Unique Sleeps: Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Have you ever stayed at a hotel that had a sandpit in the lobby? I have. I’m not talking about a kids play area, no, no, this is the lobby of one of Maui’s top luxury hotels, and the sand is too picture perfect to even set foot on. Unless you’re the resident sand drawer, who hops in to create whirls and swirls each day, like a temporary greeting card to guests. The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is pretty special, and the sand is just the start of it.

Located in Wailea, the picture perfect resort district in Maui’s south, the Andaz is one of the newest hotels in town and definitely one of the coolest. You won’t find big, overly dramatic features in this chic property. Instead, everything is sleek and chic, from the pool to guest rooms. Think low lying couches, beige day beds and white poolside cabana. The poolside seating is hot property because these pools are just really, really cool. Tiered over three different levels, they all look out past palm trees to the ocean, so you can choose whether you want to settle in for a swim and a snack from the Lehua Lounge, a casual eatery stocked with poolside lunch items, bliss out on the peaceful middle tier, or head closer down to the kids pool one more tier down. Whichever spot you choose to settle into, attendants will come around with free treats like strawberry mochi throughout the day.

The stretch of Wailea coastline that the Andaz occupies is certainly geographically blessed – and the hotel makes the most of it with a range of activities included in your resort fee. Start your morning with an early morning paddle on a traditional outrigger canoe, gliding across water so clear you don’t need a snorkel to see the reef below. Spot a few turtles, or even a whale if you’re lucky, before heading back to shore. There’s also stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and snorkelling. Ashore, there’s hula dance lessons, ukulele sessions and even coconut husking to keep you busy while offering a little taste of Hawaiian life.

You won’t have trouble using up the hours of your day at the Andaz – especially if you have a taste for a spot of pampering. The hotel’s Awili Spa takes notes from traditional Japanese apothecaries, with a minimalist design and a serious amount of treatments on offer. Spend an afternoon in one of the couples suites, with a traditional Hawaiian Lomilomi massage overlooking the adults only pool, before heading outside for a dip.

Whether you want to bliss out by one of the pools, at the spa or out on the sea, Andaz Maui should be on your Maui must visit list now.