Visit Maui: A Luxurious Getaway at the Grand Wailea

The holidays always get a little stressful for me - all the baking, the parties, the shopping, the wrapping.  Often times I lose sight of what the holidays truly mean, and I've found one of the best ways to break free from all of the holiday chaos - even it's just for a weekend, is to escape to a luxurious locale.

This year the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, was the ideal place for a weekend getaway.

With 780 guest rooms, including 99 elegantly-appointed rooms in the private Napua Tower, the Grand Wailea offers the entire family a place to play, unwind, reconnect, and simply indulge in all that the beautiful resort has to offer - stunning views, amazing pools, great dining, stellar service, and so much more.

After checking into our beautiful Royal Suite in the Napua Tower, we immediately went down to the pools.

The resort's Wailea Canyon Activity Pool consists of nine pools on six different levels, including four jungle pools, four slides, a whitewater rapids slide, a sand beach, an infant pool, a rope swing, a swim-up bar, and a water elevator!

There is also an adults-only Hibiscus Pool.

One thing I noticed and really appreciated is that the pool attendants made sure that all guests had wristbands on, and if they didn't, they had to go to the Activity Pool desk to get one (guests must provide name and room number; only registered guests are allowed at the pools and only one wristband is given per guest/day). Also, the resort stresses that it is kapu (prohibited) from leaving towels and items on chairs before the pool opens at 7am or unattended for an hour.

It is no surprise guests can spend the entire day at the pool with so much to do, but for my little guys, there is one thing that did pull them away - The Rock!

The Rock is a 20,000 square-foot facility where they can play table tennis, build with LEGO, play video games, watch movies, and more.

The Spot is geared towards teens, but kids under 13 are welcome when accompanied by a parent.

The `Ohana Hale offers "E for Everyone" video games, as well as a fun LEGO room (kids under 13 must be accompanied by parent).

For a fee, little ones ages 5 to 12 can be dropped off to Camp Grande for Camp Adventures, in which kids not only have access to toys, games, and arts and crafts, but they go crab hunting, make lei, and so much more!

My kids absolutely loved The Rock, and it was a welcome respite when we encountered an all-day downpour during our second day at the resort.  

In addition to the pools and The Rock, there is so much more guests can do.  There are great dining options (you can read my reviews of Bistro Molokini here and Cafe Kula here), numerous shops, and guests have access to a variety of activities (some for a fee), such as a luau, botanical tour, golf, and scuba lessons.

But if all you want to do is relax on the lanai of your gorgeous suite, sip a cocktail by the pool, lounge on the beach, or stroll the immense property to admire the art, the Grand Wailea offers the most luxurious setting to accomplish all of the above.

And the views?  Well, just about everywhere you turn is a picture-perfect view, including the most stunning, no-filter-needed sunsets.

Since we stayed during the holiday season, the property was festively decked out, with beautifully decorated trees throughout the resort.

For the most part, service at the Grand Wailea was top-notch from check-in to check-out, and almost all the employees we encountered truly exuded the aloha spirit.

We had one of the best weekend getaways ever at the Grand Wailea. We stayed in one of the most splendid suites ever; the kids loved the pools and The Rock; the complimentary amenities of the Napua Tower left us spoiled; we were able to experience beautiful views, including the most amazing sunset I've ever witnessed.

After such an unforgettable weekend, the Grand Wailea is easily one of my favorite resorts,


Grand Wailea
3850 Wailea Alanui Dr.

Wailea, HI 96753

1-808-875-1234

Mahalo to the Grand Wailea for hosting our room.  Gratuities were paid on my own.  

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Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina - A Place of Joy on West Oahu

Step into luxury!

When news broke in 2014 that a Four Seasons Resort would open up on Oahu in Ko Olina (Ko Olina means "Place of Joy,") I was ecstatic.  I had fabulous experiences at other Four Seasons Resort properties in Hawaii, and to think that the same kind of elevated service and experiences would be offered right here on Oahu was an exciting notion.

The Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina opened its doors on May 26, and a month later I was fortunate to staycation there with my family.

With 371 rooms, including 55 suites, 4 restaurants, 1 lounge, a 35,000 square-foot spa, pools, tennis courts, and a kids program, the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is not only a place of joy, but also a place of relaxation, adventure, and pure bliss.

After driving up to the hotel and leaving our car with the valet to start our weekend staycation, we were greeted with lei, cool oshibori, and juice.

A lovely welcome!

We purposely arrived a little earlier than normal check-in time so we could make the most of our weekend at the Four Seasons, so my kids went straight to the pool while I toured the property (a beautiful Arrival and Departure lounge is available for guests who arrive early or have a late flight, offering a space to shower, change clothes, eat, or just rest).

Arrival and Departure Lounge

There are two family pools, and my kids spent a lot of time at the pool nearest the lagoon. Giant inflatables kept them busy for hours!

Pool fun!

Another family pool, the Serenity Pool, is located near the restaurants

Serenity pool

For the first time ever, my husband and I got to spend some time relaxing at the Adult Pool, while our kids were at Kids for All Seasons.

Sipping smoothies by the adult pool!

For an even more luxurious experience, cabanas are available for rent by the pool or near the ocean.

Cabanas

You'll also find a whirlpool near the Family Pool, and another next to the Adult Pool.

Whirlpool near Family Pool

Adults only whirlpool

Pool time at Four Seasons Resorts is like no other I've experienced at any other hotel.  At the pools, attendants offer complimentary Evian mists, sunscreen, reading material, and yummy treats!

Tanning butler

Poolside treats

Just steps away from the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is a lagoon with calm waters, perfect for snorkeling or stand-up paddle boarding (the resort provides the snorkel gear and stand-up paddle boards).

SUP

From early in the morning until the evening, the lagoon would be busy with beachgoers, and we could see all of the action from our Oceanfront One-Bedroom Suite.

As soon as I opened the double doors into the entry way to our room, I saw a lovely welcome gift of fruit and a DIY cookie-decorating platter.

Entry way

Sweet welcome!

In the bedroom was a king-size, customizable Four Seasons bed, with more welcome gifts for the kiddos. The bed was ultra plush, with luxurious bedding that was so dreamy. All of my kids would hang out on the bed because it was just so comfy!

Bedroom with king bed

There was also a desk, a large screen TV, chair, and sliding doors that led to a majestic view of the mountains, as well as a peek of the ocean and lagoon.

Large screen TV, chair

Mountain view

A peek at the lagoon

The living room area had a private bar, large flat screen TV, a sleeper sofa, and extra-wide sliding doors that led to an amazing view of the lagoon.

Large living room area

Sleeper sofa

Amazing view!

The bathroom was huge (larger than a few hotel rooms I've stayed at!), with a gigantic tub, a stand up shower, two vanities, and a walk-in closet.

Huge tub

Vanity #1

Vanity #2

Shower

Water closet

Walk-in closet

There was also a separate powder room near the entry way.

Powder room

Water closet

The room was so spacious, and I love the numerous features that made our stay even that much more comfortable and convenient, such as the charging stations, the bathrobes, the pre-set mood lighting, and the headboard reading lamps.

Pre-set mood lighting options

At evening turndown service, housekeeping left bottled water and made the sofabed.  I thought it was so cute how the stuffed honu were placed on the bed, and all the lei were formed into hearts!

The honu awaiting the keiki

I heart Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina!

It really was hard to leave such a lavish room, but there was so much to do at the resort, like eat!

There are fabulous dining options at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina.  La Hiki offers a fantastic breakfast buffet and an extensive Pan-Asian menu during dinner; you'll find delightful, light Italian cuisine at Noe; Fish House (my favorite of the restaurants), offers a bounty of fresh seafood throughout its menu; Waterman Bar & Grill has a nice selection of casual eats for poolside dining.

Hokulea, a lounge offering quick-serve items, small plates, coffees, and cocktails, is also on site.

Hokulea breakfast treats

My kids' favorite thing to do was visit Kids for All Seasons.

Although the Kids for All Seasons program was not completely structured yet, my kids had a great time.  They played video games, watched movies, and played foosball.  Sarah, the attendant at the program, was so great with my kids.  It was the first time we left all of our kids at the Kids for All Seasons program since my youngest turned 5 years old this year, so I admit I was very apprehensive, but Sarah was wonderful!

Playing table tennis

Playing video games

For those who want to pamper themselves, a visit to the Naupauka Spa & Wellness Centre is a must!

There is just so much more to see, do, and explore at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, such as tennis, golf, shopping, family movie night, and fitness boot camp.  The resort will even help in setting up experiences off property, such as helicopter tours, deep sea fishing, and horseback riding.

Another thing I loved doing at the resort was simply capturing the views.  The most stunning views can be found from all throughout the property, from morning to night!

Magical mornings

Stunning sunsets

I expected those spectacular views, and another thing I knew I could count on while at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina was the stellar service.

When we couldn't find the Kids for All Seasons room, an employee didn't just give us directions, she escorted us there!  When my husband was curious about a certain fruit (a mangosteen) at the breakfast buffet, one of the employees told him all about it, cut it open, and brought it out to the table for my husband to try, when my husband could've just opened it up himself!  Those are just two of the many examples of outstanding customer service we received.

It's incredible to see how the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina has transformed a part of the Leeward Coast of Oahu.  Several times throughout the weekend I caught myself thinking I was on another island, or in a tropical paradise far away.  My husband had the same thoughts too.  

But lucky for us, this place of joy is just a short drive away from our home, and we look forward to experiencing more that Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina has to offer again real soon.

Mahalo Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina!

Click here for rates.

Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St

Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

Mahalo to the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina for hosting a portion of our stay.  Gratuities were paid on our own.

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