The Fairmont Kea Lani - (exclusive to Maui.US by Lottie Tagupa) Located about 25 minutes from the Kahului airport, in the upscale resort area of Wailea, the Fairmont Kea Lani is one of Maui's best kept secrets and certainly one of my favorite Maui resorts.

Sandwiched between the Four Seasons Wailea and the white sandy shores of Wailea's Polo Beach, this non-smoking hotel offers a casual intimate setting, luxurious oversized accommodations and some of the best staff and service on Maui.

The hotel who's name translates literally to "clear skies" also has a wonderfully landscaped tropical gardens, a 24 hour fitness center, a full service spa, and several restaurants.

I prefer it over neighboring Grand Wailea or the Four Seasons only because the guest rooms are oversized, the accommodations are not as overpriced and the atmosphere is not nearly as stuffy.

FAIRMONT KEA LANI Arrival Date: January February March April May June July August September October November December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Departure Date: January February March April May June July August September October November December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

This beachfront hotel is smaller than most Maui resorts. With only 7 floors on 22 acres and 450 rooms, the intimate setting offers a more personalized experience from check-in to check-out.

The smaller setting also allows for quicker access to and from the hotel lobby, resort parking lot and less crowds in the restaurants during the dinner hour.

The hotel's architecture is unique among Hawaii hotels. The Moorish-Mediterranean inspired architecture is done in a clean crisp white that contrasts brilliantly with the indigo blue of the Pacific Ocean and compliments the white sandy shoreline and crashing crests of the surf.

The hotel sports a domed roofline and a series of arches finishes the exterior facade of the guest rooms.

The hotel also has one of the best children's programs on the island. Catering to children ages 5-13, the Keiki Lani Kids Club offers a full day, half day or evening programs that include movies, snacks, pizza, coconut painting, ukulele and hula lessons.

Aside from the resort's only whirlpool, there are three pools that are open every day of the year. The main pool with a fabulous freeform design is the largest and is the heart of the resort. It is connected to the second pool by a 140 foot water slide and bridges. The third is a large more tranquil adults-only pool. All have an abundance of lounge chairs, poolside beverage and snack service and even cabanas for hotel guests.

There are several superb restaurants at the Fairmont Kea Lani. A sumptuous breakfast buffet is served daily at the open-air Kea Lani Restaurant.

Here the resort chefs wow guests with yummy banana nut bread, fresh fruit, omelets and more.

Café Ciao is the resorts Italian themed café complete with a long list of lattes, espresso and coffees along with fresh pastries from the resort's fabulous pastry chefs.

Café Ciao can also create a special picnic lunch for the family to enjoy along the Road to Hana or a special private picnic on a quiet secluded Maui beach.

Nick's Fishmarket is by far the première restaurant at the resort, now with Nick's flagship Honolulu restaurant closed, Nick's only showplace is here at the Kea Lani.

The menu is heavy on fresh seafood done in Nick's classic way along with a good selection of steaks and chicken.

For those who enjoy a more regional cuisine experience, Ko is the perfect dinner experience. The menu features fresh island fish done several ways and a wonderful selection of island favorites that include fresh beef and vegetables from island farms.

The Luana Bar offers live entertainment that ranges from contemporary Hawaiian to Jazz. The open-air bar offers wonderful sunset views and a serious yummy vodka and lemon, ginger, mango signature cocktail called the Wanna Luana.

However, my favorite is the in-room dining. Whether it be snuggled in one of the hotel's plush robes for a lazy lingering late breakfast or for a romantically charged dinner at sunset, in-room dining on the private balcony overlooking the ocean is just priceless not to mention private, relaxing and lavish. As for the guest suites, in short, they are fabulous!

This is an all-suite hotel with large oversized rooms and balconies to match. Done in dark woods with bright tropical accents each suite is 840 square feet and includes a bedroom, a bar and a living area. All suites come with one king or two double beds and an additional double sofa bed in the living area.

The bathrooms at the Kea Lani are larger than some hotel rooms on the island. Done in pale toned marble, the bathroom is set on an angle in the back corner of the suite. Each has a deep soaking tub, separate shower and water closet along with twin pedestal sinks.

Just inside the entrance is a wet bar, microwave oven, coffee maker and compact refrigerator.

All suites also have internet access, a DVD/CD player and not one but two televisions.

My favorite rooms at the Kea Lani is the corner Kilohana suites with huge 400 square foot private wrap around balconies with views of Molokini, the Maui sunsets, the Pacific Ocean and maybe even a whale or two.

I was tempted to move the bed out onto the lanai to sleep amidst the warm tropical sea breezes and under magnificent Maui stars.

Although perhaps a bit too big for just one or two guests, the Kilohana suites are ideal for families with kids in tow.

Speaking of large families who need oversized accommodations, the Kea Lani has something special. It's called the villas. These spacious villas have1800 square feet of living space with two bedrooms, two oversized bathrooms with oceanfront or ocean view settings.

Each has a private plunge pool and deck along with a complete kitchen, washer and dryer, barbecue grill and much more. There is also a three bedroom villa in the event the two bedroom isn't adequate.

This resort is certainly in my opinion the best intimate resort on the island that provides wonderful accommodations, great service and a casual comfortable atmosphere.

It will remain my favorite because of the location, size and service. Mahalo Kea Lani, you are certainly my clear skies is the midst of my frenzied, harried life.