Grand Wailea Review: Luxury in Maui

If you're looking for a truly luxurious hotel in Maui that provides a relaxing, fun, and memorable experience, you should consider staying at the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.

About the Grand Wailea

The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort (known as the Grand Wailea), is a Hilton property. Waldorf Astoria hotels and resorts are often Hilton's most luxurious and expensive properties, and the Grand Wailea is no exception. A Garden View room can set you back over $1,600 per night, including taxes and resort fees.

But a great benefit of the Grand Wailea as a Hilton property is that you can redeem Hilton points or free nights for a room, with a standard room starting at 110,000 points per night.

» Learn more: Hilton Honors points: Sweet spots for redemptions

Grand Wailea Location

The Grand Wailea is located in southwest Maui and is surrounded by other high-end properties. It is located next to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (where the HBO show "White Lotus" was filmed) and is within walking distance to the Fairmont Kea Lani and the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.

Bring your swimsuit and sunscreen, as the Grand Wailea is located directly across the beach.

» Learn more: Maui trip planning: Kaanapali or Wailea?

Design and amenities at the Grand Wailea

The Grand Wailea is a massive property with 776 guest rooms, 40 acres of tropical gardens, a 50,000 square-foot spa, a wedding chapel and more.

One of the best parts of staying at the Grand Wailea is its main pool area, which is a stunning 25,700 square feet and consists of nine individual pools on six different levels connected by water slides. Once you slide down to the bottom level of the main pool, there is a grotto bar where you can head in for a drink in the shade before swimming out to the pool's lazy river. And to top it off, the hotel's main pool also features the world's first water elevator, which uses water pressure to take you from the bottom level back up to the slides.

While the main pool is worth experiencing, if you're looking to relax and want more of a quiet setting, the Grand Wailea also has an adults-only Hibiscus Pool. With over 2.2 million tiles inside and two Jacuzzis, the pool is perfect for adults who need rest and relaxation.

» Learn more: How to navigate Hilton Honors award levels

Food and beverage

There are several dining and drink options at the Grand Wailea, including:

• Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa. Get your fix of Hawaiian cuisine while dining on a peaceful beachfront lagoon.

• Bistro Molokini. Mixes American and Mediterranean flavors.

• Aloha Trick Pony. A food-truck style experience where you can get island-inspired barbecue.

• Wailea Surf Haus. A walk-up beach bar serving drinks and light fare.

When you visit, ask about unique dining experiences, including a traditional luau featuring local Hawaiian dancers or a private dining experience arranged by the hotel.

» Learn more: Benefits of the Hilton Honors loyalty program

Accommodations

The hotel offers various accommodations, including rooms, suites and villas.

If you're booking a traditional hotel room, you can elevate your experience by booking a room with an ocean view or by booking a room in the Napua Club, which the hotel describes as a "spectacular collection of custom-designed guest rooms and suites ensconced in an exclusive space on the private upper floors."

Families or friends should look into the hotel's Ho'olei Villas, 3,400-to-4,000 square-foot accommodations featuring multiple bedrooms, a living area, a private lanai, and beautiful ocean and garden views.

» Learn more: Your guide to booking award nights with Hilton Honors

How to get to the Grand Wailea

The Grand Wailea is about a 30-minute drive away from Maui's main airport, the Kahului Airport. You can fly directly to Maui from several locations — including San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Portland — with most major U.S. carriers offering nonstop flights.

If you're looking to book a flight to Maui using points, a few options include:

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, where you can book an economy ticket starting at 20,000 miles each way.

• United Airlines MileagePlus program lets you book an economy ticket starting at 11,600 miles each way.

• American Airlines AAdvantage program lets you book an economy ticket starting at 22,500 miles each way.

If you know specific dates you'd like to visit, we'd recommend setting up a fare alert on Google Flights so you're updated when the price drops, as airlines will sometimes have sales to Maui.

If you're considering the Grand Wailea …

The Grand Wailea is a massive yet luxurious property offering guests a wide variety of options for accommodations, dining and activities. Although staying at the Grand Wailea can be expensive, you can leverage it as a Hilton property and book your stay using Hilton points.

Photo courtesy of Hilton.