Fairmont Kea Lani: A Lush Retreat On Maui's Postcard-Perfect Polo Beach

Forbes

20-03-2025

Fairmont Kea Lani and Polo Beach
Sweeping views of the gardens, pools, and ocean from the resort lobby
It doesn't take long to fall in love with Fairmont Kea Lani resort in Wailea. From the moment you arrive at the capacious open-air lobby with gleaming stone floors, romantic archways and domed ceilings, lush gardens, and peaceful waterfalls, the resort's many charms are on full display. Then, you see the jaw-dropping views of Polo Beach, the glittering ocean, mesmerizing mountains, and postcard-perfect volcanic islands just across the way.
Here's what to know about this destination-worthy Wailea hotel — the only all-suite and villa luxury resort in Hawaii — before you book your trip to Maui.
Lobby
The Fairmont Kea Lani opened in 1991 as Hawaii's only all-suite and villa luxury resort — a title that it's held ever since. The resort got a substantial makeover in 2024, with newly designed accommodations and refreshed communal spaces.
Fairmont Kea Lani resort on Maui
The newly-opened Pilina bar & lounge at sunset
The resort boasts an enviable spot in the luxe resort community of Wailea, about a 30-minute drive from Kahului Airport.
From the main building, the resort slopes down past lush gardens and swimming pools to Polo Beach, a secluded 600-foot stretch of white sand protected by black lava rock formations on both ends. (From the beach you can walk the easy path along the dramatic and stunning coastline, strolling past the Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, and Kea Lani's other high-end neighbors.)
Courtesy of Fairmont Kea Lani
The resort's suites and villas, pools, restaurants, and lounges are all positioned to maximize its incredible views of the surrounding mountains and pristine coastline. The small islands of Kaho'olawe, and Molokini — the crescent-shaped volcanic crater that's a great destination for snorkeling — dot the horizon. (You can talk to the hotel about booking a half-day cruise to the famous marine preserve.)
Lower pool at sunset
Oceanview villa
Stand-up paddleboarding is just one of the watersport options available on site
Sunrise at Maui's Fairmont Kea Lani
Kō restaurant
Villa private lanai and plunge pool
Villa bathroom
Kea Lani translates to 'heavenly white' in Hawaiian, and that describes the resort's architecture and decór too. The light and bright contemporary spaces have a Hawaiian coastal chic vibe that showcases the vibrant and showy flora just outside, and panoramic views of the sparkling ocean, surrounding mountains, and neighboring islands.
King suite
Suite living room
Ocean views from a King suite lanai
The bright and airy suites range from a roomy 860 to 1,100 square feet. With comfy living areas with bistro tables, sumptuous marble bathrooms, and large private lanais with sweeping views of the ocean, mountain, or gardens, guests have ample room to spread out, relax, and really make themselves at home.
Villa kitchen and dining area
Views from an oceanfront villa
Villa bedroom
The ultra luxe 2-story villas, which can house a maximum of 6 to 8 guests, range from 1,800 to 2,200 square feet. The 2- and 3-bedroom villas come with lots of bells and whistles — from fully equipped kitchens to living rooms with top-of-the-line entertainment systems, sleek Italian marble bathrooms, and lush outdoor spaces with ocean views, private plunge pools, and grills — making them a great option for families with kids, and groups of friends or multi-generational families traveling together.
Kō restaurant
The sushi boat experience at Pilina
The resort offers several options for dining and drinks throughout the day. Breakfast is served daily at Kea Lani Restaurant. AMA Bar & Grill offers casual lunches like salads, sandwiches, or Buddha bowls served on the lanai, or poolside. Nick's Fishmarket is the place for seafood and a stellar wine list with views of the vibrant gardens.
But the best, most panoramic views of the stunning coastline are upstairs at Pilina bar & lounge and Kō restaurant. The sexy new lounge offers top-notch impeccably fresh (and extra beautiful) sushi, served alongside creative cocktails. Kō has received awards for its inventive regional Hawaiʻi cuisine like ahi with orange-ginger miso cooked on a hot lava rock, and the Paniolo bone-in ribeye with a Hawaiian rub, fern shoots, and a sweet potato croquette.
If you need grab-and-go meals or snacks, the resort's MAKANA Market + Cafe is well-stocked with made-to-order smoothies and sandwiches throughout the day. It's also the perfect spot to pick up some edible souvenirs and other locally-made products before you head home.
Spa massage cabana
The spa features Hawaiian rain experience showers
The sleek spa has indoor and outdoor cabana treatment rooms for massages, facials, and more services centered around traditional Hawaiian practices and locally sourced oils, herbs, and other products.
Allow extra time before or after a treatment to take advantage of the men's and women's lounges, which have high-tech hydrotherapy options including steam rooms, saunas, and sleek Hawaiian rain experience showers.
The fitness center, which has Technogym equipment, Peloton bikes, and lovely views of the grounds, is open 24 hours a day. Or, enjoy the scenery at golden hour with fitness classes like sunset yoga.
Hawaiian canoe experience
The resort participates in a wide range of initiatives aimed at reducing their environmental impact.
That includes solar panels that generate 20% of the resort's monthly energy, several water conservation programs, biodegradable food containers, and refillable water stations for guests throughout the resort in order to combat single-use plastics.
70 percent of the resort's produce (and 80 percent of its fish) is sourced locally. And in order to reduce food waste, the resort also donates hundreds of pounds of food to a local pig farm, and turns hundreds of gallons of cooking oil into biofuel, on a weekly basis.
Courtesy of Fairmont Kea Lani / KORAY ERKAYA
For more information or to book a stay, visit Fairmont Kea Lani.