Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

The grounds of the hotel were beautiful. We enjoyed the property, and it appeared well-maintained. Our room was spacious and comfortable. The pool situation was difficult. We searched for a chair to use by the enormous pool and surrounding lawn for about 45 min. None were to be found. We were able to grab one on the beach, only to be told they were $75 for the day. The slides that connects the pools are in dire need of repair. You can not slide down then and need to scoot. My kids wanted me to go with them, and by going down the slides I ruined a swimsuit. ( pilled and torn fabric). In general, the food and drinks were priced high, even for Hawaii. Overall, I think it was a good use of Hilton points, but I am not sure I would go out of my way to return.

We recently decided to spend our honeymoon at the Waldorf Astoria Maui while island hopping, and had high hopes based on the luxurious reputation and amenities advertised on their website. One of the main reasons we chose this hotel was the promise of a serene experience at the “Formal/Adult Only Deck” pool, where we could rent a daybed for $300 and enjoy some relaxation as newlyweds, all I got was a headache. Upon checking into our daybed reservation, we were disappointed to find families with young children occupying the area that was supposed to be adults only. Throughout our time there, we were disturbed by a child having a meltdown for hours right next to us, which was absolutely not the peaceful atmosphere we were hoping for (or paid for). As a teacher who works with young children every day, I truly value the importance of adult-only spaces, and this experience really fell short of what was promised. It was also disheartening to see that many other poolside guests were clearly upset with the lack of care regarding this issue, expressing their frustrations over the false advertisement of the adult-only policy. Additionally, I was taken aback by the lack of cleanliness in common areas. There was garbage left on a table outside the elevator, which remained there from when we left for dinner until the following afternoon. Given the high price we paid for our stay at what is marketed as a “premier luxury beachfront destination,” it was disheartening to encounter such neglect. To make matters worse, the overall demeanor of the staff was not welcoming. The pool staff and bartenders all were visibly unhappy, which added to the overall disappointing experience. To conclude, while the setting is beautiful, it’s important to note that the advertised adults-only pool is misleading. The execution of their adult-only policy, attention to cleanliness, and staff attitude require significant improvement. I would strongly advise prospective guests to consider these factors before booking, particularly if a peaceful and exclusive pool experience is a priority for them.

We travelled with our family. From a kids point of view this place would be great. There are water slides, a rope swing, lazy river and a beautiful beach. For our kids this was paradise. For adults…….not so much: The pool- specifically the chair issues. First, to be paying for a first class resort I don’t expect to be up early in the morning just to secure a spot at the pool. Every morning has the feel of a low rate Carnival Cruise. One morning I saw the police there escorting someone out over a chair argument. Briefly, the chair rule is that if staff notices nobody sitting at your chair for an hour the place the back forward, you then have an hour to put it back or you lose your chair. One morning I took a picture of our chair as I put the back up to get a time stamp. 45 minutes later a family is in our chairs. When I asked them if they took the chairs with the backs forward they said yes. I notified the pool deck manager who got me a pair of chairs on the lawn rather than the chairs I had gotten up early to “save”. And the family was allowed to keep the chairs. It’s frustrating that I was checking those chairs every hour to abide by rules that were not enforced. In addition the chairs in the pool are insanely close together and crowded. Staff- I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. I get the feel that they are more to enforce rules than focus on customer service and hospitality. None of them seemed like lazy or unkind people, it just always felt like they had more pressing issues that captures their attention. The bellhop staff was awesome. Cost- EVERY SINGLE THING costs extra and the prices are beyond “Hawaii high”. I never got the feel that I was receiving any amenities that are typical of a resort with this stature and reputation. I agree with another review that the general store on level 4(?) is insane. Fortunately there are other options nearby. Lastly, most flights to the mainland leave at night, it would be sensible to at least have a locker room facility so those enjoying their last day can shower before getting on a lengthy flight. They do store your luggage for you, but that’s it. We ended up spending several hundred more dollars just to get a room by the airport for a couple hours to shower and freshen up before flying 12 hours home. In summary, if you want a great time for the kids, they will, but it will cost you extra stress every day, particularly in the morning at the pool my advice would be not to bother and get (and of course pay) for beach chairs or better yet go get a couple and an umbrella at a store, it will be cheaper than renting for several days If you’re seeking a relaxing vacation where you are taken care of and not being beholden to the chair circus and a plethora of rules (wrist bands, checking in on your chairs you would a child). Do not come here. The chair checking is especially annoying when you’re on the beach and constantly checking the time to not lose your chair. Not ideal for a honeymoon at all. Also- when building a resort make sure that your pool and deck are appropriately scaled, this is the worst I’ve ever seen in regard to this.

As a returning guest and Diamond member, we absolutely LOVE coming back to the Grand Wailea. Every trip feels like a dream, and this one was no different. We were fortunate to receive a lovely upgrade thanks to our Diamond status, which made the experience even more special. Yes, things are pricey here—but it’s to be expected at a resort of this caliber. The quality, setting, and service are great, and we’ve always felt it’s worth it for the experience. This was our first time trying the new Loulu by Erewhon, and we were very impressed. The food was fresh, delicious, and thoughtfully prepared—a great addition to the property. The pool staff also continues to shine with their friendliness and attentiveness. Our kids loved the water slides, which is always a highlight. That said, we were surprised this time by how busy the pool area was in the mornings. We’ve never noticed it to this extent on past visits, but by 7am, people were already rushing to claim chairs—it felt a bit hectic! One bonus tip: we used Maui Laundry lockers for our clothes and they picked up and dropped off with no issues—highly recommend if you're traveling light or staying longer. All in all, we’ll definitely be back. Grand Wailea continues to be a special place for our family, and we can't wait for the next visit.

The hotel itself is beautiful, with great rooms and friendly staff, but unfortunately, it’s overshadowed by extremely poor management and operations. The pool areas are severely overcrowded. Even heading down as early as 7 AM doesn’t guarantee you a recliner. There are long lines just to get towels, and an even bigger crowd scrambling for beach chairs. For the premium price you’re paying, you expect a relaxing experience — instead, it feels stressful and chaotic as you’re constantly outpaced by others just trying to secure basic amenities. Overall, while the property has potential, the lack of organization leaves a distasteful impression and takes away from what should have been an enjoyable stay.