Andaz Maui REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 4, 2014, 11:34 am
#571
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: Delta diamond, SPG platinum, Hyatt diamond
Posts: 351
Update to spa appointment, ast. Spa manager apologized for the mix up last night with appointment an offered a free massage tomorrow or a credit for last night. More than generous, by the way Jessica is the massage therapist who is amazing.
Jan 4, 2014, 11:43 am
#572
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 983
Don't forget the slippers!
I stayed in mid-December in a fifth-floor (lobby level) Andaz suite with great view (I'll look at my folio and come up with the rm number for you jpdx). I have rebooked an Andaz suite for later this month.
I'm not much of a resort person, and admit I wasn't initially taken by this one. It's very stark with nothing distinctively Hawaiian about it. It felt like a soft opening (several quirks), and there are design flaws (you should be under a covering when pulling up to the hotel to protect in event of rain), the lanai furniture is already well discussed as to its basic lack of functionality, none of the closet or bathroom doors in my suite latched, and it's pretty much impossible to sit in the bathtub without draining the water due to the drain placement. But as the nights went on, I came to mostly appreciate the tranquility and the caring management, an attitude that seemed to be filtering well down to the staff.
Breakfast was good. Once finding out I was vegetarian, a chef came out and said he would make me whatever I wanted. I found more than sufficient foods from what were already offered though. The extra $15 for unlimited mimosas was removed from my bill (diamond member). No idea if this will remain, but I would only use it expecting to pay it. The same restaurant also provided some good veg entrees that I was quite satisfied with. I felt they held up to or surpassed what I get at Hailiimaile or Merriman's. (Guests I met who are not vegetarians told me they preferred it to Morimoto's, FWIW.)
I also had the mosquito problem. I found the room too cool and called engineering. It was explained rooms can't be heated and default is 70F. I was told to open the lanai door if I wanted it warmer. I did that and had about 40 mosquitoes within 30 minutes since there were no screens. Thank goodness those mosquitoes move slowly so as to be killed quickly. Since there's no heating I suggested the hotel use a default of 73F, which would save cooling costs and still allow guests to turn down the temp if they find it too warm.
Quick round up of what you should receive since it's a bit scattered in the thread (hope I didn't miss anything):
-- lei (these were more unusual and attractive than I usually receive, with little blue and lavender flowers)
-- Beach bag with sandals
-- Refillable water bottles
-- Mini iPad in room with some menus (spa and restaurant) on it, sound player and general browsing capabilities
-- Chocolate bar as parting gift on check out.
-- Shuttle service in general area
I chose the champagne for the amenity. Retail on the bottle was $80; in restaurant was $155. Nice amenity. Skip the hummus amenity - very small portion with even smaller serving of crackers (about four). I hear the macaroons are a good choice.
Go to the manager's reception. Exceptionally friendly and attentive management team. Worth meeting them and sharing spiked punch. Managers were very approachable and delightful. Can't say enough good about GM and rooms manager.
The beach here is great - best I've seen at a hotel in Maui. The pool/beach staff and the breakfast staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive.
This hotel has great potential, especially if looking to escape the resorts that cater primarily to families. There are just a few quirks, but I loved the tranquility and look forward to returning in a couple of weeks.
I'm not much of a resort person, and admit I wasn't initially taken by this one. It's very stark with nothing distinctively Hawaiian about it. It felt like a soft opening (several quirks), and there are design flaws (you should be under a covering when pulling up to the hotel to protect in event of rain), the lanai furniture is already well discussed as to its basic lack of functionality, none of the closet or bathroom doors in my suite latched, and it's pretty much impossible to sit in the bathtub without draining the water due to the drain placement. But as the nights went on, I came to mostly appreciate the tranquility and the caring management, an attitude that seemed to be filtering well down to the staff.
Breakfast was good. Once finding out I was vegetarian, a chef came out and said he would make me whatever I wanted. I found more than sufficient foods from what were already offered though. The extra $15 for unlimited mimosas was removed from my bill (diamond member). No idea if this will remain, but I would only use it expecting to pay it. The same restaurant also provided some good veg entrees that I was quite satisfied with. I felt they held up to or surpassed what I get at Hailiimaile or Merriman's. (Guests I met who are not vegetarians told me they preferred it to Morimoto's, FWIW.)
I also had the mosquito problem. I found the room too cool and called engineering. It was explained rooms can't be heated and default is 70F. I was told to open the lanai door if I wanted it warmer. I did that and had about 40 mosquitoes within 30 minutes since there were no screens. Thank goodness those mosquitoes move slowly so as to be killed quickly. Since there's no heating I suggested the hotel use a default of 73F, which would save cooling costs and still allow guests to turn down the temp if they find it too warm.
Quick round up of what you should receive since it's a bit scattered in the thread (hope I didn't miss anything):
-- lei (these were more unusual and attractive than I usually receive, with little blue and lavender flowers)
-- Beach bag with sandals
-- Refillable water bottles
-- Mini iPad in room with some menus (spa and restaurant) on it, sound player and general browsing capabilities
-- Chocolate bar as parting gift on check out.
-- Shuttle service in general area
I chose the champagne for the amenity. Retail on the bottle was $80; in restaurant was $155. Nice amenity. Skip the hummus amenity - very small portion with even smaller serving of crackers (about four). I hear the macaroons are a good choice.
Go to the manager's reception. Exceptionally friendly and attentive management team. Worth meeting them and sharing spiked punch. Managers were very approachable and delightful. Can't say enough good about GM and rooms manager.
The beach here is great - best I've seen at a hotel in Maui. The pool/beach staff and the breakfast staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive.
This hotel has great potential, especially if looking to escape the resorts that cater primarily to families. There are just a few quirks, but I loved the tranquility and look forward to returning in a couple of weeks.
Jan 4, 2014, 11:49 am
#573
Moderator: GLBT travelers, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Asia
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Posts: 15,512
You have some good sources. 
Ditto! I interacted with both these gentleman as well, and they were truly outstanding in their hospitality, attitude and demeanor towards guest service.
Ditto! I interacted with both these gentleman as well, and they were truly outstanding in their hospitality, attitude and demeanor towards guest service.
Jan 4, 2014, 11:52 am
#574
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
Jan 4, 2014, 12:30 pm
#575
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
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Jan 4, 2014, 5:43 pm
#576
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: WI
Programs: A bunch
Posts: 488
Hi everyone! Finally completed my review of the property. We stayed for 5 nights during Thanksgiving week! I have TONS of pictures and got a tour of the VILLAS which are AMAZING!!!
heres a quick peek at the living area of one of the villas! The link for the full review is below!
http://pointspinnacle.com/trip-report-maui-part-2/
heres a quick peek at the living area of one of the villas! The link for the full review is below!
http://pointspinnacle.com/trip-report-maui-part-2/
Jan 4, 2014, 10:45 pm
#577
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Likely being followed...
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Posts: 5,240
I chose the champagne for the amenity. Retail on the bottle was $80; in restaurant was $155. Nice amenity. Skip the hummus amenity - very small portion with even smaller serving of crackers (about four). I hear the macaroons are a good choice.
===
This hotel has great potential, especially if looking to escape the resorts that cater primarily to families. There are just a few quirks, but I loved the tranquility and look forward to returning in a couple of weeks.
===
This hotel has great potential, especially if looking to escape the resorts that cater primarily to families. There are just a few quirks, but I loved the tranquility and look forward to returning in a couple of weeks.
As for the hotel, totally agree. It has some real quirks but great potential.
To add, had a bit of an issue with my bill. I settled it up at check out and then a few days later had another ~ $150 added... no one mentioned why/how so I contacted. Took over a week, multiple emails and finally a call to Robin who fixed everything.
Jan 5, 2014, 6:54 pm
#579
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Hyatt diamond
Posts: 645
You might want to pay for the breakfast and the morning of your departure ask if they'll comp it in lieu of the breakfast on your last day.
Jan 5, 2014, 9:05 pm
#580
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
I have never received breakfast on day of check in, unless you prebook the night before. Do you expect a room that early here and all of the other properties you have asked about?
Jan 6, 2014, 12:37 pm
#582
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Tried to do bookings for next year, and it looks like it may not be possible before the devaluation hits. GHP tells me that the hotel is completely booked from Dec 26 - Jan 2 (2015) even though Jan 2 started being available to be booked. Yet, a call to the property directly indicated that the period has yet to be loaded in the system.
Did a day to day check for revenue rates, and it stops at dec 20/21 currently. Not going to point fingers, but it's a little fishy since the HR Maui, and other top end properties (e.g. Paris, Maldives) etc already have rates loaded.
Did a day to day check for revenue rates, and it stops at dec 20/21 currently. Not going to point fingers, but it's a little fishy since the HR Maui, and other top end properties (e.g. Paris, Maldives) etc already have rates loaded.
I just noticed that rooms are now available at the Andaz Maui starting 1/5/2015, but still showing as sold out/not available from 12/21/2014 - 1/5/2015. And the Diamond line still said it shows up that same way in their system too when I called them.
So I called the hotel directly saying I'd like to book a room around Christmas and asking if the hotel is sold out. The person who answered the phone said the hotel is not sold out, but that rates have not been loaded yet. They said they were told they would be loaded later this week or next week.
Jan 6, 2014, 12:55 pm
#583
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
View sitting on the edge of the bed in the bedroom looking out the bedroom lanai:
View looking out at the living room lanai:
View standing on the living room lanai, facing straight ahead:
Jan 6, 2014, 1:20 pm
#584
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold,IHG Plat Amb, CC Gold, Kimpton IC, United, AA, BA, Amtrak G.R.
Posts: 446
There is definitely something odd going on here.
I just noticed that rooms are now available at the Andaz Maui starting 1/5/2015, but still showing as sold out/not available from 12/21/2014 - 1/5/2015. And the Diamond line still said it shows up that same way in their system too when I called them.
So I called the hotel directly saying I'd like to book a room around Christmas and asking if the hotel is sold out. The person who answered the phone said the hotel is not sold out, but that rates have not been loaded yet. They said they were told they would be loaded later this week or next week.
I just noticed that rooms are now available at the Andaz Maui starting 1/5/2015, but still showing as sold out/not available from 12/21/2014 - 1/5/2015. And the Diamond line still said it shows up that same way in their system too when I called them.
So I called the hotel directly saying I'd like to book a room around Christmas and asking if the hotel is sold out. The person who answered the phone said the hotel is not sold out, but that rates have not been loaded yet. They said they were told they would be loaded later this week or next week.
Jan 6, 2014, 1:32 pm
#585
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Yeah, pretty sketchy!
I called back the Diamond line again and this time they called the hotel directly for me to see what is going on here and see if there was any way I could book a room during that time (either points or paid). The hotel's explanation was they are scheduling several events (weddings) over that time period and they aren't going to release rooms until they sort that out and figure out how many rooms each event needs. They said they should have it sorted out in 2 weeks so rooms should be available then.
But right now you can not book rooms during that time period at all. You couldn't even do a Diamond room guarantee since literally no inventory has been loaded yet. And that means any point redemptions during that time will be at the higher point level.
I guess there is no rule that individual hotels need to release rooms 365 days out, but this opens up a pretty questionable can of worms if hotels can opt out of things they don't want to do just by temporarily not releasing rooms!
I called back the Diamond line again and this time they called the hotel directly for me to see what is going on here and see if there was any way I could book a room during that time (either points or paid). The hotel's explanation was they are scheduling several events (weddings) over that time period and they aren't going to release rooms until they sort that out and figure out how many rooms each event needs. They said they should have it sorted out in 2 weeks so rooms should be available then.
But right now you can not book rooms during that time period at all. You couldn't even do a Diamond room guarantee since literally no inventory has been loaded yet. And that means any point redemptions during that time will be at the higher point level.
I guess there is no rule that individual hotels need to release rooms 365 days out, but this opens up a pretty questionable can of worms if hotels can opt out of things they don't want to do just by temporarily not releasing rooms!