Fairmont Kea Lani review – The Points Guy

What’s the Fairmont Kea Lani?

Set on greater than 20 acres, the Fairmont Kea Lani boasts simply over 400 suites and villas on the pristine Polo Seaside in Wailea, about half-hour south of Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG). The resort has an off-the-cuff class about it, detectable from the second you arrive within the foyer and while you enter your visitor room for the primary time. It feels acquainted, comfy and like house — solely fancier. (And my house would not supply expansive ocean views from nearly each window.)

Designed as an all-suite resort, Fairmont Kea Lani caters to everybody from honeymooners to households and multigenerational vacationers. The villas are specifically designed for households, and so they characteristic full kitchens, dwelling rooms, indoor and out of doors eating areas and laundry rooms.

The grounds are lush and exquisite — precisely what you’d count on for a tropical escape. Among the finest elements about this property is that you’re by no means a far stroll from something; the primary constructing homes the entire eating places, spa and health heart, and there is a brief path to the villas and seaside. With three swimming pools (together with one adults-only pool), a 140-foot waterslide from the higher to decrease Lagoon pool, cabanas for lease and a full slate of actions, there are many methods to fill your days on the Fairmont Kea Lani.

Find out how to ebook Fairmont Kea Lani

A wide ranging beachfront location 

As beforehand talked about, the resort is about half-hour south of Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG). You may connect with the rental automobile heart from the terminal through a tram if renting a automobile. A rental automobile is a superb choice if you happen to resolve to enterprise off the resort grounds and expertise Maui’s Upcountry or its many different seashores and native eating places. The resort additionally has an Avis Rental Automotive outpost within the foyer for each day or weekly leases.

Arrival expertise

Upon coming into the luxurious oasis that’s the Fairmont Kea Lani (which we reached through a quiet driveway), a bellhop greeted us and provided help with our baggage. One other visitor expertise workers member greeted us with leis and provided our daughter a whale’s story carved necklace. The journey was already off to an excellent begin, and we hadn’t even stepped into the attractive foyer but.

We made a rapid cease on the entrance desk and have been welcomed by the villa expertise group. They knowledgeable us that drinks can be replenished each day in our villa fridge and that breakfast was included as a part of the villa keep; additionally they defined that the group can be only a telephone name away if we wanted something.

Through the golf cart journey right down to the villa, a bellhop supplied a short property tour, stating areas as we went alongside. As soon as contained in the villa, he supplied an summary of the villa’s options and facilities.

Spectacular oceanfront villas

When you’ve ever puzzled what dwelling on the ocean in a villa can be like, that is your likelihood. We spent three superb nights in a newly renovated, expansive two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,800-square-foot oceanfront villa with a non-public plunge pool and lanai. This could be my very best dwelling state of affairs — falling asleep to the sound of the ocean each evening and figuring out the water is simply steps out of your patio door. It was heaven.

Villa friends take pleasure in sure resort facilities included with their keep, equivalent to each day breakfast at Kea Lani Restaurant and valet parking. The villa itself additionally included a barbecue grill on the lanai, two lounge chairs and an out of doors eating desk. The workers stocked the kitchen fridge with drinks and snacks, and the kitchen was absolutely geared up for cooking. The villa group may also help with arranging grocery deliveries.

A big granite eating desk was between the kitchen and dwelling space. The lounge furnishings included a sectional couch and cozy chair, a flat-screen TV and a ceiling fan.

The first suite with a king mattress was on the villa’s higher flooring (the ground you enter from the skin stairs right down to the villa). The room additionally included a writing desk and chair, a chaise lounge and a small patio with a lounger.

Ample charging areas for gadgets have been constructed into the nightstands and TV stand, making it simple to cost a number of gadgets for a household (not that you’re going to want them while you’re having fun with the resort!).

A lower-floor bed room off the kitchen and dwelling space provided two queen beds, a full closet and a toilet. Every bed room included ample closet area (a big walk-in closet was upstairs for the first suite) and a full toilet with a bathtub and walk-in travertine bathe.

Twin sinks with marble counter tops provided loads of area for journey kits.

Alongside the Le Labo bathtub facilities have been bottles of ocean-safe Venture Reef mineral sunscreen and after-sun lotion on the lavatory counters — a considerate contact.

One in every of my favourite facilities was having the ability to do laundry in our villa midway by way of our journey (that is additionally how you understand you are over 40). The stackable washer and dryer have been within the utility room, together with an ironing board and iron.

Consuming and eating

Maui gives out of doors eating climate year-round, so you’ll be able to really feel the ocean breeze whereas having fun with a cocktail, dinner and a beautiful sundown irrespective of the season. The Fairmont Kea Lani has a number of choices for dinner, all with ocean views (along with room service). General, the meals high quality in all places on the property was distinctive — even in case you are not a seafood lover, you’ll not go hungry whereas staying right here.

An added bonus is that youngsters below 5 eat free when eating with a registered visitor by way of the resort’s Keiki (youngsters) eating program at Ko, Kea Lani Restaurant and AMA Bar and Grill (restaurant solely, no poolside eating). Youngsters 6 to 12 could order from the Keiki menu at common value or choose objects from the complete menu and obtain 50% off.

Dinner in Ko Restaurant

Ko encompasses a fusion menu of Hawaiian, Asian and South Pacific flavors in an open-air idea area with largely patio seating. It is on the bottom degree of the primary constructing overlooking the gardens, the grownup pool and the ocean. The restaurant is open for blissful hour, dinner and Sunday brunch.

To start out, we shared the crispy shrimp with a Maui lavender honey sauce, candied macadamia nuts and smashed sesame cucumbers ($30). The flavors have been an excellent complement to one another — it was savory and a bit candy on the similar time.

Our dinner selections have been the surf and turf particular of the evening ($57) and the Korean braised brief ribs ($58). The surf and turf was a bowl of Asian noodles tossed with bok choy, inexperienced beans, purple peppers and sauteed shrimp. Completely cooked medium-rare slices of ribeye and a chimichurri sauce have been sitting on high of the noodles. The Korean braised brief ribs have been served with carrots, child bok choy and kimchi fried rice. Each dishes have been stuffed with taste, and we had loads to share.

Breakfast buffet at Kea Lani Restaurant

A villa keep contains each day breakfast at Kea Lani Restaurant. The buffet was plentiful and catered to many various tastes — there have been shows of sliced meat, cheeses, artisan bread and pastries, together with Asian-style udon vegetarian noodles and miso salmon, rooster potstickers and miso soup.

Every morning, a beneficiant choice was out there, from waffles, pancakes and made-to-order omelets to bacon, Portuguese sausage, scrambled eggs and egg whites. Continental choices included cereals, yogurts, granola, dried fruits and recent sliced fruits.

Pilina ocean-view foyer bar

Serving lunch and dinner, Pilina is an open-air foyer bar with attractive ocean views. The menu gives native drinks, recent seafood, sushi, and a choice of meat and fish you’ll be able to cook dinner at your desk on a sizzling rock. Simply outdoors the doorway are swinging chairs which proved to be my daughter’s favourite spot to go to in addition to the pool slide and seaside.

The drink menu features a world wine choice, regionally made and Japanese sake, a choice of spirits from Hawaiian distilleries, beer from Maui Brewing Firm and cocktails. Attempt the Mauka cocktail ($24) — which implies “towards the mountains” — which mixes Fy Hawaii gin, Ohia Lehua honey, ginger, lemon, smoked Massive Island bee pollen, angostura bitters and lavender from the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm we visited earlier within the day.

For dinner, we loved a choice of salmon sashimi ($27), rainbow rolls ($37) and edamame ($16) to begin, adopted by venison sliders with yuzu tomato jam aioli on Hawaiian candy rolls ($26). The particular sushi roll of the evening was advisable by our server and turned out to be our favourite — a lobster, avocado, cucumber roll with soy sauce poke on high with ogo, cilantro microgreens and garlic chips ($37).

I find it irresistible when resorts have superb foyer bars for an informal dinner, and Pilina undoubtedly checked all of the bins because of its enjoyable environment, nice drink menu and scrumptious meals.

Cultural preservation and family-friendly actions

In 2024, the resort unveiled a brand new cultural heart within the foyer, and it is appropriate for all ages. The Cultural Heart on the Kea Lani is much more vital now as a result of so many invaluable Hawaiian artifacts and historic paperwork have been misplaced within the Lahaina wildfires.

The middle gives courses equivalent to hula dancing and ukulele classes. Plus, it features a everlasting show of Hawaiian artifacts — equivalent to feather headdresses worn by royalty, jewellery created from seashells, ceremonial accompaniments and musical devices — that have been handmade by Maui artisans who replicated the normal strategies of making them.

Kamahiwa Kawaʻa, the top of the cultural heart, defined that every little thing on show is supposed to be explored and used — permitting friends to expertise the tradition and historical past firsthand.

We additionally had enjoyable experiencing the each day koi fish feeding at 9 a.m. (geared towards youthful friends). Youngsters 10 and over would possibly just like the stargazing occasion twice per week on the garden or the outrigger excursions provided a number of occasions every morning.

Stargazing in Hawaii is especially distinctive since you’re on an island in the course of the Pacific Ocean with little or no gentle air pollution. When you stay in an city space, you may need by no means seen the Milky Manner or taking pictures stars. It is price it to attempt the high-powered telescope the astronomer brings to see planets and nebulae.

A swim with sea turtles is a good way to begin the morning, and the outrigger tour (ages 10 and up, reservation required) was an informative cultural exercise that lasted about an hour. It started with a proof of how the Hawaiian folks historically used canoes for recreation and fishing.

After a standard Hawaiian prayer and blowing of the conch, the outrigger shoved off Polo Seaside and out into the ocean. We paddled in unison for about quarter-hour earlier than stopping to gaze down on the reef beneath and ease into the water with goggles for a swim. When you’re fortunate, you will even get to see some turtles.

Cool off on the seaside or pool

The principle pool (appropriate for all ages and households) is split into the higher pool and decrease pool, with a slide connecting the 2. Pool cabanas can be found in each areas, and rental charges begin from $350 per day. The AMA Bar and Grill on the higher pool serves informal Hawaiian fare and in addition gives blissful hour, a swim-up bar and patio eating.

The adults-only pool is nearer to the primary constructing, going through Ko Restaurant and the Kea Lani breakfast patio.

Cabana leases include a bento field of edamame and recent pineapple to snack on, in addition to a soft-sided cooler stocked with ice, water, juices and sodas. Pool attendants repeatedly make the rounds checking on friends and, within the afternoon, convey round frozen chocolate mochi bites for everybody to take pleasure in.

Pool facilities embody refillable bottles of mineral sunscreen, a retail store the place you should buy goggles, sun shades, pool floats and toys; there’s additionally a scuba desk the place you’ll be able to prepare classes.

Down at Polo Seaside, there’s an expansive verdant garden for actions like watching the sundown, morning yoga or for teenagers to play. Friends who want to borrow kayaks or stand-up paddleboards can achieve this freed from cost from the seaside.

Calm down on the Willow Stream Spa

Willow Stream Spa is a signature of Fairmont properties with distinctive customer support and coverings. The spa at this property — which is slated to be renovated later this 12 months — options 13 therapy rooms, a full salon and boutique, oceanfront and poolside spa cabanas, and a number of leisure areas.

For my therapy, I selected the Pure Hawaiian Journey (120 minutes, $465), which options regionally grown substances that native Hawaiians use to keep up well being and well-being. I additionally selected so as to add on a Knesko collagen face masks ($55).

After my therapy, my pores and skin felt hydrated and relaxed. My therapist, Kellie, supplied knowledgeable suggestions for my pores and skin sort and methods to keep up my post-spa glow.

Make sure you depart your self time to expertise the opposite elements of the spa, from the relief room to the therapeutic clay and steam room to the experiential showers — an “afternoon thunderstorm” bathe was fairly the journey.

Accessibility

The Fairmont Kea Lani is compliant with the People with Disabilities Act, because it gives pool chair lifts, huge entrances and huge pathways. The principle constructing has elevators for entry to the outlets, eating places, health heart and swimming pools.

Broad pathways join the primary constructing to the swimming pools, villas and seaside. A choose variety of single-story, ocean-view villas are accessible from the primary pathways with out having to navigate steps.

As at all times, TPG recommends calling the lodge forward of your keep to make sure they will meet your accessibility wants.

Trying out

After having fun with our final sundown at Polo Seaside, the villa group known as to rearrange help with baggage and a golf cart journey as much as the entrance of the resort for the subsequent day. When it was time to depart, we have been unhappy to say goodbye to our new oceanfront house away from house, however the aloha spirit of the Fairmont Kea Lani workers stays till our subsequent go to.

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