Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 12/31/25
For experienced travelers and first-time visitors alike, Maui is a special place of beaches, mountains and jungle. It is called the Valley Isle, because as one can see from a plane, many of the island’s towns are between two major mountain ranges, Haleakalā and the West Maui Mountains.
Unfortunately, our plane was delayed on the runway for two hours. But once we started driving south towards Wailea, all the stress and anxiety magically seemed to disappear. Wailea, about 35 minutes south of Kahului Airport (OGG) is boasts more than 1,500 acres of beautiful beaches, luxurious resorts and attractions.
Maui is a spectacularly peaceful and beautiful place, and the beaches of Wailea are among the most special. The Wailea area on the southwest coast boasts five beautiful, crescent-shaped beaches. The sand is warm and golden, and the sunsets are a tropical delight.
On Wailea’s beaches, you can go paddleboarding, snorkeling, walking, jogging or do yoga on the soft warm sand. Or simply soak up the sun. But I wouldn’t say no to snorkeling; you might see a sea turtle and some tropical fish. There are vendors renting all manner of gear nearby, or you can book some exciting activities.
Wailea beach seen from above in Wailea, Kihei, Hawaii on the island of Maui, July 30, 2022. (Photo by Gado/Getty Images)
And from December to April, Wailea beachgoers can catch a glimpse of some of the thousands of humpback whales that migrate every year from Alaska to mate and give birth in Hawaiian waters. Sometimes the great mammals acrobatically leap out of the water into the sunshine.
Known for its beaches, the warm Pacific (a revelation for Californians like me used to a freezing ocean) and stellar golf courses, Wailea is a luxurious resort community with amazing views. The area offers a sense of privacy, serenity and freedom, spread across an area three times the size of Waikiki.
The area is also known for its luxury hotels and resorts, which include the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, The Fairmont Kea Lani, the Four Seasons Resort Maui At Wailea, Andaz Maui at Wailea, and the Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux – Adults Only. All are famous for their 5-star hospitality, fine dining, spas and golf courses. One was even the setting of the first season of The White Lotus, the Four Seasons Resort Maui At Wailea.
Many filmmakers have discovered Maui. A number of scenes for the Adam Sandler romantic comedy “Just Go With It” were filmed at the Grand Wailea resort. James Bond’s surf stunts in “Die Another Day” were filmed on Maui’s north shore, including shots of the famous Pe’ahi (“Jaws”) surf break.
Whatever you do, including nothing, the weather in Wailea is pretty much perfect year round. The average temperature in the summer is around 82°F, in the winter around 70°F. Wailea gets over 270 days of sunshine a year, with trade winds that keep temperatures cooler near the coast. Wailea is a little warmer and drier year-round than another popular Maui resort area, Ka’anapali. Wailea averages 15.2 inches of rain per year, while Kaanapali averages 24 inches.
A view of the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort on Maui, Hawaii. Grand Wailea
The largest hotel on Maui is the Grand Wailea, with 844 accommodations, including 737 guest rooms, 57 suites, and 50 villas. It has five restaurants, event space, and a complex of pools and a renowned spa.
At first glance this Waldorf Astoria (Hilton) property gives off something of a Las Vegas luxury vibe, as a relatively large multistory hotel on 40 landscaped acres. But the hotel’s service and accommodation options provide a surprising amount of intimacy, whether you’re there for a wedding, a honeymoon, rekindling romance or just a quiet stay by the beach.
When we visited the property was bustling, with 500 delegates attending a convention and their families enjoying the pools. The property also averages three weddings per week.
Yet it was impressive that a large hotel could also provide relaxed and often bespoke services. For example, The Grand Wailea is something of an unlikely art museum. It has one of the world’s largest collection of Botero sculptures on display on the open ground floor, near the occasionally boisterous Botero Lounge.
One of the statues by Colombian sculptor Botero, on an open air walkway at the Grand Wailea resort in Maui, Hawaii. GrandWailea
Many of the Wailea resorts have major-league spas. After a long renovation, the Kilolani Spa at the Grand Wailea reopened in early 2024 at 50,000 square feet, the largest in all of Hawaii. Spa guests can also enjoy the resort’s hydrotherapy garden, which includes hot and screamingly cold plunges.
On the quieter side of the Grand Wailea is the on-property non-denominational chape, an example of the resort’s peace and serenity. The chapel is used for weddings, receptions, memorials and other events, and is also open during the day for quiet contemplation. Light comes pouring through the stained glass windows created by renowned Hawaii-based contemporary artist and painter Yvonne Cheng. Cheng switched mediums from textile art and painting to creating the mystical Hawaiian figures for the chapel in stained glass.
Wherever you stay in the Wailea area, you don’t have to venture far to find high-end shopping and dining experiences.
Each hotel boasts exquisite restaurants such as Ferrarro’s, KOMO and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago at the Four Seasons. The Andaz Maui at Wailea offers the restaurant of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Morimoto Maui. With its design inspired by a modern Japanese beach house, Morimoto Maui offers Japanese and American fusion cuisine and specialty cocktails using local ingredients.
The non-denominational Seaside Chapel at the Grand Wailea resort on Maui, Hawaii, with stained glass windows of Hawaiian figures created by artist Yvonne Cheng. The chapel is used for weddings, memorials, mediation and more. Grand Wailea
Meanwhile, Nobu recently opened at Grand Wailea, featuring dishes like its famed yellow tail jalapeno and black cod with miso. Grand Wailea also offers the unpronounceable but delicious “Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa” Hawaiian restaurant.
And if you venture to the nearby The Shops at Wailea, there’s a new gourmet restaurant featuring creative dishes named Aurum Maui. Aurum Maui, named after the Periodic Table of Elements listing for gold, is an excellent restaurant in the high-end mall. When you leave the beach you can check out Aurum for lunch or its new three hour happy hour from 2PM to 5PM, seven days a week.
The Shops at Wailea also offers stores from Tiffany’s to Tommy Bahama, from Prada to Louis Vuitton. If you want a timeshare in paradise, you can find that too. The Shops also provides entertainment, like bands, ukulele lessons, coconut husking, and a Polynesian show.
Wherever you go in Wailea, it’s a good bet you’ll have a good time.
An authentic Hawaiian performance at the Shops at Wailea, a high-end mall in Maui, Hawaii. The Shops at Wailea