That is very strange for August, and as a guess I would think it's not a minimum stay issue. I would book the 9 night stay, then call to cancel the unwanted two nights, if that's the gaming required by the system/program.

Funny, I too tried to book the 11th to the 17th and there was no point availability, and forget about using a DSU (lots of POV and OV suites avail but no pool suites).

Rooms AIN'T CHEAP that week so I ended up searching for a BRG and found an Oceanview Queen which Hyatt applied the discount and it came out at $408/night.

I'll try this again, since it's been two weeks with no response. Any help on these topics would be much appreciated!

Nevermind

Went a year ago for a long weekend and had a great time -- posted to that effect somewhere above.

Since then, the buzz on this board was somewhat dulling my appetite. However, my spouse, who doesn't (to my knowledge) read this board, definitely wanted to go back. So we did.

And glad we did. It was just as pleasant and fun as a year ago. I guess a lot of it is how and where you situate yourself. The Pantry breakfast was fine as a Diamond. It's pretty much what you get in other Hyatts, with better fruit. (Last year, the worst gluttony I had seen at the go-for-broke all-you-can-eat pre-reform breakfast was with respect to fruit. Some people seemed to be carting away blueberries like they were bitcoins. Were they reselling them to Safeway?) We ate plenty, enjoyed the views, etc.

The other change was the resort fee. We pretty much go to the Andaz Maui to go to the Andaz, not to Maui, and to vegetate (briefly!) So I did not mind that having made the reservation some months back, didn't have to pay the resort fee... or use the adult toys one gets in exchange. I'm cheap, so if I had had to pay, I would have probably forced myself to use them. (Note to dajoip: It was perfectly clear -- as in, this stuff shows up on a computer screen that they call up when you show up in front of them -- that if we had used some of that stuff, we would have gotten the pleasure of paying the resort fee. Now you [or somebody else] might argue that there are plenty of things bundled in their list of resort fee "benefits," like internet, that I did use, and I didn't get charged for those, so .... But that would be you [or somebody else] making the argument.)

Main point is, the place is still beautiful, and the service is more good than bad. I like the fact that they don't bug you too much, and that most of the folks genuinely try to help if you come up with a real need for something. Yeah, at b'fast each morning there were too many folks buzzing around with adverb and adjective modified hellos and absolutely zero follow through or sound recognition of response -- that's the bad Andaz style -- but there were also plenty of genuinely cool, competent staff people in the rest of the hotel who did give the place a good vibe.

Before I forget, three things I knew for this visit from this board that I hadn't known on the first visit and that added to the ease of the stay:

• The prompt and free (tip aside) car service that the guys at the front run for trips to other spots in Wailea. Very easy and the pick-ups for return were lightning fast. A realy nice gesture since of course they are leisurely abetting taking food and drink spend off property. Made for some easy and fun nights out, especially not having to worry about driving -- even a short way -- home.
• The sun tan lotion available everywhere. Okay, the coconut smell and texture did get me mixed up with the Andy's Haupia cake I picked up at Safeway last night, but let's focus on the positive: Having a lot of this glop around, and free, makes it hard not to use it. And that sun is hot, whether you realize it or not. Folks in the latter category painfully on display.... Use it people. The price point is right: It's free!
• The washing machines on the 2nd floor, Makai wing: Better than your college washing machines (and dryers), and no need for quarters. It's all there. A great touch, especially since it is no fun lugging back sweaty and sandy sports, pool, and beachware. Cuts the number of redundant items you need to bring, too, which makes the flight less stressful (overhead luggage space).

My small contribution in addition is for the non-car rental folks: The guys at Maui's Own Transporation Specialists (to and from airport) are every bit as good as their spotless Yelp reviews. $4 more than a Roberts van, which stops everywhere and wants to pick you up 9 hours before departure.

The one thing is, I really can't imagine ever going here except as a Diamond (diminished b'fast benefits notwithstanding) because a lot of the single rooms are pricey and nothing special. The resort fee will soon take this thing out of my fun zone, which is basically P+C (or cash equivalent, figure 2 cents or a little more per point) + DSU + late checkout (almost like an extra day) - some HGP discount (MER last year, whatever this 15% HI thing is this year) - gift certificate discounts. Everyone has different tastes in suites, but the two we have had were just perfect for our needs. (Way) Short of that (the singles), and with base costs mounting (leaving it difficult to leave money at the very nice Lehua bar, which also serves excellent food), I'm not sure I'd race back.

Thanks for the detailed info. Did you call/email in advance that you'd like to skip the resort fee, because you made the reservation prior to its introduction or did you simply mention that during check-in? I made my reservation in the beginning of the year for later this year, and my reservation details show the resort fee added so I was just wondering if I needed to contact them in advance to let them know I won't be using any of the resort fee stuff.

In every hotel I've ever stayed where the resort fee was waived I've received the benefits. I would expect this hotel to be the same.

You make an excellent point. My experience as a "grandfathered out" guest may not be relevant to situations in which the resort fee is waived, as when an award is applied. The only point that might still be slightly relevant is that usage of fee-included activities seemed to be, for whatever reason, tracked in their on-line system.

In contrast to the waiver situation, I felt that I was in a grayer area. Before arriving at the resort, my only contact had been with HGP. I can't totally reconstruct the details, but I think that I applied the DSU, or got a rate change, or some-such after the new policy was announced. If you look upstream, there was some confusion at the time about when relative to the announce date the new policy would go into effect. Based on things I was reading on this board, I made sure with HGP that I would not be charged the resort fee (at one point it seems to have mechanically gotten back on to the reservation details, as in your case). The upshot was that HGP agreed I did not have to pay the fee, and it was so-noted on my reservation. I checked this with HGP in the run-up to the stay, but I did not say anything to the hotel directly. It was only during the stay, so that there was no misunderstanding at check-out, that I double-checked on this, and it was at that point that I discovered that they could tell who was using what. I did not ask questions about what the "whats" were nor did I pose hypotheticals as to whether they would be charging me had I used the whatevers.

In sum, I looked at the introduction of the resort fee post-booking as a negative checkoff from which I wanted to be excluded. In the future, no one will be able to say, "But I don't want that stuff" when confronted with a resort fee. I think that's what we all hate about them (in addition to the semi-deceptiveness of a rate increase that does not show on pricing). Thanks to HGP, I felt I still had the option to opt-out. Under the circumstances (our preferences), I did not want to press the point further. I was happy not to have to pay the resort fee on this visit (since I had not planned for it in my booking) nor to have had to argue it off the bill at checkout (a known buzz-kill at departure).

Thank you for your responses. I still find the entire situation to be very confusing, and it'd be awfully nice for Gold Passport Concierge to address this issue definitively.

I'd also be very appreciative if anyone with any knowledge would be willing to respond to these remaining questions of mine.

There's nothing confusing about resort fees.... it's an extra charge that only in name carries benefits. Since everybody pays the resort fee it's normally (I would find parking charges to be the exception when they are included) something that should be included for free but is now used as an excuse for the resort fee. When it's waived you will still get all the benefits, since that's what everybody gets.

For a map I have seen this: http://www.joshuametzger.com/ under his portfolio. But if you read this thread you will see which rooms and suites most prefer.

I understand how resort fees typically work, but I don't think this is a typical situation. Seeing as how this particular resort fee was recently instituted, and there's been no definitive response as to whether "grandfathered-in" award stays will receive those benefits (especially considering that many of them are obviously not standard offerings), I'm just highly skeptical that we'll fortunately/unfortunately be "grandfathered-out". Given the recent workings of this hotel, I just have a hard time believing that they're perfectly willing to offer use of a GoPro, outrigger excursions, paddleboard lessons, guided kayak tours, etc without any fees at all. Doesn't sound like the countless reports of this place in the last 6+ months.

Either way, it'd just be nice to have a definitive answer so everybody knows what to expect. I don't think that's too much to ask for, and it's been very difficult to get thus far.

Thank you for this, I'll check it out.

Resort fees are actually very confusing. I contacted the hotel if resort fees applies to GP rewards, and they say YES. On FT, the GP Concierge says NO. So if I don't pay for resort fees, can we use all the resort benefits? I'm hearing mixed answers for this.

So yes, resort fees are ridiculous (especially at $40) and confusing. They should just add it to the room rate.

Can anyone confirm if GP points only reservations are being charged the $40 resort fee. And is this on top of the $30 mandatory valet parking fee on top of the resort fee?

Is it possible to get free parking on any nearby street or parking lot of this hotel in walking distance?

If its a matter of paying $40+$30=$70 per night on top of using points, making me reconsider staying here!

Have you read recent up-thread posts? And, what do you mean by "confirm", as there's lots of posts giving the answer.

Yes, a high-end property like this might market itself better by absorbing the resort fee into the base rate and advertise 'No Resort Fees" together with all the "free" benefits and activities the hotel offers. Some upscale cruise lines do this (e.g., Regent) and it seems to work.

I'm staying here late this month, booked last year before the resort fee was introduced. Got an email yesterday saying that I could opt in to pay the resort fee if I wanted the benefits - leads me to assume that the benefits are not included for those who are exempt from the resort fee, booked prior to April 2015.

I'm not sure how else to say this, but for the umpteenth time, strictly award bookings on points (or presumably the credit card signup nights) will not be charged the resort fee but the parking fee applies. I'm not posting this again in this thread.

I get it that there were many posts about this (mostly from more than a month ago). Was just confused by fishy21's recent comment of "I contacted the hotel if resort fees applies to GP rewards, and they say YES." Realized now he meant paying those fees will add GP points to one's balance.

I just called the hotel myself anyway now and got the answer that it is NOT charged for points bookings so thanks.

My other question was about whether there is a way to find free parking nearby on a street or somewhere and circumvent the $30/day valet parking, if anyone may know. Thanks

Again, there are numerous posts on this topic up-thread. There are options, such as the street along the Fairmont (use the free hotel shuttle as it's a longer walk) or the Kihei Option.

PM me for more info.

Once again, I know there are other posts but if I search the word "Parking" in this thread, haven't find the topic being addressed since September, 2013 and I figure things could've changed since then as in what was possible back then versus now.

Thanks for your suggestions on parking by Fairmont or Kihei, will explore that. I havent found this to be suggested elsewhere in the thread and am sure theres other FT'rs out there to whom this will be helpful info too.

LOL, I wonder how they will answer to the point of "OH NO, I don't get that resort benefit?, That's OK, since I get it as part of being a Diamond member"

Is it a revenue or award stay (I'm assuming award, since right now that's where the confusion lies...)? Was the email you received the one from their concierge welcoming you, asking for flight information, and outlining their amenities? Or was it a different email, specifically mentioning opting in for those extra "resort-fee" benefits? I'm also staying there later this month, and I've received nothing other than a "generic" email from the concierge with this verbiage:
Nothing in that text suggests to me that it's extra and that I have to choose to opt-in to receive those amenities. The fact that you feel this way (again, assuming you were referring to an award stay), simply indicates that there's still quite a bit of confusion as to how things are being implemented. Either way, the issue still has not been definitively addressed. I called the Diamond line earlier this week and asked them whether the "resort fee amenities" will be included at no additional cost on a full award stay at this property. They did some research, as well as calling the hotel directly, and came back with an unequivocal "YES - it will be included at no extra charge", which I asked for them to notate in my account/reservation.

Can anyone confirm that the Resort Fee, paid or gratis, includes the "new offerings" above: Stand Up Paddleboard, Snorkel Equipment, Single & Tandem Bikes, Body Boards? If they are included, why do they continue to use the word Rental? Do you have to pay a Rental Fee in addition to the Resort Fee? If so, that would make the new Resort Fee, like most all other Resort Fees, pretty much worthless.

It's actually a revenue stay (BRG + DSU). I think it's the latter type of email (asking about opting in for the resort fee for the benefits).

Anyways, since Hawaii has quite a bit of advance bookings (I booked my stay last October), I would expect this confusion with the benefits (those who pay the resort fee vs those who do not opt in (and perhaps those on award stays) to continue for a while until all revenue stays are assessed the resort fee.

This is the verbiage from the email:

Yes, that's the exact same email I received, except for this portion (where I've bolded the changes):

MINE:
YOURS:
So apparently that's how they're distinguishing between those who have to opt-in to the resort fee (revenue stay booked prior to 4/2), vs those who either will be charged it by default (revenue stay booked after 4/2), or those who will have it waived (award stay booked anytime).

I have a personally written letter from their concierge 1) saying that for points stays, the fee is waived and those benefits still extended, and 2) none of the "rental" amenities involve an extra fee - rather, they simply involve a usage agreement to check items out and all items are subject to availability.

Thanks for reply. That's good news.
Wonder why they publish rental rates online, and who these rates would apply to?
http://maui.andaz.hyatt.com/en/hotel...h-rentals.html

Guests who booked before the resort fee was imposed.

Seems unlikely. There is no disclaimer or qualification; just a list of beach rental charges. If the published page were to apply to such a limited group, for such a limited time, I would think it would be identified as such.
http://maui.andaz.hyatt.com/en/hotel...h-rentals.html

I am looking for a Points only award for January or February and I am not having any luck. What exactly is meant by no blackout dates if a points only redemption is not available?

I was able to book a 5 night stay at an Andaz suite in mid January at 40k points per night. As long as that room type is available can be booked only by calling in and not online. The stay for suite has to be minimum of 3 nights.

You're not following the thread.

The rental charges would apply to guests who are not on awards and otherwise exempt from the resort fee. In other words, guests who booked before the resort fee was imposed.

Thanks, but I have been following the thread. My point/question is why would resort site have published Beach Rentals page, listing rental charges for items that are free/no charge/included in Resort Fee?
I could be wrong, but I can't see them linking this page, titled Beach Rentals, if it ONLY applied to a small minority of guests, for a limited time, and not label it as such. Something like: "Published rental charges listed apply only to those making reservations prior to xx/xx2105 and choosing not to pay Resort Fee."
Hopefully, it DOES apply only to pre-Resort Fee, and they just haven't edited it yet?
http://maui.andaz.hyatt.com/en/hotel...h-rentals.html

If you can find one of their 27 garden view rooms available (standard) then you can book an award. Good luck. :D

I phoned the Andaz and asked to be transferred to Beach Rentals (see above link for Beach Rentals). Specifically asked if use of Paddle Boards, Kayaks, etc. were included in the Resort Fee. I was told they are not included. Was told that Resort Fee DOES include beach chairs and umbrellas, though. And Water Noodles!
This was one Andaz employee's response. Could be wrong.

Was there in July, and my experience was the same. Free: beach chairs/towels and free snorkel mask/fins. Paddle boards and kayaks were not included in the resort fee.

Is it true Diamonds no longer receive complimentary spa access here as well?

Yes. All you get is a discount for services.

I know there's been a lot of funny business with Hyatt hotels and standard awards.

Is this historically one of those hotels?

This hotel doesn't have a lot of history, but it is rapidly moving in that direction.

9% of the rooms are standard for awards. Ridiculous in that they simply created a new category called garden view that has no difference than mountain view except being on a lower floor.

One of the moderators doesn't see it as a big deal. We all have opinions, but to me this is complete bs and blatant changing of room categories to manipulate award inventory.

Just wait, next we will have the "Plant" category and a further reduction in standard rooms. A room with a plant in it. Perfectly fine based on the rules of the program. :( Bend me over while you thank me for my loyalty.