We had a great stay overall at the Wailea Beach Resort, and the staff is hands down the best part. Everyone we dealt with was kind, patient, and genuinely helpful.
Our first room was well…a choice. It was right off the lobby next to the elevators, which meant we didn’t sleep at all. Think kids screaming, valet carts clanking across tile, elevator dings, and general chaos at all hours. It felt less like a luxury resort and more like trying to nap inside an airport. After two nights of this, we asked to move and the staff was understanding and quickly relocated us to a much quieter room. Major improvement.
Fair warning, though, this is not a quiet resort, especially during peak season. There are a lot of kids. There are a lot of doors slamming. Even in the quieter areas, peace and silence are not guaranteed. The overall crowd was pleasant and not your typical trashy cruise ship energy, except when it comes to pool chairs. The towel reserving situation is next level. The resort has a 45 minute policy for unattended towels, but enforcement is hit or miss. Multiple days there were zero chairs available anywhere, yet plenty sat empty for hours with their unworn hats and unread books and uneaten pringles cans.
The property does have two beaches, one on each side of the hotel, which is a big win. The reefs were plentiful, although clearly struggling, and we saw tons of sea life snorkeling right off the beach. We watched paddle boarders repeatedly ask where the fish were, which makes sense because from a paddle board you see… water. If your goal is sea life, paddle boarding is not it. The hotel also recommends a kayak trip where they take you out to swim with turtles and fish. Funny enough, we were snorkeling in the exact same spot on our own and saw just as much. If you are a decent swimmer with basic snorkel gear, skip the kayaks and save your money. You will likely see more and spend less.
Beach chairs are technically included with the resort amenities fee, but once again, only if you are up at the crack of dawn. People line up early, grab chairs, and then disappear for the day. If you are not an early riser, adjust expectations accordingly or prepare to wage psychological warfare over a chair.
The on site restaurants were very good and very expensive, which will surprise absolutely no one. We often walked next door to the Shops at Wailea and used the Island Market, which was convenient, had great options, and did not require taking out a loan for lunch.
The rooms themselves were very nice. We had a king bed, a pullout couch for the kids, and a garden view. If you have two bigger kids, the pullout couch is tight and may test family bonds.
There is a beachside path that sounds great for running until you realize it is packed with walkers and casual joggers. Serious runners may want to find another route unless zigzagging is part of your training plan.
Bottom line, beautiful property, amazing snorkeling, excellent staff, and a lively atmosphere. Expect noise, kids, towel hoarding, and chair drama. Manage expectations, lean into the chaos, and you will probably have a fantastic stay.
