Wailea Beach Resort on Maui Redefines Luxury With Its Latest Renovations

The 22-acre property continues to roll out updates, including lavish new guest suites, an exclusive poolside wellness experience and multiple oceanfront dining options.

After undergoing major renovations in 2016 as part of a $100 million project — which touched the guestrooms, lobby and on-property eateries — Wailea Beach Resort on Maui has continued to roll out updates into 2023.

The latest additions to the award-winning property include Sundeck Collection guestrooms, an adults-only pool, a summer dining series and a refreshed menu at Te Au Moana Lūʻau.

Sundeck Collection

Inside the Sundeck Collection | Photo courtesy of Wailea Beach Resort

The Sundeck Collection includes 43 guestrooms that feature elevated indoor-outdoor living. Located on the ground floor, these updated rooms have an additional 150 square feet of space.

Each suite is outfitted with an extended wraparound lānai (balcony) that includes a dining table with room for up to six people, various lounge chairs and two L-shaped couches. This comfortable patio furniture was made for lounging.

Inside is the bedroom featuring one king-size bed and a separate living room area. Each room features a 55-inch flat-screen television with access to premium movie channels, cable TV stations, Netflix and Hulu as well as music streaming options. The luxurious bathroom is outfitted with a bathtub and marble detailing for relaxing after an activity-filled day.

These suites are ideal for groups of up to four people, including families, who are seeking an oceanfront escape with sweeping views of the Pacific and easy access to the beach.

The Sundeck Collection rooms can be booked for $3,599 a night.

Olakino Wellness Experience

The view from the Olakino Pool | Photo courtesy of Wailea Beach Resort/Scott Clark

Named after the Hawaiian word for health, Olakino is more than just an exclusive adults-only pool, it’s also a wellness sanctuary. Dedicated attendants called poʻe mālama (meaning “one who takes care”) perform a traditional Hawaiian oli (chant) as a morning ritual and curate a personalized experience for each guest.

Upon arrival, lounge chairs are laid out with goodies like lip balm and a misting bottle, while reserved daybeds and cabanas come with Turkish towels as well as Olakino-branded reusable water bottles, canvas amenity bags, pens and journal sets. Guests are also provided with reef-safe sunscreen and lotion as well as reading material like local magazines and a library of wellness-related books.

Each day offers a different theme, including laʻi (peace and tranquility), ala (awaken), kōnea (restored to health) and aʻo (to acquire knowledge). These themes align with complimentary daily activities like sound healings, yoga, HIIT workouts, tea ceremonies, mandala-making and acupuncture. Guests may also book a massage or other spa treatment to indulge in poolside. Additionally, this space hosts live performances by local musicians in the afternoons.

The spa cabana | Photo courtesy of Wailea Beach Resort

Throughout the day, poʻe mālama serve small “delighters” such as juice shots and baked goods in addition to a full poolside menu with add-ons like an organic fruit bowl, wagyu beef yakitori, vegan poke bowl, cocktails and more. Lounge chairs are available for $200 each; a daybed or cabana for two start at $600.

Ocean Front Sunset Cookout

Enjoy an evening of family-style outdoor dining at the Ocean Front Sunset Cookout every Wednesday night from June 21 to Aug. 16, 2023.

Tickets to the event include a welcome cocktail, giant yard games and other family-friendly activities, live music, self-service barbecue buffet and a fire dance finale.

Food is at the forefront of this experience, and three courses can be enjoyed at picnic tables with the sunset as diners’ backdrop. The seasonal summer menu includes starters like a local Kula greens salad and BLT pasta salad; entrées of house-smoked beef brisket or rosemary-guava barbecue-glazed salmon; and dessert like sliced watermelon, peach and berry cobbler or a DIY s’mores station. There are also keiki– and vegan-friendly options available.

Tickets are $85 for children ages 6 to 12 and adult admission is $125.

Te Au Moana Lūʻau: The Ocean Tide

Photo courtesy of Wailea Beach Resort

Another seaside dining experience is the Te Au Moana Lūʻau, which features a traditional Hawaiian feast, cultural performances and demonstrations as well as live music.

Though the lūʻau itself has run for years, it recently received a menu revamp crafted by Wailea Beach Resort’s executive chef Amanda Lindquist, who redid the offerings to incorporate more local ingredients.

Served family-style, the lūʻau menu includes four courses with light bites of namasu (pickled vegetables) salad, poi and poi bread with mango butter followed by mixed greens with a side of mango vinaigrette, pipi kaula (Hawaiian beef jerky) salad, ʻahi poke with taro chips and potato mac salad.

After bringing out an imu-cooked pig and showing it off to the audience, previously prepared kālua pork is served as well as other main course options like pepper steak, huli-style chicken and miso-marinated mahi mahi all accompanied by a heaping bowl of garlic fried rice.

For dessert, guests with a sweet tooth can indulge in chocolate haupia pudding, ube tart, coconut cake and coffee that can be mixed with Bailey’s or Kahlua for those 21 and over.

The lūʻau is open every Monday and Thursday through Saturday, as well as seasonally on Tuesdays. Standard seating starts at $165 for children ages 6 to 12 and $265 for adults, while premium seating with priority access and closer proximity to the stage is $190 for kids and $295 for adults.

Lead photo courtesy of Wailea Beach Resort/Scott Clark