HO‘OMAHA 

The Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea Maui Provides A Vacation Dreams Are Made Of.

A legend whispers that the Hawaiian Islands were gifts from the gods to the people of Hawai‘i, with Pele, the goddess of fire, transforming her fire into volcanoes to create the islands. It is also said that Maui, a Polynesian demigod, pulled the islands from the ocean using a magical fishhook. Seemingly floating in a cerulean blue sea more than 2,200 miles from any continent, the incredible beauty of the Hawaiian islands inspires a belief in these supernatural tales. As the northernmost group of the Polynesian islands, the Hawaiian islands formed 65 million years ago and are the third corner of the Polynesian triangle (the other two being New Zealand and Easter Island).

The entrance of the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui’s Wailea frames perfectly the glistening vast ocean and palm trees swaying in a gentle, warm breeze. Hawai‘i’s only all-suite and villa oceanfront resort, the Fairmont Kea Lani is Maui’s premier choice for rest and relaxation.

Each two-story villa offers 1,800 (or more) square feet, a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and cozy living room to watch movies after a day spent in the sun outside. Luxuriate in the deep soaking tubs, unpack at leisure in one of the many walk-in closets, and take advantage of the private laundry facilities and pack light—a true luxury. Order The Villa BBQ Experience for a private barbeque on the villa’s airy patio while watching the sun set over Polo Beach. Or enjoy a casual meal of to-go salads, poke bowls, and pizza from the on-site Makana Market + Café, as the kids splash in the private plunge pool.

A few steps from the villas is Pilina, Maui’s newest bar and lounge, an open-air, oceanfront bar and sushi restaurant with unobstructed views of the sun setting over Lana‘i on the horizon. Connecting Hawai‘i’s culture with cuisine, the restaurant uses the freshest ingredients focusing on ‘aina (from the land) and makai (toward the sea). Dishes range from A5 Wagyu sliders to the most delicious, fresh-from-the-sea sushi one has ever tasted (presented with local edible flowers and seaweed), to a hot rock where guests cook a simple piece of protein tableside. Paired with signature cocktails like the smoky, citrusy Aloha, Vaqueros, featuring the Hawai‘i-made Waikulu Smoke Pepa Agave Spirit and rimmed in black Hawaiian lava salt, it makes for a transformative culinary experience.

An abundant breakfast buffet nourishes guests each morning with a wide array of classics (pancakes, eggs, hash browns) and local delights (poke, pineapple bread, and the island’s specialty of banana bread made from Hawaiian bananas; smaller and sweeter than found stateside).

In the evening, guests can indulge at Ko, the award-winning signature restaurant of Fairmont Kea Lani, recently reopened after a renovation under the creative direction of Executive Chef Matt Dela Cruz. Inspired by generations of Hawai‘i’s sugarcane plantation era, the menu celebrates the island’s multicultural culinary heritage with dishes rooted in Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese traditions. With open-air seating and warm Wailea breezes, dining at Ko is both a connection to Hawai‘i’s past and a taste of its vibrant present.

The Fairmont Kea Lani offers its guests a vast menu of adventure experiences. Take a complimentary shuttle a short distance to the Wailea Golf Club, where Fairmont Kea Lani guests can play at three 18-hole championship golf courses and enjoy the award-winning full-service tennis club. Explore the property’s Hale Kukuna, the resort’s “house of enlightenment,” to explore Hawai‘ian culture and learn about the island’s traditions through lei making, hula, ‘ukulele, and more.

Stroll to the beach and play in the ocean with boogie boards, snorkel equipment, or stand-up paddling. Arise early and participate in e ala e, when the Hawaiian people call to the sun to rise from the ocean to the sky. An unforgettable experience is a traditional Polynesian canoe outrigger ride at sunrise—paddling in the Pacific in the shadow of Haleakala (Maui’s dormant volcano) as the sun rises above its majestic crest. Canoers are invited to dive into the Pacific and snorkel in the clear morning waters, hopefully spotting a turtle or two. For a broader snorkel experience, guests can take a boat to Molokini—a crescent-shaped volcanic crater peeking above the Pacific Ocean that is home to the clearest waters in all of Hawai‘i and 250 species of fish. There, an abundance of wildlife can be viewed in an otherworldly environment.

On the famed road to Hana—a journey, not a destination—pull off the side of the road into the aptly named Garden of Eden Arboretum, where Steven Spielberg shot the opening scenes of Jurassic Park, for an adventurous afternoon in an extraordinary setting. A highlight is Maui’s only waterfall rappelling tour, where experts from Rappel Maui carefully guide you down cascading waterfalls. While no skill is required, it will test your mental bravery. After completing this adrenaline-pumping excursion, stop to explore the shops in Paia, dine at Mama’s Fish House (make a reservation), or Paia’s Fish Market for a more casual alternative. Just a short distance away is Ho‘okipa Beach. Stop here to spy more turtles and catch a glimpse of Jaws, a legendary surf break akin to California’s famous Mavericks.

In ancient Hawai‘i, well-being was achieved by honoring the deep connection between nature, people, and spirit. After a day spent pushing one’s limits or relaxing in a private cabana at one of the Fairmont Kea Lani’s three pools, guests can experience the award-winning Fairmont Spa, offering locally-inspired treatments to restore your mana (energy). A guest favorite is the lomi lomi massage, which uses long rhythmic strokes to ease muscle tension, release blockages, and leave guests with a sense of calm and peace.

At times, the afternoon trade winds can pick up, reminding visitors of the greater world and nature which these majestical islands are a part of. Should the winds, or a gentle rain, drive you inside, head to your villa to watch on-demand movies and play games, exercise in the state-of-the-art fitness center, or watch the storm pass from Pilina with a drink in hand.

With so many options to choose from at the Fairmont Kea Lani, the only question that remains is “How quickly will you book your visit?”

For more information and to book your vacation, visit fairmont-kea-lani.com.