5 Reasons To Check Into The Fairmont Kea Lani
There are few places in the world as beautiful as Maui, and when given the opportunity to travel there, it’s always been important for us to experience an exceptional resort. We recently returned from the trip of a lifetime, staying the last five days at the Fairmont Kea Lani– an award-winning luxury hotel situated oceanfront in beautiful Wailea. It was our second stay here- the first being in 2015 when we celebrated our baby moon- but this time we wanted to enjoy everything there was to offer as a family. We had such an incredible time indulging in amazing eats, distinctive drinks and had the most comfortable sleeps. Whatever brings you to Maui and whomever you’re travelling with, here’s why I recommend this very special accommodation.
1) The Resort & The Rooms
What stands out most for me about the Kea Lani is the entire resort itself. Vast surroundings of timeless architecture and panoramic oceanfront views make for the ultimate tropical getaway. The Fairmont truly does not miss a beat when it comes to decor, impressionable details and impeccable service. Whether you choose a suite or luxury beach villa, every room type is generously spacious with a separate sleeping and living room area. Large marble bathrooms and private lanais are also a part of every stay. Moreover, anytime you check in-regardless of the view- your stay will be a luxurious one. If on a budget, be sure to check out the off-season discounts and believe me when I say the investment is worth every penny!
2) Activities & amenities for the whole family
From snorkelling and biking to scuba lessons and paddle boarding, you simply cannot get bored at this place. Feeling adventurous? The Hawaiian Canoe experience (seen above) is a very popular add-on that books up fast leaving the beachfront Monday to Friday in the morning. Guests receive a private lesson on the basics of paddling, along with the history of the canoe and its importance to Hawaiian culture.
Lastly, the Keiki Lani Kids Club is a fantastic feature for both parents and children alike. Twice a day, children 5-12 years old can join the club, partake in supervised activities and learn about Hawaiian culture- all while mom and dad relax and enjoy some alone time! We can’t wait to take advantage of this once Hudson is a bit older.
3) Wellness at your fingertips
I can’t say enough about how much I appreciated the emphasis on health and wellness at the Kea Lani. Lifestyle-conscious guests can remain balanced with the “Inspire Your Energy” program, which focuses on fitness, well-being, mindfulness and nutrition all while enjoying the tropical surroundings of Wailea. A highlight of our stay was being one of the first to enjoy the new luxury fitness studio equipped with TechnoGym machines, Aktiv virtual workouts, and Peloton spin bikes. We also enjoyed a morning yoga sculpt class with a wonderful instructor.
The award-winning Willow Stream Spa is recognized as “World’s Best Hotel Spa – Hawaii”. We didn’t get a chance to get in for a treatment this time but will definitely be back soon to do so.
4) The restaurants & Makana Café
In addition to the extravagant new fitness studio, Kea Lani also revealed their reimagined breakfast bar complete with an endless assortment of hot and fresh food. There was gluten-free and vegetarian options as well as a “Kieki” section for child-friendly fun choices. It happened to be Halloween during our stay so we made sure to dress up with Hudson and maintain our festive spirits the whole day through! The renovated space is an inviting open-concept with beautiful green accents and Hawaiian design- we loved the experience so much.
Kō restaurant is a plantation-inspired cuisine that was definitely our favourite place to eat. The plantation era was a time when people from around the world came to the Hawaiian Islands to work in the sugarcane fields. They brought recipes and cooking techniques from home, but utilized the ingredients available to them in the islands. When you eat here, you can taste this historical inspiration.The food was so flavourful and unique, and the cocktails were some of the best I’ve ever had. Kō recently won Best Resort Restaurant 2019 at the Best Of Maui awards!
Nick’s Fish Market- another amazing fine dining experience. We had a chance to have a date night thanks to Hudson’s grandparents staying on the island too.
We enjoyed AMA poolside bar & grill too. Did I mention kids under 5 eat for free while dining with their parents? This was a huge value add for us during the stay and Hudson enjoyed many of the items.
Lastly, don’t forget to check out Makana Market + Cafe for all your daily needs while staying at Kea Lani. It’s complete with Hawaiian gifts, chilled drinks & spirits, a poké bar, hot breakfast, coffee and an ice cream station. I visited here often to get delicious snacks between meals and wine for our room!
5) The Pool
Last but not least, we thoroughly enjoyed the various pools and the outstanding service that surrounded them. On one of our days we booked the cabana experience and I would highly recommend it. Get comfortable poolside with some shade, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and incredible servers. The staff were so great with Hudson and would surprise us with little treats throughout the day like mochi, pineapple and frozen grapes. On Halloween Hudson even had a special “baby shark” drink made for him and our server danced and sang the song as she brought it over. It was so special! There are two family pools and one 18+ tranquility pool which is great for appeasing all passing travellers- it’s very nice to have the option for both depending on what kind of vacation you’re on.
All in all, the Fairmont Kea Lani is one of the most sensational resorts you could ever stay at and we will continue to come back time and time again.
Aloha & Mahalo!
Love, Momma Mills
