Are you looking for a quick getaway, a place to celebrate a major life event, an amazing honeymoon destination…..or perhaps the perfect spot to get engaged? Look no further than the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. We recently stayed there on a family trip to Hawaii and just loved it, so I guess you could also add a family vacay to the list of reasons to visit. :)
Upon entering the hotel lobby, you’re greeted with a sense of modern design, luxury and relaxation. The open-air design and natural elements make you feel like you’re truly in Hawaii.
After taking in the lobby’s design, you’re met with this view of four pools just steps from the Pacific Ocean….it was very easy to get used to…
The Room Design
Walking into the guest room and seeing that amazing ocean view and Lana’i in the distance for the first time will take your breath away. The spacious rooms are designed with a modern yet tropical feel with private balconies and stunning ocean views. Another bonus for the rooms here? The complimentary minibar with local snacks and beverages!
The Beach
Take a walk on the beach at sunset, and you’ll see why this resort is the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. The white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
If you walk down in the morning, you’ll be greeted by the friendly hotel staff offering you water activities, from stand-up paddle boarding to snorkeling, or comfy beach chairs and an umbrella if you prefer to low key enjoy watching the waves while staying dry. I highly recommend trying stand-up paddle boarding if you haven’t tried it – one of my favorite activities to do while in Maui and the perfect way to start your day!
The Food at the Andaz Maui
The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is also home to some amazing restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual bite or a fine dining experience, you’ll find something to love. I particularly enjoyed the farm-to-table concept at Ka’ana Kitchen, where I dined on locally sourced seafood and produce.
We hit Ka’ana Kitchen each day of our stay, we could not get enough of it. From the moment you enter the restaurant, you’re struck by the beautiful decor and the open-air setting. The restaurant is located in the heart of the hotel with views of the ocean and the lush tropical gardens that are truly breathtaking.
Enough about the ambiance, you really want to hear about the food. The menu at Ka’ana Kitchen is a celebration of local Hawaiian cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The menu changes seasonally. We were lucky enough to dine during the peak of local produce season, so the flavors were at their absolute best.
My fave way to begin a meal here is with the watermelon salad. It’s fresh watermelon topped with big island feta, li hing mui, and candied walnuts. So unique and SO GOOD!! Definitely try this when you dine here.
For the main course, I tried both the Wagyu Hanger and the Big Eye Tuna (seen above) and highly recommend both. The wagyu hanger is served with green papaya and the tuna is served with sweet corn + bok choy. The fish is seared to perfection, and the crunchy quinoa added a nice crunchy texture to the dish.
To end our meals here, since we ARE on vacation, we do our best to save room for the lilikoi cheesecake, made with a graham cracker crust and topped with a tangy passion fruit glaze. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect meal – the cheesecake is creamy and rich, with a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
At Morimoto Maui, highly acclaimed celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto, best known for Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, uses locally sourced, season fresh ingredients from Hawaii to embark on a distinct culinary style that blends Western and Japanese traditions. If you are looking for some great sushi while on the island, this is a great choice – plus I love all their small plates. The location is right by the lower pool and has an amazing chill vibe with the best food. My faves here include: tuna poke tacos, rock shrimp tempura, wagyu beef carpaccio along with your favorite sushi.
Exclusive Hotel Activites
I really loved that the hotel had so many unique activities just for guests. We always try to take advantage of as many as we can! Some of the acitivintes we tried and enjoyed include: daily Outrigger Canoe excursions, ukelele lessons, hula lessons, coconut husking (we made a cute fish out of palm leaves!) and a cocktail making class. Highly recommend the cocktail making class. We learned how to make tow different Mai Tai’s and then got to drink them each as well! Fun acitivity and learned more about the Mai Tai – which before this trip I wasn’t a fan, but after having the Monkey Pod Mai Tai, I can say I am now a Mai Tai fan!
The Spa at the Andaz Maui
Let’s not forget the spa! I love making time to treat myself while traveling and the spa is my favorite way to treat myself – well, besides a great meal! Tha ‘Awili Spa and Salon is located in the most serene and peaceful corner of the resort. When you step inside, it’s like you walked into a modern apothecary shop. Just LOVE the modern + chic design. The spa is small, but the treatment itself was the real deal. I opted for the lomi lomi massage, which is a traditional Hawaiian massage, and I left feeling like a new woman.
There is also a very relaxing tranquility pool (seen below) that is the perfect spot to read that book you’ve been wanting to read.
And let’s not forget about the four pools. Sipping a cocktail – I recommend a Paloma or if you want a mocktail, the Cucumber Mint cooler is excellent! – while watching the sunset from one of the pools is the perfect way to end a day in paradise. We also ate lunch here at the pools most days. I recommend the ahi poke or the mochiko fried chicken bumbye bowl. Chips & guac are also a perfect afternoon snack.
Oh, and if you like to make sure you get your workout in (although I preferred paddle boarding for my vacay workout), Jason loved the modern gym which had plenty of Peloton bikes for guests to use.
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is absolutely worthy of your consideration because:
- The hotel’s open-air design and natural elements make you feel like you’re truly in Hawaii
- The guest rooms feature private balconies with stunning views of the ocean
- The resort offers a variety of dining options, from casual bites to fine dining experiences
- The hotel offers unique experiences, such as a cocktail-making class led by a mixologist and an art class in their resident artist, Welzie, studio.
- The spa and four pools provide the perfect spot for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a fun-filled family vacation, this resort has something for everyone. Let me know in the comments if you’ve been here and what you loved most!
photos by Green Wedding Shoes and Andaz Maui
