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Holiday at home

Residents may dive into discounts through Dec. 23 at Four Seasons: From luxury accommodations to gourmet meals to activities, Wailea resort is place to enjoy

A couple flirts in the Serenity Pool for adults only, complete with a swim-up bar, underwater music and signature treats. -- Four Seasons Resort Maui photo

Staycationing on Maui is like hitting it out of the ball park and sliding into home plate — all on your home turf. It’s as adventurous as sailing around the world while never having to leave the comfort of your own harbor.

“Traveling outside of the state of Hawaii, for those of us who live here, is time consuming as well as expensive,” says a devoted staycationer from Maui.

“All of that is eliminated when you holiday here and experience the vast opportunities on our beautiful island that attract visitors from around the globe.”

Lucky we live Hawaii, and lucky that Maui’s first and only Forbes Five-Star resort wants us to come and check it out. There’s no airport or TSA interaction, no need for a rental car, and you can be chilling out within an hour’s ride from home or condo.

“See or be seen, or just hide away, at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea,” says Crissa Hiranaga, FSRM director of public relations. “The state’s finest luxury resort invites Hawaii residents to enjoy the best kamaaina rates of the year now to Dec. 23. Nightly room rates start at just $349 plus tax, with no resort fee and a wealth of complimentary activities, as well as kamaaina spa and dining offers.”

Lanai areas are expansive and feature cushy furnishings. -- Four Seasons Resort Maui photo

Raising your eyebrows over the $349 price? Rack rates fetch far higher with one-bedroom, oceanfront suites costing $4,200 and up. In fact, the top one percent of the world’s wealthiest are the regular clientele.

Located in sun-drenched South Maui next to Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria resort, Four Seasons the most spacious accommodations on the island and lots of opportunities for fun and relaxation, from sunrise yoga to outrigger canoe rides to scuba and tennis.

Holiday decorations will start being installed on Dec. 3, and the 14-foot Christmas tree will be fully adorned and picture-perfect by Dec. 5.

“You can also enjoy the adults-only Serenity Pool, complete with a swim-up bar, underwater music and Four Seasons’ signature poolside treats,” says Hiranaga. “The resort’s Main Pool cabanas and oceanfront sanctuaries remain complimentary.”

A Four Seasons cabana is kind of like daytime glamping to the nth degree. Just wait until they bring you a popsicle and a water spritz to cool you off — you’ll think that you’re in a tropical Garden of Eden.

Four Seasons Executive Chef Craig Dryhurst trims herbs in the garden. -- Four Seasons Resort Maui photo

“Our annual Kama’aina Season gives us the opportunity to open our doors to Hawaii’s residents to offer, not only the lowest rates of the year, but specials across the resort,” says Marc Bromley, general manager. “We are delighted to invite locals in to enjoy the amenities of the resort while they relax and recharge right before what is the busiest time of the year for many of our residents.”

Noteworthy highlights include the waiving of resort fees, full schedule of fitness activities, most of which are complimentary, and free Kids For All Seasons day camp for keiki ages 5 to 12 years old. Extra holiday programming kicks in around Dec. 16.

You may also sign up for free activities such as the Hawaiian Time: Cultural Garden Tour. Meet at the Lobby Lounge at 11 a.m. Fridays and join Kevin Gavagan to view the lush resort flora and fruit and herb gardens.

Or sign up for Sushi 101 at 1 p.m. Mondays with Chef Kela Kalehuawehe, who will share authentic Japanese traditions and techniques. After you get on a roll with the freshest produce and fish, you’ll sit down to dine on a sumptuous lunch of your own making.

You may also savor two-for-one entrees at Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago throughout Kama’aina Season promo along with 20 percent off your entire bill at DUO Steak and Seafood for dinner only and 20 percent off signature cocktails at the upgraded Lobby Lounge.

“It always brings me joy to cook for the community. In fact, giving our residents the chance to come in and enjoy our restaurants when they might not normally be able to do so is really special for the entire team,” says Executive Chef Craig Dryhurst.

At DUO, theme nights are the kiawe-smoked prime rib meals on Sundays; the Raw Bar with fresh seafood from the island and beyond on Tuesdays; and Burger Night with gourmet picks on Wednesdays.

Spago’s menu rotates each night, but signature dishes are usually on the menu. Chef Peleg Miron’s Thai seafood and coconut red curry, grilled Chinois-style Colorado lamb chops and roasted organic chicken are all top sellers. At Ferraro’s, the pappardelle lamb ragu and the lobster gnocchi are always out of this world. All of the pasta is handmade in house by Chef Justin Purpura.

The Lobby Lounge features live music nightly with sunset ceremony and Hawaiian music from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and a contemporary musician from 8 to 11 p.m.

Dim sum and sushi are some favorite picks. The Kipahulu Lulu is bartender Chris Nevin’s award-winning Mai Tai. Another favorite drink is the Hala Kahiki.

By the way, Lobby Lounge is being reimagined with new furniture, new modern tropical cocktails and shareable plates influenced by Hawaii’s salad bowl of ethnic fare.

Those who want to indulge in a massage or a facial will want to check out the spa. Pat Makozak, spa director, says that “Optimizing wellness is especially important before a stressful time, so a pre-holiday treatment is the perfect way to kick off the season.

“The Spa has such a rich menu of spa offerings — from massages to wellness offerings to energy work — to aid in a customized relaxation and rejuvenation journey for our guests.”

You may want to opt for a poolside massage or facial or enjoy one in a private treatment room.

Choices include the Ultimate Deep Tissue Recovery, a new treatment; the Hydrofacial that is hugely popular; or perhaps you want to try acupuncture for well-being.

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Kama’aina Season at a glance:

• The stay: Get room rates starting at $349 now through Dec. 23.

• The meals: Get two-for-one entrees for dinner at Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. In addition, get 20 percent off the entire bill at DUO Steak and Seafood (dinner only), and 20 percent off select cocktails at the Lobby Lounge.

• The spa and salon: Complimentary Oxygen Therapy is offered with any spa facial booked. You get a complimentary blow dry with any hair coloring services, and complimentary Diamond Radiance Hand Mask with manicure or pedicure booked by Dec. 23.

• What else: Get 25 percent off Maui Undersea Adventures, 10 percent off a cabana rental and 22 Knots boutique items (restrictions may apply) and free overnight valet parking.

• For reservations: Hawaii residents with valid ID may call 874-8000 to book meals, spa and overnight stays.

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