Andaz Maui at Wailea Review: The Wailea Resort I Keep Booking on Points

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Bottom line

The Andaz Maui at Wailea is one of the best uses of World of Hyatt points in Hawaii — a beachfront resort with cascading infinity pools and standout dining. I booked mine for 30,000 points a night (pre-devaluation), and as a Globalist the free breakfast and upgrade made it feel like a much pricier stay. The catch is a real luxury cash price if you're not paying with points — rates here often run well over $1,000 per night.

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I have stayed at a lot of Hawaii resorts, and the Andaz Maui at Wailea is one of our absolute favorites. It sits right on Mokapu Beach in Wailea, the quieter, more upscale side of Maui, and it manages to feel both design-forward and relaxing.

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I book hotels for a living as a travel advisor, so I look at these stays through two lenses. The first is the experience: the rooms, the pools, the food, the service. The second is the value: what it costs in points or cash, and whether the perks stack up. The Andaz scores well on both.

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Booking the Andaz Maui

andaz maui building

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The Andaz Maui is a World of Hyatt property, and I booked my stay for 30,000 points a night when it was a Category 7. That was an outstanding rate for a resort that regularly sells for $1,000+ a night in cash. Award pricing at Hyatt has increased dramatically, so current standard nights can run higher during peak season, up to 75,000 points a night.

The elite perks are the real winner. As a Globalist, my daily breakfast was complimentary, which is meaningful when that spread normally runs around $49 per person, and parking was covered as well. Globalists can also receive complimentary upgrades, and Hyatt does not levy a resort fee on award stays the way some chains do. If you do not have Hyatt points yet, they transfer 1:1 from Chase Ultimate Rewards, which is how I earn a lot of my Hyatt points.

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Location

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Wailea sits on the south shore of Maui, roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive from Kahului Airport (OGG) depending on traffic. I always recommend renting a car here, because Wailea is spread out and you will want the freedom to explore beaches, restaurants, and the road to Hana if you are feeling ambitious. The Andaz anchors the northern end of the Wailea resort strip, so you are walking distance to the Shops at Wailea and the beach path.

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The setting is what sells it. The resort is built on 15 oceanfront acres, and almost everything steps down toward Mokapu Beach and the water. Sunsets here are the real deal, and the whole property is oriented to take advantage of them.

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Wailea itself is a planned resort community, so the landscaping is manicured, and the feel is calmer than the busier Lahaina or Kaanapali side of the island. That suits the Andaz well, and it is a big reason I recommend this area to couples and families who want to unwind rather than party.

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Lobby and Check-In

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Arriving to that ocean view is a nice reset if you have flown in from the mainland. The open-air lobby frames the water and the sunset, and the design language is clean and modern rather than the older Hawaiiana look you find at some legacy resorts. As a Globalist I was recognized at check-in and handled quickly, which matters after a long travel day.

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The whole property is oriented toward the ocean from the moment you walk in, so the arrival feels like a preview of the rest of the stay. It is understated and calm, and lets the setting do the talking.

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The Room

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The Andaz has around 320 rooms, suites, and villas, with clean, modern design throughout. My room had a private lanai, a rain shower, and a minibar stocked with complimentary nonalcoholic drinks and snacks, which is an Andaz signature and saves you a few dollars over the week. The look is understated, lots of natural wood and neutral tones, so the ocean does the decorating.

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As a Globalist, I was upgraded on arrival, which is one of the perks that makes chasing that status worth it. Room categories climb from resort-view entry rooms up through partial-ocean and full-ocean views, then into suites and beachfront villas with kitchens. If you can swing an ocean view, do it, because on this property the view is a big part of what you are paying for. One fair note: standard rooms are comfortable and well kept, but the square footage isn’t too sprawling.

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Pools and Amenities

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The pool situation is the headline feature and the reason a lot of guests choose the Andaz over its neighbors. There are three ocean-facing cascading infinity pools that step down toward the beach, plus a lagoon pool near the sand and an adults-only tranquility pool for when you want quiet. The multi-level infinity design is striking, and it photographs even better in person.

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Down at the water you have direct access to Mokapu Beach, a calm, swimmable stretch on most days. The resort runs water activities including outrigger canoe, paddleboard, kayak, and surf lessons, so there is plenty to do beyond lounging.

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For downtime, the Awili Spa and Salon is on-site, along with a 24-hour fitness center and daily wellness classes. The spa here has a build-your-own-blend apothecary concept that is worth a look even if you only book one treatment. It is a full resort in the truest sense, which matters when you would rather not leave the property every day.

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Food and Drink

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Food is where the Andaz separates itself from a lot of Hawaii resorts. The signature restaurant is Ka'ana Kitchen, which leans into local ingredients and a market-style format, and it doubles as the breakfast venue. Breakfast is a large self-service buffet paired with made-to-order eggs and drinks brought to the table, and it is one of the better resort breakfasts I have had in the islands.

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The property is also home to Morimoto Maui, the Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto restaurant serving Japanese and American fusion, which is worth a reservation at least once. For something more relaxed, Bumbye Beach Bar sits by the lagoon pool with shareable bites, and Lehua Lounge is the beachfront spot for sunset drinks near the waterfalls.

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Resort dining in Hawaii is expensive, and the Andaz is no exception, so budget accordingly. The upside is that the quality generally matches the price, which is not always true at beachfront resorts. You can eat well here without ever leaving, though Wailea has strong dining nearby too.

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Service

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Service throughout was polished and warm in the way you want at a resort of this level. Pool and beach staff kept the loungers stocked, breakfast ran smoothly even when busy, and my Globalist perks were handled without any friction. The team here strikes a nice balance between attentive and relaxed, which fits the easygoing Andaz style.

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Who Should Stay Here

Great fit if…
  • You have World of Hyatt points to spend on Maui
  • You want a knockout infinity-pool complex
  • You care about strong on-site dining
  • You want a calmer, upscale side of Maui
Look elsewhere if…
  • You are paying cash and want the lowest rate
  • You prefer a classic old-Hawaii resort feel
  • You want a huge standard room
  • You want nightlife right outside the door

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How many points is the Andaz Maui at Wailea per night?

I booked my stay for 30,000 World of Hyatt points a night. Hyatt uses demand-based award pricing now in 5 bands, so peak nights can run up to 75,000 points a night.

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Is the Andaz Maui on the beach?

Yes. The resort sits directly on Mokapu Beach in Wailea, a calm and usually swimmable stretch on Maui's south shore, and nearly the entire property is oriented toward the ocean and sunset.

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What are the pools like?

There are three ocean-facing cascading infinity pools, a lagoon pool near the beach, and an adults-only tranquility pool. The multi-level infinity design is the signature feature and the reason a lot of guests pick the Andaz.

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Does Hyatt charge a resort fee on award stays?

No. Hyatt does not add a resort fee on award nights, which is a real advantage over some other chains. Globalists also get complimentary daily breakfast and parking, plus potential room upgrades.

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What are the best restaurants at the Andaz Maui?

Ka'ana Kitchen is the signature restaurant and breakfast venue, and Morimoto Maui is the Iron Chef fusion spot worth booking at least once. Bumbye Beach Bar and Lehua Lounge handle casual bites and sunset cocktails.

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How far is the Andaz from the airport?

It is about a 30 to 40 minute drive from Kahului Airport (OGG). I recommend renting a car, since Maui is spread out and a car gives you the freedom to explore the island.

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Bottom Line

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The Andaz Maui at Wailea is the resort I point clients toward when they want Maui luxury without paying full cash rack rate. The infinity pools, the beach, and the dining would make it a good stay on their own, but the World of Hyatt points value and the Globalist perks are what push it over the top for me. It is stylish, well run, and easy to love.

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If you are sitting on Hyatt or Chase points and dreaming about Hawaii, this is one of the smartest places to spend them. Book early for the best award nights, aim for an ocean view if you can, and give yourself at least four nights to settle in.

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