Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort - a concept by Hyatt

The adult pool is small, has no view, and there’s only one hot tub on the property. The tub by the main second-level infinity pool often feels like a kids’ pool, with small children outnumbering adults. If you’re hoping for a quiet, adult-focused pool and spa visit, the setup may disappoint. We’ve stayed at the Andaz Maui four times since its opening year, and there’s still plenty to love. The design is beautiful, the stacked infinity pools look stunning, and direct beach access with paddleboards and kayaks is a real highlight. Cocktails and bar food have been consistently excellent. The rooms are comfortable and thoughtfully designed, though pool-facing rooms on the fourth floor or lower can be loud and feel exposed because of the activity around the main pools. Compared with earlier visits, the atmosphere now feels much more energetic and family-centered. That may suit people traveling with kids, but consider it if you’re looking for a quieter escape as a couple. It’s a beautiful, lively resort with great amenities, though these days it seems better suited to families and active travelers than to couples after a peaceful retreat.

What made our seven unforgettable days special was Teiva. From the time we arrived, she treated us like royalty and made us feel like king and queen. Her warm smile, kindness, professionalism, and genuine care kept us comfortable and happy throughout our time in Maui. She was naturally attentive with every guest, and you could tell she loves her work. Thoughtful little gestures, conversations, and positive energy turned an already five-star resort stay into a seven-star memory for us. We happily gave her $20 as a small thank-you for making our honeymoon/vacation so meaningful, though she deserves much more recognition. The resort itself is absolutely beautiful, and the service was beyond what we expected at every turn. Teiva, thank you for your hospitality and for making the trip unforgettable. We’ll always remember how welcome you made us feel. Please consider giving Teiva a promotion.

PJ and the boys at valet set the tone before you even see the ocean or the property. They’re professional, quick, and a pleasure to deal with, and that team earns five stars from me. The Lehua Lounge staff were accommodating and had a great attitude too. The property and pools were lovely, the private beach was great, and the Luau show was fun with an incredible view. At the pool, the Mochiko chicken and lobster grilled cheese were exceptional, and I’d order both again. Service around the pools and at the Luau could’ve been better. For the price, I expected five-star service throughout. There’s only one hot tub, and it was always full. The adult pool was quieter but had no view, no hot tub, and virtually no staff. At the Luau we had to get our own drinks. That wasn’t a huge deal, but I expected more after paying hundreds of dollars. Near the end, I asked the cart attendant for an off-menu suggestion and she snapped, “What do you want, the show is about to end and we are closing.” The food there was subpar, like a middling catered meal. I asked to see the deluxe suite before paying an extra $250 a night to upgrade from the partial ocean view suite, but they never showed it to me. I accepted and paid willingly, but wouldn’t have spent the extra if I’d seen it first. It seemed about the same size with only a slightly better view. The shower temperature kept fluctuating, and there were no screens on the doors, so opening them at night meant being swarmed by bugs. At a resort of this caliber, I also expected staff to set up the beach chair instead of just tossing a towel on it. I know I may sound entitled, and I did have an amazing trip. These are just things that shouldn’t happen at a premium resort where rooms cost $1,000-$4,000. I’ve been a globalist for years, stay at Hyatts almost weekly, and will keep staying at Hyatt properties around the world. The valet team and Lehua Lounge staff deserve another five stars. I wanted to give an honest review.

Ulua and Mokapu are fantastic for swimming and snorkeling, and both sit right in front of the Andaz. Of the five major Wailea hotels, Andaz, Marriott, Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, and Fairmont, I’d put this among the best beach locations. The valets were very nice and usually retrieved our car quickly, though valet-only parking at $59 a night felt ridiculous. I don’t see why they couldn’t offer self-parking. The rooms were the biggest letdown. They’re laid out strangely, and if you don’t get an ocean view, the experience can be ugly. We booked ten months ahead, but our room was changed on arrival day to one facing away from the ocean near the loading dock and garbage area. When we opened the balcony slider, we heard bottles being dumped or a forklift beeping. There are no screens on the lanai doors, so we couldn’t leave them open overnight, even with it 67 degrees outside. Running the AC with the doors shut felt environmentally unfriendly. If you want fresh Hawaiian air while you sleep, this may not be the place. The lobby and entry are modern, but much more compact than the Marriott next door or Grand Wailea. The grounds are heavily hardscaped, which looks modern but felt less cozy than places with trees, flowers, and landscaping, like the Grand Hyatt Kauai. We didn’t care for the cold aesthetic. The four mostly rectangular pool levels were just okay, more showy than interesting. We preferred the Grand Wailea or Sheraton Maui pools. The location is excellent, but the place felt overpriced and overhyped for what you get. We’ve stayed at many Maui and Kauai resorts, and this one ranks near the bottom for us. For South Maui, I’d suggest Wailea Beach Resort next door or Fairmont Kea Lani farther south.