Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Maui's benchmark luxury resort — adult pool serenity, family programming, three restaurants including Nobu Maui.
Wailea · Ultra-luxury
Where to stay
Best Hotels in Maui: 15 Wailea, Kaanapali & Kapalua Picks
Maui remains the strongest year-round Hawaii choice — the widest resort inventory, the best beaches, and enough activity variety (Haleakala, Road to Hana, whale watching, snorkelling at Molokini) to fill a week without repeating a day. Below is our shortlist across Wailea, Kaanapali and Kapalua and how to book with live rates through our licensed hotel partner.
Wailea vs Kaanapali vs Kapalua — where to stay
Wailea (south coast): sunniest and driest microclimate on the island, five crescent beaches, family-flagship resorts (Grand Wailea, Four Seasons Maui, Fairmont Kea Lani, Andaz Maui, Wailea Beach Resort). Best first-timer and family pick.
Kaanapali (west coast): the classic Hawaii resort strip — three miles of beach, Black Rock snorkelling, whale-watching central December-April, family-friendly resorts (Sheraton Maui, Hyatt Regency, Westin Maui, Kaanapali Beach Hotel).
Kapalua (north-west coast): more upscale-quiet than Kaanapali — Montage Kapalua Bay, Ritz-Carlton Maui, two beaches (Kapalua Bay and Napili Bay), two championship golf courses.
Wailuku / Kahului: airport-adjacent — practical stopover only, not a resort base.
Hana (east coast): the end of the Road to Hana — Hana-Maui Resort is the one option for a one-night rainforest-side stay.
Note on Lahaina town: the historic town centre remains closed to visitors following the August 2023 wildfire and is under long-term rebuild. The Kaanapali and Kapalua resort strips just north are fully operating.
Which resort segment fits your trip
Ultra-luxury (USD 1,200+/night): Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Montage Kapalua Bay, The Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua.
Family flagship (USD 700-1,200/night): Grand Wailea (Waldorf Astoria), Fairmont Kea Lani, Andaz Maui at Wailea, Hyatt Regency Maui, Westin Maui.
Boutique / adults-friendly (USD 500-900/night): Hotel Wailea (adults-only Relais & Châteaux), Napili Kai Beach Resort.
Value family (USD 400-700/night): Sheraton Maui Kaanapali, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Marriott's Maui Ocean Club.
Getting there and around
Fly into Kahului Airport (OGG). Direct from LAX, SFO, SEA, SAN, PHX, DEN, DFW, ORD, EWR — plus most major Canadian and select Australian gateways.
OGG to Wailea is 35-45 minutes; OGG to Kaanapali/Kapalua is 45-70 minutes. Rent a car at the airport — a car is essential in Maui (Discover Cars and EconomyBookings both quote OGG pickup).
Alternative — pre-book a Kiwitaxi private transfer to your resort for the arrival day, then pick up a rental in-town later. Useful if you land late.
The airport-to-resort transfer is the day-one bottleneck; book flights arriving before mid-afternoon to hit the beach on arrival.
The must-do trips: Haleakala, Hana, Molokini, whales
Haleakala sunrise: 10,023 ft summit, reservation required from the National Park Service. Leave your Wailea/Kaanapali hotel by 2:30 am — the sunrise is at 6:15 am — and dress for freezing temperatures.
Road to Hana: full-day drive along the north-east rainforest coast — 620 curves, 59 bridges. Book a GetYourGuide small-group tour if you don't want to drive it yourself.
Molokini Crater snorkelling: half-day boat trip from Ma'alaea Harbor — the best in-water experience on Maui.
Whale watching (mid-December through early April): humpback whales cluster in the Auau Channel between Maui, Lanai and Molokai. Kaanapali and Kapalua are front-row.
15 handpicked Maui resorts
Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
Family-flagship Wailea icon — nine-pool waterpark, kids club, spa, best on-property family day out.
Wailea · Family ultra-luxury
Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
All-suite Wailea flagship — the best value in the ultra-luxury tier and the biggest suites at Wailea.
Wailea · Ultra-luxury family
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Modernist Wailea design flagship — tiered infinity pools, adults-only rooftop pool, restaurants by Masaharu Morimoto.
Wailea · Luxury
Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui
Family-friendly Wailea Beach flagship — huge pools, water slides, Nick's Fishmarket.
Wailea · Family luxury
Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux
Adults-only Wailea hillside boutique — 72 all-suite retreat, private-chef dinner in the treehouse.
Wailea · Adults-only luxury
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Kapalua clifftop flagship — three-tier pool, D.T. Fleming Beach, world-class Kapalua golf.
Kapalua · Ultra-luxury
Montage Kapalua Bay
All-suite Kapalua Bay ultra-luxury — private residence-style layout, orchid pool, superb spa.
Kapalua · Ultra-luxury
Napili Kai Beach Resort
Family-owned Napili Bay boutique — direct on Napili Bay's calm swimmable beach, exceptional service.
Napili · Boutique family
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Kaanapali family classic — huge free-form pool, penguins in the atrium, walk-to-beach convenience.
Kaanapali · Family luxury
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali
Kaanapali beachfront family flagship — extensive water complex, walk to Whalers Village.
Kaanapali · Family luxury
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
Best Kaanapali beach position at Black Rock — the island's top shore-entry snorkelling spot.
Kaanapali · Family
Kaanapali Beach Hotel
Most-Hawaiian Kaanapali low-rise — cultural programming, hula lessons, best-value beachfront.
Kaanapali · Mid-range family
Marriott's Maui Ocean Club
Vacation-ownership villas on Kaanapali with kitchens — best for two-week family stays.
Kaanapali · Family villas
Hana-Maui Resort
The one option in Hana — 66 cottages at the end of the Road to Hana, working ranch, rainforest calm.
Hana · Retreat
Check live hotel rates in Maui, Hawaii
Real availability and prices from our licensed booking partner. No hidden fees.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Maui?
April-May and September-early November — best weather, lower rates, quieter beaches. Peak: mid-December through April (whale season, holiday and spring-break demand) and June-August (family summer). Trade winds keep every month comfortable.
Wailea or Kaanapali — which coast?
Wailea for the sunniest microclimate, calmest beaches and biggest family resorts. Kaanapali for the classic Hawaii three-mile-beach resort strip, best whale watching and Black Rock snorkelling. Both are excellent — pick by weather preference and resort taste.
Is Lahaina open to visitors?
Lahaina town centre remains closed for rebuild following the August 2023 wildfire. The Kaanapali resort strip just north (Sheraton, Hyatt, Westin, Kaanapali Beach Hotel) and the Kapalua resort area further north are fully open and operating. Respect closures and support the wider Maui economy by continuing to visit.
Do I need a car in Maui?
Yes — a rental car is essential. Distances between resorts and activities (Haleakala, Road to Hana, Molokini harbor) are significant, and Maui has minimal public transport. Rent at OGG on arrival.
Maui vs Oahu (Honolulu)?
Maui for the best resorts, calmest beaches, whale watching, Haleakala and Road to Hana. Oahu for Waikiki energy, Pearl Harbor, North Shore surf, and a wider entry-price choice. First Hawaii trips: Oahu + Maui for two islands, or Maui alone for a resort-focused week.
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