Fairmont Kea Lani Maui Villa Experience

“The “Goldilocks” of family-friendly Wailea resorts”

I am rating this property based on 13 specific criteria on a 1-10 scale: Overall rating and vibe: 10. There's an intoxicating richness about the gorgeous tropical grounds at Kea Lani, where everything was done ... just right. This is an incredible family-friendly resort with 100% suites (many with… more

I am rating this property based on 13 specific criteria on a 1-10 scale: Overall rating and vibe: 10. There's an intoxicating richness about the gorgeous tropical grounds at Kea Lani, where everything was done ... just right. This is an incredible family-friendly resort with 100% suites (many with 3 full beds), superb service, awesome pools, and exceptional dining. You will not be disappointed by this place! Service: 9.99. Only one bad apple staff member, Maddy at the lower Ohana pool, who was very grouchy. Otherwise, 100% incredible service, across the board! Room: 10. Massive standard room which was actually a suite. My ALL/Fairmont Gold status got me a complimentary upgrade to a garden view suite with a palatial bathroom, the BEST-SMELLING Le Labo “Rose 31” bath amenities, and 3 full sized beds that easily fit a family of 5. It also had a massive lanai with a beautiful view of the perfectly landscaped Kea Lani gardens. Complimentary amenities: 10. Welcome lei greeting for all adults and Keiki (kids), including cold tropical drink. Complimentary luxury reusable Fairmont-branded water bottles in room, many complimentary activities, and complimentary sunscreen by pool. Unlimited complimentary towels at the pool. Many complimentary shaded umbrellas at the pools, with plenty of chairs to go around. The resort staff also send incredibly delicious birthday treats (pineapple upside-down cake) to our room because I was celebrating a milestone birthday. Pools: 9.9. Awesome, large, and very family-friendly pool complex. Medium-sized and incredibly fun waterslide. No infinity pools and the pools were not salt-water like at the Four Seasons, but otherwise incredible! The adult-only pool was also appropriately located far away from the Ohana pools. Cabanas: 9. Cabanas are an extra $300 per day and come with 4 chairs and excellent 360-degree sun protection all day. Note: The value is not unbeatable for Wailea because the Four Seasons provides complimentary cabanas with 4-sided shade, but still a great experience. Includes unlimited non-alcoholic drinks and mochi ice cream for everyone. Waterslides: 9.5. There is one waterslide which is incredibly fun and has a 31” minimum height, allowing most 3-4 year olds access as well. Perfect speed, starts in the upper Ohana pool and winds through absolutely stunning tropical landscaping before a fun drop finish into the lower Ohana pool. Lifeguard at top monitoring cameras to ensure slide safety for all. Cleanliness: 10. Incredibly clean and incredible twice-daily housekeeping with evening turndown service! This is a true, luxury, 5-star hotel (unlike the nearby "Grand" Wailea which is a 1-star hotel masquerading as a "5-star"), Family friendliness: 10. Kids 5 and under eat free in all restaurants except Nick’s Fishmarket. Incredible breakfast buffet with many GF options which my two Celiac kids LOVED. Reasonable breakfast buffet pricing ($20 for older kids and $55 for adults). Dining: 10. Ko was excellent. Nick’s was superb. Breakfast buffet was exceptional with many GF options and reasonable pricing for families with younger and older kids. Luxury: 10. Feels like a true 5-star resort. Forbes does not rate this property, but it should score a 5-star or 4-star rating from Forbes, as it is one of the world's nicest and most luxurious Fairmonts. AAA rates it a 4.9 (out of 5.0), so it is knocking on the door of 5-Diamond status and I would award it 5 Diamonds under the AAA criteria. Perhaps AAA soon will. The Michelin Guide does not rate it, but I would rate it 2 Michelin keys based on their criteria. Room for improvement: 9. The only room for improvement would be if Maddy at the pool could be friendlier and exude more “Aloha Spirit” to her cabana guests. Value for Families with Kids: 10. Between the 100% suite layout fitting 5 people comfortably and the "kids 5 and under eat free" policy, the value here is exceptional for a luxury, true 5-star Wailea, Maui resort.

less

“Perfect hotel for a special trip!”

A wonderful hotel in a gorgeous setting! Suites are so well appointed and luxurious in all ways. The breakfast buffet is as good as any we’ve ever seen. One of us is gluten free and having safe options without compromising choice and taste was so appreciated. Facilities, bars, spa all outstanding, … more

A wonderful hotel in a gorgeous setting! Suites are so well appointed and luxurious in all ways. The breakfast buffet is as good as any we’ve ever seen. One of us is gluten free and having safe options without compromising choice and taste was so appreciated. Facilities, bars, spa all outstanding, which created the perfect high end but down to earth vibe. Would definitely return!

less

“Mostly Positive”

Spent two weeks at this resort and got a pretty good sense for how things run and will offer the following thoughts: * The property has a "wow" factor. Overall beautiful grounds with a strong island vibe. Evidence of ongoing maintenance and cleanliness. Fairly quiet and serene for a good-sized prop… more

Spent two weeks at this resort and got a pretty good sense for how things run and will offer the following thoughts: * The property has a "wow" factor. Overall beautiful grounds with a strong island vibe. Evidence of ongoing maintenance and cleanliness. Fairly quiet and serene for a good-sized property with some large business/group meetings taking place. *Staff overall very professional, helpful and friendly. Special kudos to Nacho in Valet and Tami at front desk for going the extra mile to satisfy guests. * Food--Ko was solid and Nick's excellent. Room service also did nice job and met time commitments. The pool bar was ok but the prices were high even by Maui standards, $32 for a hamburger. There is a market on lowest level with very limited offerings. Had some breakfast items a few times and was underwhelmed. * Shuttle car--we used this a few times to go out to dinner and nearby places and it worked very well. Little or no waiting. * Location--close to many dining and shopping option. Nice beach as well. *Pools-on surface looked good. Most of our pool time was at the large adult pool. However, getting a chair/umbrella was difficult. Had to contest with selfish people going out and claiming space at dawn. There is some signage asking guests to be considerate, but it was mostly ignored and it's difficult for pool attendant to track. Also, lot of space is taken up by rental cabanas which go for $400 plus a day and were not getting a whole lot of use. Another pool problem was the abundance of annoying flies around the pool and the lawn behind the pool. I get it's outside and mother nature, but in addition there were gnats all over and had some bugs on my lanai. Made me wonder how robust the hotel's pest control efforts were. * Suites--ours was fantastic. Great ocean views, spacious, huge lanai and many nice and modern touches. The public space was also excellent. Lots of seating, nooks and crannies to read a book and again just a wow! * Fitness room was satisfactory but kept quite cool. Parking--self-parking very close by up a slight hill, a minute or two from lobby. But the parking spaces are narrow and below commercial real estate standards. Just about any SUV or Jeep were parked over the lines and in effect taking up two spots. So not perfect, but overall, very good and compared well with other nearby hotels which we stopped into for dinner. I would return if staying in Wailea,

less

“Ideal for a couple”

The room was spacious and beautifully decorated. Options for pools was good. Nick’s Fish Market & Ko, onsite, were delicious. Crowded at the family pool- Not so at adult pool. Nice beach.