Originally Posted by
Megan Murray
Has anyone stayed at the GW recently who can comment on how it is getting on with refurbishments? We are coming to Maui for the first time in a few months and it’s always been a bucket list thing for me to stay at the GW because of the pool. Availability has opened up for points bookings for our dates and we are currently booked into an apartment just up the road in Wailea. I’m now debating whether or not to book the GW.
I’ve recently read so many posts and reviews saying that the property is a building site, it is very dated and aged, and the water elevator is still broken. Is it really that bad? Is there still no estimated date for the water elevator being repaired? It seems ridiculous that it is taking this long. I also wonder the likelihood of getting a refurbished room as I would be disappointed to check in and receive one of the older rooms which frankly look worse than most 3 star hotels I’ve stayed in.
We don’t have enough points for our proposed three night stay, so factoring everything in it would cost about the same as our apartment up the road plus another 340,000 Hilton points. I’m now debating whether or not that is worth it. Any guidance you have or recent experience staying at the GW would be much appreciated!
I just came home from a week-long trip last week. This was my third trip (first in March 2018, second in November 2021). While I kept my expectations tempered based on previous comments on this thread, I can honestly say that our experience was 5 star. There was a conference going on for most of our stay, but we barely noticed. They are more well-staffed than either of my two prior trips and it shows.
We did pay for an upgrade to Napua for a few reasons (we paid with points) and likely wouldn't have done so if it wasn't our honeymoon. We particularly enjoy spending our mornings drinking coffee on the lanai and often have drinks out there in the evening, but with the conference, the only rooms available at check-in were on the first floor and we didn't love the idea of constantly having people walk by when we wanted to enjoy alone time. An ocean view was an added bonus and we took advantage of breakfast/drinks in the Napua Lounge quite a bit. I am a diamond member, but the conference had an overwhelming majority of the rooms and based on the evening entertainment they were paying for and all of their events around the resort, I can see why the GW would have given them the best rooms.
At this point, any room that you book should be newly renovated. The last two wings are currently under renovation. I was technically two doors away from a room actively being renovated (we could see them working inside when we walked past), but I think I maybe heard 5 total minutes work of construction in the middle of one afternoon and it was a drill. If I didn't see the room being worked on, I never would have known. You can reach out in advance to request an updated room, just in case.
The updates are very visible throughout the lobby, which looks more beautiful than ever. The updated Botero Lounge is excellent, and so was the food. We didn't eat at Loulu (the former Cafe Kula), but it looks really nice. Bistro Molokini was just concluding its renovation as we were leaving, so it should be open by the time you arrive. It looked really nice. Grotto Bar's makeover was much needed and also looks great.
Yes, the water elevator is still down and likely will never be fixed. The part that is broken is custom and it sounds like they are struggling to replace it. Having done it in 2018? You're not missing anything.
Despite the conference and then the sea of families descending on Thursday for the holiday weekend, I never had trouble getting lounge chairs for both of us. Servers were super attentive and attendants came around every 15-20 minutes, offering free fruit (strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.). This was new for me, and a nice touch.
The only disappointment was that Spa Grande is still under construction (as it was 18 months ago) and it is nowhere remotely near done, so I would guess it will be done sometime next year. But compared to everything else that has recently been updated, I would use it the least.
My complaints were minimal: the usual about having to pay for valet parking and how slow service was at Humu Humu for mediocre food (it was a 2.5 hour meal that felt every bit as long). For similar pricing, I’d skip Humu Humu and go to Mama’s Fish House instead. We had done that the day before and it was the best meal we’ve ever eaten.
The long is above, the short is: don’t be nervous. Switch your reservation because you're going to love it. Have a WONDERFUL time!
EDITED for typos, ugh.