For a chance to dine in sheer elegance, plan a trip to the Botero Lounge at Grand Wailea. A true Maui favorite, this upscale lounge offers handcrafted cocktails and sushi made while you watch. Nine sculptures by Fernando Botero add to the magical setting as do the live musical performances each evening.
To find the lounge, you just have to walk into the lobby of the Grand Wailea beachfront resort in Maui. As you walk up to the bar, take a moment to admire its stately columns leading up to the beautifully painted domed ceiling. Then, take a step back and check out the neat bar centerpiece lit up in blue before putting in your order for your drink.
At this lounge, signature craft cocktails are the name of the game, for sure. Each one starts with authentic Japanese ingredients specially sourced from trusted suppliers. Then, they expertly pair the spirits and key additions together to create well-nuanced flavor combos to remember. If you’d like to keep alcohol out of the mix, they have imaginative zero-proof craft mocktails as well, including their ever-popular Matcha Made in Heaven.
If cocktails aren’t your jam, they also have draft beer from Maui Brewing Co. plus bottled domestics and imports. Or you can go with wine by the glass instead. Red, white, and sparkling wines from all the top producers land on their menu on the regular. Not sure what to get? Just ask your server for their recommendations.
With your drink in hand, you’re welcome to grab a seat or wander around to find all nine of the Botero sculptures. Each one is well worth checking out, plus you might make a few newfound friends on your journey. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, find the live-action sushi station for a dramatic show to go with your small-bite delights. Prefer something a little bit more low-key? Just sample their starters to take the edge off your hunger. While you dine in style, don’t forget to tune into the live music performances that play nightly from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Their top creations include:
Botero Burger
When you just want pure decadence in every single bite, let the Botero Burger win you over. This dish begins with Waygu beef grilled to perfection and placed on a hearty bun. Crispy prosciutto and pickled Maui onions go over the top, followed by a dab of zesty pepperoncini aioli.
Spinach Miso Salad
If you want to keep it light yet flavorful, the Spinach Miso Salad is the way to go. This dish begins with baby spinach and grilled shiitake mushrooms tossed together. Then, the chef drizzles on the miso ghee dressing before sprinkling parmigiana cheese and kizami yuba over it all.
Ocean Roll
The Ocean Roll never fails to delight with its amazing mix of ocean flavors throughout. To begin this creation, the sushi chef expertly prepares the tuna, salmon, crab meat, hamachi, and crab meat. Once it’s ready to go, they roll it all up in rice and soy paper before creating bite-sized slices.
Whenever you want to satisfy your sweet tooth with refined flavors, set your sights on getting dessert at the lounge. Their Green Tea Crème Brulee and Local Bubbies Mochi both promise to leave you 100% delighted with each bite. But if you want to sip on an imaginative sweet treat, get the Ramune Japanese Soda Float instead. This fan favorite starts with yuzu ice cream topped with your Japanese soda of choice. Then, they add candied ginger over the top to bring it all together.
Insider Tips:
-Their sushi station only stays open from 5 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday through Saturday. So, on Sunday and Monday, you have to stick with drinks, appetizers, and dessert instead.
-Need vegetarian or gluten-free fare? Just look for the symbols next to the menu items.
-When dining in a group of eight or more, expect to see an 18% service charge automatically added to the bill.