Okay, let’s talk about that hotel. You know the one. The jaw-dropping Hawaiian resort that basically became a character in The White Lotus and launched a thousand “should we just blow our savings and go?” group chats.

I’ve had a love affair with the Four Seasons Maui for a while now. The Four Seasons Maui is the gold standard when it comes to, well…everything.

In Hawaii, nobody does luxury like the Four Seasons, and since Maui is my particular favorite (and Wailea specifically) I am SO partial to the Four Seasons Maui.

The resort has the kind of impressive grandeur mixed with relaxed island vibes that can only be described as barefoot luxury.

But it had been several years since my last stay so I was due for another visit. Anytime I return to someplace that I’ve LOVED in the past, I’m always a little worried that it won’t be as great as I remembered it…Is the Four Seasons Maui REALLY the best resort on Maui? And can it really be worth the crazy price tag?

Unfortunately (for your wallet), the answer is yes.

But all of the “White Lotus” and Instagram vibes aside, in person, the Four Seasons Maui is a lot less flashy and “influencer-y” than you might expect.

It’s more of a quiet luxury, everything-is-handled, “oh wow, they really thought of that” kind of place. Let’s break it down…

Four Seasons Maui

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The Four Seasons is located in the middle of Wailea, one of Hawaii’s most luxurious resort communities on the shores of sun drenched South Maui.

Sitting right on Wailea Beach, the Four Seasons is the crown jewel of a nice string of high end resorts and everything that comes with “vacationland”…shopping, dining, tennis, golf, snorkeling, beaches, watersports, etc.

Its prime location on the Wailea Beach Walk means dreamy early morning walks and easy access to beaches, and other resorts for shopping, dining, luaus, and more.

It’s best known for its over-the-top service, polished but relaxed vibe, and yes—being the filming location for The White Lotus season one. That association definitely adds to the mystique, but even without the pop culture fame, this place has long been considered one of the best resorts not just on Maui, but in Hawaii overall.

Things I Love About the Four Seasons Maui

The Service Is on Another Level

As I said…in Hawaii, nobody does luxury like the Four Seasons and a BIG part of that is the service.

It’s hard to explain the difference between the Four Seasons and other high end (and even other luxury) resorts, but here’s an example:

At a high end resort, you might check in at a kiosk at the pool where they’ll get you a wristband and hand you some towels and then you’re off to pick your spot and set up for the day. And they’ll probably have a waitstaff doing food and drink service that comes by your chairs somewhat frequently to see if you’d like to order something. Not a bad way to spend the day.

But, at a true luxury resort when you walk up to the pool deck, they’ll often remember your name from the day before. They’ll ask you what kind of setup you want (how many chairs, shade, sun, umbrella, location) and show you what’s available because they’re keeping inventory of who is where and if they’ve just left for lunch or if they’ve left for the day.

Then they’ll follow you to your spot and set up your chairs with covers and lay your towels out and make sure the umbrella is tilted just right and get you water. Which they will then come around and fill up whenever it’s running low.

And on top of food and beverage service, they’ll have an attendant that brings little treats around every hour like a chilled towel (good heavens my favorite), a pineapple spear, a smoothie sample.

You get the picture. Both types of resorts are pretty awesome, but there’s a difference in the type of service.

This scenario…the pool attendants getting you set up at your chairs, adjusting the umbrellas, filling up your water glass when it runs low…that’s the Four Seasons. I’ve seriously never seen anything like it.

It’s not surprising given their brand and that it’s what they’re known for, but I’m always impressed whether I’m staying on property or just visiting for dinner. They’re a class act.

It’s Luxurious Without Feeling Try-Hard

The lobby is a perfect example of this. It’s stylish but still timeless and classic. No trendy design choices that will feel dated in two years. You walk in and immediately feel like, “Okay, yeah, this is a vibe, but I still feel comfortable traipsing through here in my swim suit.”

Adults Only Pool = Elite People Watching

Let’s be honest: the adults-only pool is a whole experience. The people watching here is top tier. It’s calm but social, chic without being obnoxious, and feels like a scene straight out of White Lotus…minus the murder vibes. This alone might be worth part of the room rate.

Compact and Intimate for a Big Resort

Even though this is a full-service resort, it doesn’t feel massive or overwhelming. Compared to the Grand Wailea next door (which is beautiful but sprawling), the Four Seasons feels more compact and intimate. You’re not walking 15 minutes just to get from your room to breakfast, which I personally love.

Great Beach Access

The Four Seasons shares Wailea Beach with the Grand Wailea (the Wailea Beach Resort also has beach access here) so the beach is pretty hopping, but it’s fairly large so it never feels overly crowded.

The waves aren’t usually wild here (conditions are ALWAYS changing though so pay attention), but they’re usually big enough to make boogie boarding plenty of fun.

One of my absolute favorite things about staying in Wailea is the beachwalk. This beachfront pathway stretches 1.5 miles from Polo Beach (Fairmont Kea Lani) past Wailea Beach (Four Seasons and Grand Wailea) to Mokapu Beach (Andaz). It’s a beautiful walkway and it has some of the best views you’ll find anywhere!

It’s a Whole Vibe

This place just feels good. It’s polished but relaxed. Fancy but not stuffy. You can show up to dinner dressed nicely or roll in after the beach and still feel comfortable. That balance is hard to nail, and the Four Seasons absolutely nails it.

Location Is Ideal

Wailea is calm, upscale, and sunny. You’re close to great beaches, good snorkeling, and solid dining options, while still feeling tucked away from the busier parts of the island.

Things That Could Be Better About the Four Seasons Maui

The Price Is… a Lot

Let’s not sugarcoat it. This is one of the most expensive resorts on Maui. Between the room rates, food, drinks, and extras, it adds up fast. Even if you can afford it, you might still feel that little sting every time you charge something.

The Adults Only Pool Gets Busy

THE place to be at the Four Seasons Maui is the adults only “Serenity Pool.” The iconic infinity pool with views of Wailea Beach has got to be one of the best resort pools in Hawaii.

It can get crowded though, but they keep a waitlist and will text you when chairs open up if it’s full when you get there.

The pool opens at 7AM and people line up outside the gate (behind the valet stand) to get their spots.

I think the pool deck is laid out a little awkwardly (I’m sure they were working with limited space). It’s long and narrow which means that most of the chairs (and cabanas) at the adult pool don’t actually have that great of views.

Between the swim up bar and the edge of the pool there’s a few sets of chairs that I think are the go to spots. You’ll have great views over the ledge, and a prime spot for people watching in the pool, but it’s separated from the main deck so it feels less crowded. Some people don’t like to pick this spot because it has canopy shading, but trust me…if you’re going to spend the full day at the pool, you’re going to need the shade.

Most people go for the rows of chairs towards the front because they have good views and they’re close to the edge, but there are no umbrellas. That doesn’t seem like a big deal at 7AM, but I’ve noticed that most people that go for those chairs only end up staying for a couple of hours and then leaving. Honestly, I think they don’t have umbrellas there on purpose, to keep the flow of people moving throughout the day.

Here’s a tip: If you’re visiting during “couples season” (once kids go back to school in the fall) and there aren’t many kids/families at the resort…the adults only pool will be a lot more crowded than the main pool.

You might get even better service at the main pool and it’s basically adults only too.

Also, most of the cabanas around the main pool are free and first come, first serve (there are a few ocean facing luxury cabanas that can be reserved for a fee) so that’s a pretty big perk. And (at least in September), we never had a problem finding one midday.

Dining Is Great, But You’re Paying for Convenience

The food is good—sometimes very good—but it’s priced like resort food. You’re definitely paying for the setting and convenience as much as the cuisine itself. If you’re a hardcore foodie, you might prefer venturing off property more often.

Duo is probably my favorite restaurant at the Four Seasons. It’s a high end steak and seafood place right by the main pool deck. It’s also the only restaurant on property that serves breakfast. The buffet is pretty awesome, but at $60/person it’s definitely worth booking through a travel agent or something like Chase’s The Edit or Amex’s Fine Hotels and Resorts where you get breakfast for two included every day.

Ferraro’s is a nice Italian dinner spot (also on the pool deck).

If you’re at the pool or beach midday, your best option for lunch (besides poolside service) is the Beachwalk Cafe. They have great grab and go sandwiches as well as drinks, chips, candy, etc. It’s so easy to run down there and grab a sandwich to take back to the pool. They also have yogurt parfaits and breakfast sandwiches in the morning.

The lounge in the lobby is also a great place to hangout in the evenings. There’s usually live music and sometimes a hula dancer. Besides great drinks, they have a pretty good variety of pupus (appetizers).

Less “Adventure” Built In

This is more of a “relax and be pampered” resort than an adventure hub. You can absolutely book excursions, but the property itself is about slowing down, not constant activity.

Overall: Is It Worth It?

So, is the famous White Lotus hotel in Hawaii actually worth the $$$? Honestly… for the right person, yes. This is hands-down the best luxury resort on Maui, and it delivers exactly what it promises: exceptional service, a beautiful setting, and an effortlessly elevated experience.

You should stay here if:

You value top-tier service and attention to detail
You want a luxurious, relaxing vacation with zero stress
You appreciate a more intimate resort feel
You’re celebrating something special or just want to splurge
You loved The White Lotus and want to live out that fantasy (minus the drama)

You might consider staying elsewhere if:

You’re traveling on a tighter budget
You want a high-energy, party-focused resort
You prefer large, activity-packed properties
You’d rather spend money exploring the island than staying on-property

For me? The Four Seasons Maui totally lives up to the hype. It’s not just famous—it’s genuinely excellent. Expensive, yes. Worth it? Also yes… as long as you know what you’re signing up for.

I seriously cannot recommend the Four Seasons Maui enough. Maui is such a special place to begin with and mixing it with a Four Seasons really just puts it over the top. Unfortunately, I think I’ve now ruined myself for staying anywhere else.

If you’re planning a once in a lifetime trip to Maui to celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary, special occasion, or you simply like staying at “the best,” you should seriously consider staying at the Four Seasons Maui.

P.S. One of the reasons I’m able to travel to Hawaii so often is because I get free flights with my Southwest credit card AND I can fly someone with me for free with my Companion Pass.

I have this Southwest Premier Rapid Rewards Visa card through Chase. The current sign up offer is 50,000 points. Depending on where you live and fly from, that’s at least one completely FREE ticket to Hawaii and it could be two depending on the time of year (or more if you catch a crazy sale).

But the real pro travel hack is getting the Southwest Companion Pass.

If you acquire a certain amount of annual points with Southwest (either through flying or credit card spend), you get a companion pass where you can bring someone with you on every flight you take FOR FREE for the entire year. I can’t tell you how many thousands of dollars I save using this every year.

What makes this doable is that the sign up bonuses from Southwest credit cards goes towards the point requirement.

By far the quickest way to qualify for the companion pass is by signing up for a personal AND business card through Southwest.

**Besides being a business owner, if you’re self-employed, a freelancer or contractor, a gig economy worker, if you own rental properties, etc…you qualify for a business card.

And you’ll be most of the way towards qualifying for a Companion Pass PLUS you’ll have 110K points to book flights to Hawaii. That’s enough points to book 3-4 flights to Hawaii! AND you can take someone with you for FREE.