Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux - Maui

Location

Extending over 15 private acres and overlooking the sea, the resort enjoys a secluded, intimate location on the island’s coast. It’s an ideal location for kiteboarding – with passionate instructors on hand to offer lessons – or just for afternoons spent on the beach. Head onto the waters for a cocktail cruise on the resort’s yacht or a more traditional Hawaiian experience on the outrigger canoe. Head further afield for hidden beaches, prime for snorkelling, raking sunsets and beaching turtles. There’s also a shockingly green mountainous interior speckled with waterfalls and streams to explore.

Accommodation

The accommodation comprises 72 one-bedroom suites. With beach house design, their large lanais (balconies) look right over onto the Pacific and come complete with chaise lounges. Inside, coral fossil and limestone walls frame bleached white oak floors as rooms offer a luxury interpretation of Hawaiian culture. You’ll find Italian granite countertops in the kitchenette and, in the bedroom, premium linens and furniture custom-crafted from sustainably sourced Hawaiian ohia wood. In terms of more modern creature comforts, there are iPod docking stations, two 40 inch LCD televisions and wireless internet.

Dining

Voted in 2016 as one of the USA's Top 100 Romantic Restaurants, The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea (formerly Capsiche?) is Hawaii's is only Relais & Chateaux restaurant. It combines ethical island-to-table philosophy with a European approach to cooking techniques – namely, French and Italian schools. The menus are based on seasonality, with only Maui's own farms and fishermen providing the ingredients. The result is some truly excellent and sustainable dishes; we recommend the seared ahi combined with al dente black linguine.

Facilities

Much of the resort is bent towards making the most of its idyllic surrounds. Enjoy an evening in a hot tub or an afternoon by the pool; with access to cabanas, they’re the perfect spot to enjoy a made-from-scratch cocktail or take part in a mixology course. More holistically, there’s 24-hour access to the fully equipped fitness centre, complete with personal trainers available for hire, and complimentary yoga and group fitness sessions. There are also preferred tee times and rates at local golf courses.