Hotel Wailea A New Era Of Island Luxury.

A former Japanese private members club previously unknown to leisure travelers, Hotel Wailea (www.hotelwailea.com) makes the scene following a $15 million makeover and ushers in a new generation of luxury guests seeking the romance and tranquility of ultra-private suites, coupled with gracious island service. Perched 300-feet above sea level with dramatic ocean views, Hotel Wailea boasts a relaxed beach house design in all 72 one-bedroom suites, a newly finished pool with private residential-style cabanas and an orchard-to-glass apothecary bar that elevates Hotel Wailea to an unprecedented level of elegance within the exclusive Wailea resort community, Hawaii's top luxury destination.

Honolulu-based interior designer Marion Philpotts-Miller, a name synonymous with Hawaiian interior design, led the project blending together indigenous island character with modern sensibility. The epitome of a romantic sanctuary, Hotel Wailea is set across 15 expansive acres with 72 spacious suites that offer perfect privacy and stunning views of lush gardens, three neighboring Hawaiian islands and the magnificent Maui coastline. Inside the contemporary suites, architectural elements such as coral and limestone walls, smoked white oak floors, and custom-crafted Hawaiian Ohia cabinetry are fused with laid-back island aesthetics including artwork by legendary local big wave surfer turned artist, Pete Cabrinha. Each suite reads like a ocean view pied-a-terre with a separate living room, oversized lanai and Sub-Zero & Wolf kitchen amenities.

"Today's refined luxury consumer desires privacy and relaxation above all, a challenging commodity to find in a 300-room beachfront resort," said Jonathan McManus, owner of Hotel Wailea. "Hotel Wailea delivers on the promise of effortless island luxury—a very private escape where guests experience a high degree of attentive but relaxed service—putting Hotel Wailea among an extraordinary set of high-caliber hotels. We strive for guests to remember our staff instead of a hotel brand; it's by design that our staff is the Hotel Wailea brand."

Hotel Wailea is raising the bar on epicurean excellence on Maui. Capische?, the hotel's award-winning restaurant blends Southern Mediterranean flavors and artisanal Hawaiian products. Executive Chef Brian Etheredge and Chef de Cuisine Chris Kulis, both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, share a passion and understanding for creative techniques and superb quality in the culinary arts, a philosophy that is infused throughout Hotel Wailea's culinary program.

The new poolside lounge, aptly named The Cabanas, is a stylish day-to-night experience where guests gather to drink, dine and just relax. Raw food chef-turned-mixologist Kerry Mekeel brings her extensive knowledge to the apothecary-style bar where she creates custom cocktails with a wide selection of premium liquors, fresh-pressed juices, organic hydrosols and tropical infusions. A series of oversized cabanas surround the pool deck furnished with DEDON lounge seating, sun chaises, aqua loungers and circular pod daybeds. A built-in fire pit sits center stage for evening socializing while hanging lights, tiki torches and lanterns evoke a romantic mood under the Hawaiian moonlight.

To further create experiences that go beyond guests' expectations, Hotel Wailea is beginning its next phase of upgrades, which includes an ocean view treehouse where guests can experience private spa treatments within the mango tree canopies. Projected for completion in spring 2015 is a new spa concepted by renowned luxury spa developer Tracy Lee offering a menu of signature treatments and soothing massages.