Frommer's Review
If money's no object, this is the place to spend it. It's hard to beat this modern version of a Hawaiian palace by the sea, with a relaxing, casual atmosphere. Although it sits on a glorious beach between two other hotels, you won't feel like you're on chockablock resort row: The Four Seasons inhabits its own separate world, thanks to an open courtyard of pools and gardens. Amenities are first-rate here, including outstanding restaurants, an excellent spa, and a wonderful activities program for kids (complimentary, of course). In fact, this may be the most kid-friendly hotel on Maui, with cookies and milk on arrival, children's menus in all restaurants, and complimentary baby gear (cribs, strollers, and even toilet-seat locks). You can even prepurchase necessities like diapers and baby food; the hotel will have them waiting for you when you arrive.
The spacious (about 600 sq. ft.) rooms feature furnished lanais (nearly all with ocean views) that are great for watching whales in winter and sunsets year-round. The grand bathrooms contain deep marble tubs, showers for two, and lighted French makeup mirrors.
Service is attentive but not cloying. At the pool, guests lounge in Casbah-like tents, pampered with special touches like iced Evian and chilled towels. And you'll never see a housekeeping cart in the hall: The cleaning staff works in teams, so they're as unobtrusive as possible and in and out of your room in minutes.
New at the fabulous spa are facial treatments and products by Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts, a pioneer in the fields of paramedical esthetics and medi-based skincare (with a list of prominent clients from Los Angeles including Felicity Huffman, Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, and Eva Mendes). The spa also has an incredible menu of treatments ranging from traditional Hawaiian to craniosacral to ayurvedic massage offered in 13 treatment rooms and three ocean-side hales.
The ritzy neighborhood surrounding the hotel is home to great restaurants and shopping, the Wailea Tennis Center (known as Wimbledon West), and six golf courses -- not to mention that great beach, with gentle waves and islands framing the view on either side.
Facilities: 3 restaurants (including Spago); 3 bars (w/nightly entertainment); 3 fabulous outdoor pools; putting green; use of Wailea Golf Club's 3 18-hole championship golf courses, as well as the nearby Makena and Elleair golf courses; 2 on-site tennis courts (lit for night play); use of Wailea Tennis Center's 11 courts (3 lit for night play); health club featuring outdoor cardiovascular equipment (w/individual television/video players); excellent spa; 2 whirlpools (1 for adults only); beach pavilion w/watersports gear rentals and 1-hr. free use of snorkel equipment; complimentary use of bicycles; fabulous year-round kids' program; one of Maui's best concierge desks; activities desk; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; salon; room service; in-room, spa, or ocean-side massage; babysitting; same-day laundry service and dry cleaning; concierge-level rooms.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
