This Maui Resort Has the Biggest Spa in Hawaii, an Aquarium Bar, 7 Waterslides, and a Brand-new Nobu Restaurant

It was the spa that first introduced me to the Grand Wailea on Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, years in the past. As a vogue and sweetness editor, I couldn’t ignore the entire “High 10” lists with glowing opinions of the spa and its engaging combination of magnificence and serenity (or the 2011 Movie “Simply Go With It” starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, which was filmed on the resort). Spa Grande delivered, calling me again to the lodge repeatedly for greater than 20 years. 

Once I learn in 2019 that the spa was closing for an intensive renovation, I used to be nervous. I beloved that spa. No matter was meant for the renovation, logic informed me my favourite parts can be misplaced. As a result of this was clearly a see-for-myself scenario, I not too long ago returned to the lodge. And the brief reply? All is sweet. Superb, in truth.

After a $55-million renovation, the Kilolani Spa reopened in early 2024 at 50,000 sq. toes—the biggest in Hawaii, senior director of spa and wellness David Erlich informed Journey + Leisure. A surprising hydrotherapy backyard greets friends with cold and hot plunges, a welcoming hammam and spa model of the ice-bucket problem. With its coronary heart deep in Hawaiian tradition, the spa’s remedies are based mostly on cycles of the moon (so a therapeutic massage throughout a full moon will characteristic totally different merchandise than one throughout a brand new moon). “The programming consistently evolves,” Erlich informed T+L. And so does the lodge. 

The whole property has undergone a complete renovation, defined managing director JP Oliver, with every little thing from rethinking the visitor rooms and public areas to creating a number of new eating places. Unhealthy information for me: I used to be too early for the opening of the Nobu by only a few weeks, however a walkthrough of the development web site simply above the foyer all however assured I’ll be again subsequent yr.

Plans for the renovation began in 2019, however not a lot occurred in the course of the eight months the pandemic closed the lodge, and development began in late 2020. “We took the visitor rooms right down to the studs,” mentioned Oliver. Work befell progressively over the following few years, ending in October of 2024. After the pandemic, “the entire world was a lot busier than we thought it might be,” Oliver informed T+L, and the lodge was hopping. Then, issues slowed down after Maui’s devastating wildfires in August 2023 when tourism to the island suffered as individuals cancelled journeys. Now, with its emphasis on wellness and actions for your complete household, the lodge is again to being practically full more often than not, based on Oliver.

And I used to be in a position to see that what makes Grand Wailea so particular is, fortunately, unchanged. The grounds are lush and welcoming, with gardens in every single place you flip. Head landscaper Jim Heid offers common excursions of the 40-acre property, declaring his favourite native crops (orchids in every single place) and permitting friends to pattern starfruit straight from the tree. All through the property, the light sound of waterfalls provides to the tranquility.

Equally spectacular is the lodge’s museum-worthy artwork, together with a multi million-dollar assortment of larger-than-life Fernando Botero sculptures in and across the foyer bar. In all places you flip, there’s paintings to admire: A sequence of Fernand Léger work may be discovered close to the retailers, and an imposing statue of King Kamehameha guards the doorway.

There’s a lot to say about my current go to to Grand Wailea—most notably that it was too brief! Right here’s my full assessment.

The Rooms

All of the lodge’s 877 visitor rooms and 57 suites have a personal lanai (balcony) with views of both the gardens or the ocean. Interiors in shades of beige and ivory with splashes of tropical colours are soothing. Even probably the most fundamental room is lavishly appointed, with a small fridge, Nespresso machine, walk-in bathe and tub, and soft bathrobe and slippers. The give attention to artwork is clear, with every wing that includes totally different work. (I used to be particularly keen on the large print of swimmers awash in an infinite ocean that hung in my rest room).

Suites have a sitting space with large-screen TV and a further half tub, together with a spectacular rest room that includes an outsized tub with an ocean view. For the last word in luxurious, the Ho‘olei complex on a hill overlooking the lodge has three-bedroom villas that may sleep six, with expansive lanais, full kitchens, and laundry amenities, after which there’s the Napua rooms and suites with “VIP comforts” situated on the resort’s non-public higher flooring.

Meals and Drink

It’s troublesome to pronounce Grand Wailea’s signature restaurant, Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, however you possibly can name it Humuhumu for brief. Named for the native reef triggerfish, the restaurant is nestled underneath a number of thatched-roof constructions with a dramatic round aquarium bar housing some 400 salt-water fish gliding underneath your cocktail—strive the Sunburnt Vacationer. Folks love the Wagyu strip steak, however dishes like Macadamia Nut Prawns or Ahi Coconut Ceviche capitalize a bit extra on Island authenticity. Whereas development on Nobu was nonetheless occurring, the resort’s over-the-top breakfast buffet (omelet station, cheese and charcuterie, specials like quiche or frittata) befell right here.

Nobu, in a redesigned house hovering above the foyer, is now open with all of the well-known specialties on the dinner menu, like black cod miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno. Different eating venues embrace Olivine, serving an Italian-inspired menu for lunch and dinner, Botero Lounge with reside music and lightweight bites, and, should you can’t bear to return in for lunch, the Wailea Surf Haus on the seaside. Additionally notable is the 24-hour Loulu, named for the one palm tree native to Hawaii. The café/market presents a lightweight breakfast, snacks, a wide range of sandwiches, pizza, and curated choices from the Los Angeles-based natural grocer Erewhon, together with the cult-favorite Cosmic Bliss, a plant-based comfortable serve. You can even dine with leisure on the Grand Lūʻau on choose dates.

Actions and Experiences

It could be tempting to spend your days on the Grand Wailea lounging on the seaside or by the pool, mudslide and novel in hand. However doing solely that may be a mistake. Beginning with early morning yoga courses on the seaside, the lodge presents actions for everybody, amongst them stand-up paddle board and scuba classes and morning outrigger excursions (bear in mind, eyes extensive open if it’s whale season). Cultural excursions each Wednesday give attention to Hawaii’s historical past and traditions, whereas periodic backyard excursions spotlight the native crops, whereas artwork excursions present the spectacular assortment of work and sculptures.

Embrace the tradition by studying the way to dance the hula, play the ukulele, or make a lei or a Kukui Nut bracelet. Or chill and revel in Keola (Hawaiian bingo). Periodic occasions embrace issues like E Ala E, a morning chant on the seaside that’s mentioned to make members “really feel the mana (vitality) of Maui move by means of your physique,” and the ‘Awa Ceremony in celebration of the complete moon led by a Hawaiian cultural practitioner.

The lodge has a full fitness center, with day by day health courses together with yoga, biking, and stretching, and each Sunday there’s a sound tub expertise with vibrations from crystal bowls, chimes, and a water drum to advertise deep leisure. For those who’re in want of retail remedy, retailers close to the foyer embrace a number of galleries, a Tommy Bahama, and the Cabana Vue designer boutique with luxe manufacturers like Tom Ford and Chanel.

All that mentioned, you possibly can’t neglect concerning the seaside and pool. Attendants will arrange chairs and umbrellas on Wailea Seashore, and steps away, the lodge’s swimming pool has 9 separate areas, from “child seaside” for the smallest children, to seven water slides, to the adults-only Hibiscus Pool with 2.2 million particular person tiles. Okay, time to go for the mudslide.

The Spa

The spa expertise begins instantly after check-in, when friends take part within the welcome ritual by dipping their fingers in salt water, flicking it over their shoulders, and concentrating on their intentions. Friends are inspired to return early to spend time within the hydrotherapy backyard (complimentary with any service, or you should purchase a two-hour cross for $125) earlier than heading upstairs for remedies.

The spa menu is unbelievable. The Lomilomi therapeutic massage is taken into account a Hawaiian therapeutic artwork, and there are a number of choices of facials. However the specialties are the signature rituals, which draw on the moon cycles or native natural medication and embrace bodywork, natural wraps, and mindfulness practices for final leisure. You can even e book astrology readings or a session to discover your auras and chakras. At The Biostation, an on-site healthcare facility, you possibly can recuperate from overindulging (whether or not within the solar or these darn mudslides) with IV nutrient remedy and get hormone remedy and med spa companies. A full- service salon presents nail and hair care.

Wellness diehards will need to try the brand new retreats: three- and five-day packages that embrace spa remedies, non-public health periods, and IV nutrient remedy at The Biostation, amongst different issues. Friends will keep in one of many 11 new wellness rooms that come outfitted with therapeutic massage weapons, white noise machines, and meditation goggles.

Household-friendly Choices

Sitting on my eighth-floor lanai round sundown, I had enjoyable watching the parade of multi-generational household teams—typically decked out in matching Hawaiian prints—heading towards the night’s luau. The festive presentation with conventional dances and meals is a should in Hawaii, and it’s secure to say no youngsters will likely be bored on the Grand Wailea, the place the pool will hold them entertained for hours and lots of the craft and cultural actions are geared to children. The lodge not too long ago opened its revamped little one middle, Keiki Membership, for teenagers aged 5 to 12. Common supervisor Wendle Lesher referred to as it an “immersive expertise,” stressing that this system doesn’t hold children confined to a room. They are going to be everywhere in the property, he informed T+L, exploring the gardens or cooking up one thing with a chef. Teenagers will gravitate to the Cave, one other new house, billed as “an immersion into the Megaverse.” Conventional sport room actions like ping pong and darts share the house with digital actuality pods providing high-tech 4D video games. Upon check-in, children are given a Grand Passport, which serves as a map for all the tutorial actions they’ll discover all through the property. And if mother and father want an evening out, the lodge will facilitate babysitting.

Accessibility and Sustainability

From its early days, the Grand Wailea burdened accessibility as a result of one of many unique planners had a son with disabilities. Ramps everywhere in the property are light sufficient for wheelchairs and walkers, and there are accessible rooms in each class. One distinctive characteristic is the water elevator (a child favourite), which was first created to assist the planner’s son get to the higher and decrease pool ranges.

Equally, the resort stresses sustainability in nearly each side of operations. No single-use plastic water bottles are bought, and also you received’t discover plastic in takeout containers both. Meals scraps go to native farmers for animal feed and greater than 80 % of produce comes from native farms. Drought-resistant crops dot the panorama, lots of them indigenous to the island, and a rooftop aviary not solely aids in pollination however gives honey for eating places and spa remedies.

Location

The Grand Wailea is on Maui’s south aspect and it’s solely 17 miles from the airport. Regardless of this proximity, renting a automobile continues to be mandatory if you wish to totally recognize the wonders of Maui. You don’t need to miss the awe-inspiring dawn at Haleakala, one of many world’s largest dormant volcanoes, or the often harrowing highway to Hana, which can take you previous black sand seashores and sumptuous waterfalls. I like driving up Haleakala Freeway, stopping for a tour of O’o Farm or Surfing Goat Dairy. One other enjoyable cease is a go to to the small upcountry city referred to as Makawao, identified for its charming galleries and a bakery famed for the doughnuts referred to as malasadas (however be warned, they typically promote out earlier than midday.) A few of my favourite eating places on the planet are on Maui, too, most notably Mama’s Fish House, the place you could make reservations manner upfront (like months!). And, in fact, Maui has no scarcity of beaches you might want to visit.

The Grand Wailea lodge is a part of Hilton Honors (I booked my three-night keep for simply over 300,000 factors. If I may have stayed one evening longer, I might have obtained a fifth evening free). American Categorical Positive Inns + Resort presents additionally embrace a fifth evening free in addition to day by day breakfast for 2 and a $100 credit score.

Nightly charges at Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort begin from $70, however have in mind costs fluctuate by season and day of the week.

Each T+L lodge assessment is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every lodge chosen aligns with our core values.