Andaz Maui REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 14, 2015, 12:47 pm
#1681
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,363
Just stayed here right before Christmas and was upgraded to a suite on an awards stay (rare yes I know). We had a suite and a connecting room. For me the pantry breakfast was more than suitable. Yes you don't get your own personal juicer but that wasn't that much of a draw for me. We tried the full breakfast experience one of the days we were there and while it was good, it wasn't amazing at all. It wasn't worth the upcharge.
The suite was beautiful, the standard connecting room was okay. It was very zen to me and i like how the bathroom is hidden into the wall but it wasn't horribly disappointing. It may a bit "spartan" due to its minimalist design but it was still very nice.
While I am not a Hawaii expert by any means I stayed at the regency and the andaz. The andaz shines because of the amazing beach and great snorkelling as well as their very good beach service. To me its a great hotel, yes its pricey (but I was on an award stay). Would I ever pay retail, HECK NO, would i return on an award even though i wasn't confirmed into a suite? ABSOLUTELY.
The suite was beautiful, the standard connecting room was okay. It was very zen to me and i like how the bathroom is hidden into the wall but it wasn't horribly disappointing. It may a bit "spartan" due to its minimalist design but it was still very nice.
While I am not a Hawaii expert by any means I stayed at the regency and the andaz. The andaz shines because of the amazing beach and great snorkelling as well as their very good beach service. To me its a great hotel, yes its pricey (but I was on an award stay). Would I ever pay retail, HECK NO, would i return on an award even though i wasn't confirmed into a suite? ABSOLUTELY.
Jan 14, 2015, 2:34 pm
#1682
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Germany
Programs: IC Dia, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Emirates Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 558
Excellent post Colin.
I would return to this property -- it's a lovely romantic getaway -- but I'd also realize you need to stop at the market down the road to get some nibbles and drinks or your tab is going to be exhorbitant. Those small $16 drinks add up fast, as does the overpriced but excellent poolside bar and snack menu.
I don't get the clamor for P & C. At some properties, it's not feasible and this is one of them. At $400 a night to be confirmed into a suite is a great deal. That said, I have to be honest and say that the regular rooms that diamonds receive are really 3 star and disappointing to the extent that I wouldn't come to the property if I wasn't guaranteed a suite.
I would return to this property -- it's a lovely romantic getaway -- but I'd also realize you need to stop at the market down the road to get some nibbles and drinks or your tab is going to be exhorbitant. Those small $16 drinks add up fast, as does the overpriced but excellent poolside bar and snack menu.
I don't get the clamor for P & C. At some properties, it's not feasible and this is one of them. At $400 a night to be confirmed into a suite is a great deal. That said, I have to be honest and say that the regular rooms that diamonds receive are really 3 star and disappointing to the extent that I wouldn't come to the property if I wasn't guaranteed a suite.
My vacation per night hotel is always 400-800$ a night but I do expect something for that.
Hyatt has a loyalty programme and those of us that don't live in the US have to work hard to get and maintain. No easy credit card or free nights for us.
My point from reading these things is the attitude at the hotel seems to be a little anti diamond and loyal guest.
my stay is paid and although a P&C would have been nice it is not.
Considering this is flyer talk I wonder what uproar would appear if for example airlines did not serve Dom P in the F cabin to award flight ticket holders and only served them a coach meal..... Are those flyers that use upgrades on plane seat or award bookings cheap too? Hmmm. I don't think there are many on here that have never taken advantage of these perks.
Not a fair comment Colin, sorry.
I am not suggesting that Andaz should give everyone who has diamond, a suite for 200$ a night. Over my time it is closer to 600$ For a standard room.
Why did I consider staying here? Because I am loyal to the brand and it is the first place I look. That is the business they get from so called cheapo diamonds who give lots of cash $ to Hyatt.
Jan 15, 2015, 6:40 pm
#1683
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Hyatt Plat, SPG/MAR Gold, Nat'l EEE
Posts: 128
My wife and I are looking to book several nights using points in March, and currently all that's available are Garden Queen rooms for the days we're looking at.
Has anyone had success in booking nights with points and then upgrading with $ (either beforehand or upon check-in)? I wish there were nicer rooms or suites available to book with points, and I'll be checking daily to see if anything opens up. However, if there isn't, we'd be open to paying $ for an upgrade to an Ocean View King.
Has anyone had success in booking nights with points and then upgrading with $ (either beforehand or upon check-in)? I wish there were nicer rooms or suites available to book with points, and I'll be checking daily to see if anything opens up. However, if there isn't, we'd be open to paying $ for an upgrade to an Ocean View King.
Jan 15, 2015, 8:36 pm
#1684
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,363
My wife and I are looking to book several nights using points in March, and currently all that's available are Garden Queen rooms for the days we're looking at.
Has anyone had success in booking nights with points and then upgrading with $ (either beforehand or upon check-in)? I wish there were nicer rooms or suites available to book with points, and I'll be checking daily to see if anything opens up. However, if there isn't, we'd be open to paying $ for an upgrade to an Ocean View King.
Has anyone had success in booking nights with points and then upgrading with $ (either beforehand or upon check-in)? I wish there were nicer rooms or suites available to book with points, and I'll be checking daily to see if anything opens up. However, if there isn't, we'd be open to paying $ for an upgrade to an Ocean View King.
Jan 16, 2015, 1:00 am
#1685
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
What's happening here that the Andaz wants to maximize revenue for all rooms. Nothing wrong with that, but that argument works at ALL properties. Having a feature in a loyalty program where properties can opt-out of is not very helpful, it's bad enough already that there is an option to opt-out of the use of DSU's.
Jan 16, 2015, 9:28 am
#1686
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
My wife and I are looking to book several nights using points in March, and currently all that's available are Garden Queen rooms for the days we're looking at.
Has anyone had success in booking nights with points and then upgrading with $ (either beforehand or upon check-in)? I wish there were nicer rooms or suites available to book with points, and I'll be checking daily to see if anything opens up. However, if there isn't, we'd be open to paying $ for an upgrade to an Ocean View King.
Has anyone had success in booking nights with points and then upgrading with $ (either beforehand or upon check-in)? I wish there were nicer rooms or suites available to book with points, and I'll be checking daily to see if anything opens up. However, if there isn't, we'd be open to paying $ for an upgrade to an Ocean View King.
Jan 16, 2015, 9:30 am
#1687
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
I looked for the thread where this was discussed and couldn't find it, but it seems like I remember this being the case. Maybe someone has had some more recent experience with it. I know intially I had to push back at one particular property on this and the diamond agent was able to get the DSU applied by calling the property. That said I don't think the Andaz does this because I had two rooms and each time I saw a POV suite open up online I called and had no issues applying the DSU to my 2 P+C reservations.
Jan 16, 2015, 9:46 am
#1688
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: SPG Gold/HH Diamond/CC Gold/Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 310
A little off topic, but I think some properties were putting different availability on the P+C DSUs vs. the revenue DSUs when it first started, but it's my understanding that this is not supposed to be the case and that if the right suite type is available you can use the DSU whether you're on a revenue stay or a C&P stay.
I looked for the thread where this was discussed and couldn't find it, but it seems like I remember this being the case. Maybe someone has had some more recent experience with it. I know intially I had to push back at one particular property on this and the diamond agent was able to get the DSU applied by calling the property. That said I don't think the Andaz does this because I had two rooms and each time I saw a POV suite open up online I called and had no issues applying the DSU to my 2 P+C reservations.
I looked for the thread where this was discussed and couldn't find it, but it seems like I remember this being the case. Maybe someone has had some more recent experience with it. I know intially I had to push back at one particular property on this and the diamond agent was able to get the DSU applied by calling the property. That said I don't think the Andaz does this because I had two rooms and each time I saw a POV suite open up online I called and had no issues applying the DSU to my 2 P+C reservations.
Here's a thread for reference where Gold Passport Concierge says P&C + DSU should have same availability as revenue + DSU.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...s-c-p-dsu.html
Jan 16, 2015, 12:03 pm
#1690
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
I'm not sure what the story is with this property now - about 2 months ago I was told there were no suites available for suite awards (points) for my dates but DSUs were (no P&C as indicated). That doesn't sound right to me since I always thought that DSU = award inventory which is not necessarily any inventory of the entry suite. So I went searching and got a BRG approved then applied the DSU.
Jan 16, 2015, 1:13 pm
#1692
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Hyatt Plat, SPG/MAR Gold, Nat'l EEE
Posts: 128
Hyatts award nights always book into the entry level room - perhaps a garden King could open up but not the ocean view ones. I don't recall reports at this property but I'm sure they would consider upgrading your room for a cash payment. I would suggest that you go ahead and book your award nights and then contact the property directly to arrange the upgrade. You don't mention your status, if you're Diamond chances are pretty good that you'd get a partial ocean view anyways - YMMV.
Jan 18, 2015, 11:51 pm
#1693
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Midwest
Programs: Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 757
I am here now and have read every post on this property. As I see it, the problem with this hotel for Diamond is not how it currently is, but the fact that it gave Diamonds so much at the beginning and started to take more and more away.
Anyone who came here today for the first time without reading this thread think it is a great redemption at a Category 6 for location alone. Think of all the Category 6 in NY and what it offers in comparison. I guess I was one of the last to be able to use C+P with DSU, but in making this booking it was less than $350/night which was reasonable and I did not really get a great point redemption by using C+P.
The Pantry Breakfast is better than most domestic Hyatt properties and has plenty of options.
I don’t remember anyone mentioning it, but it had one of the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve slept in even if it’s slightly on the softer side.
Thank you again to canyonleo for sharing the Kihei option. Word of caution, it may be a challenge to navigate the 1st trip from parking to the hotel if you arrive after dark.
Anyone who came here today for the first time without reading this thread think it is a great redemption at a Category 6 for location alone. Think of all the Category 6 in NY and what it offers in comparison. I guess I was one of the last to be able to use C+P with DSU, but in making this booking it was less than $350/night which was reasonable and I did not really get a great point redemption by using C+P.
The Pantry Breakfast is better than most domestic Hyatt properties and has plenty of options.
I don’t remember anyone mentioning it, but it had one of the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve slept in even if it’s slightly on the softer side.
Thank you again to canyonleo for sharing the Kihei option. Word of caution, it may be a challenge to navigate the 1st trip from parking to the hotel if you arrive after dark.
Jan 19, 2015, 2:10 am
#1694
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,545
Same here. On propery. Loving it all. Full ocean suite for P+C and DSU. Great drinks. Food is killer in both dinner places. Every staff member has been super friendly. Housekeeping is on the ball, responding quickly to every request (i.e. Diet Coke instead of the 3 sugary free items in minibar).
Jan 19, 2015, 8:08 pm
#1695
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Hyatt diamond
Posts: 645
I am here now and have read every post on this property. As I see it, the problem with this hotel for Diamond is not how it currently is, but the fact that it gave Diamonds so much at the beginning and started to take more and more away.
Anyone who came here today for the first time without reading this thread think it is a great redemption at a Category 6 for location alone. Think of all the Category 6 in NY and what it offers in comparison. I guess I was one of the last to be able to use C+P with DSU, but in making this booking it was less than $350/night which was reasonable and I did not really get a great point redemption by using C+P.
The Pantry Breakfast is better than most domestic Hyatt properties and has plenty of options.
I don’t remember anyone mentioning it, but it had one of the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve slept in even if it’s slightly on the softer side.
Thank you again to canyonleo for sharing the Kihei option. Word of caution, it may be a challenge to navigate the 1st trip from parking to the hotel if you arrive after dark.
Anyone who came here today for the first time without reading this thread think it is a great redemption at a Category 6 for location alone. Think of all the Category 6 in NY and what it offers in comparison. I guess I was one of the last to be able to use C+P with DSU, but in making this booking it was less than $350/night which was reasonable and I did not really get a great point redemption by using C+P.
The Pantry Breakfast is better than most domestic Hyatt properties and has plenty of options.
I don’t remember anyone mentioning it, but it had one of the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve slept in even if it’s slightly on the softer side.
Thank you again to canyonleo for sharing the Kihei option. Word of caution, it may be a challenge to navigate the 1st trip from parking to the hotel if you arrive after dark.
Totally agree with you on the comfortable bed and the breakfast is still one of the best. Where else could you get as many as twelve+ different kind of fruits?