MAUI, Hawaii—Following an authentic Hawaiian blessing ceremony presided over by cultural practitioner Kahuna Nui Kapono’ai Molitau, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort and Spa has officially opened its doors. The opening of Andaz Maui at Wailea marks the 10th hotel to join the Andaz brand and is the first Andaz hotel located in a resort destination.
“The most important characteristic of Andaz is to be deeply rooted in the local culture, infusing it throughout the guest experience. Andaz hotels in resort locations will continue to bring this to life,” said Sara Kearney, senior vice president of brands for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “Maui provides a great preview for what guests can expect from upcoming Andaz hotels in resort destinations, including Andaz Papagayo in Costa Rica, which will open later this year.”
Designed by architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, the hotel reflects the simplicity and beauty of its surroundings. Rockwell Group created a series of architectural interventions to open the resort’s buildings to Maui’s landscape while using a palette of natural materials that reflect the warmth of Hawaiian hospitality.
Guests are welcomed by an entryway bridge of Ambrato stone, framed in mahogany over an infinity-edge pool. Once inside, guests find themselves in the Andaz Lounge that features a pitched roof with natural sunlight, accented by a central sandpit where guests can sink their toes into the sand during check-in process.
The resort’s 297 guestrooms and suites, which include seven villas with two to four bedrooms, were designed to further connect guests to Wailea’s local beaches and the ocean. Each room consists of custom-designed furniture that includes platform beds with side tables in a walnut finish and teak wood slat vanities. The bathrooms feature shuttered wooden screens in a white-washed oak finish that open to the bedroom, and floors made of lava stone. In all guestrooms, guests will enjoy complimentary Internet access, local phone calls, non-alcoholic beverages, and locally sourced snacks that are replenished daily.
Built with the environment in mind, Andaz Maui at Wailea has made a commitment to adhere to the latest standards in green technology and design and is aiming to be a LEED certified resort under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.
Serving breakfast and lunch, Ka’ana Kitchen’s residential-style setting offers views of the infinity-edge pool, lagoon, and ocean and provides a culinary experience that reflects the heritage of Hawaii. The resort’s second full-service restaurant, Morimoto Maui, by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, focuses on the seamless integration of Japanese, Western, and Hawaiian traditions. Two poolside cocktail lounges, Bumbye Beach Bar and Lehua Lounge, offer hand-crafted cocktails made with premium spirits and fresh juices, created by New York mixologist and Hawaiian native Julie Reiner. A 24-hour market is fully stocked with local snacks and beverages from the Hawaiian Islands.
Andaz Maui at Wailea also features a 14,000-square-foot spa, a full-service salon, a 24-hour fitness center, and 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
