Hotel Wailea to be Named Hawaii's First Relais & Châteaux Property

Hotel Wailea on Maui will soon be honored as the first Relais & Châteaux property in Hawaii, joining an exclusive association of the world’s finest hoteliers and chefs that has set the standard for excellence in hospitality. The formal announcement is expected to be made on January 12.

A former Japanese private members club previously unknown to leisure travelers, Hotel Wailea makes the scene following a $15 million makeover and ushers in a new generation of luxury guests seeking the romance and tranquility of ultra-private suites, coupled with gracious island service. 

Located 300-feet above sea level with ocean views, Hotel Wailea has a relaxed beach house design in all 72 one-bedroom suites, a newly finished pool with private residential-style cabanas and an orchard-to-glass apothecary bar.

The new poolside lounge, aptly named The Cabanas, is a stylish day-to-night experience where guests gather to drink, dine and just relax. Raw food chef-turned-mixologist Kerry Mekeel brings her extensive knowledge to the apothecary-style bar where she creates custom cocktails with a wide selection of premium liquors, fresh-pressed juices, organic hydrosols and tropical infusions. A series of oversized cabanas surround the pool deck furnished with DEDON lounge seating, sun chaises, aqua loungers and circular pod daybeds. A built-in fire pit sits center stage for evening socializing while hanging lights, tiki torches and lanterns evoke a romantic mood under the Hawaiian moonlight.