Suite: Premier Suite
Size: 167 square metres
Price: From $2012 per night
Reviewed by Richard Bunting
Details: hyatt.com/brands/andaz
Hotel
The Andaz Maui was the first Andaz Resort by Hyatt, opening in 2013 following a US$90 million renovation of the beachfront property, formerly operating as the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort. Designed by the award-winning Rockwell Group, Andaz Maui is a celebration of Hawaiian culture, a commitment to the brand’s ethos of giving guests the experience of living like a local. Emphasis has been placed on opening the resort up to its natural environment, which is a welcome touch in a place like this. On arrival, the grand bridgeway entrance and the lobby lounge, where you can run your toes through the sandpit during check in, makes for a memorable welcome. The resort is set on six beachfront hectares so the view from the lobby, across cascading infinity pools towards Mokapu Beach and the glistening waters of the Pacific Ocean, certainly draw your attention. The resort has 301 rooms including 35 suites and 11 enormous villas, all located within easy reach of the pool and beach.
Suite
In keeping with the spirit of the location, my Premier Suite, like all rooms, adopts a sophisticated beachside feel with neutral tones and splashes of soft colour to complement the great outdoors. Speaking of the great outdoors, floor-to-ceiling windows open onto a large balcony and, with the sun shining through, this is a perfect place to relax. Next to a modest kitchenette, the huge living room features a couch big enough for the Brady Bunch while the master bedroom continues the spacious theme and boasts a beautifully soft bed fit for a king and his queen. The bathroom is well designed and user-friendly, and even I am impressed by the magnificent bathtub. I am not a bath guy, but my wife was delighted.
Locale
Andaz is located in the resort hub of Wailea on the south shore of Maui, about 40 minutes from Kahului Airport. For those who wish to explore beyond Andaz’s unique grounds, you will be spoilt for choice with both land and water activities available. Hiking, sailing and snorkelling are among the attractions, while the 36-hole Wailea Golf Resort is just a three kilometre transfer away. Even closer, The Shops at Wailea are worth exploring.
Eat In
The Andaz has four restaurants/bars. Ka’ana Kitchen offers a farm-to-plate menu of sumptuous meals. Produce is fresh and local, and I can highly recommend the Berkshire Pork Belly. For a quick bite, casual lunch or easy dinner, try the Lehua Lounge or Bumbye Beach Bar. Both are relaxing venues in which to unwind while enjoying an afternoon drink. For a fine-dining experience, be sure to prebook a table at Morimoto Maui. Here, highly acclaimed chef Masaharu Morimoto serves a fusion of Western and Japanese cuisine to satisfy any palate.
Special Touches
The resort offers many thoughtful touches and booking a suite or villa will give you direct access to plenty of them. Complimentary benefits include a surfing lesson, spa treatments, food credits and airport transfers.