The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort & Spa has officially opened its doors and is welcoming guests following a Hawaiian blessing ceremony presided over by cultural practitioner Kahuna Nui Kapono’ai Molitau.
Travel Agent got the chance to experience a preview earlier this summer of the property, which is the first major Hawaii resort opening since Aulani: A Disney Resort & Spa debuted back in 2011.
The opening of Andaz Maui at Wailea marks the 10th hotel to join the Andaz brand and is the first Andaz hotel located in a resort destination. As with all Andaz properties, the hotel will create inspiring experiences through culturally rich offerings that help guests feel more like locals.
“We are thrilled to be opening our doors today to bring the Andaz brand to a beautiful resort destination like Maui,” said Michael Stephens, general manager of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort & Spa. “As we welcome guests from around the world, we aim to connect them to Wailea’s rich history through unique, local experiences that truly make for an unforgettable stay.”
“The most important characteristic of Andaz is to be deeply rooted in the local culture, infusing it throughout the guest experience. Andaz hotels in resort locations will continue to bring this to life,” said Sara Kearney, senior vice president of brands for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts “Maui provides a great preview for what guests can expect from upcoming Andaz in resort destinations, including Andaz Papagayo in Costa Rica, which will open later this year.”
Design
Guests are welcomed by an awe-inspiring entryway bridge of glowing Ambrato stone, framed in mahogany over an infinity-edge pool. Once inside, guests find themselves in the airy Andaz Lounge that features a pitched roof with natural sunlight, accented by a central sandpit where guests can sink their toes into the sand during a hassle-free check-in process with an Andaz host. Andaz hosts in Wailea use a computerized tablet to check guests into their rooms. Just beyond the Andaz Lounge are stunning views of multiple infinity-edge swimming pools with the picturesque beaches of Wailea serving as a dramatic backdrop.
The resort’s 297 guestrooms and suites, which include seven luxurious villas with two to four bedrooms, were designed to further connect guests to Wailea’s local beaches and the ocean. Each room consists of custom-designed furniture that includes platform beds with side tables in a walnut finish and teak wood slat vanities. The bathrooms feature shuttered wooden screens in a white-washed oak finish that open to the bedroom, maintaining the light and airy quality found throughout the room, with floors made of lava stone. In all guestrooms, guests will enjoy complimentary Internet access, local phone calls, non-alcoholic beverages, and locally sourced snacks that are replenished daily.
Dining
Serving breakfast and lunch, Ka’ana Kitchen’s unique, residential-style setting offers views of the infinity-edge pool, lagoon and ocean and provides a culinary experience that reflects the rich heritage of Hawaii. The resort’s second full-service restaurant, Morimoto Maui, by acclaimed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, focuses on the seamless integration of Japanese, Western and Hawaiian traditions to create a memorable island dining experience. Two poolside cocktail lounges, Bumbye Beach Bar and Lehua Lounge, offer hand-crafted cocktails made with premium spirits and fresh juices, created by New York mixologist and Hawaiian native Julie Reiner. A 24-hour market is fully stocked with local snacks and beverages from the Hawaiian Islands.
Amenities and Services
Andaz Maui at Wailea conceived a Hawaiian apothecary concept for the `Āwili Spa and Salon to incorporate indigenous herbs into customized treatments. The 14,000-square-foot spa features ten treatment rooms, a full-service salon, three relaxation rooms, a 24-hour fitness center and a private adult spa pool. Adorned with tall, custom cabinets to store herbs and organic products such as Malie, Salt of the Earth, Tammy Fender and SkinCeuticals, the spa lounge features a large walnut table where Apothecary Consultants mix freshly picked herbs and other organic items to create teas, lotions and oils for guests’ treatments.
For weddings and group events, the resort features more than 15,000 square feet of elegant indoor and outdoor event space, including five indoor Andaz Studios and three outdoor beachfront event lawns with unparalleled views of the ocean and Wailea’s pristine Mokapu Beach. Each of the Andaz Studios offer incomparable functionality and state-of-the-art technology, all designed in a residential seaside style.
The resort’s dedicated hosts can assist in planning a number of offsite and beachside experiential excursions that will immerse guests in the local culture, including canoe paddling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, surf lessons, golf privileges at several local courses, or an exhilarating helicopter ride or zip line adventure.
Do you have any clients staying at the new resort? Let us know what you think on our Facebook page or in the comments below.
