Visiting the Island of Maui was truly a wonderful experience, as I had never visited before. I chose to stay at the Outrigger Wailea Resort. It is located in Maui’s esteemed resort area on the island’s leeward sunny south coast, surrounded by lush, tropical gardens, beaches for swimming and underwater diving adventure, championship golf courses, and spectacular views of the islands of Molokai and Lanai. The resort is located 17 miles from Kahului Airport.

The Outrigger Wailea Resort is a full service deluxe oceanfront resort hotel. In 2000, the resort did a complete $25 million in renovations that has transformed this 22-acre resort into a playground by the sea. The all new Mandara Spa, one of the world’s largest operators of resort spas with 37 spas across the globe, now has 4,000 sq. ft. of relaxation, fitness and a beauty center and offers its signature Asian-tropical treatments from the spa cultures of Southeast Asia and Hawaii.

Guest rooms are attractively decorated with island art and include a refrigerator, safe, color cable TV, data port, iron/board, hairdryer and yukato robes. It was such an experience to watch the whales from our private lanai.

Kids of all ages will enjoy the Outrigger Wailea Resort’s new Wailele Pools and Slides, a brand new water activities area where the entire family can enjoy a day of fun together. The 32-ft long drop out slide and the spiral flume slide will certainly give the kids a “slippery” thrill. There is also a water play station and kiddie’s pool, complete with a sandy beach.

More than 45,000 square feet of indoor meeting and banquet space is available.

The 60,000 square feet of outdoor functions areas make it possible to hold Wailea’s Finest Luau, which is held 4 nights weekly. (Travel agents receive a discount.) We had the pleasure of attending this function while we were there. I was impressed with the variety of food and drinks, and just the fact that I was enjoying eating by the ocean and watching the sunset. On occasion, the Humpback whales would let us know that they were still out there! After the food was served, we were ready to enjoy the entertainment that was in store for us. The luau hosts the world famous fire knife dancer, Ifi So’o. So’o is a three-time recipient of the World Champion Fire Knife Dancer title. Judges measure the strength, consistency and number and complexity of moves each competitor displays during their performance. The original knife dance is native to Samoa. So’o performs by spinning, flipping and twirling a knife blazing at both ends. Wearing nothing but a malo and a few ti leaves as adornment, he performs this dangerous and fascinating style to the roaring approval of the crowd.

Other delicious restaurants include the New Hula Moons Restaurant, Kumu Bar & Grill, and the Mele Mele Lounge.

Three championship golf courses are available for those who enjoy the game and naturally my husband had to try them all out. On one outing, he was surprised when they teamed him up with the flame dancer (we now know he is talented in many other fields).

If golf is not your forte, you can participate in other activities including sailing to other islands for picnics and snorkeling and bicycle ride down the slopes of the Haleakala Volcano. I spent one day driving up to the Volcano with some friends. To be up there and behold the most fascinating sights of the craters and valleys is breathtaking and you wonder how it was all formed so perfectly. There are nature paths you can wander on but one must be in pretty good shape.

We took the road to Hana! It is a three hour one-way drive winding around canyons and waterfalls with vistas overlooking the ocean. It is a must to do while you are there.

I will make Outrigger Wailea Resort my destination in Maui the next time I visit.

To book clients, call (800) 367-2960 for more information or central reservations at (800) OUTRIGGER.

Anne