Four Seasons Maui completes upgrade
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has completed a $50 million renovation aimed at keeping its status as Hawaii's first and only AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five-Star resort.
The resort, which opened in 1990 and sits on 15 acres of south Maui coastline, was the Four Seasons Hotel Inc.'s first resort and it immediately set the standard for all of the resorts that followed into the company's portfolio.
"Everything we've done is based on guests' comments, closely listening to them in order to stay ahead of expectations for the next decade. That is the key," said Thomas Steinhauer, regional vice president and general manager, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.
Earlier this year, the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea was named the No. 3 destination spa in the world in the Zagat Survey 2007/2008 World's Top Hotels, Resorts and Spas guide, which is based on surveys of nearly 22,000 frequent travelers and more than 1,600 travel agents. The property also was named No. 3 among the Top 10 Resorts with more than 100 rooms.
"Today's luxury traveler expects a well-executed balance of genuine, personalized and efficient service, quality physical surroundings, easy-to-use technology and a sense of place," Steinhauer said. "We kept all that in mind as we went into a $50 million renovation and updated our training methods for staff in order to maintain our leadership position."
The property was originally developed by Shimizu Corp. and TSA International Ltd. at a cost of about $180 million. This time around, the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea upgraded its 380 guest rooms and suites with all new furnishings, carpet, wallpaper and hard and soft goods.
A technology upgrade brings guests access to high-definition flat-screen TVs, iHome clock/radio/DVD/ipod/MP3 players, high speed wireless and a Braun Tassimo coffee/latte/ tea/hot chocolate machine. The hotel also upgraded its laundry facility to accommodate its changeover to 100-percent cotton linens.
The children's waterfall pool has been resurfaced with quartzite tiles. Three new oceanfront hales, built without nails or screws in keeping with Hawaiian tradition, have been added to the spa.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has also added two new restaurants: a premium steak and seafood restaurant, DUO, complements the award-winning Wolfgang Puck's Spago Maui and the romantic Italian favorite, Ferraro's Bar e Ristorante.
