Grand Wailea
Grand Wailea is a large Waldorf Astoria luxury resort on Maui's Wailea coast, known for extensive pools, Hawaiian cultural programming, a major spa, and destination-resort amenities.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Grand Wailea is a 40-acre luxury resort located on the beach in Wailea, on the southwestern coast of Maui, Hawaii. The property opened in 1991 as the Grand Hyatt Wailea after being developed by Japanese developer Takeshi Sekiguchi. It was conceived as a highly ambitious destination resort, combining beachfront accommodation with extensive recreation, landscape design, art, dining, spa, and event facilities. The original development reportedly cost approximately $650 million, an investment that proved difficult to sustain during the economic conditions of the period. Sekiguchi subsequently lost control of the property, which was sold for $263 million in 1998. The resort has changed ownership and operating arrangements several times since its opening. In 2006, it became the first property to join Hilton's Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts collection after the Waldorf Astoria brand was established around the historic New York hotel. The property is owned by BRE Hotels & Resorts and operated through Hilton. Its Waldorf Astoria positioning places it in the luxury, full-service resort segment, with a focus on affluent leisure travelers, families, weddings, meetings, spa guests, and visitors seeking an amenity-rich Hawaiian experience. Accommodation includes approximately 830 rooms, suites, and villas. The Napua Tower provides upgraded rooms and suites with enhanced services, including concierge support; its accommodation ranges from roughly 640 to 5,500 square feet. Ho'olei at Grand Wailea consists of one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas located across the street from the main hotel. The villas include full kitchens, outdoor barbecues, garages, and lanais oriented toward the west. The property also offers multiple restaurants and bars, event spaces, beach access, cultural programming, and extensive recreation facilities. Grand Wailea's most distinctive physical feature is its pool complex. The Wailea Canyon Activity Pool extends for approximately 2,000 feet across several levels and incorporates connected pools, slides, waterfalls, rapids, a rope swing, a sand beach area, whirlpools, an infant pool, and a swim-up bar. It includes what the resort describes as the world's first water elevator. The property also has the Hibiscus Pool, a scuba-diving training pool, and the Fishpipe, a rotating barrel water ride described as the first of its type. These attractions give the resort a particularly strong family and multigenerational appeal, differentiating it from more traditional quiet luxury hotels. Spa Grande, covering about 50,000 square feet, is one of the resort's signature wellness facilities and includes treatment rooms, hydrotherapy features, saunas, a Japanese furo, specialty baths, Swiss jet showers, and a salon. The Palaha Hawaiian Cultural Center opened in February 2020 in a former nightclub space and provides daily cultural experiences and displays of Hawaiian art. The resort also distributes cultural and sustainability information to guests and has pursued water-conservation objectives. The property has undergone several major capital programs. A $50 million restoration in 2008 refreshed guest rooms and public areas, including the Botero Bar and arrival and departure lounge, and upgraded the spa. A later five-year expansion plan announced in 2012 contemplated approximately $250 million in work, including room improvements, new restaurants, in-room technology, and a pool refresh; room and pool projects were completed in stages through late 2017. A further expansion proposal in 2019 generated local opposition because of concerns relating to sacred burial grounds and development impacts. The Maui Planning Commission postponed consideration in February 2020 after community pushback. Grand Wailea is also a significant local institution. It has been described as one of Maui's largest hotels and a major private employer on the island. In November 2019, it launched the Grand Wailea Foundation to support nonprofit organizations…
History
Grand Wailea was developed by Japanese developer Takeshi Sekiguchi and opened in 1991 under the name Grand Hyatt Wailea. The project was designed as a large, highly amenitized beachfront resort rather than a conventional hotel. Its 40-acre site incorporated extensive landscaping, art, pools, water attractions, restaurants, event areas, and accommodation intended to serve both luxury leisure travelers and families. Sekiguchi also assembled a substantial art collection for the property. The resort's initial development reportedly required approximately $650 million. That level of investment was difficult to support in the economic environment of the period, and Sekiguchi eventually lost control of the asset. The property was sold for $263 million in 1998 and subsequently changed hands several times. In 2006, it became the first hotel to join Hilton's Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts portfolio, linking the Maui property to Hilton's international luxury-hotel platform. The resort is now owned by BRE Hotels & Resorts and operated by Hilton. Over time, Grand Wailea developed a distinctive identity within Hawaii's luxury-resort market. Its pool complex, including the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, was built around multiple interconnected levels and water features. The complex includes slides, rapids, waterfalls, a rope swing, a swim-up bar, a sand pool, and a water elevator described as the first of its kind. The resort also introduced the Fishpipe, a rotating barrel water ride, and maintains a dedicated scuba-diving training pool. These facilities made the property unusually attractive to families and helped distinguish it from resorts focused primarily on quiet beachfront relaxation. The resort's accommodation portfolio expanded beyond conventional rooms and suites. The Napua Tower provides upgraded rooms and suites with additional services, while Ho'olei at Grand Wailea offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas across the street from the main hotel. The villas include full kitchens, outdoor barbecues, garages, and private lanais. In total, the property has approximately 830 guest rooms, suites, and villas. Grand Wailea has invested repeatedly in renovation and expansion. A $50 million restoration in 2008 refreshed public spaces and guest rooms, upgraded the spa, renovated the Botero Bar and arrival and departure lounge, and added updated in-room furnishings and televisions. In 2012, the resort announced a five-year expansion program estimated at $250 million, covering rooms, restaurants, technology, and pool improvements. Renovations began in 2014, and room and pool work was completed in stages through late 2017. The property has also expanded its cultural and sustainability orientation. In November 2019, it established the Grand Wailea Foundation, intended to distribute annual support to nonprofit organizations in south and west Maui. The first grants went to Hui o Wa'a Kaulua, the Maui Historical Society, and the Boys & Girls Club of Maui. The resort has communicated cultural and sustainability information to arriving guests and pursued a net-zero water-use objective. In February 2020, it opened the Palaha Hawaiian Cultural Center, which provides daily cultural activities and presents Hawaiian art. A separate expansion proposal announced in 2019 encountered opposition from local Hawaiians, who raised concerns about the resort's relationship to sacred burial grounds. The Maui Planning Commission postponed the plans in February 2020 after community resistance. This episode illustrates the continuing tension between large-scale resort development, commercial investment, cultural stewardship, and local community interests in Hawaii. Grand Wailea remains one of Maui's best-known resorts and a major private employer on the island. Its business combines accommodation, food and beverage, recreation, wellness, cultural programming, weddings, meetings, and other destination services. The property has also featured in popular culture, including the 2011 film Just Go With It.
- 2020
Palaha Hawaiian Cultural Center opens
[1]A new cultural center opens in February with daily programming and Hawaiian art displays.
- 2019
Grand Wailea Foundation established
[1]The resort creates a charitable foundation focused on nonprofit support in south and west Maui.
- 2017
Room and pool improvements completed
[1]The principal room renovations and pool refreshes from the later capital program are completed by late 2017.
- 2014
New renovation phase begins
[1]Renovation work associated with the expansion program begins, with room and pool projects later completed in stages.
- 2012
Five-year expansion program announced
[1]The resort announces a broad capital program involving rooms, restaurants, technology, and pool facilities.
- 2008
Major restoration completed
[1]A major restoration refreshes rooms, public areas, the spa, the Botero Bar, and the arrival and departure lounge.
- 2006
Joins Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
[1]Grand Wailea becomes the first hotel to enter Hilton's Waldorf Astoria collection.
- 1998
Property changes ownership
[1]Following financial difficulties associated with the original development, the resort is sold for $263 million.
- 1991
Resort opens as Grand Hyatt Wailea
[1]The newly developed beachfront resort opens in Wailea, Maui, under the Grand Hyatt name.
Products and positioning
A large-scale Hawaiian luxury destination resort combining Waldorf Astoria service with extensive family recreation, beachfront leisure, spa and wellness facilities, villas, cultural programming, and event infrastructure.
Luxury accommodation · 1991
Guest rooms and suites
The main resort provides a broad range of hotel rooms and suites within a large beachfront property. The overall accommodation inventory, including rooms, suites, and villas, is approximately 830 units. The offer is aimed at luxury leisure guests, families, weddings, meetings, and other destination-resort visitors.
Luxury accommodation
Napua Tower
Napua Tower contains approximately 100 upgraded rooms and suites. Guests receive enhanced services including complimentary concierge support. The accommodation ranges from roughly 640 to 5,500 square feet and includes the resort's Two Grand Suites, its largest suite category.
Luxury villas
Ho'olei at Grand Wailea
Ho'olei is a villa component located across the street from the main hotel. Its one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences provide a more residential form of resort accommodation, with full kitchens, outdoor barbecues, one-car garages, and west-facing lanais.
Water recreation
Wailea Canyon Activity Pool
This approximately 2,000-foot pool complex is arranged over six levels and links nine pools through a circulating river. It includes slides, whitewater rapids, waterfalls, whirlpools, a rope swing, a sand beach pool, an infant pool, and a swim-up bar. Its water elevator is identified as the first of its kind.
Spa and wellness
Spa Grande
Spa Grande is an approximately 50,000-square-foot wellness facility with 40 treatment rooms. Its features include cascading showers, a Roman tub, saunas, a Japanese furo, specialty baths, Swiss jet showers, and a salon offering hair and nail services.
Cultural experience · 2020
Palaha Hawaiian Cultural Center
Opened in February 2020, the center occupies a former nightclub space and provides daily Hawaiian cultural experiences. It also showcases Hawaiian art and supports the resort's effort to incorporate local culture into the guest experience.
Water recreation
Fishpipe
The Fishpipe is a rotating barrel water ride that can accommodate up to three riders. It was presented as the world's first rotating barrel ride and adds an unusual adventure attraction to the resort's otherwise conventional pool and waterslide facilities.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Grand Wailea Foundation
South Maui · West Maui · United States
Grand Wailea launched a charitable foundation intended to contribute $250,000 each year to nonprofit organizations serving south and west Maui. The program created a formal channel for local community support and accepted applications from eligible nonprofits.
Outcome. The first distributions were announced at the resort's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 1, 2019. Hui o Wa'a Kaulua, the Maui Historical Society, and the Boys & Girls Club of Maui each received $10,000.
- 2019Cultural and sustainability guest information
United States
The resort incorporated cultural and sustainability information into the arrival experience and pursued a goal of achieving net-zero water usage.
Outcome. The available reference describes the goal and guest-information program but does not establish whether the water target was achieved.
Brand decisions
2020
Open the Palaha Hawaiian Cultural CenterProduct launchBackground
The resort had closed a nightclub in 2006 and intended to repurpose the space for cultural programming.
Action taken
The Palaha Hawaiian Cultural Center opened on February 6, 2020, offering daily cultural activities and Hawaiian art displays.
Aftermath
The center added a permanent cultural component to the resort's guest experience.
2019
Propose another resort expansionStrategyBackground
The property proposed further development to add or improve resort capacity and facilities.
Action taken
Grand Wailea submitted expansion plans estimated at approximately $150 million.
Aftermath
Local Hawaiian opposition focused on concerns that the resort was built on sacred burial grounds. The Maui Planning Commission postponed the plans in February 2020.
Proposed expansion investment. Approximately $150 million (2019 proposal)
2012
Plan a multi-year resort expansionStrategyBackground
Grand Wailea sought to expand and refresh its offer through additional accommodation, dining, technology, and recreation infrastructure.
Action taken
The resort announced a five-year plan involving new rooms, restaurants, in-room technology, and a new or refreshed pool.
Aftermath
Room and pool renovation work began in 2014 and was completed in stages by late 2017.
Planned expansion investment. $250 million (2012 plan)
2008
Undertake a major restorationOtherBackground
The resort required updates to guest rooms, public spaces, and wellness facilities after years of operation.
Action taken
A restoration program refreshed the Botero Bar, arrival and departure lounge, room furnishings, in-room televisions, and Spa Grande.
Aftermath
The work modernized major guest-facing areas and supported the property's luxury-resort positioning.
Restoration investment. $50 million (2008)
2006
Join the Waldorf Astoria portfolioStrategyBackground
Hilton was developing Waldorf Astoria as a luxury hotel collection, and Grand Wailea was selected as its first participating hotel after the brand was established.
Action taken
Grand Wailea entered the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts system while continuing to operate as a Maui destination resort.
Aftermath
The move aligned the property with Hilton's international luxury-hospitality platform and reinforced its high-end positioning.
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