The Fairmont Kea Lani is one of Maui's finest (and most expensive) hotels, with its own unique character. Luxury and casual relaxation are rarely so effortlessly combined.

Firstly, the property is gorgeous (see above). I know, I know; throw a rock in Maui and you'll hit something scenic, but the Fairmont, in Maui's lavish Wailea area, doesn't impose upon the landscape. Because the hotel wasn't originally a Fairmont, it doesn't ascribe to the usual layout standards and blends nicely into the island. The pools are lovely and include a terrific 140-foot waterslide, which takes you directly from the pool bar to the basketball net. (For those looking for a quieter or more romantic place to sun and swim, there's a chicly appointed adults-only pool set at a distance away.) One of the real draws is the beach upon which it sits -- all beaches in Hawaii are public by law, but the rock outcroppings on either side of the stretch keep the beach feeling private and secure, and the sand is a beautiful mixture of white sand and ... sand-colored sand, creating a lovely marbleized effect.

Not only does the hotel fit into the environment, but it respects it, as well. Fairmonts are known for being among the greener choices in the bunch, and this hotel recycles water, uses biodegradable materials when possible, they give food scraps to local pig farmers, and in each room they have a special thermostat that starts cooling when you check in and stops when you check out -- it's wired to the computer. There's more: "The smart thermostat detects when a door is opened, signaling motion detectors to scan the room. If no motion is detected, the temperature adjusts to five degrees higher." These thermostats reportedly save them over 20 percent on their electric bill AND help save the Earth.

Every room in the Fairmont Kea Lani is a suite (unless it's a whole villa), and each has its own refrigerator (not a minibar) and a microwave. There's also a "Deli" located on the premise which sell everything from cereal for the kids to beer and wine for grown-up time. The hotel is equally popular with families and with couples on honeymoons -- maybe other hotels should pick up on this "I don't want to spend $200 in a restaurant every night" mentality. The hotel is by no means cheap; prices range from $339 for a one-bedroom suite (the smallest room they've got) to $2,000 per night for a 3-bedroom, 2200 square foot, ocean-view villa (includes rental of a minivan, convertible or luxury car). It's nice that they give you the option to eat and drink by your own rules.

The guests and staff alike seem to love the place. A bartender, an east-coaster who's been there since before it became a Fairmont eight years ago, noted the "casual elegance" of the place, and the guests agreed. "At the Four Seasons, you have to have closed toed shoes, and dress up ... here it's just more casual. And the staff remembers you -- they don't have it all plugged into their computer; they recognize you from last year, know you by name and know what you like for breakfast." His wife added with a relishing smile that the nearby golf course is fantastic. The bartender reminded me of the type you'd find in a pub in Brooklyn or even Dublin; easily comfortable with the well-to-do and the young partying types, and striking up a witty conversation with everyone. "I don't feel like I have to 'perform,'" he said.

"Casual elegance" really is an excellent descriptor for the hotel. The staff exudes an almost midwestern friendliness, and the guests are smiling and unaffected. No one around the pool was sucking in their stomach. I liked that.

We wouldn't put it on Luxist if it weren't a fabulous place, but in the interest of full-disclosure, here are the drawbacks: Nothing is included but coffee, neither breakfast nor boogie boards, so unless you're a coffee-and-cigarettes-only type, you should expect to spend some money (and cigarettes aren't included, either). The decor in the villas is somewhat bland -- there isn't much on the walls and nothing feels Hawaiian or otherwise remarkable -- but they are slated to be remodeled in a couple of months. Lastly, the hotel has no shuttle and is a $56 cab ride from the airport before tip.

If that stuff doesn't phase you too much (and after you have a look through the gallery, it probably won't), I recommend you come and visit the Fairmont Kea Lani. "Every hotel attracts a certain kind of guest," said an Indiana-native PR rep. "I love the guests we get here. They're so relaxed." We looked around and found she was quite right. Someone urgently stopped her as we were heading out, but it was only to ask how much a nearby sculpture cost. Some people just can't turn it off.

It was under construction when I visited this past February, but The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea has just opened a major new feature at the resort: a new infinity-edge saltwater pool, surrounded by a 4,100 square foot terrace -- all of it ocean front, with views of Lanai and West Maui Mountains.

They're calling it the Serenity Pool, and that's because it's adults only (over 21) so no irritating splish-splash-marco-polo-ing from the wee ones. (Kids can use the other lovely pool that's not that far away.)

The new Serenity Pool has underwater music, four bubble loungers, two hot tubs, and a walk-up and swim-up bar. You can arrange for massages and facials pool side.

There are also six 160 square foot cabanas available for daily rental, with internet access, ceiling fans, couches, chaise lounges, flat screen HDTVs. And for the workaholics among us, the cabanas also offer WiFi and wired internet access. There's also a laptop safe if you feel ready to put down the computer and take a dip.

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I've been whale watching from a boat but never an outrigger canoe. That's the experience on offer at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. This is the time of year for whale watching in Hawaii as the North Pacific humpback whales make their annual journey toward warmer waters. The Four Seasons Whale Watching Package includes a free daytime excursion along with a four-night stay and a complimentary fifth night. For the less adventurous the whales can also be observed from shore. Rates start at $640 per night.

Last year brought a record number of humpback whales and this year's migration is expected to be similarly well-attended. Maui celebrates the return of the whales with a month of special events to learn more about these majestic creatures. Whale watching is a popular tourist event each winter but although the whales are in full force, as USA Today reports, some of the tourists are not. A video shot from one of the canoes is after the jump.

A major piece of Hawaiian real estate has hit the market. The owners of Hana Ranch, a 4,500-acre property on Maui have listed it for $65 million. The Honolulu Star Bulletin recently reported that Hana Ranch Partners LLC, the majority shareholder of which is a part of the Getty Trust, has been looking for foreign buyers from Asia, Europe and Canada. The partners, which also include San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, have been searching for a buyer for more than a year. Hana Ranch Partners purchased the property as an investment in 2001 for about $25 million and wants to find conservationists to preserve the rural nature of Hana. A conservation easement agreement with the Maui Coastal Land Trust saves 41 oceanfront acres from development and designates 100 acres of the land for affordable housing. So far the property hasn't been marketed for residential development. The listing is here.

Rocker Sammy Hagar may have missed out on the lucrative Van Halen concert tour but let's not feel too bad for old Sammy, he just clinched a new restaurant deal. While other celebs such as Ashton Kutcher and Jamie Kennedy who are part of the Dolce restaurant group or Danny DeVito who recently opened an Italian restaurant in South Beach have gone upscale, Sammy's restaurant will be located in the Kahului Airport in Maui.

Sammy's Beach Bar & Grill will serve American fare with an island twist in a beach-themed restaurant that will include signed memorabilia from Hagar's own personal collection. There will also be a full bar serving fresh fruit cocktails (and presumably plenty of his tequila). Here's a good reason to check out Sammy's Beach Bar when it opens in 2008, 100% of Sammy Hagar's profits from the restaurant chain will be donated to local Hawaii charities via the Red Rocker Foundation, an organization Hagar and his wife Kari are establishing to help support children's organizations.

This home in Kaanapali on Maui, Hawaii makes excellent use of just under an acre of space. Thehome itself is over 11,000 square feet with double master suites and six additional guest suites. It also has a media room, library and separate caretaker's quarters. There is also a pool, jacuzzi, yoga pavilion and an exercise room.This home is listed at $23.8 million which seems a bit high, even with the location.

Maluaka is a new development on Maui that offers high end luxury. The development is set on 11 acres with a golf course and will be home to 69 residences with views of the ocean. The architecture incorporates traditional Hawaiian design elements and native building materials and is also designed to "rest gently" on the landscape. The development is seeking LEED certification for sustainability and environmental performance as a green building site. Green details include dual flush toilets, low flow faucets and shower heads, a photovoltaic system for solar energy and the use of recycled materials. The homes have floors done in polished wood or tumbled limestone. The homes incorporate sliding floor-to-ceiling glass panels that separate the indoor living spaces from the large covered lanais which feature outdoor kitchens and room for entertaining or relaxing. The kitchens are stocked with high-end appliances and the homes have master bedroom suites with sitting areas, large closets and bathrooms with glass showers and large tubs. The homes are also wired for the wireless access and for sound, security and smart home systems. Ownership also includes membership in the Club at Maluaka. which includes luxury services such as a concierge, personal trainers, vinter programs and a wine tasting room, housekeeping, beach services, adventure guides and access to private jet fractional program. According to a recent article in the Real Estate Journal, the homes range from 2,500 square feet to 5,300 square feet in size and are expected to sell for from $3.75 million to $13.5 million making this the priciest green development I have seen yet.

Honua Kai is a new whole ownership beachfront property being created on Maui's Ka'anapali Beach. The beachfront location will include a spa, room-service, pools and water features. The spa will crown Konea, the final condominium tower at Honua Kai. The spa will have tropical native healing gardens, private treatment pavilions, locally inspired products and therapeutic rituals. The condos are studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums with open floorplans. Additional amenities include pools, waterfalls, a beachfront boardwalk, the spa and the recently announced Duke's Maui beachside restaurant. Completion is scheduled for late 2009. Prices start at $665,000 for a studio and go up to $5.6 million for a three bedroom. Pricey but alas there is only so much beachfront to go around.

I mentioned Wailea Beach Villas back in January. Now that the Maui beach resort is ready to open they have created a special menu to lure guests. Those who book five or more nights will receive a private dinner prepared by a chef and served in the privacy of your luxury suite. The island-themed dinner includes options such as chili-lime-dusted sea scallops with papaya cucumber salsa, macademia-nut-crusted ono with chili coconut butter sauce, and chocolate lava cakes with vanilla bean ice cream. The meal also includes selections from the Wailea wine cellar. Two-bedroom penthouses start at $825 per night and  three-bedroom villas start at $1,500. The offer is for reservations made by July 31, 2006 for visits before December 15, 2006.

Location plus beautiful design, this beachfront home in Maui has it all. The 4.1 acre estate has a calm and quiet sandy beach and landscaping with wide lawns and mature trees. The home itself is a beautiful Polynesian-style home that offers plenty of indoor and outdoor space. It is full of exotic wood built-ins, polished wood ceilings and stone floors.  The open floor plan and pitched ceilings give the home a spacious feel. The home has 4,850 square feet of interior space with a total of around 13,000 square feet under roof, which means that there are multiple outdoor areas for entertaining, dining and relaxing. Other details include  two plantation homes directly fronting the beach, a studio attached to the garage building and a caretakers unit.  The home is listed at $22.5 million. Interior shots, including the stunning sculptural wood staircases, after the jump.

[via Luxury Real Estate]