban part of
West Maui, and there are only a few things in walking distance. There are a few
restaurants at the swanky mall, the Shops at Wailea, about a 15-minute walk
away -- but a car is needed to reach more shopping and dining options. It’s
about a 30-minute drive to reach the airport.

The one- and two-bedroom condos of the Palms at Wailea range
from roughly 1,000 to 1,200 square feet, though their open floor plans and large
lanais make them feel even bigger. All the units have a similar layout, with
steps near the entrance that lead down to a sunken living room. Big picture
windows and sliding glass doors let in lots of natural light.Decor and updates vary from unit to unit. Some kitchens are upgraded with granite countertops and modern subway-tile
backsplashes, while other have older finishes. All kitchens include a stove,
oven, fridge, microwave, and dishwasher. All units have a nice flat-screen TV,
and most also have an iPod stereo system. Though details differ, overall the decor is subdued and understated – most colors are light and
neutral, with lots of white and beige, though we also saw accent colors in red, blue, or green. Palm tree prints, whicker furniture, and house plants are common.In two-bedroom units, the second bedroom has twin beds and pocket
doors that can open completely up to the living room, making for less privacy
than a standard bedroom. The master bedroom features a large bath with a lot of
counter space, however most have older showerheads and finishes, and are due
for updates.All condos have nice, spacious lanai with an outdoor dining
area and a barbecue grill. The buildings are nicely spread out around the property and the lanais generally don’t face out toward other
units, so there is a good amount of privacy. Two important things for guests to note: Most condos have AC units only in the master bedroom, and there will be a mandatory
cleaning fee charged upon checkout.

Just beyond the reception desk and open-air lobby, there are a
lovely, large pool with several plastic lounge chairs surrounding it, and a nice-size hot tub, and some outdoor showers. Though for a
property of this size, the one pool may not be enough. It gets pretty crowded
during peak times, especially in the afternoons when visitors return from the
beach, and lots of kids are often running around. Running through the middle of the property, there’s a
beautiful garden area featuring a series of ponds, small waterfalls, and little wooden bridges. The gardens make a very picturesque
centerpiece, embodying the serenity of the property. That’s about it for
amenities here. There are no tennis courts, fitness center, or common areas on this property. There's also no restaurant, unlike at the Mana Kai Maui, though most guests choose to self-cater.