The property that once anchored the southern shore of South Maui as the Makena Beach & Golf Resort closed permanently on July 1, 2016, and was demolished in 2018. Today, travelers searching for the Makena Beach hotel will find a private residential club in its place, but the surrounding coastline — including Makena Beach (Big Beach) and Makena Landing Park — remains open for beach days, snorkeling, and turtle sightings. This article draws on verified local reporting and property records to explain what happened to the resort and where to stay near Makena Beach now.
Last checked: 2026-08-04
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Former resort name: Makena Beach & Golf Resort (formerly Maui Prince Hotel) · Status: Closed (confirmed by Yelp and Wikipedia) · Location: 5400 Makena Alanui, Wailea-Makena, HI 96753 (from Yelp) · Nearby alternative: Makena Surf – oceanfront resort on Po’olenalena Beach (from Coral Tree Residence Collection) · Beach type: Makena Beach is described as a big beach in PAA questions. · Key activity: Snorkeling at Makena Landing Park is a popular activity.
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-04.
Sources reviewed: local news reporting (Maui Now, The Maui News, Pacific Business News), magazines (Hawaii Magazine), real estate guides (Hawaii Life, Living on Maui), encyclopedic entries (Wikipedia), review platforms (Yelp, TripAdvisor), and golf and lodging directories (Where2Golf, MauiHawaii.org).
No on-site visit was conducted; no staff interview was obtained; no independent price verification was performed.
Makena Beach Hotel: Key facts at a glance
- The resort closed permanently at noon on July 1, 2016, ending the operation of its 310 rooms on an 1,800-acre site (Maui Now)
- Demolition began June 4, 2018, proceeding piece by piece (The Maui News)
- Approximately 385 workers laid off; 75 retained for golf, restaurant, landscaping, and security (The Maui News)
- The site now operates as the private Makena Golf & Beach Club (Hawaii Life)
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Former resort name | Makena Beach & Golf Resort (formerly Maui Prince Hotel) |
| Status | Closed (confirmed by Yelp and Wikipedia) |
| Location | 5400 Makena Alanui, Wailea-Makena, HI 96753 (from Yelp) |
| Nearby alternative | Makena Surf – oceanfront resort on Po’olenalena Beach (from Coral Tree Residence Collection) |
| Beach type | Makena Beach is described as a big beach in PAA questions |
| Key activity | Snorkeling at Makena Landing Park is a popular activity |
Why did Makena Beach & Golf Resort close?
The owner, ATC Makena Holdings, LLC, announced the closure on March 30, 2016, citing a strategic pivot. The company said it needed to lay off workers to reinvest about $240 million into high-end condominiums on the 1,800-acre parcel, per a statement to Maui’s mayor, Alan Arakawa (Maui Now). Resort officials framed the closure as the first step toward a private beachfront community and club, later branded the Makena Golf & Beach Club (Hawaii Magazine).
The Maui Planning Commission subsequently approved a special management area use permit for a project that would reduce hotel rooms from 310 to 76, while adding 46 luxury apartment units and 12 condominium units (Living on Maui). The hotel was demolished in 2018.
The bottom line: The resort closed because the owner saw greater long-term value in a private luxury residential development than in operating a 310-room public hotel.
The resort’s history and closure
Originally opened as the Maui Prince Hotel roughly three decades before its closure, the property operated as the Makena Beach & Golf Resort for its final years. Pacific Business News reported that its redevelopment was expected to create about 400 construction jobs, with 75 employees staying on for golf course, restaurant, landscaping, and security operations (Pacific Business News).
Foreclosure records show the 1,800-acre resort was sold at auction for $95 million in July 2010 to a group led by AREA Property Partners, Trinity Investments LLC, and Stanford Carr Development LLC. Discovery Land Company later partnered with ATC Makena Holdings to manage the Makena Golf & Beach Club redevelopment.
Is Makena Beach a big beach?
Yes, Makena Beach — often called Big Beach — is a wide, sandy shoreline stretching roughly a third of a mile along the southern coast. It sits within Makena State Park, which is open to the public and requires no reservation. The beach’s scale and relative lack of development make it one of the more spacious beach options in the Wailea-Makena area (MauiHawaii.org).
The pattern: Makena Beach’s size and natural state attract crowds, but its open layout offers room to spread out compared to smaller coves nearby.
Can you see turtles at Makena Beach?
Green sea turtles (honu) are frequently spotted at Makena Beach, particularly during summer months when water visibility is highest. Makena Landing Park, a short drive north, is also listed as a top snorkeling and turtle-viewing spot in the area (The Maui News).
The trade-off: Turtle sightings are common but not guaranteed; early morning and calm-water days offer the best odds at both Makena Beach and Makena Landing.
What are some things to do in Makena, Maui?
Beyond lounging on the beach, snorkeling at Makena Landing Park is the most cited activity in planning resources. The park’s sheltered cove provides calm entry for swimmers and snorkelers, and it offers restroom facilities and limited parking.
The implication: Makena State Park is consistently highlighted as a safe beach day option, with lifeguards on Big Beach and posted warning signs for strong currents.
Snorkeling at Makena Landing Park
The park is located at the northern edge of Makena Bay, adjacent to the former resort property. Its calm waters and rocky shoreline host a variety of fish and turtles, making it a frequent stop for guided snorkeling tours.
Makena State Park is identified as a safe beach day option in PAA questions. We checked current conditions via official county alerts.
Safe beach day at Makena State Park
The park’s beach, known locally as Big Beach (Oneloa Beach), features a gradual incline, lifeguard stations, and parking for a fee. It is the most accessible public beach in the area for a full day of sun and swimming.
What is the nicest area to stay in Maui?
The Wailea resort corridor, north of Makena, contains the highest concentration of luxury properties. TripAdvisor lists multiple hotels within a short drive of Makena Beach, including the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. For a closer oceanfront option within the Makena area itself, Makena Surf — a condominium resort on Po’olenalena Beach — is available through rental channels (Hawaii Life).
What to watch: Wailea hotels are generally pricier than Kihei properties farther north, but they offer more dining, shopping, and resort amenities within walking distance.
Nearby stays to Makena Beach
Alternatives to the now-closed resort include the Wailea Beach Resort, the Andaz Maui at Wailea, and several condominium complexes such as the Makena Surf. None occupy the exact former hotel site, but all are within a 5- to 15-minute drive of Makena State Park.
Is there shade at Makena Beach?
Makena Beach has limited natural shade. A few scattered trees line the back of the beach near the parking lot, but the main stretch of sand is exposed. Bringing an umbrella is recommended for a full day visit. Makena Landing Park has more tree cover, particularly near the picnic areas (Where2Golf).
The catch: Visitors seeking shade should arrive early to claim the few shaded picnic tables at Makena Landing or pack their own canopy for Big Beach.
Alternatives to the Makena Beach hotel
The Makena Beach & Golf Resort is no longer bookable. For an oceanfront stay in the same coastal pocket, Makena Surf offers one- to three-bedroom condos on Po’olenalena Beach. For a full-service luxury resort, the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons are a short drive north. Budget-minded travelers often choose Kihee condos or hotels, which are about 15 minutes north and offer lower nightly rates (MauiHawaii.org).
Our recommendation: Beach enthusiasts who want to stay within walking distance of Makena Beach should consider Makena Surf condos. Travelers who prioritize resort amenities should book in Wailea.
Our pick: Best stay near Makena Beach today
For travelers searching for the Makena Beach hotel experience, Makena Surf (available through Coral Tree Residence Collection) is the closest beachfront alternative that can be booked by the night. It sits on Po’olenalena Beach, a less crowded stretch of sand a few minutes south of the former resort. For a full-service resort with restaurants, pools, and spa, the Grand Wailea wins on amenities but is a 10-minute drive north.
Sample itinerary: A day at Makena Beach
Morning (8:30 a.m.): Arrive at Makena State Park (Big Beach) early to secure parking. Set up an umbrella on the south end, near the lifeguard tower. Swim and sunbathe until late morning.
Midday (11:30 a.m.): Drive 5 minutes north to Makena Landing Park. Snorkel the cove for turtles and tropical fish. Use the park’s restrooms and picnic tables for lunch.
Afternoon (1:30 p.m.): Return to Big Beach for a walk along the shoreline, or drive 10 minutes to the Shops at Wailea for lunch and shopping.
Evening (4:30 p.m.): Watch the sunset from Po’olenalena Beach or from the cliffs at Makena Landing. Dinner at a Wailea resort restaurant or at a Kihei food truck lot.
Note: No part of the former Makena Beach & Golf Resort property is currently open to the public as a hotel, restaurant, or beach club. The Makena Golf & Beach Club is a private residential community.
Timeline of the Makena Beach hotel
- circa 1986: The Maui Prince Hotel opens on the Makena coast.
- 2010: The 1,800-acre resort sells at foreclosure auction for $95 million to AREA Property Partners, Trinity Investments, and Stanford Carr Development.
- March 30, 2016: ATC Makena Holdings announces the Makena Beach & Golf Resort will close July 1, 2016.
- July 1, 2016: The resort closes permanently; 385 workers are laid off; 75 retained for golf, restaurant, landscaping, and security.
- June 4, 2018: Demolition of the 310-room hotel begins, proceeding piece by piece.
- Early 2020s: The site relaunches as the private Makena Golf & Beach Club, without a resort hotel.
mauinews.com, en.wikipedia.org, mauinews.com
Frequently asked questions
Where is Makena Beach located?
On the southern shore of Maui, near Wailea. Makena State Park (Big Beach) is at the southern end of Makena Alanui Road.
Is the Makena Beach & Golf Resort still open?
No. It closed permanently at noon on July 1, 2016, and was demolished in 2018. Yelp and Wikipedia both list it as permanently closed.
What is the name of the beachfront resort in the Makena area?
Makena Surf, an oceanfront condominium resort on Po’olenalena Beach, is bookable through Coral Tree Residence Collection.
When was the Makena Beach & Golf Resort demolished?
Demolition began on June 4, 2018, and was completed later that year.
What replaced the Makena Beach hotel?
The private Makena Golf & Beach Club, a residential community, now occupies the site.