Wailea Elua Village on Ulua Beach

Hotel Description

You know what hits you first about Wailea Elua Village? It’s actually quiet – and I mean properly quiet, not that fake resort quiet where you can still hear pool parties echoing off every surface. This place sits right on Ulua Beach, which honestly might be one of Maui’s best-kept secrets among the vacation rental crowd. While everyone’s fighting for towel space at the Grand Wailea down the road, you’re looking at this gorgeous stretch of sand that rarely gets packed, even during peak season.

The thing about staying here is that it feels more like borrowing a friend’s really nice beach house than checking into a hotel. The condos – because that’s what they really are – have that lived-in comfort that makes you want to actually cook breakfast instead of rushing out to some overpriced resort buffet. I mean, when you can grab fresh fish from Foodland in Kihei (about ten minutes up the road) and grill it on your lanai while watching the sunset paint Molokini Crater, why wouldn’t you? The kitchens are properly equipped too, not those sad hotel kitchenettes with one dull knife and a microwave from 1995.

What really gets me about this spot is the snorkeling situation. Ulua Beach connects to Wailea Beach, and that little rocky point between them? Pure gold for underwater exploring. The water’s usually calm in the mornings – I’m talking about that perfect gin-clear visibility where you can spot green sea turtles from the surface. The local guys who’ve been diving these waters forever will tell you that the coral formations here recovered beautifully after some rough years, and honestly, you can see it. Just bring your own gear or hit up Boss Frog’s in Kihei because the rental prices in Wailea proper will make you wince.

The village itself has this low-key vibe that I actually prefer to the flashier resorts nearby. Sure, you won’t find a spa or three restaurants on property, but you’re literally a five-minute walk from some of the island’s best dining – Ferraro’s at the Four Seasons if you’re feeling fancy, or Monkeypod Kitchen if you want killer fish tacos without the four-course commitment. Parking’s never been an issue for me here, which is more than I can say for some places in Wailea where you’re circling like a vulture just to grab dinner.

The only thing that might catch you off guard is how the trade winds can really whip through the complex – fantastic for keeping things cool, but maybe secure your hat when you’re walking to the beach. And fair warning, the units vary quite a bit since they’re individually owned, so you might want to read recent reviews for your specific building. But honestly? Even the dated units have million-dollar views, and there’s something to be said for falling asleep to actual ocean sounds instead of the hum of central air conditioning.

Facilities