In the wake of the fires that devastated parts of the island, Maui is welcoming visitors again, even as Lahaina, hit the hardest by the tragedy, continues to recover and rebuild. Your next trip could take you to Wailea, a coastal neighborhood known for its stunning (and walkable) shoreline, oceanside luxury resorts, boutiques, restaurants — all known for their aloha spirit. If you’re looking for a great place to stay, here’s what’s new and notable.

Wailea’s hotel scene is considered one of the best in Maui. It continues to evolve with recent multi-million-dollar renovations, restorations and additions, well worth checking out.

Grand Wailea

The luxurious Grand Wailea is a popular Waldorf Astoria resort that sprawls across 40 acres of beautiful beachfront property. New renovations to its existing flagship seafood restaurant, the thatched roofed Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (named after the iconic Hawaiian fish) have given aspects of the property a fresh new look. The cocktail lounge now has what might be the coolest circular bar you’ll ever see. Imagine the entire bar surface as a glass aquarium that wraps the entire length which contains colourful, tropical fish happily swimming about. Relax and gaze at the aquatic show happening right under your cocktail perched right on the glass. Order the Trigger Fish Swizzle, it’s only fitting. After a drink, take a seat in the adjacent dining room with its open-air, upscale tiki charm and order the dramatic seafood tower.

Also new at the Grand Wailea is the Kilolani Spa, a $55 million space that takes up 50,000-square feet. It takes a holistic approach with its extensive menu of spa treatments. It features 40 treatment rooms, hydrothermal gardens, healing botanical body and skincare products, a meditation lounge and much more.

The Fairmont Kea Lani

The Fairmont Kea Lani has completed a massive transformation, including Maui’s largest cultural center located in the lobby, along with a new restaurant, bar and redesigned guest rooms. Hale Kukuna is a welcoming cultural space, hosted by a team of practitioners and spiritual leaders who aim to create a sense of place and highlight the history and spiritual significance of Maui for visitors. Relax and flip through the center’s impressive collection of Hawaiian books, see the display of artifacts and sign up for a class offered through its cultural programming.

The reimagined lobby now has a dreamy, creamy palette, anchored by warm wood that wraps throughout the entire space. Drift along to dinner, but stop to take a spin on the swinging chairs at the entrance of Pilina, the brand-new, ocean-facing restaurant and bar with the best views in Wailea. The culinary-focused cocktail menu features 90% Hawaii-sourced ingredients and spirits. Try the Mauka, a blend of Fy Hawaii gin, ʻŌhiʻa Lehua honey, Aliʻi Kula lavender, butterfly pea flower and smoked Big Island bee pollen. Here at Pilina, hot-stone searing is big, a DIY experience right at your table. Try the hamachi roll and big-eye tuna sashimi, the freshest Maui seafood you’ll be lucky enough to savor.

The Fairmont Kea Lani shuttles guests who golf to the Canadian-owned Wailea Golf Club nearby. Try the Gold Course, if you like a challenge because the panoramic views are just so worth it. The new décor at the clubhouse is fresh and inviting while the happy hour and new eco-friendly, state-of-the-art golf carts help elevate your round.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort now offers a Chef’s Table experience at Ka’ana Kitchen restaurant. Hungry guests are seated inside the open-air kitchen, perched beside a chef right at their workstation. If you always wanted to see the inner workings of a bustling restaurant’s kitchen, this is the way to go. The resort’s culinary team serves the entire restaurant’s dinners in a timely fashion, not just the few seated in the kitchen. Chef de cuisine Chance Savell orchestrates it all, stays cool and happily chats with diners. Chef’s Table guests witness all the beautifully organized chaos while savoring a six-course menu, served with wine pairings. (Tip: go with the premium wines suggested by the sommelier here. They are worth every penny and they will, frankly, blow your mind.) It’s kind of like being in an episode of The Bear, all the excitement but without the drama.

Photos courtesy of each hotel except for hero image, which was taken by Catherine Dunwoody.

Catherine stayed as a guest of the Fairmont Kea Lani and was hosted for dinner at Andaz Maui and Grand Wailea resort plus a round of golf at Wailea Golf Club. The hotel, golf course and restaurants did not have editorial approval.