Realtor Martha Hinz steps aside and lets the Hawaiian chic condominium and palm tree and Pacific view beyond speak for itself.
“I always give people this moment,” she tells me during a tour of the show home of The Suites at Wailea, one of Maui’s most exciting real estate developments.
“This is the exclusive Wailea lifestyle where the design and the location come together.”
The Suites at Wailea is the condo conversion of the 23-year-old old Hotel Wailea on a 15 acre tropical mountainside just above the beachfront strip of mega resorts, condo complexes, golf courses and shops that make up the elegant Wailea Resort Community on the south shore of the island of Maui.
Hotel Wailea has been successful operating 72 suites stacked in four-plexes scattered around the property all facing the ocean view.
But moving forward Hotel Wailea saw opportunity by partnering with Virginia-based investors group Granite Fund IV to do something even more luxurious.
“It’s condominium meets hotel lifestyle,” says Hinz of The Wailea Group, the exclusive broker for The Suites at Wailea.
“It’s actually a new concept for Maui to have the management company (Hotel Wailea, part of Hawaii-based Aqua Hotels & Resorts) own the lobby, restaurant, spa and pool—all the hotel amenities, if you will—and then the buyers own the condominiums and a portion of the grounds.”
There’s a lobby under a massive Polynesian-inspired pavilion, the Zagat five star rated Capische restaurant, kidney-shaped pool surrounded by king-sized bed draped cabanas and a spa.
Now the property has two official identities – The Suites at Wailea for condo owners and Hotel Wailea for guests.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” gushes Hinz.
“Those interested in making the investment in a condominium can have a place of their own and they can put it in the rental pool when they aren’t using it so the property can continue to operate as a high-end hotel.”
Buyer interest has come mostly from those that live in western Canada and the west coast of the U.S. because they are familiar with Hawaii as a holiday destination and are most likely to purchase a vacation property here.
Renovations are aimed at impressing today’s demanding vacation home buyer as well as discerning hotel guests.
All the units are over 600 square feet with a 130 square foot patio or balcony (lanai in Hawaiian speak) and feature spacious one-bedroom layouts that sleep four or six depending on whether the bedroom is outfitted with two double beds or a queen-size bed.
The additional double bed appears when the sectional couch in the living room is pulled out.
Units are priced at US$649,000 to $749,000.
That may sound hefty for a one bedroom.
“But it’s actually very good value,” stresses Hinz.
“If these beautiful homes were beachfront they would cost a lot more. Being mountainside offers the views, yet you are still only blocks to the beach, golf and shopping.”
Of course, owners and guests will have access to Wailea Beach via a regular shuttle.
The Suites at Wailea has a special strip of sand in front of the Grand Wailea Resort where owners and guests are kitted out with orange umbrellas, white loungers, towels and bottled water.
The interior design by renowned Philpotts Interiors – which has offices in Honolulu and San Francisco – is Maui contemporary, meaning quality materials, fixtures, fittings and furnishings sourced locally and internationally create elegant light-infused indoor and outdoor spaces.
There’s DuChateau European white-washed wide plank oak floors; limestone tile wall in the bedroom; coral fossil stone walls in the bathroom; deep trough-style tub and bathroom sink; LeFroy Brooks, Hans Grohe and Waterworks plumbing fixtures; Ashley Norton and Bakes & Company hardware, Bianco Romano Italian granite countertops; barn wood doors and desk; and Sub Zero and Wolf kitchen appliances hidden behind Hawaiian Ohia wood cabinetry by Maui Custom Woodworks.
Buying at The Suites at Wailea comes with membership in Club 72 named after the 72 suites that make up the property.
Club 72 is basically a comprehensive concierge service that solves all the island logistical needs of owners.
That means Mercedes limousine service; valet parking; preferred seating or room service with Capische; private cooking classes; spa and beach club privileges; tee times at the nearby Wailea Gold, Emerald and Blue golf courses; access to the Wailea Tennis Club; and preferred rates at affiliated properties also managed by Aqua Hotels & Resorts such as the Palms Waikiki in Honolulu.
Check out SuitesAtWailea.com or call toll free 1-800-387-7999.
Also HotelWailea.com or call toll free 1-866-970-4167.
