Marriott’s Wailea Beach Resort Boasts New Look And Restaurants

The Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott was the first hotel on Maui, offering an oceanfront location steps from the beach. Today, the iconic resort provides the same breathtaking views and remains the island’s closest hotel to the Wailea shoreline, but has transformed into a new modern resort.

The reimagined arrival experience includes a huge open air lobby. I loved the variety of seating options, high ceilings, unique light designs and panoramic views of the ocean. I got to unwind after a long flight in the Arrival/Departure Lounge featuring lockers, personal showers and comfy seating. This area is also a great place to relax before heading to your next destination.

Each of the resort’s 491 guest rooms and 56 suites features an outdoor balcony providing ocean views. I could see Humpback whales and watch spectacular sunsets from my lanai while enjoying a tropical cocktail. Warm tones of tan and brown emulate beach shades provide a soothing room housing big comfy beds, a spacious couch and large flat screen TV. Standard rooms offer over 500 square feet of space and I loved the peaceful serene atmosphere. There’s also new in-room technology with personal device mirror-casting, custom music streaming and personalized Netflix and Hulu content.

Across the resort’s 22 acres are five pools. Families will enjoy the NALU Adventure Pool with four water slides including the longest slide of any resort in Hawaii. I relaxed in a beautiful over the water private cabana at the Maluhia Serenity Adults Only Pool featuring an infinity edge pool with luxury chaise lounges to enjoy unobstructed ocean views. There are also two Ohi oceanfront pools and a dive pool for scuba lessons and certification.

The resort also boasts new dining concepts. Celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi has opened Humble Market Kitchin, an ode to his grandfather featuring Filipino, Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian fusion dishes. The patio offers the best views, but there is also inside dining available. Highlights of the menu include the Chirashi Kaukautin with Ahi, Crab Dynamite, salmon and cucumber namasu; Ahi, Hamachi, Ora king salmon and Ahi tataki sashimi; fork tender short ribs with mashed potatoes, baby vegetables and honey mustard glaze; chocolate lave cake and pineapple upside down cake.

The KAPA Bar & Grill overlooks the Ohi Pools and features salads, sandwiches, main dishes and signature cocktails. Menu highlights include mahi mahi fish tacos, Ahi poke, Thai coconut lemongrass red curry and the Kula farms kale salad. Also on property are Whale’s Tale casual beach bar with smoothies, juices, breakfast pasries and acai bowls and the Mo Bettah Food Truck and NALU pool bar serving grab and go options.

Families will love the Kilohe Keike Club for kids 12 and under offering full and half day learning programs. There is also a huge Gamespace venue with football, billiards, shuffleboard and arcade games as well as a state-of-the-art movie house. Also on site is the Mandara Spa and modern fitness center.

Visit www.waileabeachresort.com for more info and reservations.