Six luxury resorts line the golden coastline of Wailea, Maui — all connected by a gorgeous beachfront path, all charging premium rates, and all claiming to be the best. The difference between a perfect Wailea vacation and an expensive disappointment often comes down to picking the resort that matches how you actually travel.
This Wailea resorts comparison breaks down every major property side by side: who each one is really built for, where the money goes, and which trade-offs matter most. Whether you’re choosing between the Four Seasons and the Andaz for a honeymoon or debating the Grand Wailea versus the Fairmont Kea Lani for a family trip, here’s what you need to know.
Quick Comparison: All Six Wailea Resorts
Before the deep dive, here’s the at-a-glance breakdown. Every resort below sits within the Wailea resort area on Maui’s sunny south shore.
| Resort | Best For | Room Size | Beach | Starting Rate | Resort Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Seasons Maui | Top-tier service, honeymoons | 600 sq ft | Direct (Wailea Beach) | ~$900+ | None |
| Andaz Maui | Couples, dining, modern vibe | 380 sq ft | Direct (Mokapu Beach) | ~$500–700 | $50/night |
| Grand Wailea | Families, pools, wow factor | 640 sq ft | Direct (Wailea Beach) | ~$700+ | $60/night |
| Fairmont Kea Lani | Space, suites, quieter beach | 860 sq ft (all suites) | Direct (Polo Beach) | ~$500–700 | $50/night |
| Wailea Beach Resort (Marriott) | Value, Bonvoy points | Standard rooms | Indirect (walk to Ulua) | ~$400–600 | $45/night |
| Hotel Wailea | Adults-only romance | Suites (varied) | Shuttle to beach | ~$600+ | None |
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The Four Seasons is the benchmark against which every other Wailea resort is measured. The service is consistently exceptional — from valet to pool attendants, every interaction feels genuinely warm rather than scripted. Rooms start at 600 square feet (larger than the Andaz and Marriott), the grounds have a classic Hawaiian tropical elegance, and it’s the only resort in Wailea that doesn’t charge a resort fee.
That no-resort-fee policy matters more than it sounds. When you factor in the $50–60/night resort fees at competitors, the price gap between the Four Seasons and the Andaz or Grand Wailea narrows significantly. The Four Seasons is also unveiling a new Spa and Wellness Centre in June 2026 as part of a multi-million-dollar transformation.
Pop culture fans will recognise it as the filming location for Season 1 of HBO’s The White Lotus.
Who Should Book the Four Seasons
Couples and honeymooners who value service above all else. Families with younger children will appreciate the kids’ club and family pool areas, though the best pool (Serenity) is adults-only. If you’re celebrating a milestone — anniversary, honeymoon, proposal — this is the safest bet in Wailea.
The Trade-Off
Highest nightly rate in Wailea. The pool areas, while refined, can’t compete with the Grand Wailea’s water playground if your kids are the waterslide type. The traditional luxury aesthetic may feel too formal for travellers who prefer a contemporary vibe.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
The Andaz is the most modern resort in Wailea, built in 2013 with a sleek, contemporary design that stands apart from the traditional Hawaiian aesthetic of its neighbours. With 320 rooms — less than half the Grand Wailea’s capacity — it feels more intimate and curated. The three tiered infinity pools offer some of the best ocean views in all of Wailea.
Dining is a genuine strength. Morimoto Maui (from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto) and Ka’ana Kitchen are among the best restaurants in south Maui, and the complimentary minibar restock is a signature Andaz touch that makes daily resort life feel less nickel-and-dimed.
The beach situation is excellent — the Andaz sits between Mokapu and Ulua beaches, separated by a coral reef that creates some of Wailea’s best shore snorkeling.
Who Should Book the Andaz
Couples and honeymooners who care about dining, design, and a hip-but-not-trying-too-hard atmosphere. It’s the most popular Wailea resort with the under-45 crowd and consistently ranks as a top honeymoon hotel in Hawaii. For a detailed head-to-head with its next-door neighbour, see our Andaz Maui vs Grand Wailea comparison.
The Trade-Off
Rooms are the smallest in Wailea at 380 square feet — noticeably tighter than the Four Seasons (600 sq ft) or Fairmont (860 sq ft). Bathrooms in particular feel compact. If you’re spending most of your time at the pool and beach this won’t matter, but for rainy-day or jetlag-recovery days, the smaller room size can feel limiting.
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
The Grand Wailea is Wailea’s biggest resort by a wide margin — 776 rooms spread across 40 acres — and it leans fully into the “grand” part of its name. Following a $300 million renovation completed in 2024 (the most extensive since it opened in 1991), the resort now features completely refreshed rooms, Nobu restaurant, and Kilolani Spa — at 50,000 square feet, the largest spa in Hawaii.
The pool complex is the real draw: nine pools on six levels connected by a river of rapids and gentle currents, with five waterslides, a Tarzan rope swing, sand beach, waterfalls, caves, the world’s first water elevator, and a swim-up bar. For kids, there’s nothing else like it on Maui — or arguably in Hawaii.
The resort also houses one of Hawaii’s most significant private art collections, with over $50 million in works scattered throughout the grounds.
Who Should Book the Grand Wailea
Families with pool-obsessed kids who will never want to leave the water complex. Hilton Honors members chasing points redemptions (standard awards start at 110,000 points/night). Anyone who wants to feel like they’re staying at a destination within a destination — the resort is so large you could spend a week without ever leaving the property.
The Trade-Off
Service consistently ranks below the Four Seasons, Andaz, and Fairmont in guest reviews — the sheer scale of the property means less personalised attention. The main pool areas get crowded, especially during school holidays (though the adults-only Hibiscus Pool upstairs is a quieter escape). And despite the recent renovation, rates remain among the highest in Wailea — you’re paying Grand Wailea prices without always getting Grand Wailea service.
Fairmont Kea Lani
The Fairmont Kea Lani is Wailea’s best-kept secret, and it wins on a metric most travellers undervalue until they’re actually on vacation: space. Every room is a suite — 860 square feet minimum, with a separate living area, and the only resort in Wailea that allows five guests (two adults, three children) in the base room category. That’s more than double the Andaz’s 380 square feet.
Its location at the southern end of the Wailea hotel strip means the beach — Polo Beach — is quieter and less crowded than the shared stretch fronting the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea. The trade-off is a 10-minute walk to reach the next nearest resort, which also means fewer casual dining and shopping options within strolling distance.
The Fairmont also offers some of Wailea’s most exclusive accommodation: private beachfront villas with full kitchens, plunge pools, and direct sand access.
Who Should Book the Fairmont Kea Lani
Families who need the square footage — especially those with three kids who’d otherwise need two rooms elsewhere. Couples who want a quieter, less resort-village atmosphere than the Four Seasons or Grand Wailea. Accor loyalty members accumulating points. Anyone who values room size over pool spectacle.
The Trade-Off
The slightly isolated position means less of the “resort row” walkability. Pool areas are pleasant but modest compared to the Grand Wailea’s water park. And while the suites are spacious, the décor can feel more corporate than the boutique-styled Andaz or the classic Hawaiian elegance of the Four Seasons.
Wailea Beach Resort — Marriott, Maui
The Marriott is the value play in Wailea. Nightly rates are typically the lowest among the five beachfront properties, and Marriott Bonvoy members can use points for stays. The resort recently completed a property-wide renovation that debuted new Signature Oceanfront Villas and earned recognition from Condé Nast Traveler and Travel Weekly.
It features Hawaii’s longest hotel waterslide (325 feet), three distinct pool areas including an adults-only infinity pool with floating cabanas, and a location right next to the Shops at Wailea — the most convenient resort for dining and shopping outside the hotel.
Who Should Book the Marriott
Marriott Bonvoy loyalists looking to use points in Wailea. Budget-conscious travellers who want a Wailea address at the lowest price point. Guests who value proximity to off-resort dining and shopping.
The Trade-Off
The biggest catch: there’s no beach directly in front of the resort. Despite being oceanfront — with some rooms dramatically close to the water — you need to walk to the Grand Wailea’s stretch of beach or down to Ulua Beach for sand access. Rooms and restaurants are often described as “average” compared to the neighbouring resorts, and you’re paying Wailea-level prices for a product that, in terms of room quality, sits a tier below the competition.
Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux
Hotel Wailea is the outlier on this list — and deliberately so. It’s Maui’s only Relais & Châteaux property, Hawaii’s only adults-only luxury hotel, and it sits on a hilltop 300 feet above the ocean rather than on the beach. Travel + Leisure readers named it the #1 hotel on Maui in 2024, and it holds a 9.4/10 guest rating.
The 72-suite property spreads across 15 acres of tropical gardens, with dining highlights including The Birdcage Japanese Grill and The Treehouse — an intimate chef’s table tucked among the treetops. A complimentary shuttle runs to Wailea’s beaches with chairs, towels, and umbrellas provided. Guests never wait more than a few minutes.
Who Should Book Hotel Wailea
Couples who specifically want zero children around — full stop. Honeymooners, anniversary travellers, and anyone who finds large resorts exhausting rather than exciting. If your ideal vacation is a quiet pool, a sunset cocktail, and a world-class dinner rather than waterslides and activity schedules, Hotel Wailea delivers that better than any property in south Maui.
The Trade-Off
No beach. The shuttle is convenient, but you’ll never have the spontaneity of walking out your door and onto the sand. Breakfast at the restaurant can run $125+ for two, and some guests note the interiors feel slightly dated despite the luxury positioning. It’s also the most isolated Wailea option — you’re not strolling to Nobu at the Grand Wailea for dinner.
How to Decide: Wailea Resort Matchmaker
Still unsure? Here’s the shortcut based on what matters most to you.
If Service Is Everything
Book the Four Seasons. No other Wailea resort matches it for consistency, and the absence of a resort fee makes the premium easier to justify.
If You Want the Best Pools
Book the Grand Wailea. Nine pools, six levels, waterslides, a lazy river — it’s a water park disguised as a resort. Nothing else in Wailea comes close.
If You’re a Couple Without Kids
Start with the Andaz for the best value in upscale romance. Move up to Hotel Wailea if you want guaranteed adults-only, or the Four Seasons if money isn’t the deciding factor.
If You Need Space for a Family
Book the Fairmont Kea Lani. All-suite rooms at 860 sq ft, up to five guests per room, quieter beach. It’s the most practical family resort in Wailea.
If You’re on a Budget (for Wailea)
The Wailea Beach Resort (Marriott) offers the lowest nightly rates and Bonvoy points redemptions. Just know you’re trading direct beach access and room quality for the savings.
The Wailea Beach Walk: Why Location Within Wailea Matters Less Than You Think
One thing that makes the Wailea resort decision easier: all five beachfront properties are connected by the 1.5-mile Wailea Beach Walk, a paved oceanfront path that winds between the resorts and through three gorgeous beach coves. You can walk from the Marriott to the Fairmont Kea Lani in about 30 minutes, passing every resort along the way.
This means you can dine at Nobu at the Grand Wailea, snorkel at Ulua Beach in front of the Andaz, and watch sunset from the Four Seasons lounge — all without a car. Whichever resort you choose, you have access to the entire Wailea coastline on foot.
If you’re also considering the Ka’anapali side of Maui for your trip, our Kapalua vs Ka’anapali vs Wailea guide covers the broader where-to-stay decision. And for golfers, all three Wailea courses are detailed in our Maui green fees guide.
Bottom Line: Which Wailea Resort Should You Book?
There isn’t a bad resort in Wailea — every property on this list delivers a premium Hawaii vacation. The differences come down to what you value most: service (Four Seasons), dining and design (Andaz), pools and spectacle (Grand Wailea), space and quiet (Fairmont Kea Lani), value (Marriott), or adults-only serenity (Hotel Wailea).
For most first-time Wailea visitors, the Andaz or Fairmont Kea Lani offer the best balance of quality and value. For a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, the Four Seasons remains the gold standard. And for families who want the kids to never ask “can we go back to the pool?” — the Grand Wailea is the obvious answer.