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-   -   Andaz Maui REVIEW - MASTER THREAD (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-world-hyatt/1499414-andaz-maui-review-master-thread.html)

TravelGuy1965 Sep 1, 2013 6:30 pm

Andaz Maui REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
 
Just arrived and checked in. My girls enjoy it already.

The opening ceremony was still in progress with a band in the lobby.
They great you with champagne, wine or beer.

I'll edit and post more in a little while. Going to try the restaurant by the pool.

Milezjunkie Sep 1, 2013 10:01 pm

So I checked in today and was told we were the very first guests to check in to the hotel. I previously booked 6 nights in a Garden view which was the only thing available. Upon check in we were told we were upgraded to an Oceanview suite (I have Diamond Status FYI). The room is amazing. Double balconies, complete Oceanview from three angles, automated everything- from shades to bidets (yeah, you name it and it gets cleaned, dried and pampered...) to room darkening blackouts. Another great touch for the resort is a free, 24-hour shuttle around the Wailea area. They will drop you off and pick you up from resorts and restaurants in the area (I'm thinking luaus at Grand Wailea and Marriott and restaurants such as Monkeypods). It's a great option for those without a car or looking to take advantage of an open bar at a luau.

The staff is very prepared. Those I have had the privilege of speaking to are more than prepared. They have been training over a month seem to know everything like the back of their hands. Of course they have some things they have to "check on" but they seem far more prepared than I expected. Construction appears 95% complete with the only areas left being the private residences (think Grand Wailea). Tomorrow I am supposed to tour the 3 and 4-bedroom villas. I will ask about the award point availability. They are situated closest to the ocean, in front of the main buildings. By the way, some suites (at least a hotel staff referred to them as suites) have a patio that walks out to a pool and look very nice. I have not noticed the garden view rooms but I will pay more attention to the backside of the hotel when I leave. Also, this is a valet only hotel I am told.

For all of those claiming the hotel wouldn't be properly ready on Sept 1, I have to say I am cautiously optimistic. I am looking for anything to criticize and cannot find anything yet. At most, I am told, fresh and filtered water is not yet available poolside but the waitstaff is more than eager to fill the water bottle each guest is given at check-in. The hotel looks impeccable and the delayed openings seem to have been a wise decision based on the current state of the resort. It is really amazing to watch this resort just come alive over the past few hours since we first arrived. I truly think this resort is a major enhancement to the Wailea area. For those with tons of UR points, here is a great use of them! I will report more over the next 7 days I am here but initial impressions are very good! Those that are nervous can relax for now.

Milezjunkie Sep 1, 2013 11:09 pm

So what is a suite like? When you enter the room, there is a completely hidden half bath to the right. The door is built into the wall and nearly unnoticeable. Upon entering the room the triple window catches hourly eye to the left. Dead ahead you can't but notice the triple window balcony that opens to a panoramic ocean view of Maui. To the right side after entering is a long, picnic-style wooden table that sits in front of an inconspicuous wooden armoire. Push on the wooden door and it opens to bar with a refrigerator. There are liquor bottles available for $46 or beer for $7. The non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are complimentary. Behind the picnic-style table is another doorway that opens to the bedroom.

As you enter the bedroom, to the left is a couch and a large flat screen tv. Next to the TV is the second balcony. Across from the couch is a king bed. Just behind the bed is a wall of plantation shutters from floor to ceiling. There is a doorway that opens into the bathroom. The first thing you'll notice is a long shower run, about 4' wide and 9' long. There is an overhead rain shower and another separate wand shower. Between the bedroom and shower are plantation shutters the push open to reveal an Oceanview wto enjoy while showering.

The bathroom has double sinks and a closet complete with a discrete safe. Along the wall as you enter the bathroom is a hidden door to your right. After depressing the wall, it opens to a commode complete with a "full service front, back, pressure wash rear end" bidet! No, I have lot tested it but to give you an idea it does say heated seat and heated blow dry so it seems like full service...

Overall, I couldn't be happier with a suite. It was a really nice surprise when we were anticipating a garden view. The room is enormous. The only room closer to the ocean than ours is the villas which I will report on soon....

I am eating at the Ka'Ana Kitchen tonight so I will report on how that goes later...

Ancien Maestro Sep 1, 2013 11:47 pm

Glad you guys are enjoying the opening. Sure wish our dates matched up.. but we've never stayed at HR Maui before, so all is brand new to our family.

The resort and its waterfall pools are thrill to enjoy! So the restaurant by the pool is open? Casual or sit down?

m0hamed Sep 2, 2013 2:10 am

Awesome first reviews. Some photos of the resort and suite, please?

TheChallenge Sep 2, 2013 3:14 am


Originally Posted by m0hamed (Post 21375190)
Awesome first reviews. Some photos of the resort and suite, please?

I second that, great reviews so far and photos please. It'd be very much appreciated if someone could post photos. Rooms, pools, beach, lobby, etc.

soonerfanatic Sep 2, 2013 6:31 am


Originally Posted by TheChallenge (Post 21375357)
I second that, great reviews so far and photos please. It'd be very much appreciated if someone could post photos. Rooms, pools, beach, lobby, etc.

^ After reading these recent posts, I can't wait to visit. Yes, please post pics.

RTW1 Sep 2, 2013 9:19 am

Come on guys, awesome reviews?

Exactly two posters and the first was just about the opening ceremony. Let's not get too carried away here ;).
But it must be a good one otherwise people would have surely been posting more (the other explanation could only be that the internet isn't working yet...).

So let's see some pictures and real life experiences after one day in paradise.

nygal19 Sep 2, 2013 11:10 am

Can someone please clarify whether the oceanview suite to which Diamonds are being upgraded is the same as an Andaz suite, which is the suite to which Diamonds are upgraded using a certificate? Thanks!

Also, what is the breakfast situation for Diamonds?

Milezjunkie Sep 2, 2013 5:57 pm

I only have an iPhone and iPad so I'm not sure how I can post photos of the resort right now. It is really amazing. If you walked in and didn't know it just opened you would not be able to tell it just opened. I don't think Hyatt rushed the opening at all. I think they wisely pushed the opening back so that they did not open before the resort was 100% complete.

So we ate at Ka'ana Kitchen last night for dinner. While the food quality was high and tasted great, the portions were minuscule and still expensive. We literally spent $100 on dinner and were still hungry so we went to the 24-hour cafe in the resort and bought a panini (which by the way was really good). I would not recommend dinner at Ka'ana Kitchen.

Now for Diamonds they give free buffet breakfast since there is no lounge. Breakfast is served at Ka'ana Kitchen. We were told Diamonda get the "Kitchen Sink" buffet which basically includes everything. I can't say enough good things about the breakfast. We were amazed that each item we are tasted better than the last. They really, really do a superior job at breakfast. And being a buffet you can each as much or as little as you want. If you're not Diamond you may only eat this buffet once because as good as it was, it is $45 per person! They have varying levels of the buffet and a la carte menu items as well. They call breakfast an "experience" and it truly is. Everyone should try Ka'ana at least once for breakfast - not dinner! I actually feel like the restaurant owes me some money back from dinner but with a free breakfast everyday I'm content. The hotel staff did ask me my candid opinion of the dinner and I told him I had to eat a sandwich afterwards. I was told some staff did the same thing after their restaurant tasting event.

We are supposed to get a tour of the villas soon so I will pass that info along as well.

The good from Bumbeye poolside bar is outstanding as well. I highly recommend the lobster grilled cheese sandwich and macaroni salad.

Milezjunkie Sep 2, 2013 6:02 pm


Originally Posted by RTW1 (Post 21376544)
Come on guys, awesome reviews?

Exactly two posters and the first was just about the opening ceremony. Let's not get too carried away here ;).
But it must be a good one otherwise people would have surely been posting more (the other explanation could only be that the internet isn't working yet...).

So let's see some pictures and real life experiences after one day in paradise.

The Internet is really fast, free and has coverage all over the property! I'm very impressed. Everything is open and operating. One thing we were surprised about is they have no specials at the spa. A 60-minute massage is $175. Grand Wailea is running a special for a 50-minute massage for $100 with free use of the soaking baths afterwards (I have no clue what that means but it excited my wife). Not a great way to stay competitive. We would prefer to stay at Andaz for a massage but that is a big difference.

jayer Sep 2, 2013 8:23 pm

But was there toothpaste in the bathroom?

Ancien Maestro Sep 2, 2013 9:44 pm


Originally Posted by soonerfanatic (Post 21375824)
^ After reading these recent posts, I can't wait to visit. Yes, please post pics.

+1 I'll have to do 5 weeks in Hawaii next year again.. That is if I can get into the Andaz..

According to Hyatt Reservations, no applying Diamond Suite Upgrades until hotel opens.. as we've heard on the pre-opening thread over and over again.

Anybody call reservations and try applying the Diamond Suite Upgrade?

Sounds like rates is going to rise astronomically, but hopefully stays reasonable by the time we potentially visit next summer.

m0hamed Sep 2, 2013 11:10 pm


Originally Posted by Ancien Maestro (Post 21379273)

According to Hyatt Reservations, no applying Diamond Suite Upgrades until hotel opens.. as we've heard on the pre-opening thread over and over again.

Anybody call reservations and try applying the Diamond Suite Upgrade?

The hotel is open....

RTW1 Sep 3, 2013 1:54 am


Originally Posted by Milezjunkie (Post 21378499)
I only have an iPhone and iPad so I'm not sure how I can post photos of the resort right now. It is really amazing. If you walked in and didn't know it just opened you would not be able to tell it just opened.

That's very good to hear..... reading from the people that have toured the property recently there was still a lot of construction going on in those last days before opening.
Call me skeptical, but is really everything "open and operating"? That would be a major accomplishment, especially if only a very limited number of rooms are available.


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