If you’re trying to figure out exactly where to stay on Maui, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve written a lot about the best places to stay, and today I’ve got another one of my “this vs that” posts for you.
Both of these resorts are big time Hawaii beach resorts with prime locations in Wailea on Maui’s south side. More specifically, they’re both located more towards the northern end of Wailea (they’re more or less next door to each other) with access to Ulua/Mokapu Beach.
Basically, they’re just fundamentally different. They each cater to a different demographic and while there are some similarities, I think in a lot of ways the Andaz just feels like a more “elite” version of the Wailea Beach Resort.
The rooms at the Wailea Beach Resort are what you’d expect from a Marriott airport hotel in your average American city. Perfectly adequate, but not on par for a sometimes $800-1200/night beach resort in Hawaii’s most exclusive resort area.
The rooms at the Andaz are what you’d expect them to be. Sleek and comfortable, good amenities, interesting design, luxury bathroom with top of the line bath products, etc.
The beach situation is also pretty different between the two. The Andaz sits directly on Mokapu Beach which I think is one of the best in Wailea. The Wailea Beach Resort is actually located oceanfront in between Wailea Beach and Ulua/Mokapu Beach.