Grand Champions Villas in Wailea: An Owner’s Guide

Grand Champions Villas is a low-rise condo community in the middle of Wailea, set between the Wailea Blue golf course and the Wailea Tennis Club. It’s not beachfront like the big resorts, and that’s part of the charm. These condos feature large floor plans with lanais that offer plenty of outdoor seating. They’re a great solution for families and couples traveling in pairs. Every condo has a full kitchen and free parking, and the complex has two pools. Wailea’s beaches and The Shops at Wailea are both walkable, although many guests prefer to drive with their beach gear. And it’s all available at a much lower price than a smaller hotel room at a beachfront resort.

We’ve owned unit #4 since 2022 and have spent many wonderful weeks since exploring Wailea, Kihei, and the rest of Maui. This guide covers all the nuances and details we’d want to know before deciding which Grand Champions condo to book, including layout, location in the complex, pool access, parking, check-in, and more.

Grand Champions Villas at a Glance

Address	155 Wailea Ike Place, Wailea, Maui, HI 96753
Size	188 villas across 20 low-rise buildings (2-3 stories)
Built	1989, as part of Wailea’s master-planned resort
Condo types	One, two, and three bedrooms, each individually owned
Pools	Two, each with a hot tub, BBQ grills, and changing rooms
Parking	At least one free reserved spot per villa, plus guest spots
Check-in	Usually a digital door code straight to your condo
Next door	Wailea Blue golf course and the Wailea Tennis Club
Walk to	The Shops at Wailea in about 5 mins, Wailea Beach in 15 mins

How Grand Champions Is Laid Out

The buildings are two and three stories, spread along a few quiet internal lanes with parking right outside each condo. There’s no tower, no lobby, and no long hallways. You park, walk a few steps through the landscaping, and you’re at your front door. There are also “Guest” parking spots available in case you have a second rental car or invite some friends to stop by for a cocktail.

One side of the complex borders the Wailea Blue golf course, so quite a few condos on this side of the complex look out over the fairway toward the ocean and the West Maui Mountains. The Wailea Tennis Club sits on the south side near the entrance. In between, the grounds are thick with palms, plumeria, bougainvillea, and ti plants, which collectively give Grand Champions a lush and calming atmosphere.

The Two Pools at Grand Champions

There are two nicely landscaped pool areas in the complex, and they have different personalities. Both have a hot tub, BBQ grills, lounge chairs, and changing rooms.

The quiet pool is the larger, rounded one, tucked beside the golf course. It tends to draw readers, couples, adult hot-tubbers, and anyone looking to unwind peacefully with an afternoon beverage.

The family pool is the squared-off one near the center of the complex. This is where kids splash and play, and nobody minds a little noise. Neither pool is more than a 3-minute walk from any condo in the complex. We’ve spent lots of time at both pools, with and without kids, and we love that each has a different vibe.

We also love that our lanai overlooks a tropical jungle area and dry creek instead of either pool. Condos that do overlook the pool areas sacrifice a bit of privacy and solitude, particularly in the afternoons and early evenings. If this is important to you, definitely ask the condo owner how close they are to the pools and which way their lanai faces before you book.

The Condos

Every villa is individually owned, so no two are exactly alike on the inside. Finishes, furniture, views, and beach gear can vary greatly from one to the next, and many have been remodeled since the complex was built. Generally speaking, the condos at Grand Champions are very nicely appointed as most owners do tend to use them personally at various times throughout the year.

Floor plans come in one, two, and three bedrooms. All have a full kitchen and a private lanai, and most have a dedicated washer and dryer in the unit. Ground-floor condos are the easiest for strollers and anyone who wants to avoid stairs, but keep in mind that some ground-floor units are actually accessed via half-height staircases that go down from the parking lot. In these buildings, the second-floor units only require going up a half-height staircase.

Our condo, Grand Champions #4, is a remodeled two-bedroom, two-bath condo with two king suites, air conditioning throughout, and a lanai over the jungle. It’s on the second floor, up one short half-flight of stairs.

Location and Walking Times

Grand Champions sits in the heart of Wailea, close to nearly everything but set back from the busiest stretch of resort frontage.

Golfers have it easy at Grand Champions. The large floor plans mean there’s plenty of room to bring your clubs inside and roll some practice putts in your living room. The Wailea Blue course is right next door and the Gold and Emerald courses are only a short drive to the south. Our Maui golf guide has current rates for all three and makes a good argument as to why Wailea, not Kapalua, is actually the epicenter of golf on Maui.

Check-In, Parking, and the Front Desk

Check-in works differently than at a hotel. Most owners send a digital door code before you arrive, which makes it really easy to just park and go straight to your condo. While there’s an HOA office on site, it serves owners only and doesn’t check guests in or otherwise assist in coordinating your stay. Your host/owner remains your sole point of contact throughout your stay.

Parking is free and easy. Each villa has at least one reserved spot close to its building, and a second car can usually use any open guest spot. There are no extra resort fees and no parking fees.

Who Is Grand Champions For?

It’s a great fit if you want room to spread out, a kitchen, a quiet night’s sleep, and a central Wailea location without resort prices. Families, couples, golfers, and longer-stay guests all do really well here.

Grand Champions is perhaps not the right choice if you prioritize stepping directly from the property onto the sand, or if you want on-site restaurants, a bar, and daily housekeeping. For that, look at the beachfront resorts and expect to pay accordingly! That said, several good restaurants are a short walk from the condo. See our Wailea restaurant guide.

How Grand Champions Compares to Other Wailea Options

Versus the beachfront resorts (Andaz, Fairmont, Four Seasons): the resorts put you on the sand with every amenity, at resort rates plus daily resort and parking fees. Grand Champions gives you more space, privacy, and a full condo for a fraction of the nightly cost.

Versus Wailea Ekahi Village: Ekahi has direct beach access, but it’s busier and pricier. Grand Champions is quieter and closer to the shops, golf, and tennis.

Versus The Palms at Wailea: The Palms tends to have larger condos, but it has one pool and no hot tub. Grand Champions has two pools with hot tubs and a reserved parking spot for every villa.

Versus Wailea Ekolu Village: Ekolu offers great ocean views but sits further up the hill. Grand Champions is a bit more centrally located.

Versus Wailea Elua Village: Elua is beachfront and beautiful, and priced to match. Grand Champions comes in at a friendlier price while still delivering resort-style pools and landscaping.

Booking a Condo at Grand Champions

Because each villa is individually owned, you can sometimes book directly with the owner and skip the service fees that Airbnb and Vrbo add. Guests who book our condo direct save about 10% and get early check-in or late check-out whenever the calendar allows. Check availability for Grand Champions #4.

Grand Champions Villas FAQ