Today’s question has been answered by Courtney Brown, Vice President at Island Sotheby’s International Realty

Q: Where on Maui can you live like you’re on vacation at a world-class luxury resort 365 days a year?

A: Well, it just so happens, Maui has five condominium communities in the resorts of Kāʻanapali, Kapalua and Wailea that have received the recognition by Forbes or AAA as leaders in Luxury Lodging.

These properties are desirable for many of Maui’s second home Buyers who would like the amenities of a luxury hotel (hello, room service!).  For those who are looking for a part-time residence, they offer an added bonus: the ability to rent their residence through an on-site rental management program known for offering accommodations that are maintained to the exacting standards of a luxury brand.

The following Maui luxury condominium resorts have been acknowledged with either Four or Five-Stars (Forbes) or Four or Five-Diamonds (AAA):

Wailea: Luxury Residences

Sunset at Andaz Wailea

Andaz Residences
Situated on 15 oceanfront acres overlooking Mokapu Beach in the heart of the Wailea Resort, the Andaz Wailea is home to just 12 private condominium residences.  With five distinct floor plans
Floor Plans: 3B/4B and 4B/5B
Size: 2644-3965 sq. ft.
Built: 2013
With so few units built, there are only a handful of sales on record since the development launched in 2013.  There are no active listings at the time of this post, and no sales to report YTD for 2018.
Low/High Sales Prices: $4,150,000 (2016)/$11,395,000 (2013)
Amenities: concierge, in-home dining, beach valets, fitness center, housekeeping, restaurants, security, and spa services.  (tip: my favorite spots at the Andaz are grabbing a sashimi pizza at the oceanfront bar at Morimotos and sitting by the pool at the uppermost level–the Southside Gin Fizz is very refreshing!)
Award: 4-Diamond AAA
View Andaz Residences Condos for Sale

Hoʻolei at Grand Wailea
Hoʻolei is unique in that this stand-alone condominium community was built after the Grand Wailea, and a rental program was developed which provided the popular hotel resort with a three-bedroom option for large parties or families.  There are 120 townhomes situated on approximately 30 acres, located directly across the street from the Grand Wailea.
Floor Plans: 3B/3.5B with garage
Size: 2426-3076 sq. ft.
Built: 2008
Sales YTD 2018: $1,750,000 to $3,212,500
Low/High Sales Prices: $1,595,000 (2007)/$3,900,000 (2008)
Amenities at the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel include: concierge, Forbes 4-Star Spa Grande, restaurants, fitness center, separate adult pool and pools with waterslides, shops
Amenities at Hoʻolei: gated, in unit elevators, fitness center, pool and children’s pool with sandy beach, jacuzzi spas
Award: 4-Diamond AAA
View Hoʻolei Condos for Sale

HONORABLE MENTION: Wailea Beach Villas
Located adjacent to the Shops at Wailea, the Wailea Beach Villas are nestled on the popular Wailea Beach.  This popular community is comprised of 98 residences on close to 11 oceanfront acres.
Floor Plans: 2B/2B, 2B/2.5B and 3B/3B
Size: 1899-2935 sq. ft.
Built: 2005
Sales Prices YTD in 2018: $2,8150,000 to $10,000,000
Low/High Sales Prices: $1,150,000 (2006)/$12,500,000 (2010)
Amenities at the Wailea Beach Villas: gated, adult and family pools, hot  tubs, conference center, billiards room, fitness center, beach valets
Awards: as Wailea Beach Villas aren’t technically a hotel, they aren’t evaluated under traditional rating systems.  However, this resort receives high ratings for luxury service and its amenities from reviewers at lauded travel publications, Condé Nast Traveler and Trave+Leisure.
View Wailea Beach Villas for Sale
Wailea Amenities: Beaches, dining, golf, shopping, spas, tennis.  The open-air Shops at Wailea features one of my favorite places to grab a bite (a few of my go-to favorites: the Spicy Beef Salad at the gastropub Pint & Cork; Shrimp Longhi at Longhi’s; Ahi Tuna Tacos or Ahi Poke Napolean at Tommy Bahama’s), shop for clothes, or buy unique gifts (I always find something I love Sand People and Soha Living).

Kapalua: Luxury Residences

Montage Residences Kapalua Bay
Perhaps my personal favorite of all of the residential offerings at Luxury Condominiums, the Montage Kapalua Bay is comprised of 84 whole ownership Grand Residences situated overlooking Kapalua Bay.  Owners love having a dedicated team of Residential Liaisons that are there to assist with making ownership of a residence a worry-free experience, assisting with the day to day of receiving packages and coordinating repairs, to preparing for arrival and helping with departures.  The Forbes 5-Star property is home to the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival’s opening event, and is a popular destination for those playing in the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions.
Floor Plans*: 3B/3.5B, 3B/3.5B + Den, 4B/4.5B
Size: 2789-4055 sq. ft.
Built: 2009
Sales Prices YTD in 2018: $3,495,000 to $8,950,000
Low/High Sales Prices: $2,800,000 (2011)/$8,950,000 (2018)
Amenities Onsite: Forbes 4-Star award-winners Cane & Canoe and Spa Montage Kapalua Bay, market, beach club, residential liaisons, concierge, porter/bellman, valet and self-parking, storage, garage parking for grand residences in Buildings 1, 2 and 5.
Awards: 4-Diamond AAA, 5-Star Forbes 2018
View Montage Kapalua Bay Residences for Sale
*New Developer Offering at the Montage Residences Kapalua Bay: is anticipated for release at the end of 2018/early 2019: 15 smaller residences that are 2 and 3B floor plans.  More Details to come soon.  Contact Courtney for more information.

Ritz Carlton Residences, Kapalua

The View from 1614 at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Kapalua

In 2007, the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua underwent a spectacular renovation, turning the Honolua wing into 107 privately held one and two bedroom condominium residences. The Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with luxury service and the brand has extended this to luxury residences throughout the world. Each Year, the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua is host to the popular Seafood Festival, the closing event of the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival.
Floor Plans: 1B/1B, 2B/2B,
Size: 870-1477 sq. ft.
Built: 2007
Sales Prices YTD in 2018: $830,000 to $1,400,000
Low/High Sales Prices: $640,000 (2015)/$2,716,888 (2015)
Amenities Onsite:  Forbes 4-Star award-winning Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua, coffee shop, several restaurants including the Banyan Tree, a hidden gem for a beautiful evening and the oceanfront Burger Shack on DT Fleming Beach, fitness center, concierge, bellman/porter services, valet parking
Awards: 5-Diamond AAA, 4-Star Forbes
View Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Residences for Sale
Kapalua Amenities: beaches, dining, golf, shopping, spas, tennis.  Kapalua is a 1650 acre master-planned community set within 22,000 acres extending from the ocean to the Puʻu Kukui watershed.  What I love about Kapalua is that it is surrounded by natural beauty, most of the surrounding area is in conservation, including the 45-acre marine preserve of Honolua and Mokuleia Bays.  Less explored but incredibly beautiful are Kapalua’s hiking and walking trails.  The resort has a feeling of peacefulness, yet is populated by award-winning restaurants such as Sansei and Merriman’s.  Owners in Kapalua may join the Kapalua Club, which provides special access to the Beach Club at Montage Kapalua Bay and the Spa Montage, the Bay and Plantation Golf Courses, and the Kapalua Tennis Gardens.

Kāʻanapali: Luxury Residences

Honua Kai
Located on the beach just North of the Kāʻanapali Resort, Honua Kai has been a popular vacation destination since sales began in 2008.  With 627 condominium residences, this is the largest of the developments on this list. Unlike the other 4 and 5-Diamond properties, the Honua Kai offers smaller residences including studios and one-bedroom floor plans, for those who want to have the experience of staying at a luxury hotel, but also want to make the purchase a smaller commitment in their real estate portfolio.
Floor Plans: Studio/1B, 1B/1B, 2B/2B and 3B/3B
Size: 580-2770 sq. ft.
Built: 2008
Sales Prices YTD in 2018: $695,000 to $3,900,000
Low/High Sales Prices: $399,900 (2012)/$5,490,309 (2016)
Amenities at the Honua Kai: adult and family pools, hot tubs, BBQ Grills, Bar and Lounge, fitness center, ʻĀina Gourmet Market, elevators, valet and self-parking, concierge, porter/bellhop, Hoʻola Spa and Duke’s Restaurant (this is a great place to whale watch as you take in the sunset).
Award: 4 Diamond AAA
View Honua Kai Condominiums for Sale
New Developer Offering 2018: Luana Gardens at Honua Kai: 72 new residences, each 3B/3B and just over 2000 sq. ft.  Contact Courtney for more information.
Kāʻanapali Amenities: Beaches, dining, golf, shopping, spas, tennis.  Kāʻanapali’s three-mile stretch of beach that has been awarded the accolade “America’s Best Beach” by Dr. Beach and Kekaʻa Beach, on the North Side of Black Rock, is a local favorite to the North. In addition to its popular beaches, golf, and tennis, Kāʻanapali is home to Whaler’s Village, a popular oceanfront shopping center.  Whaler’s Village is home to several of Maui’s most popular sit-down restaurants, including Hula Grill (tip–there are two menus at Hula Grill–the dining menu and the barefoot bar menu.  If you eat at the kitchen bar or the bar, you can order from both menus), Leilani’s (known for its fish tacos), Monkeypod Kitchen, as well as local favorites Joey’s Kitchen and Choice Health Bar (my favorite salad on Maui is their Ceasar Salad).  Shops include Tommy Bahama’s, Sephora, many local surf and clothing stores and much more.

Courtney M. Brown, R(S)
Vice President
Island Sotheby’s International Realty

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This article was originally published on Courtney Brown’s blog.