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| Andaz Maui at Wailea is making final preparations for its September debut. |
Hawaii doesn’t get new hotels very often, so when it does, it’s hot news in the industry. After years of remaining dormant on the new accommodations front, Hawaii made a big splash when it opened Aulani: A Disney Resort & Spa in late August of 2011. But as the buzz subsided roughly two years after its opening, both clients and agents alike were eagerly awaiting the next big thing.
The new talk of the town has been the Andaz Maui at Wailea (www.andaz.com), the destination’s latest resort that aims to put a luxury spin on the destination’s multigenerational market while also creating a quiet retreat for affluent couples.
Travel Agent recently toured the grounds of the Andaz Maui, a five-star resort now slated to open by mid-September in the Wailea section of the island. This will be the first resort at this location since the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort closed in 2007. Agents can begin booking the property now.
We sat down with Anita Rahman, director of sales and marketing for the resort, to get the skinny on the highly anticipated property.
About Andaz
Andaz, which means “personal style” in Hindi, is the high-end, lifestyle branch of Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. Andaz Wailea will join Andaz Liverpool Street, London; Andaz West Hollywood; Andaz Wall Street and Andaz 5th Avenue, in New York City; and Andaz San Diego.
Additional Andaz hotels under development include Andaz Amsterdam; Andaz Delhi, India; Andaz Papagayo, Costa Rica; Andaz Sanya Sunny Bay, China; and Andaz Turks and Caicos. Andaz Maui at Wailea will be the second Andaz hotel designed by internationally acclaimed architect and designer David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group, following the January 2010 debut of Andaz Wall Street.
Maui’s Newest Luxury Resort
Andaz Maui's approximately 300 rooms and suites range from 456 to 2,321 square feet, including seven three-to-five-bedroom villas. We were told that 70 percent of all rooms face the ocean.
The resort's two Premiere Suites are one-bedroom units that can connect and form a two-bedroom suite. Each Premiere Suite comes with a soaking tub located in the center of the room, offering clients an impressive ocean view while they soak. Nice touch:
Butler service will be available.
There will be two restaurants here, including the recently announced Morimoto Maui, named after executive Chef and former “Iron Chef,” Masaharu Morimoto. The second restaurant is unnamed at this point, Rahman says.
Other facilities at Andaz Maui include a 15,000-square-foot spa, gym, lobby lounge and meeting space. The spa will have 10 treatment rooms, one of which is a couples room. A 4,650-square-foot on-site ballroom can accommodate up to 200 people.
The resort's five pools include four that all lead into each other. In fact, three infinity pools all end up in one relaxing “lagoon.” The fifth is located separately and will serve as the resort’s adults-only swimming pool. For guests’ convenience, transfers will be available to and from Maui's Kahalui Airport in high-end, luxury vehicles.
Agents should reach out to Anita Rahman ([email protected]; 011-808-243-4733), director of sales and marketing, with any queries.
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| An Andaz Villa master bedroom with ocean view |
The Hyatt Legacy
While Andaz is establishing a beachhead on Maui, parent company Hyatt continues to maintain a high profile there, as well as on Oahu and Kauai. Hyatt has long been welcoming clients to Hawaii with authentic aloha spirit, originating with Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa—one of the first resorts to open its doors on the islands 35 years ago.
Since then, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa and Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa have also opened as world-class resorts, establishing a prominent regional presence that the properties are renewing through extensive renovations and upgrades at all three resorts.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa completed a $13 million makeover in fall 2011, which reintroduced clients to the classic Hawaiian hospitality of a bygone era. As part of the upgrades was the addition of two new restaurants, Shor American Seafood Grill and Japengo; SWIM, a new poolside lounge and bar; an upgraded pool deck; and the new oceanfront Regency Club Lounge.
When Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa opened in 1980, it set the bar for high-end resort destinations and invited guests to an oceanfront experience embodying the essence of Maui. More than 30 years later, the property has emerged from a $15 million transformation, reinforcing its reputation for offering luxury accommodations and service in a setting of rare natural beauty.
The 806 newly renovated guest rooms reflect modern Hawaiian luxury, with a sleek yet comfortable style expressed through plantation-style platform beds, white linens, boldly colored textiles, custom lighting and notable artwork.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa celebrated its 20th anniversary a few years back with the unveiling of a $45 million guest room renovation to all of its 602 rooms, which now offer island-inspired decor anchored by rich mahogany and warm-hued linens, and redesigned bathrooms—all featuring luxurious rain-style showers.