[trip style = beach + sun]
Think of a place where wind-swept beaches and lava-laden cliffs interact with Maui's chicest resort cluster. Manicured with the same attention to detail as a Hollywood celebrity, Wailea's five-diamond hotels and mosaic-lined pools glisten in the Southern Shore's sunlight. Here's what's new in this pampered paradise:
Hotel
The BIGGEST news from Wailea is the addition of a nouveau hotel to the seafront landscape. Opening in Summer 2013, the Hyatt's hip Andaz brand will take over the former Renaissance Resort. Stripped down to the bones, the 255-room {+ suites and villas} infuses urban styling with swaying palms and cascading pools. Who's in? I AM! PS - rumor has it a Morimoto by Iron Chef Masahura Morimoto will be the hotel's signature restaurant. I've been to Morimoto at the Modern Honolulu {and LOVED it}, and I'm hoping Chef's famous ahi tuna pizza will make an appearance on the menu!
Restaurants
Led by Chef Alan Wong, recognized by Bon Appetit as the “master of Hawaiian regional cuisine”, Amasia is one of Wailea’s newest and hottest restaurants. Sparing no expense, this chic evening eatery has streams flowing throughout and sits atop a lagoon in a Japanese tea house brought over piece by piece from Kyoto—even the 800 tonnes of rocks surrounding the East-meets-West dining concept are quarried from Mt. Fuji.
Trip Styler Tip :: Alfresco and au courant, sit at the bar at KO {you'll find the best service there}, the Fairmont Wailea's newest restaurant which recently underwent a 5.1-million dollar renovation. Order the Ahi On The Rocks, an upscale DIY dish which comes with tuna, an orange-ginger miso sauce and a 400-degree F ishiyaki stone to sear the meat to your personal perfection.
Spa Treatments
The Grand Wailea's Spa Grande is the largest and most lauded spa in the state of Hawaii. Soothe yourself into island time on a journey through the Japanese-inspired termé hydrotherapy circuit or lounging on the private lanai. At treatment time, go local with the Niu Coconut Muscle Relief massage using e-v-e-r-y part of the coconut---from husk to meat---to exfoliate, moisturize and massage the skin into buttery bliss {$225}, or spring for a tidal wave of a treatment with the 20-Hand Duo Massage using 10 therapists and 100 fingers to perform the "hula wave" on you and your beau {$2000}. Ahh-loha!
More Maui Roam+Board :: Napili Kai Maui Waui :: Paia Another Side of Hawaii Finding the Modern in Waikiki
[photo 1 and 3 taken by @tripstyler while exploring Maui with the island's CVB; photo 2 courtesy Andaz; photo 4 courtesy Spa Grande]