Last week at the Fairmont Kea Lani was five days of pure bliss, y’all. An island oasis located on the stunning shores of Wailea in Maui; this is a place that demands utter relaxation. It’s the perfect place for your Maui getaway and here’s why:
There are four restaurants and lounges here and my boyfriend (who I’ll refer to as M) and I ate or drank at all of them during our stay. Our first night we dined at Kō, the resort’s award winning, plantation inspired restaurant and it was truly outstanding from the service to the food to the beautiful island backdrop. Over 90% of the fish, beef and produce served here is sourced locally and you can taste it in the dishes. Pictured is their Ahi on the Rock; which was not only incredibly fresh and delicious but also super fun! It’s served with a piping hot rock on the dish and you sear off the fish yourself before eating it!
I can’t forget the cocktails either at Kō. They are just as committed to their cocktail program here as they are to their food menu, offering beautiful, thoughtful cocktails that pay homage to the natural bounty of the island around you. Many ingredients used in their cocktails are grown on site, like the bananas used in this Banana Bread Old Fashioned (that’s made with local rum instead of bourbon). And for you guys not drinking (I wasn’t), they have a Zero Proof portion of the menu with non-alcoholic options, too. I absolutely loved the Mint and Lemongrass mocktail, which was made with lemongrass grown on site.
One of the many things I loved about this resort was how effortlessly they seem to bring the outside inside. It’s beautifully open and you always feel like you’re outdoors, whether you’re dining or walking to your suite (and by they way, there are ONLY suites and villas here, no single rooms). This lovely little bamboo forest is right near the entrance to the hotel, and it made for a very Instagrammable backdrop.
This Hawaiian paradise boasts three beautiful pools on it’s property, so there’s always somewhere to soak up some sun (or relax in the shade). We tried them all out and they’re all pretty lovely. The largest of the three (pictured above) is connected by bridges and surrounded in lush vegetation. With its water fountains and shallow smaller pools, this is definitely the most kid friendly of the three (and therefore where M & I spent the least amount of our time😂).
Which leads me to where we spent most of time when I was poolside – the Serenity Pool. The Serenity Pool is a pool for only those over the age of 18, and believe me, you could tell a difference in the noise levels and tranquility of the area immediately. I can’t tell you how much I loved this feature of the hotel. Sip on your fruity drinks (or sparkling waters in my case) in a state of utter relaxation.
And speaking of fruity drinks, the third pool is equipped with a swim up bar! That’s right y’all, swim right up and have a seat in the pool at the bar and enjoy tropical cocktails and snacks if you please.
Did I mention that there’s a water slide connecting two of the pools? And it’s not just for kids y’all! I did it three times in a row when I discovered it; M could not believe how much joy it brought me.
Maybe you’re more of a beach person than a pool person though (we are). Well, the Fairmont’s beautiful private beach awaits you! With towel service and water ready for you as you step onto the sand, this is the way to do Maui life, y’all. There are attendants to set up your umbrellas and chairs; all you have to do is basque in the sweet island sun. There’s free snorkeling equipment rentals should you feel so inclined to use it in the crystal clear waters. You can also book a morning Island Canoe Experience which we did and loved. Your guides will also let you snorkel off the boat during this adventure and we spotted two sea turtles which positively delighted me.
More fantastic dining awaits you at Nick’s Fishmarket Maui. M & I adored this restaurant, which specializes in cuisine that focuses on the freshest fish and island-inspired tastes. Though I came to Hawaii with the intention of eating nothing but seafood and fruit, when we ate here, we both had steak and it was absolutely outstanding. My filet was perfectly cooked medium rare and I practically inhaled it and the mashed potatoes it set atop (M said he’s never seen my plate so clean). The service here was also truly exceptional and it’s definitely worth mentioning their extensive wine selection consistently earns “Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator“.
Breakfast at the Fairmont is a real treat! Whether you do in room dining (pictured above) or start your morning at the Kea Lani Restaurant, both abound with islands juices and smoothies, fresh tropical fruits and delicious traditional and Hawaiian dishes. This was one of my favorite parts of the day – stuffing myself with all the mango and pineapple I could. Pro-tip: the breakfast buffet at the Kea Lani Restaurant is incredible; don’t miss it.
One cannot write about the lovely Fairmont Kea Lani without mentioning the captivating sunsets here. Enjoy them from the beach, pool or anywhere on site really and you’ll bask in stunning moments like this. There’s nothing like a Maui sunset, y’all and the Fairmont Kea Lani is the perfect place to catch them.
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