One of Hawaiia’s nicest places to vacation is in the community of Wailea Resort on Maui’s southern coast.
Tucked at the base of Haleakala Volcano, Wailea is a 1,500-acre master planned community that consists of private Wailea vacation homes and Wailea condos as well as luxury hotels.
Golf at Wailea
Wailea features three 18-hole championship golf courses. The area also hosts the annual Wendy’s Skins Champions tournament between four top players. In 2004 the field featured Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and Lee Trevino.
Tennis
Eleven Plexiplative tennis courts are the pride of the Wailea Tennis Club. Three of the courts are lit up for play at night. The Tennis Club also has a pro shop and offers lessons and clinics.
The Shops at Wailea
In all there are more than 50 shops and dining restaurants in this distinct center with its fountains and pools as well as a courtyard. Shopping at Wailea ranges from Tiffany & Co. to Tommy Bahama’s Emporium and Tori Richard.
Wailea Beach
Wailea Beach has won “America’s Best Beach” by Dr. Beach (see the 2009 Dr. Beach Winner) and has also been named one of Hawaii’s sexiest beaches by Forbes Traveler. The area actually includes five separate crescent-shaped beaches. The beach has a variety of activities and is great for the entire family.
Grand Wailea Resort & Hotel
The Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa has 780 guestrooms including 52 suites and nine restaurants as well as 80,000 square feet of function space for banquets and meetings. Staying in the resort can be a bit touristy for some. If you’re looking for more privacy I would recommend staying off site in a Wailea Vacation Rental and then come to the Resort to enjoy some of its many attractions.
The “Activity Pool” is great for kids and features seven water slides as well as the world’s best “water elevator.” Humuhumunukunukuapuaa “floating” seafood restaurant serves Island style cuisine and you can even choose your own lobster from the lagoon.
Grand Wailea Spa
Another great thing about Wailea is its spa facilities which include the luxurious Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa. With 40 large treatment rooms, a large cedar sauna, a marble steam room, and a Roman bath-style Jacuzzi, this resort is a place of relaxation and luxury.
There are also weight training rooms, racquetball and squash courts, aerobics and aqua-aerobics, and a beauty salon.
If you are visiting Maui and want to live like royalty, you should definitely think about staying in Wailea Resort.