Located in the heart of the exclusive Wailea development, wedged between the Baccarat Resort and Wailea Marriott, this condominium complex is perhaps the most extravagant of its type on the island, competing head-to-head with Kaanapali Ali'i and Polo Beach Club, thanks to its exceptional location and multi-million-dollar, one- to three-bedroom apartments (at inspection one of the ocean-view units was on the market for nearly $4-million dollars).
This engaging, residential enclave usually fronts one of Hawaii's best beaches, but a recent 100-year storm has just blown through, taking most of the beach with it. Rehabilitation of the strand is planned but for now Wailea Beach, an easy five-minute stroll from the hotel, provides a wider, sandier stretch of beach.
Guests check in and pick up their keys at the rental office located in the chic Shops at Wailea, the island's most extravagant mall. The condominium complex itself is gated for security, and roving security staff ensures that trespassers are swiftly dealt with.
In keeping with the residential tone, the property lacks a restaurant, though numerous restaurants and an expensive delicatessen are a short stroll away at the Shops at Wailea, and even closer to the Wailea's numerous hotels, all of which provide the public with access to their restaurants. A few barbecue areas promote outdoor feasts.
On-site recreation focuses on the two pools, whirlpool, paddle tennis court and small putting green. The property abuts the temporarily rocky, narrow beach that is better for snorkeling these days. A popular jogging trail threads the beachfront, and it wends its way past the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons, as far as the Fairmont Kea Lani.
Guests here receive priority tee times at Wailea's and Makena's 90 holes of golf, and Wailea's 11 tennis courts (three are lighted) are accessible to guests booked here. Guests can also rent sea kayaks and sailboats, boogie boards, and snorkeling gear at the Grand Wailea Resort's watersports kiosk, 400 yards down the jogging path. Parking is free.
The individually owned, individually decorated condominiums are all similar in style and layout, offering one, two, or three bedrooms with a corresponding number of baths. The low-rise configuration of the buildings feels more residential than Polo Beach Club, but fewer units here provide ocean vistas. The decor runs the gamut from rustic-tropical to retro-tropical, and you can count on enough bamboo to feed a hungry panda bear for days.
All sport spacious living rooms and dining rooms abutting roomy eat-in kitchens with tables big enough to seat at least four people. The kitchens are equipped with dishwashers, ranges and microwave ovens, and washers and dryers are provided. Some of the appliances look a little overused, so request one of the recently updated units for the best value. TVs, VCRs or DVDs and CD players are standard, as are air conditioning, ceiling fans, phones with dataports, high-speed Internet access, and big baths with whirlpool tubs and stall showers.
Units on the ground floors have spacious patios, though the second floor lanais are more private. All of the excessively priced front units boast views that take in sunsets and, in the winter, breaching humpback whales. Even the units in the back facing the gardens are lovely. The complex was built before the currently strict set-back laws; oceanfront units here are deliciously close to the surf.
The limited staff includes a maintenance crew with quick reflexes and housekeepers that make daily rounds. Room service is not offered. Pets are not permitted.
This prestigious complex brags of celebrity owners and celebrity guests that appreciate the property's low profile and panoramic views. Considering the current cost of these condos, the discounted weekly rates are a steal.
