Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort {US-HI}
Dec 30, 2025 | 8:57 am
#2026
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LGB/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+ companion pass RIP: USAir priority gold/chairman's select
Posts: 1,957
That's great news! The water elevator is the only reason this property stands out from all others in the world. We have been waiting for years to take our granddaughter here to experience the elevator.
Dec 30, 2025 | 9:22 am
#2027
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: SoCal; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH LT Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, Omni
Posts: 9,649
But will it be working when we are there in May? The naive hypothesis is no.
Dec 30, 2025 | 10:41 am
#2028
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold - cheapass economy flyer!
Posts: 291
Dec 30, 2025 | 5:19 pm
#2029
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 11,570
Not operating today. There was a long line at 12 30 when it was supposed to open...
The grounds really should be avoided at daytime during vacation season - ppl packed like sardines but early mornings or to lesser extent after sunset the place is quite pleasant.
The grounds really should be avoided at daytime during vacation season - ppl packed like sardines but early mornings or to lesser extent after sunset the place is quite pleasant.
Dec 30, 2025 | 11:20 pm
#2030
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5,292
This place never seems to fail to disappoint.
Dec 30, 2025 | 11:46 pm
#2031
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 11,570
I have mixed feelings about it - rooms and grounds are solid (built as grand hyatt in the old days after all and recently remodeled), wailea location is nice good beach with island gourmet for meals within easy walking distance.
Avoid insane fees by street and plaza parking redeeming points and eating outside. Use pools and beach early before crowds descend and then head to island gourmet or even loulou for coffee/bfast. Go snorkeling in ahihi bay - its a very short drive from there. Drive and explore the island or relax midday.
As long as you avoid throngs of ppl and resort fleecing it's not a bad place.
Avoid insane fees by street and plaza parking redeeming points and eating outside. Use pools and beach early before crowds descend and then head to island gourmet or even loulou for coffee/bfast. Go snorkeling in ahihi bay - its a very short drive from there. Drive and explore the island or relax midday.
As long as you avoid throngs of ppl and resort fleecing it's not a bad place.
Dec 31, 2025 | 8:43 am
#2032
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: United 1k/1MM-LTGold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Pond-scum and LT-Plat
Posts: 2,626
I find this thread very interesting - I live/work on Maui and often have dinner at the hotels in Wailea for either personal and/or professional reasons and without a doubt, the GW is the worst - in terms of service, quality, cost, and overall experience. And yes, as I have previously commented it starts with their Valet service. I can understand staying there if you have a ton of points with HH that you want to burn otherwise every other option seems better. I have only been in a few rooms at the different hotels, but when people ask me where to stay in Wailea, I think every other option is better....
Jan 1, 2026 | 7:03 pm
#2033
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,677
I have mixed feelings about it - rooms and grounds are solid (built as grand hyatt in the old days after all and recently remodeled), wailea location is nice good beach with island gourmet for meals within easy walking distance.
Avoid insane fees by street and plaza parking redeeming points and eating outside. Use pools and beach early before crowds descend and then head to island gourmet or even loulou for coffee/bfast. Go snorkeling in ahihi bay - its a very short drive from there. Drive and explore the island or relax midday.
As long as you avoid throngs of ppl and resort fleecing it's not a bad place.
Avoid insane fees by street and plaza parking redeeming points and eating outside. Use pools and beach early before crowds descend and then head to island gourmet or even loulou for coffee/bfast. Go snorkeling in ahihi bay - its a very short drive from there. Drive and explore the island or relax midday.
As long as you avoid throngs of ppl and resort fleecing it's not a bad place.
Jan 2, 2026 | 12:29 am
#2034
Join Date: Jul 2024
Location: USA
Programs: HH Diamond x7, Hyatt Globalist x5, IHG Diamond Ambassador 3x, Delta Platinum x3, AA Executive Pro x3
Posts: 247
i just checked in. typical, valet not doing anything useful and being passive aggressive. they pissed off a visitor who thought there was no valet because the workers weren't at the lobby. since when did the AESOP brand change happen? fk blackstone PE for being so cheap. i wonder if i will be able to experience the elevator.
Jan 2, 2026 | 10:39 am
#2035
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LGB/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+ companion pass RIP: USAir priority gold/chairman's select
Posts: 1,957
i just checked in. typical, valet not doing anything useful and being passive aggressive. they pissed off a visitor who thought there was no valet because the workers weren't at the lobby. since when did the AESOP brand change happen? fk blackstone PE for being so cheap. i wonder if i will be able to experience the elevator.
I made then cancelled a booking a this property after the posts regarding this undependable feature.
Jan 2, 2026 | 3:43 pm
#2036
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold - cheapass economy flyer!
Posts: 291
They made me wait downstairs till family came to wait by the car while I ran something upstairs. I had every intention of leaving a tip since I had several Instacart orders delivered over the course of the stay- but that interaction left such a bad taste in my mouth. (I park down the street and just walk back and forth along that coastal trail, to avoid the insane valet fees.)
Jan 4, 2026 | 8:16 pm
#2037
Join Date: Jul 2024
Location: USA
Programs: HH Diamond x7, Hyatt Globalist x5, IHG Diamond Ambassador 3x, Delta Platinum x3, AA Executive Pro x3
Posts: 247
out of service since 12/30 DP. Open 12:30-2:30 but still broken lol. too many problems with this property I do agree this is Hilton not WA Standards. Ive done Osaka, AMS, Maldives, Seychelles, far superior.
Jan 4, 2026 | 9:07 pm
#2038
Join Date: Jul 2024
Location: USA
Programs: HH Diamond x7, Hyatt Globalist x5, IHG Diamond Ambassador 3x, Delta Platinum x3, AA Executive Pro x3
Posts: 247
out of service since 12/30 DP. Open 12:30-2:30 but still broken lol. too many problems with this property I do agree this is Hilton not WA Standards. Ive done Osaka, AMS, Maldives, Seychelles, far superior.
