Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Hotel · Wailea ·
Expansive resort with 9 pools, waterslides, lazy river
Expansive resort with 9 pools, waterslides, lazy river
"It’s all about aquatic thrills here: the 25,700-square-foot Wailea Canyon Activity Pool cascades over six levels into nine smaller pools, with seven waterslides—including the three-story, 262-foot Lava Tube that rockets riders up to 22 mph—plus six waterfalls, a lazy river, rope swing, three hot tubs, a sandy-bottom area for littles, and a swim-up bar, with crescent-shaped Wailea Beach just steps beyond. The keiki club packs days with Hawaiian games, nature walks, arts and crafts, and lei-making for ages 5 to 12, and personalized in-room childcare even offers video conference check-ins with parents. When it’s time to dry off, The Cave beckons with billiards, darts, table tennis, board games, and curated VR experiences." - Catherine Toth Fox
"Arriving guests are greeted with leis and escorted through an open-air atrium of sculptures and water fountains set against Pacific Ocean views; the property is vast—with 844 guest rooms, a 50,000-square-foot spa, an enormous pool complex with waterslides, shops, and a chapel—yet it also offers intimate options for honeymooners such as the adults-only Hibiscus Pool, couples’ lava stone massages at the Kilolani Spa, private oceanfront dinners amid torchlight and tropical flowers, and the ability to arrange vow renewals or spiritual blessings with local officiants." - Paris Wilson
"Set on 40 acres of lush tropical gardens along the beachfront, this expansive resort offers a resort-within-a-resort experience highlighted by nine pools, a lazy river, extensive water rentals, and on-property dining; guests can take complimentary snorkeling and scuba lessons, rent paddleboards and kayaks, relax in secluded villas with private lanais, or stroll to the nearby white-sand shoreline for sun and swimming." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"This luxurious Maui property is putting Native Hawaiian healing traditions in the spotlight with its Kilolani Spa, which opened in February 2024 with 40 treatment rooms spread across 50,000 square feet of space. In accordance with the kaulana mahina, Hawaiʻi’s lunar calendar, programming rotates with each ten-day period (or anahulu). Culturally informed services include lomilomi massage, facials with botanical oils handmade on the island, and a traditional Polynesian ‘awa (or “kava”) ceremony led by a Native Hawaiian practitioner. The concept—a significant $55-million investment—was developed in part by Grand Wailea’s cultural programming director and leadership educator, Kalei ‘Uwēko‘olani. Spa staff have been retrained by local healers, and the property made sure the opportunities for healing are not limited to tourists: in addition to special Kamaʻāina (“local”) offers with discounted services, the spa will host quarterly Kamaʻāina Night paid events to bring the Hawaiian community into the resort."
"I spent four glorious nights relaxing at the beautifully renovated Grand Wailea, indulged in the hotel's breakfast buffet every day, and enjoyed the Grand Luau where I admired the poi bowls, kalua pig, Moloka'i sweet potato pies and the guests' tropical-print sun dresses while taking part in a hula lesson." - Lois Alter Mark Lois Alter Mark Lois has been writing professionally for over 25 years. Her personal essays won BlogHer's People's Choice Awards three years in a row. She holds a Master's Degree in Journalism from Boston University. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines