Maui, tripwellness, Fairmont Kea Lani

Sunset glow through the Vog, the volcanic fog from eruptions on the Big Island.

It was the last night of our week on Maui and we wanted to celebrate. After a day exploring the wild trails of Makena Bay, we scrambled to wash up in our sixth floor room at the Fairmont Kea Lani and hurried to get downstairs before sunset.

Maui, Fairmont Kea Lani, trip wellness

Cocktail on the beach.

As we walked towards the beach, a yoga class was in their last extensions on the lawn. A father rolled his infant’s stroller to a stop near our bench and cooed at the silent child. Families and couples of all ages moved towards the glowing horizon. It was like a slow motion film – all peace and quiet waiting for the big finale when the sky turned crimson. We toasted to the gentle gods of Maui with POG (Pomegranate, Orange and Guava) juice mixed with a tiny bottle of rum from our flight over. It was a little bit of Maui luxury incarnate.

Our visit was too short to dip into all that the Fairmont offers. The spa is breathtaking and immense. Recently voted Hawaii’s Top Spa by readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine, it offers state-of-the-art technology, including the WaveMotion massage table, the Vichy Shower and the K-Lift facial. I wanted to slide into the saunas with their sounds, aromatherapy and humidity reflecting different times of day.
Fairmont Kea Lani Spa, trip wellness, Maui

Sauna choices in the Fairmont Kea Lani Spa

Fairmont Kea Lani Spa, trip wellness, Maui

Wave Motion massage table in the Spa.

The resort is impressively laid out so that adults can enjoy quiet time at their own pool. Across from the lobby a children’s pool features a snack bar and a water slide. A huge Kids Club is open for 5 to 13 year-olds and filled with Hawaiian activities, games and snacks. There’s also a Keiki menu in the restaurants and those under 5 eat for free when selecting from that menu.
Fairmont Kea Lani, Trip Wellness, Ama Grill, family pool

The Ama Grill and family pool.

Along the beach front is a row of villas. Each has several bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, living room and a patio with a dipping pool to relax in on hot afternoons. All the hotel rooms are suites. Ours featured a lovely sitting area with TV and access to the lanai. Double doors opened onto a king sized bed and the bathroom was enormous with two sinks, shower and bathtub accessorized with herbal toiletries. The lanai was large enough for sunbathing with recliners and a table for four – all the better to admire the view across the water to Molokini.
Fairmont Kea Lani, lobby fountain, trip wellness

Lobby fountain.

As part of the 70 million dollar remodel, the resorts restaurants have been re-designed. Dinner at the award-winning Ko with its island inspired cuisine was beautifully presented. I loved being served still water, bottled and filtered on-site, in a standing champagne bucket.
Fairmont Kea Lani, Ko Restaurant, trip wellness, Resort Water

Kea Lani’s own filtered water served table side at the Ko Restaurant

Our second dinner was at Nick’s Fish House, a fine dining restaurant set on the grounds below the lobby. Patio dining spread out to the lawn and through to the open-air dining room. We sat in one of a row of deeply upholstered booths and enjoyed watching large family groups, intimate couples and circles of friends in the candle glow. Each dish was a work of art.

Nick's Fish House, Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, Trip Wellness

Just one of my appetizers in Nick’s Fish House.

At sunset and sunrise the Fairmont lobby  fills with birdsong. It dissipates  quickly but reminds one of the natural world that is complemented at the Fairmont Kea Lani and blends so beautifully with the open air world of Hawaii. Mahalo.

Our stay was partially hosted by the Fairmont Kea Lani and the Maui Visitors Bureau. The review and pictures are mine.