aui caters to over a half-million visitors each year, mesmerizing travelers with equal doses of untamed beauty and outdoor activities, all in a sun-splashed enchanted-isle setting.
The Valley Isle’s fun in the sun includes immersing with its medley of multi-colored lava rock beaches, hiking the abundant beauty bamboo forests in Haleakala National Park, and the fabled drive on the switchbacks on the somewhat perilous Hana Highway.
While flashy surfers shred big waves and curious snorkelers explore an abundance of marine life, the island’s epicure revival is in full swing placing credence on sustainability, locally sourced seafood, and farm to table dining.
Maui’s wealth of grandiose luxury beachfront resorts may not be as boisterous as its Oahu counterparts, but Maui’s understated opulence rivals the best hotels in the world.
The Grand Wailea Resort, a Waldorf Astoria property located on 40 oceanfront acres oozes a casual elegance that the esteemed isle is celebrated for. It’s located in the village of Wailea and near four golf courses and quaint shopping, 30 minutes from Kahalui Airport.
From the moment you enter the luxe residence, you notice its ostentatious water park vibe. An intricate Water system is flowing throughout the grounds. Cascading waterfalls greet guests adhering s to its polished Six Flags ambiance with impressive water slides and the world’s only water elevator. Every space on the property is well thought out. Common areas include an impressive display of international and local artist’s renderings.
Rooms & Suites
The luxe lodging comprising of 776 oversized guest rooms and suites on sundrenched Wailea Beach dazzles guests. A hotel within a hotel, akin to hotel rewards floor, the swanky private entrance Napua Club quarters 100 of the rooms and suites.
In the hotel itself, most rooms feature seaside views with lanai terraces, Kuerig coffee machines, mini-fridges, plush Waldorf Astoria bathrobes, and lines. Many of the rooms and suites received a makeover with bright color palettes reflecting the cozy Hawaiian beach ambiance.
Dining & Drinking
With ten possible eating and drinking experiences, you’ll find no shortage of places to partake in a meal or to sip on a fruity rum cocktail.
The Breakfast Buffet is an out of body experience taking the first meal to another galaxy. The choices are endless as you weave through the plethora of options including everything from stately cooks dressed in white chef outfits making omelets to a carvery stand, sushi, and too many choices to options to indulge in.
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a Restaurant
The Grand Wailea’s gourmet dining experience takes its name from Hawaii’s State Fish, but even locals call the fancy eatery Humu. Award-Winning Executive-Chef Alvin Savella impresses guests with his Hawaiian-fusion menu. The dining is unrivaled anywhere on Maui. Keeping with its Polynesian theme dishes brilliant dishes includes Crispy Freind Mochiko Chicken, Hawaiian Style Poke, Lobster Ramen, and Seared Togarashi Ahi & Foie Gras.
The quintessential Hawaiian atmosphere. Polynesian style huts on stilts over saltwater make for an unforgettable experience. It’s created to be a traditional Hawaiian home built out of local Ohia wood from the only Pacific tropical forests in the United States.
Spa Grande at Grand Wailea
The humungous 50, square-feet healing center overlaid in Italian marble, Murano chandeliers from Venice, and surrounded in mahogany is the quintessential destination to relax, be pampered and rejuvenate.
People travel from throughout the world to recharge at the award-winning Spa Grande for its wide range of treatments. State of the art revitalizing center has over 40 therapy rooms offering ancient Hawaiian therapies, including the popular Honey Macadamean Nut Indulgences using local products of the island. Both eastern medicine and western remedies integrated into curing specific ailments.
The full slate of remedies includes soothing massages, cleansing facials, saunas, a Japanese furo soak, the latest Swiss jet showers, five fragranced baths., and a modern fitness center with daily Yoga classes to kickstart your day.
Cultural Immersion
The luxe-resort playground even has it’s own Hawaiian cultural on-site curator and teacher of Polynesian culture Kainoa Horcajo who teaches visitors the traditions and folklore of the Hawaiian Islands. “When we tell the stories of a place, we give life to those stories. A spiritual concept that I think that is really important to connect to the Hawaiian culture when people come to Hawaii because without its values and sense of place you could be anywhere,” mentions Horcajo.
With a treasure trove of onsite activities, delicious meals, personal concierge attention, wellness-therapy treatments, and cultural involvement a Maui vacation begins with a stay at the Grand Wailea.
