We stayed at the Grand Wailea over Christmas and it was incredible! The available rooms were all sold out, but I think about half the rooms were vacant due to renovations. So it wasn't crowded at all and there was never a line or wait for anything. We want to go back but have a question for people who have been when it was full...what is it like then? Are there people everywhere like some mega resorts?

We went pre Covid in the summer and I would say it was busy. I had to get up early each morning and wait in line to reserve our spots on the beach but I got first row and we spent a lot of time there. It was worth it the snorkeling was incredible, tons of large sea turtles down to left by the rocks and Four Seasons. We ate lunch there but went out to dinner a couple nights to Monkeypod nearby.

We stayed there summer 2017. I wouldn't have characterized it as crazy crowded, but the chairs around the pool were all taken and there were a lot of people in the pool. Lines and waits for the slides. Felt more like a Disney water park than a resort. We didn't have any trouble renting paddle boards, but the ocean was too rough to do it comfortably.

The one thing that wasn't crowded was the SCUBA diving lesson. They have a training pool at the resort and then they take you out in the ocean. My son wanted to do it, and there was one other parent and his kid signed up. The other kid couldn't ever get his mask to seat properly, so they couldn't do the ocean dive. So, my son got essentially a private dive in the ocean. He still talks about it to this day and now has his diving certification. That lesson was some of the best money I ever spent.

The spa there is amazing. One of the best I've ever been to.

If you're gonna fly all that way again, check out a similar resort on Kauai or the big island. They're all worth it.

Loved staying there but nowhere near enough pool chairs to
Accommodate everyone

Might want to also check out the Andaz nearby. Looks great in videos I've seen. On my list of possible places next trip out there.

Fairmont and Andes less crowded. Four Season amazing but need a bigger piggy bank. Would say Andez and Fairmont feel less crowded with similar price point to Grand

Can confirm the Andaz is solid. However it's mostly adults and didn't seem to be much in the way of kids activities (we don't have kids, just thought this was worth mentioning).

Would recommend Andaz as well. Went there several years ago as well as honeymooned at its precursor back in 99 when it was The Renassaince Wailea. We checked out the Grand Wailea while we were there on one trip and were happy with the choice we'd made when seeing the masses. Would agree more adult oriented tho. Not anti-kid by any means, but others likely have more to offer in that dept.

Obvious caveat that this was all pre-covid, so can't speak to any resulting changes, challenges, etc (if any)

Even pre-covid, the Grand Wailea hides the crowds pretty well. The bars at night get pretty full.

Agree with whoever mentioned the Spa. It's amazing.

Great fish place about 10 minutes away in Kehei

https://paiafishmarket.com/

Bumping this thread. We are headed to Maui in July. Staying at the Grand Wailea. Does anyone have any suggestions on tours/restaurants/etc. we need to be watching and booking as we get closer? Thanks for any input!

Will be 2 adults and 2 girls (7/12). TIA.

Monkeypod is good
Paia Fish Market in Kihei
Gather on Maui, great views right on the golf courses

Road to Hana. I booked a tour that took us in their vehicle (we didn't have a rental car that trip). I liked not having to drive, and it was nice having a gourd who was local (young guy who had grown up there) and could take us to the "touristy" spots and some cool off the beaten path places. I booked with Maui Easy Riders, and I'm pretty sure they are still in business (a significant number of the various tour operators we used on our trips went out of business after Covid).

Monkeypod Kitchen is just around the corner and has a great happy hour for drinks and food.

Outrigger Pizza is a wood fired pizza oven on trailer that was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We really liked the Lilikoi Pork. Order early because they will sell out.

I really suggest renting a car and exploring the island. My wife found a Lei making class (Haku Maui) in Makawao that was actually a good time.

In Kula we did a Protea Farm tour (Malolo Farm Protea)

Sunrise on Haleakala is also really cool if you get a reservation

And then you have the road to Hana which has some great beaches and fun short hikes to various pools and waterfalls. If you get ann early start and ignore the warnings and do the full loop you can grab a late lunch at the Ulupalakua Ranch Store across from Maui Wine.

Kihei cafe for breakfast! Get the banana pancakes and their house made syrup.

808 deli in Kihei, great sandwiches

2wealfth Man said:

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Monkeypod is good
Paia Fish Market in Kihei
Gather on Maui, great views right on the golf courses

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Yes to this. We stopped by here on our way back from Hana and will definitely be back.

streetfighter2012 said:

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Sunrise on Haleakala is also really cool if you get a reservation

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And you can't get a reservation, you can also do sunset (no reservation required).