Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

The Four Seasons Maui isn’t a new property (originally opened in 1990), but it somehow maintains a timeless elegance that feels both luxurious and uniquely Hawaiian. A marble entryway with a sky-blue frescoed ceiling makes an artistic first impression, which sets the tone for the stunning open-air lobby. Giant glassless windows offer impressive pool and ocean views and flood the expansive lobby with natural light. Marble floors, coffered ceilings, and rounded columns give the space a gallery-like quality -- so it’s fitting that every available space is filled with original Hawaiian artwork. Employees work efficiently at the front desk, where new arrivals will be donning leis and sipping a chilled fruit drink before they can even say “we’re checking in.”

As a brand, the Four Seasons is known for family-friendliness, and its Maui resort is a prime example. Families with children make up half (if not more) of the clientele here, so parents traveling with little ones don't feel out of place. Couples, particularly honeymooners, may find the atmosphere a bit too kid-centric -- though the resort does an excellent job of keeping adults-only and family-friendly amenities separate. For example, the adults-only serenity pool is completely out of earshot of the family-friendly pools and has romantic extras like amenity-packed cabanas and a swim-up bar. The immaculately maintained grounds and incredible sculpture gardens also provide romantic reprieve. In a decision between the Fairmont Kea Lani versus the Four Seasons, the former is a little more discreet and laid-back; comparing the Four Seasons or The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, the latter is more remote, and thanks to its location, the weather is a little more iffy (as are the waves). The Four Seasons is large enough to allow different groups to carve out their own space, but it isn’t so big that it feels overwhelming (we’re looking at you, Grand Wailea).

The Four Seasons Resort Maui is located in the posh resort community of Wailea. Known for expensive hotels, designer shopping malls, and upscale dining venues, Wailea is south Maui’s premier resort area, and the Four Seasons counts big names like the Fairmont Kea Lani, the Grand Wailea, the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, and the Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui as neighbors. Besides ritzy accommodations, Wailea is also recognized for its world-class golf courses, beautiful beaches, and consistent sunshine. For those who can afford it, Wailea is a near-perfect paradise. Since the Four Seasons was one of the first hotels in the area, it occupies prime Wailea real-estate on the corner of the crescent shaped Wailea Beach. Neighboring hotels and restaurants are accessible via the Wailea Beach path, but travelers will want to rent a car if they plan on exploring the island, or they can use the hotel’s complimentary transportation to all destinations in Wailea itself. The hotel is a five-minute drive from three of the island’s top golf courses and a 30-minute drive from Maui’s Kahului Airport. Overnight self-service parking and valet options are available for a fee.

After a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2016, rooms at the Four Seasons Resort Maui are some of the nicest in Wailea -- and that’s not even mentioning the bed in each room with temperature control technology and a pillow menu. Textured wall coverings, sleek wood furniture, and modern artwork combine to create a contemporary ambience that still feels casual and comfortable. Beige tones and light woods present a neutral palette that’s brought to life by blue, gray, and white accents. Luxe amenities include 65-inch flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and personal iPads that allow guests to order 24-hour room service, peruse the daily schedule of activities, book appointments at the Four Seasons Maui spa, or contact housekeeping. Closets store electronic safes, umbrellas, ironing equipment, and beach bags.

Bathrooms are marble masterpieces with large soaking tubs, separate glass-enclosed showers, double sinks, and private water closets. Some provided toiletries are locally made, with Hawaiian-inspired scents like ruby guava; others, like the after-sun lotion, are Italian. All guest rooms and suites have large furnished outdoor balconies or patios, most with ocean views thanks to the U-shaped building, though some entry level “mountain-view” rooms overlook the parking lot. There are dozens of further breakdowns that categorize view type, so guests should definitely consult the hotel’s website if they’re looking for a specific vista.

Entry-level guest rooms measure 600 square feet, making them some of the largest in Maui. Small Suites, the next level up, are significantly larger at 840 square feet and are ideal for families. Parents can take the bedroom and put the kids on the pullout sofa. Large Suites are about 1,400 square feet and feature an additional bathroom and separate living spaces. Residential Suites, like the three-bedroom Maile and Lokelani Presidential Suites, are popular with celebrities and foreign diplomats.

The 26 Club Floor Rooms feature the same decor and amenities as standard guest rooms, but have pricier nightly rates due to access to the club floor lounge, where staff members serve drinks throughout the day, along with continental breakfast in the mornings and hors d’oeuvres in the evenings. Club floor guests are also treated to private check-in and concierge service.

The Four Seasons Maui resort piles on feature after feature, offering top-notch facilities and activities along with plenty of freebies (there's no nickel-and-diming here). Families will likely love the kids' swimming pool, free game room with ping-pong and video games, and a seemingly endless array of sports gear, and DVDs at reception. There are tennis courts, a putting green, and free introductory scuba lessons in the pool. Other fun features include a photo ambassador to take pictures of guests on their cellphones or cameras. However, one downside is that the resort doesn’t host luaus, which are often on the vacation bucket lists for tourists visiting Hawaii.

There's a tiny 24-hour business center which provides audiovisual equipment rental. Notary services are available. Standard Wi-Fi is free throughout, with an upgrade to faster internet for a fee.

Each of the Four Seasons’ three beautiful saltwater pools has a specific purpose and a distinct atmosphere. The fountain pool is the resort’s central hub, and is featured in the hotel’s most iconic photos (hello, Instagram opportunity). The fountain pool, which derives its name from the giant fountain at its center, is open to everyone, and feels equally family-friendly and adult-appropriate. Around the fountain pool you’ll find kids playing games, parents toting their toddlers in tubes, and young couples sipping cocktails in the hot tub. Pool attendants make regular rounds, fluffing towels, proffering fruit cups, bringing lunch orders and drinks, and offering sunscreen. Staff will clean your sunglasses and bring you a fully loaded Kindle upon request. Lounge chairs and curtained cabanas surround the pool -- both are available on a first-come first-served basis, though you can also rent one of the four luxury cabanas available. These cabanas are more luxurious step up from the free ones, with cushioned daybeds, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and personal service.

Next to the fountain pool, the waterfall pool is a haven for families. We don’t think this pool’s namesake lava rock water feature was unintentional: it helps drown out the noise of happy children on vacation. The two-tiered waterfall pool has a tiny waterslide that’s great for little ones, and a shallow wading area that’s often filled with beach toys. It’s surrounded entirely by cabanas, which are free to use, but fill up early in the mornings. The cabanas are ideal for afternoon naps -- for kids and parents.

The adults-only serenity pool is the hotel’s nicest pool, and it truly feels like a serene oasis. The serenity pool is accessed by a gated staircase, and is only open to guests 21 years of age and older. From the serenity pool’s infinity edge, guests can take in sweeping views of Wailea Beach. There’s also a swim-up bar and two hot tubs, plus underwater music piped in. There are plenty of cushioned lounge chairs, but guests looking for total privacy can rent one of the six luxury poolside cabanas, like those found at the fountain pool.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui is located on a small cliff that overlooks Wailea Beach: a crescent-shaped shore with tan, powdery sand that stretches over a quarter of a mile. The Four Seasons looks out over a lovely section of the beach, which it shares with several other neighboring hotels. The sand is groomed every morning and small waves make for great for body surfing and paddle-boarding (the hotel also offers stand-up paddleboarding yoga lessons). The southern edge of the bay has healthy reefs where sea turtles like to swim, so it's a popular snorkel spot, and the hotel rents snorkel gear to guests. The Beachwalk Cafe, a casual beach shack along the shore, sells beach essentials, like sunscreen, sunglasses, and gelato. Like all of Hawaii's beaches, Wailea Beach is open to the public, but it draws far more vacationers than locals.

Whether guests choose to eat at one of three on-site restaurants, order drinks and light bites at the lobby lounge, or partake in 24-hour room service, dining at the Four Seasons is a culinary delight (though it certainly isn’t wallet-friendly). Spago, a Wolfgang Puck signature restaurant, is the hotel’s premier dining venue. The AAA Four Diamond restaurant’s dinner menu features local Maui ingredients prepared in a fusion of Hawaiian and California cuisine, which is reflected in the restaurant’s contemporary decor featuring natural elements and ocean views from the dining patio (of course). Along with Spago, there’s DUO at the Four Seasons Maui (featuring prime rib, raw bar, and burger nights weekly) and Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante, an upscale Italian eatery that offers American dishes (and TVs playing sports) at lunch. In the mornings, DUO also serves as the hotel’s breakfast restaurant, where guests can order their morning meal a la carte, or indulge in the incredible breakfast buffet. Breakfast isn't included in room rates.

As a brand, the Four Seasons has perfected the art of the lobby bar. The lobby lounge in Maui is popular for drinks and light meals, and it offers spectacular sunset views. The lobby lounge has a warm, community-centric atmosphere that’s highlighted by frequent live performances by local musicians and dancers, including nightly sunset hula shows. If we had one tiny complaint about the dining options at the Four Seasons Maui, it would be the lack of a coffeeshop. Free coffee is available in the mornings outside of DUO, and the cute Beachwalk Cafe sells a few espresso drinks, but nearly all of the Four Seasons’ local competitors have full-service coffeeshops, which we sorely missed during our visit here.

The spa at Four Seasons Maui is one of the best on the island, and is known for its health and wellness focus. Treatment options extend beyond the typical range of massages and facials to include wellness initiatives like chiropractic sessions, acupuncture, guided meditation, and nutrition assessments -- as well as nonsurgical procedures like PRP hair restoration, Botox, and fillers. For guests seeking more standard spa offerings, the hotel has unique treatments including Hawaiian-inspired massages and body wraps, anti-aging facials, and an aromatherapy session with Ajne Rare and Precious fragrances. Treatments like massages take place in beautiful open-air, thatched-roof hales with an ocean view -- or opt to have a mini-treatment poolside at the serenity pool instead.

There are also a salon for blowouts and pedicures, and a barber shop.

The 24-hour fitness center is somewhat small for the size of the resort, but it has modern Matrix cardio equipment, Peloton bikes, and weight machines. The weight machines and free weights are located in a small room next to the spa, but the cardio equipment is located beneath a covered patio next to the family game room. The outdoor fitness center seems like a cool idea, especially in a place like Maui, but getting on a treadmill hardly seems enticing when it’s hot and humid outside (which is nearly every day in Wailea).

The hotel does offer plenty of fitness classes like SUP (standup paddleboarding) HIIT and SUP yoga lessons on the ocean, as well as barre, yoga, and Pilates classes. For those who crave even more outdoor activity, the hotel also has two sand-filled synthetic grass Nova’Pro tennis courts -- both have lights for nighttime play.

Families are most definitely welcome and catered to at the Four Seasons Resort Maui. The family game room is a big attraction -- it feels sophisticated enough for adults, with custom pool tables and multiple flat-screen TVs (usually broadcasting mainland sports), but also fun enough for kids, with foosball, ping-pong, and a separate video game room. Children ages 5 to 12 can attend the free Kids for All Seasons Club throughout the day and night. Kids can participate in regularly scheduled activities like hula lessons, sand castle building, ulu maika (Hawaiian bowling), and traditional Hawaiian story time. For parents traveling with babies, the Four Seasons can provide free amenities like playpens, bottle warmers, baby monitors, baby bathtubs with organic bath amenities, highchairs, pop-up tents, singing baby swings, rocking chairs, swings, and strollers. Toddler-proofing of guest rooms is also available for free, with toilet-seat locks and furniture bumpers. Babysitting services are provided for an additional fee.

Four Seasons Maui wedding packages are available for couples who are looking to have an elegant -- and pricey -- destination ceremony or reception (the hotel has enough space for 250 guests). The hotel is known for its customization efforts (see: mattresses, spa menus, pillow menu), and a dedicated wedding planner helps guests create bespoke weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. To keep things feeling intimate, there’s only one wedding a day allowed on-site. A honeymoon registry is also available, so friends and families can gift spa appointments and excursions instead of another toaster.