If you’re heading to Maui for your Hawaiian vacation, one area you’ll want to check out is Wailea. This southern coast town packs a big punch, with some of the best beaches, food, and shopping around. Add in the luxury resorts and lush spas, and you might never bother to see the rest of the island!
Trip Advisor consistently ranks the resorts in Wailea as some of the best on the island, from the Waldorf Astoria branded Grand Wailea to the family friendly Four Seasons Wailea. At the Andaz Maui, you can even bring your canine companions with you. There is a resort for everyone in Wailea.
There are a number of beaches in Wailea, with the huge Keawakapu and Wailea Beaches leading the list. Wailea Beach is easily the most popular due to the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons being just steps away. If you want to get away from the crowds, you might want to visit Po’olenalena Beach. With no resort access, this beach is more of a local spot, and you’ll have room to stretch out. All of the beaches located here are suitable for water sports and snorkels, boards, and umbrellas are can be rented.
Wailea takes food seriously. The top rated Ka’ana Kitchen at the Andaz Maui is a farm to table restaurant featuring produce from five local farms and fisheries. The light, family style servings mean that you can try a multitude of dishes at one sitting. For great Italian food, try Matteo’s Osteria, with its huge menu and matching wine list. Also don’t forget to leave room for dessert! Fabiani’s Wailea gets top marks for their homemade ice cream sandwiches: huge cookies right from the oven filled with ice cream churned on the premises.
If your idea of a great vacation includes lots of shopping, then Wailea is perfect for you. The Shops at Wailea consist of over 70 retail stores, restaurants, and art galleries, for a shopping experience that has something for everyone. Fashionistas will want to check out the Gucci and Louis Vuitton boutiques, while culture vultures can head over to one of the 7 art galleries on the premises. If you’re a bit of a foodie, visit the Wailea Gateway Center for artisanal cheeses and gourmet chocolates. Shopping complexes not your thing? Head over to one of the resorts in the area for their specially curated collections that you can shop at. The Four Seasons Wailea carries the Neiman Marcus and Barney’s New York labels while the Grand Wailea has Lily Pulitzer and an official Rolex boutique.
If you are planning a vacation Maui, I highly recommend visiting Wailea as it is one of the most beautiful spots on the island with a lot of different things to do and see.