Hawaii: Wailea Marriott Resort - detailed hotel review and pictures

1. Location

This hotel is located in the North End of prestigious Wailea Resort. Planted on the ocean’s edge, Wailea Marriott Resort overlooks the glimmering waters surrounding Maui. It is set on a rocky coastline right between sandy Wailea and Ulua beaches (walking to either one will take you just a couple minutes).

Since this resort was built, they passed a law that limits closeness to the beach. That is why Wailea Marriott Resort is right next to the ocean, and all the newcomers (including Grand Wailea and Four Seasons) sit farther back.

This classic open-air, 1970s-style hotel gives you a sense of what Maui was like before the big resort boom. It was the first resort built in Wailea (in 1976), and still remains the most Hawaiian of them all.

Wailea Marriott Resort just fits into its environment without overwhelming it. All the walkways, lobby and lounge are all open-air, so it really gives you a nice feel of the tropics.

The grounds include 22 oceanfront acres of open-space lawns accented with palms, banana trees and torch ginger. Driveway to the hotel is a winding Banyan path. It takes you to the tropical lobby with grand “tiki” style roof and a large outrigger canoe. The canoe is part of a remarkable collection of Hawaiian and Pacific Rim artifacts that you can see in the lobby and public areas.

After a $25-million facelift in 2000, this hotel is a sight to behold. The entrance was expanded into an open courtyard with a waterfall and carp pond, south pool was transformed into a waterpark with 2 slides and a fabuous spa, all guest rooms were refurbished and upgraded.

2. Rooms

Wailea Marriott Resort consists of 8 buildings, all low-rise except for an 8-story tower. The rooms look casual but graceful and natural, decorated in tropical shades of rattan and pale green. They are not very large but comfortable.

The marble bath is outfitted with high-quality fixtures, a granite counter top and a handy dressing bench upholstered in tasteful floral print.

If you get an ocean view room, your lanai will have a 180-degree view of the ocean, whales breaching (Dec-Apr), and gorgeous sunsets.

There are 521 rooms. Each room features:

Beds: 1 king or 2 doubles, and a sofabed
Air-conditioning
Private lanai
25” color cable TV with pay movies, Nintendo and Lodgenet entertainment
Mini-refrigerator
Coffee maker with supply of Kona coffee
Desk with 2 chairs
Bathrobes
Hair dryer
Iron and board
In-room safe (fee)
Daily maid service
Turndown service upon request
Room service 6am-11pm

3. Restaurants

1) Hula Moons Restaurant - open for breakfast and dinner.
This is the signature restaurant of Wailea Marriott Resort. It offers contemporary Hawaiian cuisine in a tropical, nostalgic atmosphere of 1930’s. You will be very impressed by the panoramic views of the Pacific and the islands of Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.

The breakfast buffet is outstanding – cooked-to-order omelets, macadamia nut pancakes, waffles, blintzes, smoked salmon, Japanese selections, and more. Dinner features fresh island fish, steaks and lamb chops. There is a full bar.

2) Kumu Bar & Grill - open daily 10:30am-9pm.
Enjoy casual, poolside family dining with views of the ocean and West Maui. Make sure to try one of their creative tropical cocktails served all day.

Here you can get a great sandwich or salad for lunch, or fresh Hawaiian fish or barbecues ribs for dinner. It is an excellent alternative to fine dining and relatively inexpensive considering the quality of food. Stay around after dinner for live Hawaiian music and hula dancing.

3) Mele Mele Lounge
One of South Maui’s favorite gathering places. The views are spectacular, tropical drinks very refreshing, and appetizers quite tasty. Everyone loves daily Pau Hana Happy Hour with cocktail specials and complimentary pupus. There is live Hawaiian music after 9pm every evening.

4) Wailele Slides Snack Bar - open 11am-4pm.
Known as home of the “Hang Ten Hot Dog”, it offers a children’s menu, sandwiches, wraps and salads. If you get too hot hanging around the pool, stop here for a shaved ice or freshly made smoothie.

5) Wailea’s Finest Luau - every Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 5pm-8pm
4 nights a week, a formal luau is held on a broad oceanfront lawn, drawing several hundred people for an evening of tasteful entertainment and traditiona Hawaiian delicacies. begin at sunset with the Imu Ceremony – uncovering of the pit-roasted pig. Enjoy a lavish Hawaiian buffet, open bar with tropical cocktails, colorful Polynesian revue and an exciting finale by 3-time world champion fire-knife dancer Ifi So’o.

You can book the luau directly through the hotel once you arrive.

4. Things to do

Swimming pools
3 main pools (one with a a water slide) are not too fancy, but clean, warm, and offer a spectacular view of the ocean. The beach is just steps away – you will much close to the ocean at the Wailea Marriott Resort than any of the other resort.
There is also a separate “jungle gym” pool for the kids (called “Wailele Water Park”), and 2 jacuzzis located at the lower-level pool. Restrooms and cold water rinse showers are nearby.
If you find yourself by the pool at sunset, you will see a Hawaiian torch runner sprinting through the resort lighting all of the tiki torches. It’s quite a sight to see!
Mandara Spa
Full-service spa where you can get an exquisite treatment like floral bath, hydrating facial, or aromatherapy massage. The spa interior is very luxurious and relaxing. Full service hair and nail salon is also on the site. The rates are very reasonable.
Shopping
A paved pathway links the hotel to the Wailea Shopping Village which has a grocery store and a few nice gift shops. Above the shoreline, there is a walkway that meanders along between all Wailea hotels and the ocean, so you can take a slow sunset stroll, fish right from the rocks, or watch for migrating whales in winter.
Shops at Wailea, the most elegant shopping center in Maui, is just steps away from the resort. Browse through the world-famous boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, and Tiffany & Co. Several art galleries display the works of Hawaii’s most prominent artists. When you are tired of shopping, order a cappuccino and enjoy a marvelous view of the Pacific Ocean.