Ocean oasis – A overview of The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in Hawaii

The Andaz Maui at Wailea is likely one of the hottest redemptions within the World of Hyatt program. It is so fashionable that discovering award area is not straightforward. So, when I discovered wide-open availability in Might of 2023, I jumped on the probability to e-book the gorgeous oceanside resort for a visit with my brother in November.
After a couple of nights at this resort, I can see why it is so fashionable with Hyatt followers: You get oceanfront entry in a primary Wailea location; fashionable, fashionable rooms; and laid-back, pleasant service that may depart you with that heat feeling of Aloha.
I’ve had an extended love affair with Maui, particularly with Hyatt manufacturers on the island, just like the Kaanapali Alii, a Vacation spot by Hyatt Residence that I reviewed in 2022. When you’re searching for a well-appointed seashore resort with all of the luxuries of a high-end resort, the Andaz Maui is a good alternative. After my four-night keep, you could be certain I’ll save up my World of Hyatt factors to expertise it once more.
Listed here are the issues to like and never love about this stunning Hawaii resort.
Snapshot of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort has 320 visitor rooms, which embrace 30 villas and 35 suites overlooking the ocean and Mokapu Seaside. The property has three wings with rooms and suites, after which the villas are unfold alongside the northern a part of the resort property and the seashore. The resort has the whole lot you’d need at a luxurious resort, plus easy accessibility to buying and golf.
There are three stacked, cascading out of doors swimming pools that type the centerpiece of the property, together with one which’s for adults solely. There’s additionally one other swimming pool on the north aspect of the resort. These choices and the stunning seashore make sure you’ll by no means be pressed to search out an idyllic place to swim or lounge.
You may discover open design ideas all through the property and up to date furnishings. And each room has a lanai.
The resort presents plentiful facilities, although with some caveats there that I will get to just a little later. There is a gigantic fitness center, a soothing spa with personalised apothecary oils and several other restaurant experiences on the property.
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The resort has pleasant, laid-back staff who’re all the time pleased to talk with company and reply pesky reporter questions concerning the property or about what it is like residing in Maui year-round.
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Why you will love The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Andaz Maui at Wailea is a good worth when utilizing World of Hyatt factors
I booked The Andaz Maui Resort for 40,000 World of Hyatt factors an evening (a $50 resort price was waived by way of my Globalst World of Hyatt standing).
Whereas I did not need to spend a lot for my keep, I did spend about $304 in room costs for meals and drinks. That earned me 1,217 World of Hyatt factors for utilizing my World of Hyatt Credit score Card, which provides 4 factors per greenback spent on Hyatt purchases.
I additionally earned 4,196 factors from linking my World of Hyatt account, which included a 30% Globalist bonus and three,000 factors as a part of Hyatt’s “Bonus Journeys” promotion (now not in impact). That is 5,413 World of Hyatt factors, value about $92, based on TPG’s present valuations. Not dangerous on an award keep.
That is a very whole lot, as money charges for the resort begin at round $983 an evening. A four-night keep would have price me round $4,000 if I might paid out of pocket. Since TPG values World of Hyatt factors at .017 every, I paid nearly $2,720.
The Andaz Maui options high-design areas with a spacious, relaxed foyer
The Andaz Maui is high-design and ultra-modern, becoming the Andaz model completely.
After pulling into the valet station, you stroll down an extended terraced marble path framed by reclaimed teak wooden to the open-air foyer.
Centered round a enjoyable sand pit sculpture that modifications every day, count on an impactful second once you enter the hovering, light-filled area with ocean views. There’s additionally a large skylight and no partitions, making it really feel extra like an ethereal beachside temple somewhat than a foyer.
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The resort was constructed utilizing the remnants of an older resort — the Renaissance Wailea Seaside Resort, which closed in 2007. It was the primary resort opened within the Wailea space method again in 1978. However there’s nothing old style concerning the Andaz.
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The Andaz reused 93% of the structural partitions, flooring and roof. The resort advised me that what it did not recycle it changed with more healthy, low-emissions materials.
In reality, it is a LEED-certified Silver score and exploring the resort reveals that it takes sustainability critically. The one space you would possibly discover is the older building is the peak of some ceilings within the rooms. They’ve decrease overhead area than you’re possible used to seeing in newer luxurious inns.
Rooms are stylish and sizable, with implausible bogs
The Andaz Maui opened in 2013, however the rooms right this moment stay fashionable and stylish. I used to be upgraded to a lately transformed ocean-view suite with a completely separate bed room with beautiful water views (partially obstructed by palm bushes). A welcome amenity was ready within the room, together with coconut water and contemporary fruit.
My brother and I had been actually wowed by the spacious residing space.
The rooms had been light-filled with numerous white and light-weight blue accents, which balanced properly with the darker wooden and teak furnishings. The mattress appeared very inviting with its crisp white linens. Blackout shades helped me have some very restful slumbers throughout my keep.
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All rooms on the resort have non-public lanais. Whereas they had been on the slender aspect in our explicit suite, we nonetheless had spectacular views of one of many resort towers, one of many swimming swimming pools and the ocean. The side-by-side lanai was a stunning place to look at the sundown from our room.
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The resort’s mattresses are from Sealy, which has me contemplating that model for my subsequent mattress buy. Mattress linens are by 1Concier, an American firm that provides linens and textiles to the hospitality trade, together with cruise ships.
My brother determined to sleep on the pullout sofa within the residing space. It was good to have a second room in order that we may every have a little bit of privateness. Whereas the pullout mattress wasn’t practically as comfortable as my giant platform mattress, it did the trick.
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The minifridge was stocked with Hawaiian ardour fruit orange juice from Aloha Maid, Island Root Beer from Maui Brewing Firm and a few chilled glasses. The resort provides out refillable bottles as a part of its many inexperienced initiatives, which sustainably-minded company will recognize. The room additionally had my favourite amenity — a Nespresso machine with loads of pods. There have been additionally some free snacks like Maui Model model potato chips and chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies from Cook dinner Kwee’s Maui Cookies.
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A number of electrical shops had been beside the mattress, together with three-pronged shops and USB ports.
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Additionally subsequent to the mattress had been the controls for decreasing and elevating the shades and blackout blinds and dimming the lights within the suite. They had been easy and simple to make use of.
The toilet in the principle bed room of the suite was expansive, that includes a large glass bathe with a rainfall showerhead and a bathe wand. The water stress was forceful and made for a stunning bathe expertise.
A few of the toilet’s highlights had been the enormous soaking bathtub, an extended two-sink counter and a separate water closet. My brother was particularly impressed with the heated Japanese-style Toto “washlet” rest room seat, the place you might regulate water stress and temperature settings.
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The massive-bottle facilities had been from Hawaiian magnificence model Malie Organics and smelled like coconut tanning oil. There have been two fluffy Andaz robes on hooks subsequent to the bathe, additionally made by 1Concier.
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There was one other half bathtub simply inside the principle entrance door.
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Whereas staying on the resort, I additionally had the chance to tour one of many villas. They’re large and will simply accommodate a big household gathering. There are two- and three-bedroom configurations, a few of that are new building and have full kitchens. Some even have washers and dryers, particular person scorching tubs and barbecue grills.
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These placing infinity swimming pools with ocean views
The perfect a part of checking in to the Andaz is trying over the balcony on the a number of ranges of swimming pools and the ocean beneath. The resort boasts three infinity-edge swimming pools cascading down from the open-air foyer.
There’s additionally a shallow lagoon pool excellent for youths and a pool on the north aspect of the property that’s fashionable with company who need just a little extra privateness. Throughout my keep, all of the swimming pools had been by no means crowded, and loads of pool chairs had been all the time obtainable.
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I liked the impact of the waterfalls falling over the cascading swimming pools’ edges.
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The resort is straight on the ocean in a fascinating a part of Wailea
The resort is positioned proper within the coronary heart of Wailea, the place you’ve gotten easy accessibility to some beautiful seashores and the Wailea Seaside Path — a strolling path alongside the ocean that takes you down previous the 4 Seasons (the place they filmed the primary season of “White Lotus” on HBO) and on to Polo Seaside. The trail is 1.6 miles, excellent for a dawn or sundown stroll passing by a few of the nicest resorts in Maui.
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A ten-minute stroll takes you to The Outlets at Wailea for high-end buying and eating. And it is simply an eight-minute drive to the city of Kihei, a 30-minute drive from Maui’s essential Kahului Airport (OGG), an hour to Kapalua and about two and a half hours to Hana if you wish to attempt to drive the well-known “Street to Hana.”
There are a number of scrumptious eating places, together with an impartial Japanese fusion restaurant
Morimoto Maui describes itself as a contemporary Japanese seashore home. It is helmed by Masaharu Morimoto, finest recognized for his activates “Iron Chef” and “Iron Chef America.” It boasts a primary location close to the seashore and one of many Andaz swimming swimming pools, and you may sit on the sushi bar, at tables inside or outdoors beneath the celebrities.
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My brother and I attempted some wonderful dishes, together with a number of oysters ($42), pork gyoza ($20), the extravagant sashimi mixture ($72), spicy tuna rolls ($16), edamame ($12) and the restaurant’s well-known sticky ribs ($25). It was a feast — and likewise, notably, not an affordable dinner. The whole (with tip) was greater than $264, and neither of us had alcoholic drinks (although I do suggest the imported Japanese Yuzu soda for $7).
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The principle restaurant at Andaz Maui is Ka’ana Kitchen, the place you will have very completely different experiences relying on the time of day
It is all about shared dishes on the essential restaurant on the Andaz, Ka’ana Kitchen, which serves farm-to-table meals with indoor and out of doors eating. You may discover this eatery on the backside of a grand spiral staircase, and it is open for breakfast (which is a wonderful unfold) and dinner.
My brother and I had dinner right here on our first evening on the resort. It was a beautiful meal, made even higher by attentive service from our pleasant server. The menu was stacked with contemporary, native meals, highlighting a few of the native farms they work with by identify.
Among the many dishes we tried had been the ahi Caesar salad ($27), the grilled octopus salad ($29), risotto ($39) and the Wagyu hanger steak with inexperienced papaya and peanuts ($32). Whereas I did not order it, the prime ribeye steak with broccolini ($115) additionally appeared tasty. The meals was all scrumptious, however it is a hearty menu, so carry a very good urge for food. I’ll say there was an amazing number of contemporary, domestically caught fish to select from, too.
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As our final course, we needed to strive some sweets. We ordered the coconut ice cream sundae ($16) and the chocolate decadence torte ($16). The torte was a bit too wealthy by the tip of the night, however we did not waste even a chunk of the sundae.
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Andaz Maui has probably the greatest breakfast spreads you will discover in Hawaii
Breakfast on the Andaz Maui was a memorable expertise, and is a should for many who love a scrumptious morning meal. The big unfold is self-service, additionally served at Ka’ana Kitchen (with waiters taking orders for made-to-order eggs and drinks).
They have nearly the whole lot you might need on supply, together with bacon, sausage and different breakfast meats, scrambled eggs, pancakes, contemporary fruit, hard-boiled eggs, a wide range of bread with plentiful toasters and much more unique fare like salmon or quinoa-kale salad with candy potatoes.
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There was additionally a wide range of contemporary juices that had been all scrumptious.
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My brother and I attempted just a little little bit of a whole lot of issues for breakfast. Every part was contemporary and well-prepared. One notice is that this isn’t an affordable breakfast until you’ve gotten top-tier Hyatt standing. Fortunately, my Globalist standing meant I did not need to pay for it, however the restaurant usually costs $98 for the breakfast unfold per particular person. The invoice included an 18% gratuity cost as well as. Specialty coffees are additional, too. A cappuccino, for instance, will set you again $8.
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You may sit inside or outdoors, however the restaurant is open to the outside, so watch out for the birds that may attempt to snatch your meals in the event you aren’t paying shut consideration.
You may get pleasure from informal eating with stay music poolside on the Lehua Lounge
For our final evening, my brother and I selected the extra informal eating spot, Lehua Lounge, close to one other of the resort’s swimming swimming pools. You may discover a full bar and out of doors seating areas in a extra informal setting. There’s even a hearth pit.
Named for Hawaii’s crimson lehua blossom, Lehua Lounge is one other farm-to-table-style restaurant with views of the Pacific Ocean. My brother and I noshed on Parmesan fries ($17), fried Brussels sprouts ($17), an ahi poke bowl ($27), and a Wagyu burger with contemporary greens ($27).
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Dwell music and a sundown made this a memorable final meal on the resort.
There are a few different choices on the Andaz Maui property. Although we did not expertise it, there’s a luau on Sundays, Tuesdays, and choose Thursdays known as The Feast at Mōkapu. Because the identify implies, it is proper on the seashore, but it surely’s expensive. Traditional seating is $280 per particular person, and premium seating is $340.
There’s additionally a poolside bar open through the day proper subsequent to one of many swimming pools known as Bumbye Seaside Bar that is open till 5 p.m., serving pool meals and drinks all day. Lastly, a reasonably stable resort retailer known as Mokapu Market sells the whole lot from ready sandwiches to packaged snacks.
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There is a state-of-the-art fitness center with the whole lot you want for a killer exercise
The ‘Awili Health fitness center on the Andaz Maui at Wailea was unbelievable, with resort views, a slew of Peloton bikes and each type of TechnoGym tools you may think about, together with free weights, machines and treadmills.
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The fitness center was open 24/7 with room keycard entry. Day by day health courses, like yoga and morning Pilates, had been included within the resort price.
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The ‘Āwili Spa and Salon is a should for a soothing, bespoke therapy
A spotlight of the resort is, no doubt, the ‘Āwili Spa and Salon. A whopping 14,000 sq. ft of area presents the whole lot from therapeutic massage to salon providers.
All of the remedies are personalized to particular person patrons. I had an entire apothecary expertise forward of my therapeutic massage, the place I may combine my very own oils based mostly on my preferences, which included numerous lavender to assist me loosen up and recharge.
I had a one-hour therapeutic massage they name “Important,” which prices $200 and options customizable stress and therapeutic massage strategies to swimsuit the person. There are many different choices, they usually additionally supply full salon providers right here.
{Couples} massages are additionally obtainable, from $410 all the way in which as much as $680, relying on the size and the therapy alternative.
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There have been additionally a number of leisure rooms, and each women and men had entry to separate areas for a steam room, a small soaking pool and a sauna.
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There are enjoyable actions provided on-site, like outrigger canoe rides
The Andaz additionally has some nice actions obtainable. Although in addition they made my record of causes to not go to (extra on that beneath), my brother and I had a couple of unbelievable experiences whereas staying on the resort.
We acquired up early one morning to trip on one of many outrigger canoes the resort makes obtainable for company. We had an amazing teacher alongside for the journey, Noa, who identified the surroundings because the solar got here up over Maui. He confirmed us some curious sea turtles who needed to examine us out.
The canoe trip was included as a part of the resort price, which additionally contains the next actions:
- Outrigger Expertise every day
- Stand-up paddleboard lesson every day
- Guided Kayak Excursions every day
- Health courses twice every day
- Ukulele classes
- Lei making courses
- Coconut weaving courses
- Hula classes
- Dwell Music at Lehua Lounge
If you would like different, longer actions like an hour-and-a-half outrigger and snorkel journey, these could be booked with Maui Pacific Adventures, which helps run the seashore actions and will clarify why service wasn’t all the time top-notch.
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After all, the perfect exercise could also be hanging out on Mokapu Seaside. The water right here is mild, however the waves get giant sufficient to make an try or two at boogie boarding. It is an amazing seashore.
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Concerning exploration and actions off-property, the courtesy automotive — a Grand Wagoneer SUV — will take you wherever in Wailea you wish to go without cost.
Why you may not love The Andaz Maui
Uncommon guidelines round tools and seashore recliners
My brother and I had been very dissatisfied with the gruff service and surprising guidelines round snorkeling tools and seashore chairs.
One of many perks of the resort price is that you may try snorkeling tools and different seashore facilities without cost. However we discovered that there have been strict guidelines for when you might and could not get tools. Sooner or later, we had been advised we needed to have requested for snorkeling gear by 12:30 p.m., and one other day, we had been advised gear needed to be checked out by midday. The resort advised me that is as a result of It tends to get windy on the seashore within the afternoons, however I am undecided why that may rule out utilizing snorkeling gear within the afternoon.
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Not like our wonderful aloha from the younger males in command of our excursions within the early morning, the blokes working within the afternoon appeared put out by having to assist company with tools. The attendants additionally began lingering close to company on seashore chairs round 3:30 p.m., making an attempt to gather chairs and get them stacked and put away properly earlier than sundown.
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I’ve by no means heard of a resort being so stingy with tools and speeding prospects off properly earlier than sundown, although the resort apparently has its causes, attributing the foundations to the wind.
Costs — for the whole lot — are very excessive at this Wailea resort
Like different Hawaii resorts, the Andaz Maui is not an affordable place to remain. Even in the event you use factors, the payments are inclined to pile up, particularly if you do not have World of Hyatt Globalist standing. Maui resorts have gotten way more costly because the pandemic, as hoteliers discovered they may elevate costs generally dramatically since Hawaii appears to be on everybody’s bucket record.
A four-day trip, just like the one I took, could be at the least $4,000 for an entry-level room and greater than $8,700 for an ocean-view suite, and that is within the September sluggish season.
Remember extras, like valet parking for $48 a day and that steep resort price of $50 per evening.
That makes reserving with factors an impressive worth, beginning at 35,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening … if you’ll find availability.
There’s just one scorching tub —and it may possibly get crowded
One of many few complaints my brother and I had concerning the resort was the shortage of a couple of scorching tub. There’s only one on the property that is open to all company, and it was crowded at occasions. It might be nice if the resort may add one other scorching tub maybe close to the stand-alone pool on the north aspect of the property.
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Options to the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
There are many different stellar lodging choices within the space if the Andaz would not sound like your cup of tea. In reality, we have compiled the perfect Maui inns and resorts on your subsequent journey to this particular vacation spot.
If you wish to keep in Wailea, there are a whole lot of decisions, together with the luxurious 4 Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea simply down the highway, the place nightly charges start at a hefty $995.
Additionally in Wailea, you will discover the Wailea Seaside Resort, a Marriott resort on a phenomenal 22-acre property with 5 swimming pools and ocean views set between Wailea and Ulua seashores. Charges there begin just below $1,000 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors.
Evaluate: Wailea Seaside Resort
Close by, you will additionally discover a Hilton choice as properly. The Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, options 776 rooms, suites and massive luxurious villas that simply acquired a significant overhaul. Charges right here begin at $832 or 110,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening.
When you’d favor to stick with Hyatt, there are a lot of decisions, as I discussed at first of this text, together with 13 Vacation spot by Hyatt residences and resorts. I really like the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, which is lastly taking bookings after it was closed to assist home these displaced from the Maui wildfire earlier this yr. Charges on the Hyatt Regency begin at $667 or 30,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening.
The Factors Man additionally loves Wailea Seaside Villas, a Vacation spot by Hyatt Residence property. Every villa is at the least 2,500 sq. ft, with views of the ocean and lanais that includes full kitchens and Viking barbecue grills. Costs begin at round $1,200 an evening or 56,000 World of Hyatt factors.
If you wish to strive one thing just a little additional afield. I extremely suggest Hana-Maui Resort in Hana. You actually really feel like you’re getting away from all of it at this Hyatt property on the finish of the curvy Street to Hana. Charges begin at $730 or 25,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening.
Accessibility on the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Accessibility is likely one of the locations the place the Andaz Maui at Wailea actually shines. The resort has a complete of 11 ADA-compliant rooms on the property, which embrace two villas. These rooms have wider doorways, roll-in showers, lowered sinks and mirrors and assist bars within the bogs.
Elevator and room doorways and hallways had been additionally broad all through the property. The buttons within the elevators had been from numerous heights reachable.
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Exterior, paths had been broad sufficient to accommodate a wheelchair, and there have been clearly marked paths for wheelchair customers, particularly, all through the property.
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Lastly, there have been elevator lifts on the swimming pools, and some of the swimming pools even had graduated entrances that may be accessible to those that wanted chair help. Even the out of doors showers may accommodate a chair.
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Testing of the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
The Andaz Maui at Wailea was a house run for this highway warrior and his novice traveler brother. It is a luxurious resort with none angle.
Whereas the strict guidelines round seashore tools delay each of us, the friendliness of the remainder of the workers greater than made up for that minor annoyance.
Excessive design, considerable swimming pools and the terrific seashore make this a high decide for this seasoned Maui customer. The ocean-view, light-filled rooms with tremendous comfortable beds improved my total keep.
I sit up for returning as soon as I’ve restocked my World of Hyatt stability.
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