'''Wailea''', and the smaller '''Makena''' to the south, are resort areas on the south side of Maui, Hawaii, immediately south of the town of Kihei. They are known for their luxury resort hotels and condos, upscale restaurants, fancy shopping center and expensive golf courses. And although hidden behind the hotels and condos now, the beaches that attracted the developers in the first place are still there in all their golden sand beauty.

Get in

From Maui's main airport in Kahului, follow the signs to Kihei and Wailea via Highway 311 (Mokulele Highway). Highway 311 becomes Highway 31 (Pi'ilani Highway) in Kihei and it ends in Wailea, where it becomes Wailea Ike Drive. Driving time from the airport to Wailea is about 30 minutes.

Get around

The main street through town is Wailea Alanui Drive and The Shops at Wailea (Wailea Alanui Drive and Wailea Ike Drive) serve as the center of town.

See

  • Makena Beach. outh Makena Road. n Makena State Park a mile south of the Maui Prince Hotel, there are two parking lots on the west side of the road. A beautiful stretch of beach south of Wailea that is good for swimming. There are two beaches -- Big Beach, which is the main one, and Little Beach, which is over a hill at the north end of Big Beach. Facilities are limited with just pit toilets and a few picnic tables. It's a good idea to bring your own food if you want to eat as the concession trailer is very expensive for what you get.

    Do

  • Go '''swimming''' or '''snorkeling''' at one of the many beaches along the coast.
  • Take a stroll along the '''Wailea Beach Walk'''. It stretches for a mile and a half and connects the town's beaches. In winter, it provides a good spot to watch whales.
  • If you're a golf enthusiast, there are two golf clubs with five courses in the area.
  • *<do name="Wailea Golf Club" alt="" address="100 Wailea Golf Club Drive" directions="" phone="+1 808 875-7450 or 1-888-328-MAUI (toll-free)" email="info@waileagolf.com" fax="+1 808 875-5114" url="http://www.waileagolf.com" hours="" price="$155-225 with twilight rates available on the Blue course">Three courses -- Blue, Emerald and Gold -- that offer views of the ocean and Haleakala. Emerald is considered the most forgiving and Gold the most challenging.</do>**<do name="Makena Golf Courses" alt="" address="5415 Makena Alanui Drive" directions="" phone="+1 808 891-4000" email="makena@maui.net" fax="+1 808 879-2834" url="http://www.makenagolf.com" hours="" price="$120-190, with cheaper rates after 1PM">Two courses -- North and South -- that play out amongst the rolling hills of the area. The South course has a couple of holes by the ocean, while the North course tends to play higher on the mountain.</do>
  • Eat

  • Caffe Ciao. 100 Wailea Alanui Drive. n the Fairmont Kea Lani. 1 808 875-4100. oon - 10PM (open for lunch during summer and winter months only). Cafe next to the bar with outdoor tables. There is also a deli with takeaways.
  • Ferraro's Bar e Ristorante. 900 Wailea Alanui Drive. n the Four Seasons Resort. 1 808 874-8000. 1:30AM - 9PM. 25-50. Outdoor dining with Italian fare and seafood.
  • Humuhumunukunukuapuaa. 850 Wailea Alanui Drive. rand Wailea Resort. :30PM - 9PM. 30-60 for mains; $12-20 for appetizers. Located in a Polynesian-style hut in a lagoon off Wailea Beach. Rated highly for ambiance.
  • Tommy Bahama's Tropical Cafe. 750 Wailea Alanui Drive. n the Shops at Wailea. 1 808 875-9983. pen for lunch and dinner. 30-40 for mains; $7-20 for appetizers. Serves a mix of seafood and meat dishes.

    Drink

    Sleep

    Accommodation in Wailea and Makena is on the upscale-side, with hotels in the four and five star range. If you want or need something cheaper, Kihei is a better bet.

    Hotels

  • Fairmont Kea Lani. 100 Wailea Alanui Drive. 1 808 875-4100. ttp://www.fairmont.com/kealani. All suites. Super-service restaurant in the hotel is Nick's Fishmarket.

  • Four Seasons Resort. 900 Wailea Alanui Drive. 1 808 874-8000. 1 808 874-2244. ttp://www.fourseasons.com/maui. Quiet luxurious resort with pampering service.

  • Grand Wailea Resort. 850 Wailea Alanui Drive. -800-888-6100 (toll-free), +1 808 875-1234. ttp://www.grandwailea.com. Maui's largest and most spectacular hotel, with 787 rooms, numerous fantastic pools, art throughout the lobbies, children's play areas, beach, restaurants.

  • Maui Prince Hotel. 400 Makena Alanui Drive. 1 808 874-1111. ttp://www.princeresortshawaii.com/maui-prince-hotel.php. A luxury hotel that is built around an Asian Meditation Garden. The resort is near Makena Beach and features golf courses, tennis courts, signature restaurants, and extensive facilities for meetings, weddings, and social events.

  • Wailea Marriott. 700 Wailea Alanui Drive. 1 808 879-1922. ttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnmmc-wailea-beach-marriott-resort-and-spa. Originally the Intercontinental. 546 rooms. On a rocky shore adjacent to a large beach. Not to be confused with the Maui Marriott, which is a timeshare property on Kaanapali Beach.

    Condos/Villas

  • Ho'olei at the Grand Wailea. 46 Ho'olei Circle. 1 808 856-2000. ttp://www.hooleiatgrandwailea.com. Luxurious beach vacation home rentals with access to the Grand Wailea Resort amenities and resources including pools, golf, tennis, and the world renowned Spa Grande.

  • Maui Makena Surf. 850 Makena Alanui Drive. Makena Surf is a security-gated community which features one-to-four bedroom condominiums with tennis courts and BBQ areas on site and easy access to swimming pools and nearby championship golf courses. Units are typically booked through an agent or directly from the condo owner.

  • Outrigger Palms at Wailea. 200 Wailea Alanui Drive. -866-733-0519 (toll-free) or +1 303 369-7777 (worldwide central booking). ttp://www.outriggerpalmsatwaileacondo.com. Two-story condos with kitchens and laundry facilities in every room.

  • Polo Beach Club. n Polo Beach. Situated along a private crescent-shaped beach and offers private beach condos with beachside swimming pools and concierge services. Like other condo units in the area, rooms can be booked through agents or from the owner directly.

  • Wailea Beach Villas. 800 Wailea Alanui Drive. -866-901-5207 (toll-free) or +1 808 891-4500. 1 808 891-2581. ttp://www.waileabeachvillas.com. Wailea Beach Villas offers comfortable private penthouse villas with views of Molokini, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. The villas are all over 2000 sq ft with 2 and/or 3 bedrooms. All villas have gorgeous lanais, gourmet kitchens, floor to ceiling windows, luxurious bathrooms, inside laundry.

  • Wailea Grand Champions. ust off of Wailea Ike Drive. -800-822-4409 (toll-free). nfo@waileagrandchampions.com. ttp://www.waileagrandchampions.com. Features one, two, and three bedroom villa rentals with access to beaches and nearby championship golf courses.

  • '''Wailea Ekahi Village'''. Overlooks Keawakapu Beach with views of the Pacific Ocean. The condominiums include private studios and one-to-two bedroom units.
  • '''Wailea Ekolu Village'''. Overlooks green fairways with views of Molokini, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. The condos are set on 18 acres and situated near the Wailea Blue golf course.
  • '''Wailea Elua Village''', 3600 Wailea Alunui Drive. Situated along the mile-and-a-half beach walk which runs along the Wailea oceanfront. Each of the condominiums provide gated access and offer garden views with access to barbecue facilities and putting greens.
  • '''Wailea Point'''. Wailea Point is an ocean view property located along Wailea Beach. The luxury two bedroom, two bath condominium rental sits on 30 acres of manicured landscaping and is only available for a minimum stay of 30 days.
  • Get out

    Wailea/Makena is almost as far as you can go south, but there are a couple of good spots to go to for snorkeling and hiking before the road ends for good.

  • Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve. outh Makena Road. bout 1.5 miles south of the Maui Prince Hotel. An offshore reserve with good snorkeling and sea turtles sometimes. There is a rocky parking area on the right shortly after entering the reserve.
  • La Perouse Bay. outh Makena Road. bout 3 miles south of the Maui Prince Hotel. The end of the road where the lava from Maui's last eruption flowed into the sea. There are some stables near the parking lot and a rocky beach, although it isn't recommended for swimming. There are also a couple of hiking trails, including the Hoapili Trail which winds its way along the coast through some shade and then strikes inland over the lava fields to Kanaio Beach some 2 - 2.5 miles away. The coastal parts are quite pretty but the section through the lava can be long and warm.

    Heading north up Highway 31 will bring you to the main part of Maui, which is all accessible within a day's drive.