Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria By Hilton Resort in Wailea, HI

We recently stayed (in fact I'm writing this at the property) at the Grand Wailea expecting a true Waldorf Astoria experience — what we encountered instead was a tired, overcrowded resort that pinches you for dollars at every turn and fails to deliver on even the basics of safety, service, or quality. Pools & Slides: Unsafe and Poorly Maintained Despite the marketing around being family-friendly, the water slides are in shocking condition. Several are concrete worn down until they're essentially sandpaper — and multiple people in our group (and other guests we met) had swimsuits ruined in the most embarrassing of locations. Worse, we saw clear lapses in safety: lifeguards were visibly distracted (texting), and no one enforced basic pool rules. Adults and teens repeatedly cannonballed into shallow pools (3.5 feet) where small children were floating nearby. It's not just chaotic — it's dangerous. We’ve stayed at properties like Disney Aulani (Oahu) and the Four Seasons (Maui) next door, and the contrast in oversight is stark. Nickel-and-Diming: Constant, Insulting Upsell You expect high prices at a luxury resort, but this felt more like Spirit Airlines with palm trees. Kids' meals are $18 (vs. $12 at the Four Seasons), burgers are $32, and yes — they even try to charge you for chairs on the beach (again, Four Seasons does not). By the end of our stay, we felt like we’d have been better off paying more for the room at a true luxury resort than being nickel-and-dimed constantly for inferior service and quality. Food: Mostly Bad, Rarely Worth the Cost We gave the on-property restaurants a fair shot — our group of 8 dined at nearly every one. About 80% of the meals were forgettable or flat-out bad. Loulu Café was especially disappointing: baked goods tasted prepackaged and reheated, and a basic black coffee ran over $9. Poke bowl was bland. Olivine was overpriced with forgettable dishes (the meatballs were the only decent item). Humuhumu's breakfast buffet was uninspired and caused more indigestion than joy — especially at $50 per person. The one bright spot? Botero. The salmon was well-cooked, and their smash burger and fries were genuinely good. But overall, we found ourselves walking to the Four Seasons multiple times just to have a decent meal in a setting with better service. Staffing & Service: Inconsistent and Overwhelmed “Understaffed with the occasional smile” sums it up. The food service staff are clearly stretched thin. The bell desk waits passively for guests rather than being proactive. Cleaning carts blast by you in the hallways. The concierge arranged a 5am car service for a fishing trip and promised a confirmation — we got nothing until the car service themselves texted us at 4:30am. This is not the level of attention or reliability you’d expect from any property linked to the Waldorf name. Having stayed at the Waldorf in Washington DC and others globally, this felt like a completely different — and much lesser — hotel. Rooms & Renovations: Superficial at Best Marketing touts the “recent renovations,” but unless you're hanging out in the main lobby all day, you won’t see it. Our "Lagoon" room (a premium location) was tired and outdated — worn furniture, uninspired design, and none of the elegance you’d expect from a five-star brand. It’s clear the renovations were either incomplete or highly selective. The Spa: Excellent (But You Don’t Have to Stay Here to Enjoy It) To be fair, the spa is world-class — likely where most of the renovation budget went. We had two 90-minute massages and enjoyed the hydrotherapy circuit. It’s expensive (roughly $1,000 for two people), but the experience delivered. That said, you don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy the spa — which is probably the better route. Bottom Line: Grand Wailea is a volume-driven, 3.5–4 star property with Waldorf pricing and branding, but not the execution. If you’re thinking of booking here because it’s a Waldorf Astoria, adjust your expectations or consider other nearby options like the Four Seasons — you’ll likely spend less overall and get a dramatically better experience.

This is not a Waldorf. Do not expect Waldorf quality or service. Room service is atrocious. Water elevator has been broken for three plus years. Rooms and grounds (other than gardens) are well worn and need a refresh. Service was nonexistent. Not our first Waldorf hotel stay but first time at Wailea. Will never return to this hotel, staying in the Molokini suite, rate was 3200 a night during our dates. Should’ve stayed at the four seasons next door. I didn’t. Do enough research priori to booking trusting a be Waldorf name, do your research. This should be rebranded as a garden inn, not a Waldorf.

So we’ve been to other Waldorf properties including Beverly Hills, NOLA, & Cancun but Grand Wailea is major let down. This is definitely NOT a luxury property and probably should be a regular Hilton resort. No Aloha. Hospitality is non existent. No special welcome. No lei. No special touches. Only exceptions would be the bell hops & valet which were kind & helpful. The room service is limited & delivered by to-go containers. The food is mid. We never got a pool chair. Pool area was crowded similar to a water park. Kids enjoyed the slides but the water elevator has allegedly been out of commission for years. We got upgraded to a suite that only had a view of the oceanfront from the bathroom. No stocked bar. There were weird loud mechanical sounds 24/7 in the main bathroom. Very little sound proofing between connected rooms. Beware of the cafe-convenience store. Absurd prices even for Hawaii. We won’t be returning. Ritz in Kapalua had stellar service & was way more chill. Hilton Grand Vacations was also a better experience. Overall rating: Bummer.

Although the place was fine, it was not of a Waldorf quality. There was trash in many areas and the "so called" Serenity pool area was one to kids which the kids have a 1 acre pool with a little beach are set up. If you wanted peace and quiet, skip this place. Also the charges for a cabana and the pool beds with cover was a bit excessive according to people who visited every year. Many complaints from them. Also the pools open at 7 and there was a race to get a spot and some almost came to fights. They are trying to sell it so maybe that's why its falling into ruins.

Why The Grand Wailea May Be the Worst Honeymoon Destination in the U.S. (2025–2026) When couples imagine their honeymoon in Hawaii, they dream of luxury, romance, and unforgettable memories. For many, the destination of choice is Maui — and the Grand Wailea Resort is often marketed as one of the top luxury resorts on the island. But for a growing number of newlyweds, that dream quickly turns into a nightmare. A Disappointing Reality Behind the Hype Despite its glamorous reputation and sky-high prices, the Grand Wailea has received increasing complaints from guests who say the experience doesn’t match the promise — especially for honeymooners expecting something special. What’s most alarming is that some couples have even reported being kicked out of the resort during their stay. Poor Treatment of Honeymoon Guests Multiple reviews and personal accounts reveal that the resort’s staff can be cold, unsympathetic, and, at times, even confrontational. For guests who are celebrating once-in-a-lifetime occasions like honeymoons, this type of treatment can be devastating. Here are some common complaints from guests in 2025:     •    No Special Consideration for Honeymooners: Couples expecting honeymoon packages, thoughtful touches, or special treatment often leave disappointed.     •    Rude and Dismissive Staff: Numerous guests have shared stories of staff acting indifferent or even disrespectful when concerns were raised.     •    Ejections and Escalations: Some visitors claim they were asked to leave the resort with little explanation, feeling humiliated and helpless. A Culture of Power and Privilege? One of the more disturbing concerns raised by past guests is that the resort appears to have close relationships with local law enforcement, which some feel is used to their advantage when guests push back or file complaints. While there is no public evidence of wrongdoing, it has led many travelers to feel silenced, powerless, and intimidated. Final Verdict: Think Twice Before Booking The Grand Wailea may have the beachfront location and name recognition, but for many, it has become one of the worst honeymoon destinations in the U.S. for 2025 and beyond. For couples seeking warmth, hospitality, and an unforgettable start to married life — it might be best to look elsewhere. Hawaii is full of breathtaking resorts where the aloha spirit is real and hospitality is heartfelt. Unfortunately, according to many guests, The Grand Wailea doesn’t live up to the dream — and may even ruin it.