Highlights: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

•Located on the island of Maui in the heart of Wailea

•Guest rooms and suites feature relaxed, elegant décor with tropical themes, and enchanting views of the ocean or landscaped gardens and hillsides

•Home to four restaurants and bars, including an outpost of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s Mobil Four-Star-rated Spago

•Large function spaces, multi-lingual concierge, 24-hour business center, and other amenities make this hotel ideal for corporate retreats and meetings

•Lovely fountain pool, top-notch tennis courts, and water sports are part of numerous recreational activities

•Hotel’s world-class Mobil Four-Star spa meshes Hawaiian traditions and local ingredients to create a soothing, stress-reducing experience

Amenities: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

• 380 rooms. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Three restaurants, three bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Three outdoor pools, children's pool, whirlpool. Tennis. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Tucked away on the Wailea side of Maui, where the weather is sunny and dry and the beaches are white and powdery soft, the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is one of the island’s premier resorts. Its glorious grounds, studded with a glorious fountain pool, landscaped gardens, and canopied cabanas, stretches right out to the beach and the Pacific Ocean and is the calling card of this resort. The rooms and suites reflect the island’s relaxed elegance with tropical patterns, soft colors, and rattan furnishings. The property’s open design and abundance of fresh orchids, flowers and trees makes it feel especially beautiful.

The Four Seasons hotels and resorts are known for providing top-notch amenities, and the Maui at Wailea continues that tradition.

This property’s natural beautiful surroundings and numerous amenities--spa, golf privileges at three area courses, tennis courts, a fitness center, and water sports--make this an ideal location for getaway and romantic travelers. Those traveling with families also will enjoy the Kids For All Seasons Program, a well-equipped games room, baby-sitting services, kids in-room dining menu, and other services that specifically cater to even the youngest of guests.

Most people might assume that an island paradise isn’t the place to get work done, but business travelers will be able to do just that. The hotel’s 24-hour business center, large meeting rooms, and technical support staff will help you get through that meeting or project quickly, so you can move on to enjoy the beautiful landscape and recreational opportunities.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea continues its commitment to excellence at its four restaurants and bars, and the resort even boasts an outpost of Wolfgang Puck’s famous Los Angeles restaurant, Spago.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a terrific choice for vacations, whether traveling alone, with a romantic partner, or with the kids. The resort manages to offer something for everyone.

(+) Beautiful resort blends tropical ease with stylish elegance and is appropriate for adults and children

Guest Services: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea knows how to take care of the little details. A 24-hour concierge staff is available to fulfill any request. And twice-daily housekeeping is quite thorough, even delivering ice during evening turndown. Staff members are very accessible and skilled to help you learn water sports and tennis so you can truly enjoy the leisure opportunities available.

I eagerly anticipated my arrival after speaking with a knowledgeable and pleasant reservations operator who asked just enough questions to determine my needs, without invading my privacy. Since I was a repeat guest, she didn’t describe the hotel in its entirety, but did offer information about the updates since my last visit.

Once I arrived, I was warmly greeted by the bellman who whisked my luggage to my room in what seemed like minutes. The staff, dressed in Hawaiian-themed uniforms, conveyed warmth and professionalism in all areas. When I passed members of the housekeeping staff in the hallway, I was greeted with a wonderful “Aloha.” I felt welcome and comfortable throughout my visit to this exclusive resort, and staff was extremely accommodating.

My flight was much later than check out time, but the hotel allowed me to continue to charge items to my room, and also let me use the spa facilities to shower before departure—they didn’t push me out the door after my stay was, technically, over.

(+) Gracious staff is accommodating, professional, and warm

Guest Rooms: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea offers 332 rooms and 39 suites. The building’s “U” design affords ocean views for 80 percent of the guest rooms. Rooms without ocean views have enchanting views of the landscaped gardens or hillsides. All rooms have spacious lanais, (balconies), for further enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings. The rooms have high-speed Internet, multi-line phones and voice mail, and fax machines available upon request, but the soothing tropical design and gorgeous views will likely convince you to leave work behind.

My room was exceptionally comfortable. I found the tropical décor to be elegant and in keeping with the relaxed, beachfront setting. Everything from the large closets and spacious bathroom to the generously sized lanai seemed to be designed with comfort and enjoyment in mind. The room was well soundproofed, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Thoughtful touches, such as the luxurious bed linens and quality bath products, were also appreciated. Both the bedroom and bathroom were immaculately maintained, and housekeeping’s twice-daily service had both areas simply sparkling.

(+) Spacious and casually sophisticated rooms with lovely views, balconies, and quality amenities

Facilities & Activities: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

The centerpiece of the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is its lovely fountain pool. Anchored on both ends by hot tubs with a giant fountain in the middle, the pool is a lovely place for active swimming or simply soaking up the sun. The service at the pool is exceptional. The attendants escort you to your seat and provide attentive service. My water glass was never empty, and the Evian spritzing makes everyone feel like a glamorous star. The people- and star-watching at this pool is as good as its ocean views.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is also well known for its spa facility, which is a Mobil Four-Star-rated facility. This spa features 13 treatment rooms and three oceanside hales. Water therapies, massage, skin care, and body treatments are endless at this spa, where Hawaiian traditions and local ingredients harmonize to create a soothing, stress-reducing experience. Pineapple papaya body polishes and ginger seaweed masks are just two of the therapies inspired by the resort’s location. From individual therapies and couples massages to therapies designed just for men, this full-service spa has it all.

Guests who prefer to let their troubles go with a good workout will find a well-equipped fitness center, which offers cardiovascular equipment and weights, as well as yoga, spinning, and Pilates classes, to name a few. There’s even outrigger canoe lessons for an outdoor workout with a view.

While the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea doesn’t have its own course, staying at this posh resort entitles guests to special privileges at three stunning and inspiring courses--the Wailea Gold Course, the Wailea Emerald Course, and Wailea Blue Course. All three of them are 18-hole, par-72 courses featuring enchanting views of the ocean and lush, green landscape. Renowned architect Robert Trent Jones designed the gold and emerald courses, and Arthur Jack Snyder designed the blue course.

The resort’s two tennis courts provide yet another diversion, and introductory scuba lessons are offered in the pool. Children are kept busy with the Kids for all Seasons program, which has kids building sandcastles, hunting for geckos, and taking hula lessons, among other fun-spirited activities.

Maui offers a plethora of activities, from scuba diving to hiking, mountain biking, and a host of other outdoor pursuits. For those who prefer a less-rigorous way to unwind, Wailea hosts many upscale emporiums such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Gucci.

(+) Resort’s recreational amenities are first-rate and plentiful, and the island offers many additional choices

Dining & Lounge: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Warm tropical breezes waft over the diners at two of the resort’s main restaurants. Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante dishes up Italian cooking at lunch and dinner, and also offers light lunch and appetizers during the late afternoon. Adults choose from rustic Italian dishes such as lobster risotto, while children’s menus and teen’s menus are provided for families enjoying a night out together.

Of course, the shining star at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is Mobil Four-Star-rated Spago, an outpost of the Los Angeles restaurant made famous by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. This hip restaurant is modern and stylish with an Asian Zen chic, and could easily be transplanted to LA or New York. The Hawaiian-meets-Californian menu dazzles diners. While it’s an easy choice for an adults’ night out, the restaurant does offer a children’s menu--the first one in any Puck restaurant.

The Pacific Grill offers a breakfast buffet, as well as à la carte service, and also serves dinner nightly. Steak and seafood, with a Pacific Rim flair, is the focus of the dinner menu. I was impressed by the breakfast buffet’s lovely display and tempting selections--a wonderful variety of choices and all of the food was especially delicious.

Those who prefer some privacy can take advantage of the in-room dining service, and I was just as impressed with the room service as I was with the main dining areas. The staff member who took my room service order was very informed and was able to provide details about the menu, which had an exceptional variety of choices. The food that arrived was very good, with an elegant presentation. While the server was proficient, he could have taken a few extra steps to make the experience a bit more pampering. I would have preferred to dine at the table, rather than on the bed, and he could have easily set the table with a chair to make this more convenient. Despite this minor hiccup, pick-up service was prompt and, overall, my in-room dining experience was equal to the other Four-Star hotels I’ve visited.

(+) Restaurants, including well-known Spago, offer pleasing settings and diverse menus
(-) Though room service was prompt and the food was good, the server could have made it a bit more special with just a few extra steps

Business Services: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is an ideal setting for incentive trips and events. It isn’t, however, a typical destination for the business traveler, since it’s located in an area better known for leisure travel. But if your business brings you to this area, the resort will accommodate you well.

Guest rooms and suites are fitted with modern, business-minded technology, while the resort also offers the services of a 24-hour business center with computers, printers, copiers, faxes, and shipping. Those who need help with translation can receive help from the multilingual concierge or Japanese services offered through the business center.

The resort has just under a dozen meeting spaces and ballrooms, as well as four function lawns. It’s ideal for events, off-site meetings, and incentives, and its meeting staff is exceptional. Conferences at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea are made even better with the help of a knowledgeable, dedicated staff who see to it that entertainment, catering, and technical needs aren’t only met, but exceeded.

(+) Fantastic facilities for corporate retreats and gatherings; executives traveling alone will find in-room and resort business services