Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort {US-HI}
Jul 9, 2023, 11:42 am
#1381
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,317
Did the same calculations and we decided to rent a minivan for one day and planned around it. The day we have the minivan is right in the middle of our trip and we will be driving to Makawao for a pineapple farm tour, do some shopping, and do a birthday dinner in West Maui. Renting from the Budget in Wailea Town Center that is about 10-15 minute walk from the resort. Picking it up at 8am, hitting the road, then when we get back I will drop it in the overnight return and won't have to worry about parking/valet. Booked via Costco for $90-some with taxes for the day, plus whatever we use in gas.
We're there for 7 days and 3 of those days we are doing off-resort activities that either pick us up (Road to Hana and Haleakala sunrise) or are walking distance (sea scooter snorkeling), with the rest just hanging at the pools, beach, shops.
We're there for 7 days and 3 of those days we are doing off-resort activities that either pick us up (Road to Hana and Haleakala sunrise) or are walking distance (sea scooter snorkeling), with the rest just hanging at the pools, beach, shops.
Jul 9, 2023, 4:11 pm
#1382
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 55
not sure if you've researched much about road to hana, but to us, the fun of it is driving ourselves and stopping where we want along the way to explore or hike or take a dip in the streams and swimming holes. Might want to reconsider someone driving you or being in a group for that activity, just saying.
Jul 9, 2023, 4:27 pm
#1383
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Thanks for the suggestions.
So GW doesn’t have a shuttle to local sites? That’s a little surprise for a resort of this tier in this location.
I checked rental car prices for the Enterprise on site versus the ones in the nearby center. About 30% more. Fred they trip, it’s probably worth paying that premium rather than having to walk 15 minutes in the back. Does anyone know if the Enterprise rental can be charged to the hotel?
Also, if I do a day trip, I will probably want to return the car at 7-8 pm. On the websites, all the rental places close at 4 pm. Do they all have a place to do after hour returns? Should I book the reservation as if I’m returning the car the next morning?
So GW doesn’t have a shuttle to local sites? That’s a little surprise for a resort of this tier in this location.
I checked rental car prices for the Enterprise on site versus the ones in the nearby center. About 30% more. Fred they trip, it’s probably worth paying that premium rather than having to walk 15 minutes in the back. Does anyone know if the Enterprise rental can be charged to the hotel?
Also, if I do a day trip, I will probably want to return the car at 7-8 pm. On the websites, all the rental places close at 4 pm. Do they all have a place to do after hour returns? Should I book the reservation as if I’m returning the car the next morning?
Jul 9, 2023, 4:38 pm
#1384
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 55
I read that there's a "house car" that will take you to places in the area (within 5 miles, maybe?) that is first come, first serve.
Jul 9, 2023, 5:01 pm
#1385
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,631
I'm trying to decide if I should get a rental car for my family trip. I'm going with my wife and 5 year old and 3 yo in late Dec-early January, total 5 nights. We don't plan to venture out much, mostly stay in resort and likely the Shops at Wailea, but I would like to be able to occasionally buy some local food and bring back to resort (prob just me, not the whole family).
…
What other options for local transportation are there at GW?
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What other options for local transportation are there at GW?
We always had the car rental for our full Maui trip plus even at GW we still did day trips etc. it wasn’t a cheap experience and we loved our rental. I just wouldn’t recommend it for you.
there is so much to enjoy on the GW property. Have the best trip!!
Jul 9, 2023, 5:02 pm
#1386
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond, United Global Services
Posts: 159
But good news-they are actually working to repair the water elevator right now
Jul 9, 2023, 5:22 pm
#1387
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,223
Wow, that stinks about the slides. Right in the middle of summer vacation when I'm sure the place is loaded with kids. But I guess if things break they need to be fixed.
Jul 9, 2023, 9:36 pm
#1388
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,317
did someone say WATER ELEVATOR REPAIRS?
Jul 9, 2023, 10:59 pm
#1389
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,631
since 2020! I still can’t believe it’s taking this long. It’s also beyond ridiculous that the 2 biggest slides didn’t work. I hate to imagine the queue for the Tarzan rope. I the adult would be super bummed for all these things to not work. The pool is the major best thing at GW. It’s not the buffet nor the beach. It’s not any recent renovation. It’s not a special basic room. It’s the pools. Ugh.
Jul 10, 2023, 9:49 am
#1392
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,317
Jul 10, 2023, 12:40 pm
#1393
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 55
Need input on this choice, since we've never been to the property: We booked for 2 deluxe ocean view rooms (2 queens) and are being offered 2 Napua Garden View rooms (2 queens) instead. Rooms 6061 & 6063.
Is giving up the ocean view from a standard room for a garden view worth the Napua benefits?
Is giving up the ocean view from a standard room for a garden view worth the Napua benefits?
Jul 10, 2023, 12:45 pm
#1394
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: No. California
Programs: UA MP HH LTD
Posts: 2,041
Need input on this choice, since we've never been to the property: We booked for 2 deluxe ocean view rooms (2 queens) and are being offered 2 Napua Garden View rooms (2 queens) instead. Rooms 6061 & 6063.
Is giving up the ocean view from a standard room for a garden view worth the Napua benefits?
Is giving up the ocean view from a standard room for a garden view worth the Napua benefits?
Jul 10, 2023, 1:02 pm
#1395
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 55
Yeah, I guess the food alone for 7 of us for a week is worth losing any ocean view. However, when I tried to complete the check-in in the app for the Napua assigned rooms, it's saying "online check in is currently unavailable", so maybe it's not a sure thing. Guess I'll have to go to the front desk when we arrive tomorrow and cross my fingers.