Makena Beach and Golf Resort

Since the demise of the Renaissance Wailea Hotel, we have been looking for another ideal oceanfront resort with a great reef for snorkeling. We finally found it in the Makena Beach and Golf Resort. This secluded, southernmost hotel on Maui's West coast is just about perfect. Walk in your bare feet all the way from your room out to one of the most spectacular reefs on Maui. Swim with the turtles! The beautiful sandy beach is clean and safe. Food is good at the restaurants, though rather expensive (it's Maui). Wood-fired pizzas and calzones at the pool bistro are a good value. Enjoy mini golf, shuffleboard, and croquet on the lavish grounds, without extra charges. Free parking and wi-fi, too. We plan to stay there every year from now on!

We only stayed one night and didn't partake in any activities or amenities but they seemed to have a lot available. The staff at the front desk went above and beyond to answer our questions and help us find a good restaurant to eat at. The room was very spacious and clean and the bed was very comfortable. Wish we could have stayed longer.

A nice stay. Very good beach, great for snorkeling. Rooms are a little dated, also if you want a true ocean front make sure you request rooms 30-33 on each floor (232,332 etc). Resaurants have good food, a touch pricey. Pool and beach staff are very good. So is the valet and front desk staff. The continental breakfast is a good option for two people (banana bread, muffins, fruit, eggs, anything from Starbucks and doughnuts) If they update the rooms and pour their drinks a little heavier this would be a five star hotel but a four star is fair considering all aspects.

Upon arrival we received an ocean view room which was in fact a partial ocean view if you stood to one corner of the balcony and the rest overlooked construction of dirt grounds with machinery. The AC was not working. We complained and the staff gave us a better room but we had to wait until the following day. Staff very acommodating -- valet people the nicest. One small complaint is the pool service was very slow and even when not crowded we had to wait ten to twenty minutes for a beverage. The pool was too small for my enjoyment as well. The hotel and grounds very nice but we will probably not stay there again due to the location and way out with no walking paths on beach. I would have liked to see complimentary morning coffee urns out front.

This hotel would be great if it had a hot tub. The location felt remote, which was what we wanted, but it was close enough to town that we could easily avoid hotel food! The "Ocean View" rooms are a bit of a joke, we could not really see the ocean unless we were on our balcony, but the view from there was great. There is great snorkeling within easy driving distance. The beach is great for swimming, except that there is no hot tub to soak in after swimming. We will not stay here again until we ding out the place has a hot tub. If it gets one, we will go back.

This is a wonderful resort away from more populated Wailea resorts. The beach is terrific and offers very good snorkeling. The beach staff is very helpful, and I advise an early start there as possible as trade winds come up each afternoon. The breakfast buffet is quite extensive, and a bit pricey if not included with your room. The rooms appear to be remodeled recently and are very comfortable. The bathrooms are large with separate tubs and showers. I'd advise checking out the black sand beach just south of the resort, as well as some of the dining options in nearby Khie. But if you never leave the property you'll have plenty to do (or not do).

Makena Beach Resort has its very own private beach that is separated from the rest of the Wailea beach and resort stretch. This can be a plus if you want a private experience and a negative if you would prefer a more energetic beach with people watching opportunities. Since this was our honeymoon trip, this was a plus for us. Beach access is mere steps away from the pool area. This is also one of the good snorkeling beaches where you can spot turtles if you are lucky although we couldn't spot any. Ten minute drive from Ulua beach with excellent beginner snorkeling opportunity, Shops at Wailea and the rest of the Wailea resorts. All the staff were extremely friendly and cheerful, so a big thumbs up for that. We got an ocean view room for a reasonable rate compared to the other Wailea resorts, but booking in advance also helps for that. Amenities in the resort are so so. The pool is small and generic, the Molokini Bar and Grill food is very mediocre to poor and the spa is non-existant, just a couple of shacks facing the sea and massage prices that are downright outrageous for the facility. Breakfast buffet and room service were good. Don't fall for the continental breakfast included ruse. Its just a $20 a day Starbucks credit, not a real breakfast. The koi ponds and garden are beautiful and well maintained, but the resort reception area is very bare and could use a face lift. Free wifi, parking and valet, and free snorkel and scuba lessons will save you some money though.

The hotel was nice, clean, and staff was very friendly. The only real complaint I have was that the bed was softer then I like.

We really enjoyed the location of the hotel. It was a bit more private and quieter,which we really liked.I liked that the hotel was a bit further away from all other hotels. The hotel staff ,restaurant staff and all other personel was so personable. The beach was a tiny walk but still very close but well worth the effort. During our stay , we did very little activity, only electing to do some shopping. There was a very nice shopping mall in the area that we went to. Our stay was more than pleasant and would totally stay here again. There was enough choices to grab a bite to eat also, but wish the pool area one would of stayed open a bit longer.

Was a wonderful resort on a beautiful beach with amazing people! Great breakfast buffet! Cant wait to return!