After an incredible 3 nights exploring Maui, we chose to spend our final two nights at the Residence Inn Maui Wailea, transitioning from our earlier accommodations to this modern all-suite property in the heart of Wailea . Having experienced the island’s diverse offerings, we wanted our last nights to be in a location that epitomized Maui’s luxury resort experience while providing practical amenities for our departure preparations.
Location: Prime Wailea Positioning
The Residence Inn Maui Wailea occupies an enviable position at 75 Wailea Ike Drive, placing guests in the center of one of Maui’s most prestigious resort communities. Wailea spans 1,500 acres of luxurious beaches, resorts, and attractions, offering a sense of privacy and serenity across an area three times the size of Waikiki. The hotel sits approximately 30 minutes from Kahului Airport, making it accessible yet removed from the tourist crowds.
What impressed us most about the location was its proximity to The Shops at Wailea, just a 5-minute walk away. This open-air shopping destination features 70 luxury retail stores, world-class restaurants, and cultural activities. The area’s five crescent-shaped beaches, including the famous Wailea Beach named “America’s Best Beach” in 1999, are all within easy reach.
Unlike oceanfront properties, the Residence Inn sits slightly elevated, providing spectacular hillside views of the ocean and West Maui mountains. While not directly beachfront, this positioning offers advantages including reduced noise, better parking accessibility, and panoramic vistas that encompass multiple beaches.
Accommodations: Suite-Style Comfort
Studio King Room Layout and Amenities
The studio king room at Residence Inn Maui Wailea provides approximately 400-450 square feet of open-concept living space. Unlike the separate bedroom suites, our accommodation featured a distinct sleeping area with a king bed, but without a physical door separating it from the living and kitchen areas. The living area includes a sofa bed, providing additional sleeping space for a third guest, while maintaining the resort’s ocean-inspired design aesthetic throughout the single room space.The fully equipped kitchenette includes a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, stovetop, and complete cookware and dining service. This kitchen setup proved particularly valuable for storing Maui’s generous restaurant leftovers and preparing simple meals, though the open layout means cooking aromas and sounds remain within the main living space. The kitchenette features an expansive dining bar, providing comfortable space for in-room dining while enjoying views from your balcony or patio.
Free Breakfast: Convenient but Limited
The complimentary breakfast buffet operates from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM daily, providing a solid foundation for day-trip planning. The breakfast area offers both indoor seating and an outdoor lanai with ocean views, though guests should be cautious about leaving food unattended due to opportunistic birds.
Menu offerings include scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, waffles, cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit, bagels, and various beverages. The coffee service begins at 5:00 AM for early risers. While the selection covers basic needs, several guests noted that options remain largely unchanged daily, leading to repetitiveness during extended stays.
The breakfast quality receives mixed reviews, with some guests appreciating the convenience and variety, while others found the eggs lacking seasoning and the overall selection basic for the property’s price point. The outdoor dining experience, however, provides a pleasant start to Maui mornings with scenic surroundings.
Pool and Recreation Facilities
The outdoor pool area serves as the property’s centerpiece, featuring a large swimming pool, hot tub, and extensive deck space with comfortable loungers. The pool maintains comfortable temperatures and rarely felt overcrowded during our stay. Adjacent facilities include BBQ grills available for guest use, outdoor dining areas, and lawn games.
The pool area offers ocean views and provides a resort-like atmosphere that distinguishes this Residence Inn from typical locations. Evening hours extend until 10:00 PM, allowing for post-dinner relaxation. The fitness center features modern cardio equipment and free weights, operating 24 hours with room key access.
Additional recreational amenities include a putting green, outdoor fire pit, and spacious grounds perfect for families. The property maintains multiple seating areas throughout the grounds, providing quiet spaces for reading or conversation away from pool activity.
Shuttle Service and Transportation
The complimentary shuttle service operates throughout Wailea, covering destinations within approximately 3-4 miles of the hotel. Drivers provide friendly service and local knowledge, making stops at beaches, shopping centers, restaurants, and other Wailea resorts. The shuttle eliminates the need for rental cars when exploring the immediate Wailea area, though broader Maui exploration still requires personal transportation.
Popular shuttle destinations include Wailea Beach, Ulua Beach, The Shops at Wailea, and various resort restaurants. Service operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with reasonable wait times during standard hours . The shuttle proved particularly valuable for beach access, as walking to beaches requires approximately 10-20 minutes depending on the destination.
For airport transfers, guests can utilize taxi services (approximately $55-70), shuttles ($25-40), or rental car returns, with the journey taking roughly 30 minutes.
Points Redemption Value
Our redemption using 35,000-point free night certificates topped off with 9,000 additional points each represents excellent value in the Wailea market . Standard room rates at the property frequently exceed $450-500 per night, making the total 44,000-point redemption worthwhile. The ability to top off free night certificates with up to 15,000 points provides flexibility for accessing higher-category properties.
Marriott’s 35,000-point free night certificates typically provide $315 in value, but in Wailea’s premium market, the actual savings often exceed this baseline significantly. The combination of included breakfast, shuttle service, and resort-style amenities adds substantial value beyond the room rate alone.
Service Standards and Staff
Hotel staff consistently demonstrated the aloha spirit with friendly, helpful service throughout our stay . Front desk personnel provided valuable local recommendations and efficiently handled check-in processes. Housekeeping maintained high cleanliness standards, and breakfast staff ensured smooth buffet operations despite high guest volumes.
The concierge service offered excellent advice on beach selection, restaurant reservations, and activity planning. Shuttle drivers proved particularly engaging, sharing local knowledge and ensuring comfortable transportation. Staff responsiveness to requests and problem-solving demonstrated commitment to guest satisfaction.
Practical Considerations
Daily parking costs $35, which is competitive for Wailea resort properties. The large parking lot rarely reached capacity, with spots typically available near ground-floor rooms. Guest laundry facilities operate 24/7 using coin-operated machines at $3 per wash and $3 per dry cycle. Bringing detergent pods is recommended to maximize convenience.
The property welcomes pets up to 20 pounds with a $150 non-refundable fee, making it one of the few pet-friendly options in Wailea. No resort fees apply, differentiating it from many neighboring luxury properties.
Final Thoughts
The Residence Inn Maui Wailea successfully bridges the gap between extended-stay convenience and resort luxury, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking suite accommodations in Wailea without the premium pricing of oceanfront resorts . The combination of full kitchens, complimentary breakfast, shuttle service, and prime location provides exceptional value for points redemption.
For couples or families planning 2-4 night stays in Wailea, this property delivers resort-style amenities at more accessible rates. The location facilitates easy exploration of South Maui while providing a comfortable base with practical amenities for meal preparation and relaxation.
We would definitely consider returning to the Residence Inn Maui Wailea for future Maui visits, particularly when seeking the perfect balance of luxury location and practical convenience that defines an ideal vacation accommodation.
