This Maui Resort Has the Biggest Spa in Hawaii, an Aquarium Bar, 7 Waterslides, and a Brand-new Nobu Restaurant

It was the spa that first brought me to the Grand Wailea on Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, years ago. As a fashion and beauty editor, I couldn’t ignore all of the “Top 10” lists with glowing reviews of the spa and its enticing mixture of elegance and serenity (or the 2011 Film “Just Go With It” starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, which was filmed at the resort). Spa Grande delivered, calling me back to the hotel repeatedly for more than 20 years. 

When I read in 2019 that the spa was closing for an extensive renovation, I was nervous. I loved that spa. Whatever was intended for the renovation, logic told me my favorite elements would be lost. Because this was clearly a see-for-myself situation, I recently returned to the hotel. And the short answer? All is good. Very good, in fact.

After a $55-million renovation, the Kilolani Spa reopened in early 2024 at 50,000 square feet—the largest in Hawaii, senior director of spa and wellness David Erlich told Travel + Leisure. A stunning hydrotherapy garden greets guests with hot and cold plunges, a welcoming hammam and spa version of the ice-bucket challenge. With its heart deep in Hawaiian culture, the spa’s treatments are based on cycles of the moon (so a massage during a full moon will feature different products than one during a new moon). “The programming constantly evolves,” Erlich told T+L. And so does the hotel. 

The entire property has undergone a total renovation, explained managing director JP Oliver, with everything from rethinking the guest rooms and public areas to developing several new restaurants. Bad news for me: I was too early for the opening of the Nobu by just a few weeks, but a walkthrough of the construction site just above the lobby all but guaranteed I’ll be back next year.

Plans for the renovation started in 2019, but not much happened during the eight months the pandemic closed the hotel, and construction started in late 2020. “We took the guest rooms down to the studs,” said Oliver. Work took place gradually over the next few years, finishing in October of 2024. After the pandemic, “the whole world was much busier than we thought it would be,” Oliver told T+L, and the hotel was hopping. Then, things slowed down after Maui’s devastating wildfires in August 2023 when tourism to the island suffered as people cancelled trips. Now, with its emphasis on wellness and activities for the entire family, the hotel is back to being nearly full most of the time, according to Oliver.

And I was able to see that what makes Grand Wailea so special is, thankfully, unchanged. The grounds are lush and welcoming, with gardens everywhere you turn. Head landscaper Jim Heid gives regular tours of the 40-acre property, pointing out his favorite native plants (orchids everywhere) and allowing guests to sample starfruit straight from the tree. Throughout the property, the gentle sound of waterfalls adds to the tranquility.

Equally impressive is the hotel’s museum-worthy art, including a multi million-dollar collection of larger-than-life Fernando Botero sculptures in and around the lobby bar. Everywhere you turn, there’s artwork to admire: A series of Fernand Léger paintings can be found near the shops, and an imposing statue of King Kamehameha guards the entrance.

There’s so much to say about my recent visit to Grand Wailea—most notably that it was too short! Here’s my full review.

The Rooms

All the hotel’s 877 guest rooms and 57 suites have a private lanai (balcony) with views of either the gardens or the ocean. Interiors in shades of beige and ivory with splashes of tropical colors are soothing. Even the most basic room is lavishly appointed, with a small refrigerator, Nespresso machine, walk-in shower and tub, and cushy bathrobe and slippers. The focus on art is evident, with each wing featuring different paintings. (I was especially fond of the huge print of swimmers awash in an endless ocean that hung in my bathroom).

Suites have a sitting area with large-screen TV and an additional half bath, along with a spectacular bathroom featuring an oversized tub with an ocean view. For the ultimate in luxury, the Ho‘olei complex on a hill overlooking the hotel has three-bedroom villas that can sleep six, with expansive lanais, full kitchens, and laundry facilities, and then there’s the Napua rooms and suites with “VIP comforts” located on the resort’s private upper floors.

Food and Drink

It’s difficult to pronounce Grand Wailea’s signature restaurant, Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, but you can call it Humuhumu for short. Named for the native reef triggerfish, the restaurant is nestled under several thatched-roof structures with a dramatic circular aquarium bar housing some 400 salt-water fish gliding under your cocktail—try the Sunburnt Vacationer. People love the Wagyu strip steak, but dishes like Macadamia Nut Prawns or Ahi Coconut Ceviche capitalize a bit more on Island authenticity. While construction on Nobu was still going on, the resort’s over-the-top breakfast buffet (omelet station, cheese and charcuterie, specials like quiche or frittata) took place here.

Nobu, in a redesigned space soaring above the lobby, is now open with all the famous specialties on the dinner menu, like black cod miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno. Other dining venues include Olivine, serving an Italian-inspired menu for lunch and dinner, Botero Lounge with live music and light bites, and, if you can’t bear to come in for lunch, the Wailea Surf Haus on the beach. Also notable is the 24-hour Loulu, named for the only palm tree native to Hawaii. The café/market offers a light breakfast, snacks, a variety of sandwiches, pizza, and curated offerings from the Los Angeles-based organic grocer Erewhon, including the cult-favorite Cosmic Bliss, a plant-based soft serve. You can also dine with entertainment at the Grand Lūʻau on select dates.

Activities and Experiences

It might be tempting to spend your days at the Grand Wailea lounging on the beach or by the pool, mudslide and novel in hand. But doing only that would be a mistake. Starting with early morning yoga classes on the beach, the hotel offers activities for everyone, among them stand-up paddle board and scuba lessons and morning outrigger tours (remember, eyes wide open if it’s whale season). Cultural tours every Wednesday focus on Hawaii’s history and traditions, while periodic garden tours highlight the native plants, while art tours show the impressive collection of paintings and sculptures.

Embrace the culture by learning how to dance the hula, play the ukulele, or make a lei or a Kukui Nut bracelet. Or kick back and enjoy Keola (Hawaiian bingo). Periodic events include things like E Ala E, a morning chant on the beach that is said to make participants “feel the mana (energy) of Maui flow through your body,” and the ‘Awa Ceremony in celebration of the full moon led by a Hawaiian cultural practitioner.

The hotel has a full gym, with daily fitness classes including yoga, cycling, and stretching, and every Sunday there’s a sound bath experience with vibrations from crystal bowls, chimes, and a water drum to promote deep relaxation. If you’re in need of retail therapy, shops near the lobby include several galleries, a Tommy Bahama, and the Cabana Vue designer boutique with luxe brands like Tom Ford and Chanel.

All that said, you can’t forget about the beach and pool. Attendants will set up chairs and umbrellas on Wailea Beach, and steps away, the hotel’s swimming pool has nine separate areas, from “baby beach” for the smallest kids, to seven water slides, to the adults-only Hibiscus Pool with 2.2 million individual tiles. Ok, time to go for the mudslide.

The Spa

The spa experience starts immediately after check-in, when guests participate in the welcome ritual by dipping their fingers in salt water, flicking it over their shoulders, and concentrating on their intentions. Guests are encouraged to come early to spend time in the hydrotherapy garden (complimentary with any service, or you can buy a two-hour pass for $125) before heading upstairs for treatments.

The spa menu is incredible. The Lomilomi massage is considered a Hawaiian healing art, and there are multiple options of facials. But the specialties are the signature rituals, which draw on the moon cycles or local herbal medicine and include bodywork, herbal wraps, and mindfulness practices for ultimate relaxation. You can also book astrology readings or a session to explore your auras and chakras. At The Biostation, an on-site healthcare facility, you can recover from overindulging (whether in the sun or those darn mudslides) with IV nutrient therapy and get hormone therapy and med spa services. A full- service salon offers nail and hair care.

Wellness diehards will want to check out the new retreats: three- and five-day programs that include spa treatments, private fitness sessions, and IV nutrient therapy at The Biostation, among other things. Guests will stay in one of the 11 new wellness rooms that come equipped with massage guns, white noise machines, and meditation goggles.

Family-friendly Offerings

Sitting on my eighth-floor lanai around sunset, I had fun watching the parade of multi-generational family groups—often decked out in matching Hawaiian prints—heading toward the evening’s luau. The festive presentation with traditional dances and food is a must in Hawaii, and it’s safe to say no children will be bored at the Grand Wailea, where the pool will keep them entertained for hours and many of the craft and cultural activities are geared to kids. The hotel recently opened its revamped child center, Keiki Club, for kids aged 5 to 12. General manager Wendle Lesher called it an “immersive experience,” stressing that the program does not keep kids confined to a room. They will be all over the property, he told T+L, exploring the gardens or cooking up something with a chef. Teens will gravitate to the Cave, another new space, billed as “an immersion into the Megaverse.” Traditional game room activities like ping pong and darts share the space with virtual reality pods offering high-tech 4D games. Upon check-in, kids are given a Grand Passport, which serves as a map for all the educational activities they can find throughout the property. And if parents need a night out, the hotel will facilitate babysitting.

Accessibility and Sustainability

From its early days, the Grand Wailea stressed accessibility because one of the original planners had a son with disabilities. Ramps all over the property are gentle enough for wheelchairs and walkers, and there are accessible rooms in every category. One unique feature is the water elevator (a kid favorite), which was first created to help the planner’s son get to the upper and lower pool levels.

Similarly, the resort stresses sustainability in virtually every aspect of operations. No single-use plastic water bottles are sold, and you won’t find plastic in takeout containers either. Food scraps go to local farmers for animal feed and more than 80 percent of produce comes from local farms. Drought-resistant plants dot the landscape, many of them indigenous to the island, and a rooftop aviary not only aids in pollination but provides honey for restaurants and spa treatments.

Location

The Grand Wailea is on Maui’s south side and it’s only 17 miles from the airport. Despite this proximity, renting a car is still necessary if you want to fully appreciate the wonders of Maui. You don’t want to miss the awe-inspiring sunrise at Haleakala, one of the world’s largest dormant volcanoes, or the occasionally harrowing road to Hana, which will take you past black sand beaches and magnificent waterfalls. I love driving up Haleakala Highway, stopping for a tour of O’o Farm or Surfing Goat Dairy. Another fun stop is a visit to the small upcountry town called Makawao, known for its charming galleries and a bakery famed for the doughnuts called malasadas (but be warned, they often sell out before noon.) Some of my favorite restaurants on the planet are on Maui, too, most notably Mama’s Fish House, where you need to make reservations way in advance (like months!). And, of course, Maui has no shortage of beaches you might want to visit.

The Grand Wailea hotel is part of Hilton Honors (I booked my three-night stay for just over 300,000 points. If I could have stayed one night longer, I would have received a fifth night free). American Express Fine Hotels + Resort offers also include a fifth night free as well as daily breakfast for two and a $100 credit.

Nightly rates at Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort start from $70, but keep in mind prices vary by season and day of the week.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.