Grand Wailea Maui
About fifteen years after our last visit, we recently stayed at the Grand Wailea Maui. We were in a different life season back then. Our first stay was before our little ones and at a time when we visited the Hawaiian islands more often. Grand Wailea award stays were also quite different years ago, too. I recall paying 280k Hilton Honors points for our five-night stay (70k nightly plus the fifth night free). Plus, we hit a Diamond upgrade jackpot on that stay – a Napua Wing room with club access. This go-round, we paid 440k points for the same number of nights (110k nightly plus the fifth night free). My wife and I returned with tempered expectations for this trip, fully knowing the delight of our little ones at the property would be sufficient. Nonetheless, here’s what stood out to us during our spring break visit.
Diamond Elite Recognition Still Exists
Our arrival via Uber was uneventful, for better or worse. Valet was predictably, absolutely slammed as we rolled up around 3 pm. We snaked through throngs of Suburbans, Jeeps, and Mustangs, with no bellman in sight. I imagine welcome leis left this property many years ago. Undeterred, I posted up at check-in for about a 20-minute wait with my plus three sprawled across a lobby sofa.
The pair of front desk agents weren’t bothered by the exponentially-growing line at check-in, which turned out to be the longest front desk line we experienced during our entire stay. But like the reps, I acted as if that line didn’t exist once it was my turn. Our front desk agent was warm and informative throughout the process. And she delivered when it mattered most. I inquired about any available upgrades due to my Hilton Honors Diamond status. She offered an upgrade from our two-queen garden view room to a king bed with full ocean view in the Wailea Wing. This room also came with a pull-out sofa for our two little ones.
I thanked the rep for the upgrade, which turned out to be more timely than I expected. My Hilton Honors status went from Diamond to Gold in the middle of the stay, so this upgrade was a nice bookend.
Grand Wailea Maui Room
The room itself was…fine. The Grand Wailea underwent a full room renovation just a few years ago. But the condition of our room felt like it wasn’t that recent. Overall, the room – and more importantly, the view – were satisfying enough. But closer inspection quickly revealed imperfections – chipped paint, nicked-up furniture, temperamental bathroom doors, stained cushions, etc. Understandably, the property can’t control some of this – disrespectful visitors abound. But the Grand Wailea Maui room is a clear step below the standard of other Waldorf Astoria properties I’ve visited, even ones I’m not particularly enamored by. Again, I’m not surprised by this, given the sheer size of this sprawling property.
So-So Food and Beverage Options
My wife and I had buckled up for food and beverage prices for this trip. What we weren’t fully prepared for were the relatively-limited options during our stay amidst the jam-packed spring break season. Perhaps breakfast best illustrates this predicament. Beyond room service, this 844-room property offers two restaurant options for the first meal of the day:
- Loulu serves fresh options but is mostly a takeaway joint.
- Humuhumunukunukuapuaa is known primarily for seafood and steak with remarkable views at dinner but also serves a daily breakfast buffet.
The Loulu line was routinely out the door, winding through the small set of outdoor tables. Unhelpfully, I couldn’t find the menu with pricing online; visitors must resort (pun intended) to making out the small-font-size menu once they reach the counter, slowing down the queue further. The hardworking staff here does everything to keep the line moving, but there’s no getting around how slammed they were during peak meal times.
For the prices of $62 per adult and $45 per child, visitors have the privilege of lining up early for a table at Humuhumunukunukuapuaa’s breakfast buffet. Upon seeing this on our first attempt, we quickly gave up. On a subsequent morning, we joined the line just before 7 am opening and still experienced a 30 minute or so wait. I planned for a not-exactly-obscure angle to cover our ~$275 breakfast; unfortunately, there’s no avoiding the wait at high season.
Perhaps our favorite dining experiences were at the Wailea Surf Haus, offering reasonably-priced, healthy options and remarkable views at poolside facing the beach. We didn’t get around to other F&B spots, primarily opting for the outstanding Island Gourmet Market located in the Shops at Wailea.
Excellent Service
Throughout our stay, we continually experienced solid service from Grand Wailea Maui staff. Housekeeping was magically automatic here. I didn’t have to mess with asking for it at the front desk at check-in. It just routinely, promptly happened. Each morning after breakfast, we returned to our room to prepare for our early day at the beach and pool. We left the room around 9 am daily, and houskeeping had always cleaned the room before we returned in the early afternoon. We could easily enjoy an afternoon rest before activities later in the day. Some might see this as a low bar, but with the dwindling, unpredictable state of what I still consider my favorite hotel perk, I won’t overlook such competence.
Waitstaff was remarkable during each of our on-property meals. Our Humuhumu waiter was the best I can remember at such a breakfast buffet, routinely topping off myriad beverages while mixing in our POG requests. Shoutout to the Wailea Surf Haus waiters, too. Don’t bother queueing up at the counter – grab a table, order, relax, and enjoy the views.
Best In Wailea?
While at the beach with my bodysurfing little ones, I briefly turned around and gazed at the landscape. Compared to its neighbors, the Grand Wailea seems to offer the best inventory of full ocean view rooms in the area. The Four Seasons and low-slung Marriott properties don’t compete here, and I expect that the farther-afield Andaz and Fairmont don’t, either.
The Grand Wailea’s huge pool complex easily bests its neighbors, as well. Perhaps its closest competition is from the Hyatt Regency and Westin across the island in West Maui. The pool’s water elevator may not be working, but most everything else does.
Grand Wailea Maui – Conclusion
We enjoyed our family stay at the Grand Wailea Maui, but I can also understand how some are turned off by this property. We visit Hawaii less frequently at this stage of our lives, and we prefer varied experiences when we do. Consequently, we have no plans to return to Grand Wailea Maui. As Daniel Tiger sings, “that was fun, but now it’s done.”
How was your stay at the Grand Wailea Maui?
I stayed a couple nights in early March using Aspire free night certs and really enjoyed it. I was upgraded to a room with a huge balcony/lanai with day bed, and the views were amazing. I wasn’t really impressed with the food options either, but I did have an amazing Kahlua pork nachos at the hidden taco truck in the trees behind the pool towel desk. I don’t even think I saw a sign for the taco truck so I’m not surprised I was the only one ordering there… but the food was amazing and a good value. I’d definitely go back with free night certs but definitely not at rack rate and probably not at HHonors points rate.