WAILEA GRAND CHAMPION, #148 condo

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places in Wailea, and this condo at the Grand Champion really surprised me in the best way. First thing you notice pulling up is how tucked away it feels – not like those massive resort complexes where you’re just another face in the crowd. The Grand Champion sits on these perfectly manicured grounds with palm trees that actually provide shade (trust me, you’ll appreciate this around 2 PM when the Maui sun is doing its thing), and honestly, the whole vibe is more “upscale residential” than “tourist trap.”

Unit #148 specifically has this thing going for it where you get the resort amenities without feeling like you’re staying in a hotel room that’s been slept in by thousands of people. The kitchen is actually functional – I mean, you can legitimately cook here if you want to skip the $30 breakfast at the nearby resorts. And you know what’s funny? The lanai overlooks the pool area, but it’s positioned so you’re not staring directly down at families with screaming kids. You get the activity if you want to people-watch, but it’s not overwhelming. The trade winds hit just right in the evenings too, which means you can leave the sliding door open and actually sleep with natural air instead of cranking the AC all night.

What really sold me on this place is the location within Wailea itself. You’re walking distance to the Shops at Wailea (though “walking distance” in Hawaii heat is relative – maybe grab one of those golf carts if it’s midday), and more importantly, you can get to Wailea Beach without dealing with resort security or paying for parking. That beach, by the way, is where locals actually go when they want to impress visiting family. The Grand Wailea and Fairmont are right there if you want to grab a drink at their bars, but you’re not paying their room rates. There’s something satisfying about that. The pool here is nothing fancy, but it’s clean and usually pretty quiet during weekday mornings – perfect for a few laps before the sun gets serious. Check-in was smooth, parking is included (which saves you like $25 a night compared to the big resorts), and the whole complex has this low-key luxury thing down. Is it perfect? Well, the Wi-Fi can be spotty depending on where you are in the unit, and you might hear your neighbors if they’re particularly enthusiastic about their vacation. But honestly, for the price point and location, it’s one of those places that just works.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 × 1 large double bed for 5 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities