Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott is an oceanfront property in Maui nestled between two crescent beaches (Waile and Ulua) and the scenic Wailea Coastal Walk. This spectacular destination with views is connected to high-end shopping at The Shops at Wailea, a world-class golf course and neighboring luxury resorts such as the Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.
After my youngest turned 2, I decided to take my wife and two daughters on our first family vacation to Hawaii. Although we considered Waikiki, we ultimately opted for the tranquility of Maui’s beaches – which turned out to be a wonderful decision.
What is Valea Beach Resort by Marriott?
We chose the Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott, which has 547 rooms, 56 of which are suites, for its convenient access to two Wailea beaches and multiple pools, including an adventure pool with waterslides for my 5-year-old and a splash pool with ocean views. Animal designs for my 2-year-olds.
The hotel has a welcoming atmosphere, and the sunset is spectacular. The overall atmosphere of the resort is relaxed yet upscale, making it ideal for families or couples looking for unprecedented tranquility.
How to book Wailea Beach Resort
I applied for a new Marriott Bonvoy credit card and made a reservation through the Bonvoy app. This allowed me to quickly access the credit card’s 150,000 point sign-up bonus. Booking through the Marriott app with Gold Elite status helped me earn points and nights toward Platinum status. We also booked a package that included a discounted rate ($984) on a Garden Oasis room and free breakfast for two adults during our four-night stay.
When booking a Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott, you’ll want to use one A credit card that earns the most points for Marriott stays or one that offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. This includes:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 25 Elite Night Credits per year toward automatic Platinum Elite status and higher.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits per year toward higher levels.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits per year toward higher levels.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits per year toward higher tiers.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits per year toward higher tiers.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 5 Elite Night Credits per year toward higher tiers.
Information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Check in
Arriving via a 30-minute shuttle ride from Kahului Airport (OGG) for $80 plus tip, we were greeted by friendly valet and front desk staff. They welcomed us with cold guava juice and lees. The front desk is actually outside, next to a large lanai with plenty of seating and a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring islands.
A koi pond in the standing area with a tree swing in front of the front desk and an Instagrammable “Aloha” sign. My kids loved the tree swing and the koi pond, which they stopped by several times during our stay.
The check-in process was easy, and even though other groups were checking in, the fact that there was so much to see outside the “lobby” made the experience feel relaxed and fun.
location
Located in the middle of Wailea’s resort strip, Wailea Beach Resort offers a strategic location between two beaches. While some reviews note the absence of direct beach access, we found this setup beneficial. Exploring the rocky tide pools in front of the resort was a delight for my 5-year-old, while the proximity to Wailea and Ulua beaches offer scenic walks.
Nearby shops at Wailea provide convenient options for dining, shopping and entertainment, with Island Gourmet Markets offering affordable and delicious food just a stone’s throw away. Pro tip: The fresh ahi poke bowls were amazing!
rooms
During our stay, we experienced two types of rooms. The Garden Oasis Room impressed us with its semi-private outdoor space featuring a bathtub and shower. The outdoor area was perfect for family activities during the day and adults relaxing after the kids went down. The room itself was pretty standard, with contemporary, tasteful decor, which you’d expect from a Marriott property.
On the downside, the Garden Oasis room was on the first floor, which made our room very dark, and at times, we could hear noise from the valet stand near us. That being said, the private outdoor bath and shower were such a bonus, especially with young children. This room was also much cheaper than any of the sea facing rooms, so it was also a great value option.
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John Maxwell/The Points Guy
We chose to upgrade to an ocean view king room for the last two nights, and I’m really glad we did. The spacious layout gave everyone more personal space, which improved our sleep.
The room had understated, beachy decor; However, the real scene stealer was the nightly sunset from our balcony. The breathtaking ocean views, sunsets and space really justify the high price point.
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John Maxwell/The Points Guy
Dining and drinking outlets
There are two main restaurants: Humble Market Kitchen and Kapa Bar & Grill. There are also two food trucks: Luigi’s Andiamo Pizza Kitchen and Mo’ Bettah Food Truck. For coffee, the hotel has a Starbucks and Whale Tail, which also serves cocktails during happy hour. There are also three stand-alone bars: the Makani Bar near the entrance, the Nalu Pool Bar at the Nalu Adventure Pool and the Sunset Bar next to the Maluhia Pool.
Makani’s bar is on the grand lanai, and while the bar is basically just a drink stand, the bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. They recommended the Paniolo Sour, which cost $16 and featured Paniolo whiskey, which comes from a distillery using local ingredients. And while the drink wasn’t memorable, the service and sunset views were.
Every morning, we started our day with a breakfast buffet at Humble Market Kitchen. Although priced at $49 per adult, it offers a lavish spread. The buffet consisted of egg scrambles, French toast or waffles, bacon, sausage, a fruit bar, and a salad bar. You can also order custom eggs with your server. Our package covered two adult breakfasts, and our 2-year-old happily ate for free, so we paid $20 plus tip for our 5-year-old.
At night, we returned for happy hour plates like Mongolian baby back ribs and chili-pepah wings, which were delicious and reasonably priced at $11. Overall, the atmosphere at Humble Market Kitchen was relaxed and casual.
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John Maxwell/The Points Guy
Fitness center and other activities
We chose a few add-on activities, such as the outrigger canoe and snorkeling experience ($172 per person) and the Te Au Moana luau ($309 per adult, free for children under 12). Our canoe started from Wailea Beach, and we ran to a reef in front of the resort. From there we got into the water and saw some local aquatic life. The luau was a Hawaiian festival with the kalua pig as the centerpiece — but for me, the poke was probably the highlight. While we ate, local artists told the story of Maui through song and dance.
I’m glad we were able to experience the luau, but if I had to choose, the snorkeling was more enjoyable because I was able to swim with large sea turtles, which was an absolute highlight of the trip. Also, the length of the Lua tested the patience of my young daughters, although they loved the fire dance.
The resort’s complimentary activities, game room and movie house provided additional entertainment options, although we were unable to fully explore them due to our busy schedules and the fact that most of our free time was spent at the pool.
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John Maxwell/The Points Guy
Pools and beaches
Wailea Beach Resort has multiple pools, with the Nalu Adventure Pool being a highlight for our family. The resort’s pool facilities offer the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation, with four waterslides, including Maui’s longest slide, and fun animal creations in the splash pool area. My kids must have spent every waking moment at the plunge pool, and that’s all they talked about after the trip. Just know that the longest slides require a height of 48 inches.
Family cabana rentals ($400) provided a private retreat, and chicken tenders ($16), Kalua pork nachos ($25) and acai bowls ($18) from the Mo’ Bettah food truck added to our poolside enjoyment. During the late afternoon, the wait staff brings out cold treats like mochi ice cream and melon bars.
Reasons why this hotel is not for you
- Reliance on stairs on this sprawling property can create long passages for strollers or wheelchairs
- Limited variety of on-site dining options
- Geared more towards families than luxury-seeking couples
- No direct beach access
Accessibility
Valea Beach Resort features accessible parking, elevators and entrances to public spaces, ensuring convenience for guests with mobility needs.
Some guest rooms and suites have accessible features such as roll-in showers and visual alarms and notification devices for doors and phones.
Checking
As our vacation came to an end, we reflected on the memories we made at Wailea Beach Resort. Nalu Adventure Pool, Turtle Encounters, Spectacular Sunsets, Beach Exploration and the relaxed atmosphere left a lasting impression on my family. The resort’s value and amenities make it an attractive choice for families with children, making us look forward to returning for future vacations.
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