12 Best Hotels in Wailea, Maui

Sophisticated travelers and romance-seeking couples will swoon at the sleek luxury of this eco-friendly, beachfront resort. Whitewashed rooms are on the small side; those seeking more space can opt for a suite or luxuriate in one of the 4,000-square-foot oceanfront villas. Amenities include three cascading infinity pools, an adults-only pool, apothecary spa, gallery and boutiques, and free cultural activities.

"Impeccably stylish" and "extravagant" describe most Four Seasons properties, and this elegant one fronting Wailea Beach is no exception, with its beautiful courtyards and luxuries such as 24-hour room service, twice-daily housekeeping, excellent restaurants, on-site spa, and adults-only serenity pool with outstanding views. Most of the rooms have ocean views; cabanas, chaise lounges, and a car service transporting guests around Wailea are among the complimentary amenities.

This resort, which sits closer to the crashing surf than most in Wailea, delivers not only dramatic views but also luxurious amenities and spacious accommodations. Grown-ups can find peace and quiet at the adults-only Maluhia serenity pool, while kids can frolic at the Nalu Adventure Pool, which features four waterslides, including the longest in Maui at 325 feet. The resort also has the Mo Bettah food truck, a fun take on a local culinary tradition.

Gleaming white spires and tiled archways are the hallmark of this stunning resort that's particularly good for families with its spacious suite and villa options. The 37 two-story villas have two or three large bedrooms, a laundry room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private lanai with plunge pool and barbecue grill. There's also an on-site spa, cultural classes, and wellness programs. The family-friendly and adults-only pool options offer something for everyone.

"Grand" is no exaggeration for this opulent, sunny, 40-acre resort that's wildly entertaining due to its elaborate water features such as the Wailea Activity Pool with enclosed "lava tube," slides, caves, a Tarzan swing, and the world's only water elevator. Paths meander tropical grounds, passing food gardens and artwork by noted international and Hawaiian artists. The Humuhumunukunukuapuaa restaurant—named for Hawaii's state fish—"floats" in a saltwater lagoon. The fabulous Spa Grande has wellness options that range from astrology to massage.

This adults-only boutique hotel, perched on a quiet hillside above Wailea, delivers luxury, romance, and spectacular views. The 18 two-story buildings offer one-bedroom suites with private lanai, kitchenettes with top-flight appliances, sofa beds, and bathrooms with large soaking tubs and walk-in showers. Reserve the intimate Treehouse, hidden in a canopy of mango and avocado trees, for a private seven-course dinner for two or small reception or drop into the beautifully themed Birdcage Bar for a relaxing drink. The resort fee includes yoga and fitness classes, parking, attendant services at Wailea Beach, and high-end shuttle service to beaches, shops, and golf.

For travelers who've done all there is to do on Maui and just want simple but luxurious relaxation at a condo that spills onto a private beach, this is the spot. The secluded complex, which hugs the South Shore coastline, is designed to belie its size—from the road it's hard to tell that the two- to three-bedroom units are taller than a palm tree, all with ocean views. Privacy envelops the grounds, which include remnants of an ancient Hawaiian fishing heiau (a temple comprising a rock formation).

You'll pay less for the tastefully designed suites in this "condotel" than you would elsewhere in the Wailea resort area, and the hillside location serves up amazing sunset views. Amenities include lovely swimming pools, a coin-operated laundry, commercial-quality barbecue grills, a lobby lounge, and a basketball court.

At Wailea's hideaway for the rich and famous, the two- to three-bedroom villas are an immersion in luxury, with up to 3,100 square feet of living space, furnishings that inspire poetry, and gourmet kitchens fit for an Iron Chef. Add to the mix some units with plunge pools, some with outdoor showers, and all with private balconies and Viking barbecues. Throw in stunning grounds and all the services of the finest resort hotel—the concierge will arrange anything from in-room spa treatments to a personal trainer or a chef—and you've got the vacation accommodations of a lifetime. Beach shuttle and service, garage parking, and twice-daily housekeeping are included in the rates.

Overlooking Keawakapu Beach, this family-friendly vacation resort features studios and one- and two-bedroom suites in low-rise buildings that span 34 acres of tropical gardens and won't cost your child's entire college fund. Amenities include four swimming pools, paddle tennis, shuffleboard, and barbecue areas, as well as a covered beachfront pavilion—near the private entrance to Keawakapu Beach—with access to bathroom facilities, plus a full kitchen with an ice maker, a cold water dispenser, a refrigerator, a microwave, and an oven.

These affordable hillside condos offer panoramic vistas of the resort area, the ocean, and nearby islands. One- or two-bedroom condos are set on 18 tropical acres with two pools, outdoor grills, and a recreational pavilion; parking and Wi-Fi are included.

On Ulua Beach, one of the island's most beloved snorkeling spots, these upscale one-, two-, and three-bedroom condo suites have spectacular views and 24 acres of manicured lawns and gardens. Units have custom appliances and furnishings and, befitting the million-dollar locale, there is a gated entrance; the concierge can stock your refrigerator with groceries, including hard-to-find items for those with dietary restrictions, for a nominal fee.