The Traveling WIFE: Guide to Maui

Where To Stay:

If you are planning on traveling to Maui, then Wailea is the place to retreat and relax. Waielea is a glamorous resort community in South Maui with the best hotels, private homes, golf courses and stunning ocean views. It is famously known for it’s 5 beautiful beaches and Wailea Bay is a favorite for snorkeling, paddle boarding and providing safe waters for small children. This beach side town also gets the best weather on the island, protected between the 2 mountains it receives the least amount of rain fall.

The Four Seasons Maui: Presiding over the scenic crescent of Wailea Beach, The Four Seasons Resort Maui epitomizes a classical Hawaiian palace. Find your oasis in one of 380 of the largest luxury guest rooms and suites on the island. Enjoy airy sophistication and artisanal Hawaiian touches in harmony with the breathtaking views of lush tropical gardens and tranquil ocean waters. Open your doors to your private lanai, and let tropical breezes, plumeria-scented air and the rustling of palm trees tickle your senses.

Those who are looking for a little more can snorkel, scuba, reside in poolside cabanas or take yoga classes for free, in a place where most resorts charge extra. With it’s ever attentive staff The Four Seasons is an extremely family friendly hotel. Let them know ahead of time how many children in addition to their ages and they will provide you with: Child size bathrobes, baby and child toiletries, children’s menus, pool and beach toys and in room baby proofing. They also have “Kids for all Seasons” club which provides dozens of activities from sports to lei making to movies and games. www.Fourseasons.com/maui

The Fairmont Kea Lani:  The Fairmont Kea Lani is Hawaii’s only all suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort, situated on 22 acres of tropical landscape in sunny Wailea, Maui. Their Maui hotel offers spacious one-bedroom suites with 860 square feet of luxurious living space, as well as two-story villas that are steps from the ocean and feature private courtyards, fully equipped kitchens, plunge pools and barbecue grills.  Both fine dining and casual options may be found in the resort’s four restaurants, which include a gourmet bakery and deli and the award-winning, signature restaurant, Ko. Other hotel amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, a year-round kids and boutique shopping.The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui resort hotel is also conveniently located within minutes of Wailea’s championship golf courses and tennis courts.

What I also love about the Fairmont is their “Lifestyle Cuisine” dishes which contribute to optimal health and wellness.  Offering nutritious meals catering to guests with specific diet-dependent conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and gluten-free, as well as unique dietary preferences including, macrobiotic, raw and vegan diets. www.Fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui/

Where to Eat:

Duo: My favorite place for breakfast in Wailea! They specialize in a full Island Buffet, but for those like me who aren’t fans of buffet style they offer an extraordinary a la carte breakfast menu. I highly recommend trying the coconut syrup for pancakes, waffles and french toast! www.fourseasons.com/maui/dining

Paia Fish Market: Paia Fish Market has been a landmark in Paia Town since 1989. When they first opened their doors, Paia was a sleepy beach town hungover from it’s plantation roots. From the beginning visitors and locals have enjoyed the family atmosphere that the fish market offers as well their famed fish tacos. If your adventures be sure to pair your fish tacos with their tasty tiger sauce. www.paiafishmarket.com

Ferraro’s Bar E Ristorante:  Wailea’s only open-air beach side restaurant, enjoy a lazy lunch under clear blue skies and a sprawling ocean view. The Italian cucina rustica menu showcases its kiawe wood-burning oven to dramatic effect, tantalising dishes include Dungeness crab paninis and homemade ravioli. At the bar, enjoy sprightly conversation, magnificent sunsets and live Italian instrumental music. www.fourseasons.com/maui/dining

Ko: Executive Chef Tylun Pang leads the culinary masterpiece of Ko, the only fine dining restaurant on Maui to offer cuisine inspired by Maui’s sugarcane plantation era. Located at The Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Ko features island family recipes and includes farm-fresh Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese menu items. The Pancit Noodles are a hands down must order! Bonus… They offer gluten free, dairy free, and vegan menus for people with dietary restrictions. www.korestaurant.com

Mama’s Fish House: Nestled in a beautiful coconut grove on the secluded white sand beach of Kuau Cove, this converted beach house restaurant is a memory of old Polynesia on Maui’s North Shore. Mama’s Fish House was established in 1973 and became Maui’s first fresh fish restaurant. Embracing the lifestyle of old Polynesia the award winning team serves up tasty fish for dinner while living the aloha spirit. Don’t miss the coconut lime ceviche for an appetizer, your taste buds will thank you! www.mamasfishhouse.com

Spago: Embracing the tradition of the Hawaiian Islands’ culinary techniques, Master Chef Wolfgang Puck’s menu offers many locally inspired dishes along with his classics. Pair your choice with a selection from the international wine programme or try a refreshing interpretation of a classic Hawaiian cocktail. www.fourseasons.com/maui/dining

The Banyan Tree: The Banyan Tree is the Ritz Carlton’s signature award-winning restaurant, featuring upscale dining ambiance that is elegantly simple, yet sophisticated. Executive Chef John Zaner takes simple elements from the earth and sea to create a distinctive menu inspired by the freshest and seasonal ingredients from Hawaii’s local farms and pacific coastal lines fresh catch and seafood. Here he showcases brilliantly-flavorful culinary masterpieces paired with the finest wines from their sommelier’s master wine selection. While dinning you can also gaze at the dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean and the island of Moloka’i. www.ritzcarlton.com

Hali’maile General Story: Located among the pineapple fields in beautiful Upcountry of Maui, the restaurant features eclectic American food with Asian overtones. Hali’imaile General Store is Chef Beverly Gannon’s original and most award-winning restaurant serving Maui for over 20 years.  www.bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile

Alan Wong’s Amasia: Imagine tasting the flavors of Asia, Peru or Spain in Chef Alan Wong’s unique and impeccable style. Amasia by definition is the futuristic converging of continents. Chef Wong journeys across oceans, exploring food and bringing his discoveries to Wailea. Alan Wong’s Amasia captures these taste sensations through the sharing of small plates, offering a global marketplace of different cultures where East Meets West, meets Hawaii. Chef Wong was named a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef, Pacific Northwest 1996. www.wailearesortdining.com/alan-wongs-amasia

Nick’s Fishmarket: One of Maui’s premier seafood restaurants offering the Island’s freshest fish such as Island Snapper Picatta, Candied Peanut Crusted Hawaiian Opah or Grilled Ahi Mignon all served in a tropical ambiance.  For the meat enthusiasts steaks, rack of lamb & chicken dishes are also available. Nick’s, featuring a 2,000-bottle wine cellar, has consistently earned the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine for having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world.  Known for attentive service, Nick’s Fishmarket-Maui offers ambiant outdoor seating. www.nicksfishmarketmaui.com

To Do:

Four Seasons Spa: Melt in bliss at the expertly staffed and well serviced Four Season’s Spa. Experience the “Lomi Aumoa”  treatment, a four-handed lomi lomi massage for ultimate relaxation. Two therapists synchronize their movements in this indulgent treatment, producing double the benefits. You will emerge nourished, protected and completely relaxed. www.fourseasons.com/maui/spa

Haleakala National Park: The Summit of Mount Haleakala is 10,000 feet above sea level and far from ambient light making this destination the best place to observe the nights sky in Hawaii. The park is open 24-hours a day so you can experience the wonder of star gazing in a clear sky. It’s about a two hour drive from Wailea and you’ll need to come bundled up as it’s extreme windy and temperatures can reach as low as the 30’s. Your hotel can normally provide a map and extra blankets to stay warm and cozy. www.nps.gov/hale

Molokini Crater: Molokini is a crescent shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater  which formed between the islands of Maui and Kaho’olawe. The crater houses a lush reef and is home to over 250 species of fish, making it one of the top 10 dive spots in the world, extremely popular for scuba diving and snorkeling. Molokini’s crescent shape protects divers from waves and the channel’s powerful currents and well as excellent visibility to as deep as 150 feet. Speak to your concierge about arranging a private boat for an adventure to Molokini.

Zip Lining: Craving more adrenaline-pumping excitement than a hammock on the beach? Kapalua Adventures offers guests the ability to “fly” across the West Maui Mountains. With nearly two miles of parallel zipping, Kapalua’s zip line course is one of the country’s largest. Extra comfortable nylon rip-stop swing harnesses. Eight spans, including two lines over 2,000 feet long. Parallel zip line system enabling two riders to zip side-by-side. www.gozipmaui.com/reservations

Wailea Bay: The five crescent-shaped beaches of Wailea are strung along the coastline like shells. Each one is an oasis of shimmering sand that is enclosed in lava rock outcroppings at both ends. This makes for a sheltered bay, which is good for swimming, snorkeling, diving, paddle boarding and searching tide pools. Set up all ocean activities up with your hotel concierge.

Golf: Wailea offers five championship 18-hole golf courses nearby. Wailea Golf Club maintains three courses meticulously designed by the world´s best golf architects. All have stunning mountain and ocean views. Tee off on the famous Blue, Gold, or Emerald Course and truly test your skills. Attend a lesson at the renowned David Leadbetter Golf Academy – ready to instruct players of all levels. The adjacent Makena Resort provides breathtaking links and features some of the most awe-inspiring oceanfront holes in the world.

Lei Making Classes: Making, giving and wearing a flower lei is synonymous with Hawaiian hospitality. Perfect fun for the little girls in your family is learning the kui method of stringing flowers. The majority of the resorts in Wailea offer this creative arts and crafts activity.

Shopping:

Shops at Wailea: If your interested in doing a little retail therapy while on holiday, The Shops at Wailea have you covered. Built in 2000 in the heart of Wailea, The Shops at Wailea is the island’s premier shopping and dining destination, home to more than 70 distinct boutiques like: Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany and Co. www.theshopsatwailea.com

Four Seasons Shops: Forgot to pack your favorite sarong? Perhaps you’ve just been inspired to revamp your beach side style. Chances are you’ll find exactly what your looking for a one of the three Four Seasons shops: Ports, Cabana and 22 Knots. All three shops have a exquisite buyers furnishing each store with high end treads with a mix of seaside luxe. Any fashionista would feel right at home with brands like: Oscar de la Renta, Stella McCartney, Lanvin and Vilebrequin. www.fourseasons.com/maui -Taryn Cox for THE WIFE