Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Overview
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is the Wailea resort corridor's most design-forward luxury property, sitting directly on Mokapu Beach with 15 acres of oceanfront grounds. Opened in 2013 and last renovated in 2023, this Hyatt concept hotel brings a contemporary, globally inspired aesthetic to Maui's luxury scene — think clean lines, locally sourced art, and an atmosphere that feels more Bali chic than Hawaiian theme park. The LEED Silver certification reflects a genuine commitment to sustainability that goes beyond greenwashing.
The resort's dining lineup alone justifies its five-star positioning. Morimoto Maui — from Iron Chef star Masaharu Morimoto — is one of the most acclaimed restaurants on the island. Ka'ana Kitchen serves award-winning farm-to-table cuisine. The Feast at Mokapu Lu'au is Maui's most exclusive and expensive luau experience ($283-363 per adult), set directly on the beach. Five cascading pools — including an adults-only tranquility pool — create a water complex that rivals any in Hawaii.
What makes the Andaz special is its balance of luxury and authenticity. The $50 daily resort fee actually delivers real value: GoPro camera rentals, snorkel gear, guided kayak tours, ukulele and hula lessons, fitness classes, and reusable water bottles. The staff is warm but not scripted, the design is beautiful but not pretentious, and the beachfront location on Mokapu Beach — a quieter, less crowded strand than neighboring Wailea Beach — provides genuine exclusivity.
Accommodation Options
The 297 guest rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private lanais designed to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. Standard rooms range from 380-420 square feet with garden, partial ocean, or full ocean views, king or double queen beds, and a locally inspired neutral palette with modern wood furnishings. Every room includes a mini-bar, in-room safe, Nespresso machine, and complimentary WiFi.
The 35 suites start at 854 square feet and include separate living areas, dining areas, extra bathrooms, and ocean-view balconies. The top-tier Andaz Suite runs over 2,000 square feet with wraparound lanai views. Beyond the main hotel, 30 luxury villas ranging from 1,800 to 4,000+ square feet offer two- to four-bedroom configurations with gourmet kitchens, spacious living and dining rooms, private lanais, and select units with private plunge pools and hot tubs — genuine estate-level accommodation.
The 2023 renovation refreshed soft furnishings and upgraded technology throughout. The design aesthetic leans contemporary tropical — warm but not kitschy, with local Maui art on the walls and sustainable materials throughout. Rooms are not the largest in Wailea, but the design makes them feel spacious and well-considered.
Pools, Beaches & Activities
Five pools cascade down the property toward the ocean, creating one of the most impressive pool complexes in Maui. The four main infinity-edge pools are arranged on multiple levels with connecting waterways, surrounded by plush loungers and tropical landscaping. The multi-level design means each pool has a slightly different character and view angle, and you can walk between levels via pathways and elevators. The fifth pool is an adults-only tranquility pool — quieter, more intimate, and reserved for guests seeking a peaceful soak.
Mokapu Beach, the resort's private-feeling strand, is directly accessible from the lowest pool level. The beach offers excellent swimming and snorkeling, with calmer conditions than the more exposed beaches further north. The resort provides complimentary beach gear including chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, and snorkel equipment (included in the resort fee). Guided kayak tours are also complimentary.
Bumbye Beach Bar serves casual poolside lunch and drinks, keeping you fueled without needing to leave the pool deck. Poolside cabanas with enhanced service are available for surcharge. The overall pool experience — from the cascading design to the quality of service and food — is among the best in Hawaii.
Spa & Wellness
'Awili Spa and Salon is the resort's 10,500-square-foot wellness retreat, featuring 10 treatment rooms including four couples' suites, a tranquility pool, and separate men's and women's relaxation lounges with sauna, steam room, and heated plunge pool. The spa's name — 'Awili, meaning "to mix, blend, and entwine" — reflects its philosophy of creating customized treatments using locally sourced Maui ingredients.
Signature treatments include the 'Awili Custom Massage, where therapists blend techniques and pressures based on individual needs, and the Maui Honey Body Wrap using local honey and botanical extracts. Couples' suites offer side-by-side treatments in a private setting with ocean-inspired decor. The salon provides hair, nail, and makeup services — popular with wedding parties taking advantage of the resort's stunning beachfront ceremony locations.
The fitness center operates 24/7 with Peloton bikes, weight training equipment, and cardio machines. Complimentary fitness classes include yoga on the beach, SUP yoga, and guided beach runs. The resort's overall wellness offering — combining a world-class spa, fitness programming, and the inherent restorative quality of Mokapu Beach — positions it as a top wellness destination in South Maui.
Dining
Morimoto Maui is the resort's headline restaurant and one of the most celebrated dining experiences on Maui. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto brings his signature fusion of Western technique and Japanese precision to a beachfront setting, using locally sourced, seasonally fresh ingredients. The sushi and sashimi are impeccable, the duck ramen is legendary, and the tasting menu is a genuine culinary event. Lunch and dinner are served in an open-air pavilion steps from the sand. Expect to spend $100-150 per person for dinner.
Ka'ana Kitchen serves farm-to-table family-style cuisine at the resort's signature breakfast and dinner venue, with interactive cooking stations and a menu emphasizing Maui-grown produce and sustainable seafood. Lehua Lounge, named after Hawaii's red lehua blossom, is an elegant beachfront cocktail and small plates venue tucked among waterfalls with Mokapu Beach views. Mokapu Market offers locally made snacks, flatbreads, coffee, and provisions.
The Feast at Mokapu Lu'au is Maui's most premium luau experience — held directly on the beach with traditional Hawaiian food, live music, hula, and fire performance. Premium seating runs $363/adult and $200/child; classic seating is $283/adult and $140/child. It's expensive but genuinely special — a far cry from the mass-market luau buses. Book well in advance as it regularly sells out.
Golf
The three Wailea Golf Club courses sit within a 5-10 minute drive of the resort. The Gold Course (Robert Trent Jones Jr., par 72, 7,078 yards) is the most challenging, with dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views of Haleakala, the ocean, and neighboring islands. The Emerald Course (Jones Jr., par 72, 6,825 yards) is more forgiving and popular with resort golfers. The Blue Course (Arthur Jack Snyder, par 72, 6,758 yards) offers excellent ocean views on several holes. Green fees run $200-$325.
The resort's concierge can arrange tee times, club rentals, and transportation to all three courses. Twilight rates after 1 PM offer significant savings. After your round, Morimoto Maui's beachfront bar makes an unbeatable 19th hole — cold sake and fresh sashimi with your toes nearly in the sand. The combination of world-class golf, fine dining, and a luxury beachfront setting makes the Andaz one of Maui's premier golf resort bases.
Nearby Attractions
Mokapu Beach, directly in front of the resort, offers excellent snorkeling along its reef edge, particularly on the southern end where coral formations attract tropical fish and occasional green sea turtles. The 1.3-mile Wailea Beach Walk connects Mokapu Beach to Ulua Beach, Wailea Beach, and Polo Beach via a scenic paved oceanfront path — one of the best sunset walks in Hawaii. The Shops at Wailea (15-minute walk or shuttle) houses over 100 shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Makena Beach (Big Beach), one of Maui's most dramatic and photogenic beaches, is a 10-minute drive south. Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, offering pristine, protected snorkeling, is 15 minutes beyond. Molokini Crater, a partially submerged volcanic caldera and world-class snorkel/dive site, is accessible via morning boat tours departing from Ma'alaea Harbor (30 minutes north).
For whale watching (December through April), the waters off Wailea are some of Maui's most active for humpback whale sightings — you can often spot breaches and spouts from the pool deck. The Maui Ocean Center in Ma'alaea (30 minutes) is Hawaii's premier aquarium. Haleakala summit sunrise (1.5-hour drive, reservation required) is an unmissable Maui experience.
Tips & Good to Know
Book an ocean-view room on floors 5-7 for the best unobstructed views of Mokapu Beach and the West Maui Mountains — the sunsets from these rooms are extraordinary. If budget is a concern, garden-view rooms offer the same bed, pool, and beach experience at $100-200/night less. The $50 resort fee is steep but delivers genuine value if you use the included GoPro, snorkel gear, and kayak tours.
Morimoto Maui doesn't take Hyatt points for dining, so budget for it separately — it's worth at least one dinner during your stay. Ka'ana Kitchen breakfast is excellent and included for World of Hyatt Globalists. The Feast at Mokapu Lu'au sells out 2-4 weeks in advance during peak season, so book early if interested. The adults-only tranquility pool is significantly quieter before 11 AM — claim your lounger early.
World of Hyatt members should check for award availability — the Andaz is a Category 8 property, requiring 40,000 points/night for standard rooms. Suite upgrades for Globalists are possible but competitive. The best value months are May-June and September-October, when rates drop 20-30% from peak. The property is dog-friendly (up to 50 lbs, $100 fee), a rarity among Hawaii luxury resorts.
Location
3550 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, HI 96753
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