Ho’olei at Grand Wailea

Ho’olei at Grand Wailea Overview

Okay, so Ho’olei at Grand Wailea – this is one of those places that honestly took me by surprise. I mean, I knew Grand Wailea had a reputation, but staying at Ho’olei feels like you’ve stumbled into some exclusive club that most people don’t even know exists. It’s technically part of the Grand Wailea resort, but you’re actually in these sprawling villa-style accommodations that sit up on the hillside, looking down at all the action below.

The first thing that hits you is just how quiet it gets up there. You’re close enough to walk down to the main resort – and trust me, you’ll want to because that pool complex is absolutely insane – but far enough away that you’re not dealing with the constant buzz of families and pool parties. The units themselves are seriously spacious, like apartment-living spacious, with full kitchens that actually make sense to use (not those sad hotel kitchenettes with two burners and a mini-fridge). The lanais are where you’ll end up spending way too much time though – I found myself out there every morning with coffee, watching the resort wake up below and the ocean stretch out forever.

What really gets me about this place is how it balances that luxury resort experience with something that feels more… I don’t know, livable? You’ve got access to everything at Grand Wailea – the restaurants, the spa (which is genuinely worth the hype), those ridiculous pools with the water slides and swim-up bars – but you can also just grab groceries at Safeway in Kihei and make dinner on your lanai if you want. The staff up at Ho’olei actually remembers your name, which sounds small but makes such a difference when you’re staying for more than a couple nights. Check-in was smooth, parking is right there (no valet dance), and honestly the whole vibe just feels less frantic than the main resort areas. The only thing I’d mention is that it’s definitely a bit of a walk down to the beach and pools – totally doable, but just factor that in if mobility is a concern. Also, during peak season (especially around holidays), even though Ho’olei feels separate, you’re still sharing all those resort amenities with everyone else, so the pools and restaurants can get pretty crowded. But honestly? For what you get – the space, the views, the access to everything Grand Wailea offers plus that extra bit of peace and quiet – it’s pretty hard to beat on this part of Maui.

Early hotels booking in Hawaii is essential during major events like the Ironman World Championship, as accommodations fill up quickly with visitors eager to experience the islands’ renowned surfing culture and tropical beauty.

Ho’olei at Grand Wailea Accommodations

Reviews of Ho’olei at Grand Wailea

• Valladares from United States (9/10)

  So clean. The concierge and the whole staff really made us feel at home. The pool and amenities were beautiful and always clean.

• Deborah from United States (9/10)

  Gorgeous villa with fantastic ocean view

• Karl-dieter from Germany (9/10)

  Es war wahrscheinlich die beste Unterkunft, die wir je hatten, zwar richtig teuer, aber aus unserer Sicht jeden Cent wert

• Andrea from Canada (9/10)

• Troy from United States (9/10)

• Jenny from United States (9/10)

• Darrel from United States (1/10)

Surroundings

Facilities