Hotel Wailea
An adults-only hillside retreat with expansive ocean views, one-bedroom suites, and fine dining away from the beach.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
Hotel Wailea is an intimate, adults-only resort perched on a hill above the coast, featuring one-bedroom suites with private lanais and kitchenettes. Guests appreciate the tranquil atmosphere, attentive service, and upscale dining at The Restaurant and the Birdcage. However, the property is not directly on the beach, requiring a downhill trek or shuttle ride, and guests note a $40 resort fee alongside add-on costs for activities like Saturday yoga. 11478
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Reviewers consistently praise the spacious one-bedroom suites, which feature deep soaking tubs, private lanais, and kitchenettes stocked with local snacks and free drinks. 1713
- The hillside setting delivers expansive ocean views and sunset vistas across surrounding islands. 146
- Guests also value the peaceful adults-only environment, noting far fewer crowds than at surrounding Wailea resorts. 5
The catch
- While many diners find the sunset birds at the Birdcage bar to be a singular experience, others report wild birds flying overhead disrupting their meals. 133
- Some guests find the downhill walk to Polo Beach easy on foot or by bike, while others rely strictly on the hotel shuttle for the steep return trip. 813
Who it's for
- — Couples seeking a quiet, adults-only getaway
- — Diners interested in high-end culinary experiences
- — Guests who prefer expansive hillside ocean views
Skip it if
- — Travelers wanting direct beachfront access
- — Families traveling with children
- — Guests sensitive to resort fees and extra activity charges
No loyalty-earning direct rate was found for these dates, so the lowest cash rate is shown first.
Prices shown are an estimated range, not a live quote — the booking site confirms the real rate for your dates.
This sits inside our estimated range for this hotel.
Confidence: medium · modelled estimate, not a live quote. Check the supplier for the real rate on your dates.
Score breakdown
How the 96/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
97- “And its high-end bathroom amenities-like the Toto Neorest, Dyson hairdryer, Molton Bath products, and To Be Hawaii coconut & lavender-infused bath salts-were very much appreciated.” 3
Food
92Location
94Noise
92- “This adults-only, luxury boutique hotel, perched on a quiet hillside above Wailea, delivers romance with spectacular views.” 6
- “The number of guests at this hotel, even during peak travel season on Maui, is much less than any of the surrounding resorts in Wailea. If you're searching for peace and quiet, this is one of the best places to find it on Maui.” 5
Room
97- “My second-floor Ocean View Celebration Suite was bright and airy with cheerful pops of color. The kitchen island, wood flooring, and L-shaped sofa gave the space a relaxed, condominium-like feel.” 3
- “We booked an ocean view room and loved it. The separate living room and kitchenette provided a place where we could relax or even entertain, and bathroom was stocked with my now favorite Molton Brown amenities - fiery pink pepper!!” 15
Service
96Bed & Sleep
96Nothing quotable yet on this one — the score leans on the rest of the coverage.
Value
89- “Now, you do pay a $40 resort fee. When I asked about the fee, I was told it was for the shuttle service and the yoga. Which, if you go to yoga on Saturday, you still need to pay an additional fee. So, I choose to acknowledge that the resort fee is simply a way for the hotel to adjust for inflation, as a catch all.” 11
Where it is, how to reach it
Details read from tripadvisor.com · checked 2026-08-24
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
Beats what $$$ usually buys
Scores 4 points above the upscale median of 92, across 365 hotels in the same bracket. In Maui it sits 8 points above the local median of 88.
- This hotel
- 96
- Bracket median
- 92
- Index median
- 90
Based on 365 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
- 7 mentions
No location within the hotel draws repeated complaints yet.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 47 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “My second-floor Ocean View Celebration Suite was bright and airy with cheerful pops of color. The kitchen island, wood flooring, and L-shaped sofa gave the space a relaxed, condominium-like feel.” 3
- “Offering just 72 suites, this adults-only hotel's calling card is its secluded atmosphere and its spacious lodging options (rooms measure 750 square feet).” 6
- “We booked an ocean view room and loved it. The separate living room and kitchenette provided a place where we could relax or even entertain, and bathroom was stocked with my now favorite Molton Brown amenities - fiery pink pepper!!” 15
- “Each of the 720-square-foot, one-bedroom suites blends indoor and outdoor living with oversized lanais furnished with stylish chairs and chaise lounges overlooking either the sparkling ocean or gorgeously landscaped gardens.” 14
- “I can't tell you how many times I found myself leaning over my suite's kitchen island, popping open a can of Spindrift-one of the 24 (yes, 24!) non-alcoholic beverages they come stocked with. That, plus the excellent curation of Hawaii-made snacks like 'Ulu Chips (made from breadfruit) and macadamia butter cookies, gave Hotel Wailea's complimentary minibar a real edge.” 3
- “Upon our guided introduction to our room, all I could say was wow. I was extremely pleased. It had all the appointments that I expect for the level of the hotel in the Relais & Châteaux class of properties.” 11
- “Guest accommodations at Hotel Wailea are spacious and luxe. Each suite has a kitchenette stocked with soft drinks and snacks, a beachy living room separated from the bedroom, a deep soaking tub, and an ocean-facing furnished balcony.” 1
- “Retreat to the serenity of our spacious one-bedroom suites, each an individually styled and curated haven with a separate living room, kitchenette, deep soaking tub, and your own lanai, offering a private view of paradise.” 7
- “Since we were in town for a wedding, we actually didn't eat dinner on property, but breakfast and lunch were delicious.” 15
- “The rooms are amazing and the food is superb, miles better than we had at Andaz.” 13
- “The main restaurant at Hotel Wailea, "The Restaurant," is open from 5:00-8:30 PM daily. You can enjoy delicious cuisine and panoramic ocean views.” 2
- “The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, Hawaii's first and only Relais & Châteaux restaurant, offers stunning views, local cuisine and an award-winning wine list, while the Chef's Kitchen Table and Chef's Garden Table invite you behind the scenes for something deliciously unexpected.” 7
- “Avoid the Bird Cage Restaurant. Was invited there for dinner and the wild birds flying overhead pooped on me twice in short order. I excused myself and left.” 13
- “Make a reservation for one of its Culinary Experiences and enjoy some of the most unique dining on the island.” 3
- “When you eat outside, you assume these sorts of risks. To have a restaurant that encourages birds to fly around inside the restaurant is, I think, a public health risk.” 13
- “The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea is a romantic restaurant featuring the best local, fresh ingredients straight from the property's organic garden. Serving up a seasonally fresh fare and craft cocktails, this is the perfect place for a unique, relaxing dinner.” 5
- “Been to the restaurant a few times. Food and service are great.” 13
- “The Birdcage is the property's aptly named open-air restaurant, specializing in Japanese binchotan (charcoal) cooking, and should not be missed.” 3
- “Food, service, rooms and amenities far exceed any other hotel on Maui. Maybe even in Hawaii.” 15
- “The Restaurant is set on a hillside overlooking the ocean, a stunning al fresco setting with "culinary casual" fare and three- or five-course prix fixe menu.” 6
- “The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea crafts creative island-to-table cuisine sourced from local Maui farms and fishermen as well as its own onsite garden.” 14
- “I will say that food at The Restaurant is delicious. Especially, the KONA MAINE LOBSTER (Parmesan Cream, Miso, Chives, Leeks, Preserved Lemon).” 11
- “This was dinner and a show like I've never seen before-and I have to imagine there aren't too many culinary teams who want their guests tucked in for dinner right under their noses, firing off questions all night long. That's the sort of welcome you can expect at Hotel Wailea.” 1
- “Plus, the view from The Restaurant, even at night, is a true chef's kiss work of art.” 11
- “The food at the hotel was fantastic, and we even got invited to The Restaurant for a free dinner (minus booze), and it was one of the most special dining experiences we have ever had.” 13
- “Each night just before sunset, the birds return en masse, just in time for diners to enjoy their birdsong. That, plus the ocean views, make dining at Birdcage a singular experience.” 3
- “Avoid the Bird Cage Restaurant. Was invited there for dinner and the wild birds flying overhead pooped on me twice in short order.” 13
- “We were especially taken by a gorgeous purple ube risotto and whimsical yuzu and passionfruit dessert, but the best part was watching the chefs transform raw ingredients into stunning finished dishes.” 1
- “The lanai was the perfect spot to start our days with breakfast and end our days watching the sunset.” 15
- “The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea specializes in three-course dinners made from locally sourced ingredients served up with stunning ocean views.” 3
- “Meanwhile, we were guided through an incredible five-course (three-course menus are also available) tasting menu featuring Hawaii's current offerings from the land and sea.” 1
- “Experience the essence of Hawaiʻi at The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, where panoramic views of three islands and exceptional service set the stage for an unforgettable dining journey.” 7
- “The Chef's Garden Table is unlike any other restaurant experience and is ideal for milestone events, such as wedding proposals or important anniversaries.” 6
- “Adults only so definitely more peaceful. Food is great, service is good, rooms are very nice.” 13
- “Food is great, service is good, rooms are very nice.” 13
- “This property really excels in service and the location is phenomenal - everything in Wailea is within a short drive and really anywhere you'd need to go on the island is accessible from here.” 15
- “From dinner reservations to island adventures, our concierge curates your Maui moments with the finesse of a private butler and the instinct of a local insider.” 7
- “After our early morning flight, it was was a relief that check in was smooth and truly pleasant.” 11
- “Food, service, rooms and amenities far exceed any other hotel on Maui. Maybe even in Hawaii.” 15
- “OVERVIEW OF THE HOTEL WAILEA Hotel Wailea is located on 15 acres of ocean-facing property. This hotel is located uphill just a bit, offering stunning 180-degree views of Wailea. Have no fear; the beach is just a few minutes away!” 2
- “This property really excels in service and the location is phenomenal - everything in Wailea is within a short drive and really anywhere you'd need to go on the island is accessible from here.” 15
- “Honeymoons Perfect location for newly weds.” 9
- “And its high-end bathroom amenities-like the Toto Neorest, Dyson hairdryer, Molton Bath products, and To Be Hawaii coconut & lavender-infused bath salts-were very much appreciated.” 3
- “It's built on a hill so higher-up rooms have a more expansive view of the ocean and surrounding islands, but even the lowest suites have spacious balconies that offer stunning sunset views.” 1
- “This adults-only, luxury boutique hotel, perched on a quiet hillside above Wailea, delivers romance with spectacular views.” 6
- “The number of guests at this hotel, even during peak travel season on Maui, is much less than any of the surrounding resorts in Wailea. If you're searching for peace and quiet, this is one of the best places to find it on Maui.” 5
- “Now, you do pay a $40 resort fee. When I asked about the fee, I was told it was for the shuttle service and the yoga. Which, if you go to yoga on Saturday, you still need to pay an additional fee. So, I choose to acknowledge that the resort fee is simply a way for the hotel to adjust for inflation, as a catch all.” 11
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about floor level.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- Noise rests on 2 sources — too thin to rely on.
- 17 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Hotel Wailea
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 50/100We read 17 sources for this property, and pulled 73 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-08-26.
Watch this hotel
We keep reading Hotel Wailea. Tell us when you're staying and we'll follow it until then — you'll hear from us only when the verdict is rewritten, the score moves, or new reviews land. No daily mail, and the watch closes itself after your stay.
Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
5 of 5 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 17 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 1Hotel Wailea Review (2024) An Adults-Only Escape in Mauithequalityedit.comReview siteDate not stated7 quotes used
“It's built on a hill so higher-up rooms have a more expansive view of the ocean and surrounding islands, but even the lowest suites have spacious balconies that offer stunning sunset views.”
Read originalthequalityedit.com - 2Hotel Wailea Review (the only adults-only hotel in Maui!)amyfillinger.comReview siteDate not stated2 quotes used
“The main restaurant at Hotel Wailea, "The Restaurant," is open from 5:00-8:30 PM daily. You can enjoy delicious cuisine and panoramic ocean views.”
Read originalamyfillinger.com - 3Hotel Wailea Is the Best Resort in Hawaii for 2026travelandleisure.comReview siteDate not stated8 quotes used
“My second-floor Ocean View Celebration Suite was bright and airy with cheerful pops of color. The kitchen island, wood flooring, and L-shaped sofa gave the space a relaxed, condominium-like feel.”
Read originaltravelandleisure.com - 4Hotel Wailea Reviewstripexpert.comReview siteDate not stated1 quote used
“An adults-only, Relais & Châteaux hillside retreat above Wailea, with just 72 suites across 15 tropical acres, sweeping ocean views, and a romantic, intimate vibe experts consistently praise.”
Read originaltripexpert.com - 5Hotel Wailea - Information, Photos, and Recommendationsmauiinformationguide.comReview siteDate not stated2 quotes used
“The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea is a romantic restaurant featuring the best local, fresh ingredients straight from the property's organic garden. Serving up a seasonally fresh fare and craft cocktails, this is the perfect…”
Read originalmauiinformationguide.com - 6Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux - Adults Onlytravel.usnews.comReview siteDate not stated4 quotes used
“Offering just 72 suites, this adults-only hotel's calling card is its secluded atmosphere and its spacious lodging options (rooms measure 750 square feet).”
Read originaltravel.usnews.com
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