Review: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Give us your first impressions.
As soon as you walk through the open-air entrance of the U-shaped Four Seasons, it will be hard to take your eyes off the glimmering Pacific Ocean stretching behind the property. The resort occupies 15 acres at the southern end of Maui’s Wailea beach—so, yes, those Instagram-perfect views are inescapable. Yet despite the grand lobby and the usual resort trifecta of beach, pool, and spa, the property has a bunker-esque vibe that encourages hiding out for a few hours—or days, or weeks.

What's the backstory?
Built in 1990, this Four Seasons was one of the first resorts to crop up in Wailea, along with the Grand Wailea next door. Michael Dell, the billionaire founder of Dell Computers, purchased the resort in 2004. But it has long been a favorite Hawaiian getaway for celebrities, from actors and singers to athletes. Almost every A-lister has stayed here.

How are the rooms?
The resort ditched the bulky furniture in 2016, replacing it with streamlined, unfettered pieces, neutral colors, and pops of Hawaiian artwork and textiles. Although the marble bathrooms are themselves little dens of luxury, the proprietary Four Seasons Bed is the star, complete with temperature-regulation technology and pillow menu. The rest of the in-room technology is on point, as evidenced by the 65-inch TVs, digital tablets on nightstands, and plenty of outlets. All rooms also have a sleeper sofa that pulls out into a queen bed. Ocean-view rooms are typically more than $1,000 a night, as are the special Club Floor rooms, which afford access to a private lounge and staff. If you can, at least splurge for a garden view—mountain views typically overlook the parking lot.

Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?
There's free Wi-Fi, with the option to upgrade to a faster connection for a fee.

What are our dining options?
Though closed temporarily, when it reopens it will be hard to resist the breakfast buffet at the poolside DUO restaurant, which features Hawaiian, Asian, and Western dishes along with a special kids' section. At night, the place turns into a casual steakhouse. Diners can also opt for Italian fare at Ferraro’s, and the second-floor Spago from Wolfgang Puck remains one of Wailea's best spots for a romantic sunset dinner.

Was the service up to standards?
There’s hardly anything to criticize about the staff here; everyone is genuinely friendly and eager to help with anything, whether it be finding the perfect spot by the pool or breaking down a stroller. Staff even answers text requests.

Who else is staying here?
Young newlyweds, families with small children, older couples, and Four Seasons loyalists.

What about the neighborhood?
There are several high-end hotels in a row, along with residences, golf courses, tennis courts, a shopping center, and a scenic coastal path. Yes, it’s a manufactured neighborhood, but it's more spread out than Kaanapali.

Any negatives?
The adults-only Serenity pool, where two Missoni cabanas are available to rent, is a bit small, and it fills up quickly.

What are the hotel's other features?
Four Seasons is one of the only resorts in Wailea that doesn’t charge a resort fee, which feels like a friendly gesture even though room rates are high. Complimentary services outside the in-room amenities include poolside snacks, an intro scuba clinic, an outrigger canoe paddling expedition, a well-outfitted fitness center (complete with Peloton bikes), and pool cabanas. There’s also an Aloha Suite lounge for folks with early arrivals and late departures, and a complimentary Kids For All Seasons program. For extra doses of pampering, a spa has a wide range of treatments. And if you hate your vacation wardrobe, the resort has two super-cute boutiques that sell swimwear, coverups, dresses, and jewelry.

Bottom line.
The price is high, but so is the level of service and experiences.