Been to Maui 3 times - this was our 2nd time to stay at Grand Wailea. (First time we stayed at the Ritz in Kapalua). This property is so beautiful with something for all ages. Gorgeous beach, several pools, water slides and lazy river, excellent spa, fitness center, shopping, bars, restaurants, nearby golf courses, etc. Even photography buffs will love the endless photo ops all over the resort - both inside and out.

This time (4 nights) we stayed in an ocean view room (9th floor). It is whale season and we could actually see some of them from our balcony when they were jumping or blowing so that was a plus. Also had a good view for the sunsets.

Our disappointment this time was all the mandatory and/or additional fees that were added since last time. We felt nicked-and-dimed in a place that is already pricey. Now valet parking is mandatory (no self-park option anymore) and it was $30/night extra. Plus, we felt obligated to tip each time we got our car out. Mandatory resort fee is $25/day extra. The extra fees and taxes added another $125 to our daily room rate (not including food, drinks, activities, or tips). So just be aware.

Many, many cabanas have been added to the grounds - which I think gives it such a cluttered look compared to last time. These all have daily rental fees as well. There is a new rotating water ball activity and you pay extra to use it. Same for the other water activities. Also, I was charged extra to take a fitness class (zumba)

The pool service was very good - but expensive. We ordered 2 cold sandwiches (came with bagged chips) and one beer. Cost=$50 plus tax and tip.

There is a refrigerator in each room so my "tip" is to go next door to the mall that has the ABC store and stock up on beer, wine, snacks, yogurt, fruit, cereal, etc. We did not think breakfast on the property was worth the wait or the money. We ate breakfast and also had our "happy hour" on our balcony - and ate lunch and dinner at restaurants in the nearby area (not on hotel property).

The Wi-Fi service was not very good. It is "included" in the resort fee but you almost need to upgrade (at a cost) to the higher level to get any use out of it.

The pool staff actively monitors the chairs and umbrellas. There is a "one-hour" hold policy. If you place a towel or items on a chair to save it - but don't come back after an hour - they will move your towel and open the space up for others to use. That's great as you don't have the problem of someone coming down early in the morning to save a chair - and then not using it until late afternoon!

They still give out real flower leis to the females and black nut necklaces to the males upon arrival. (That's always fun.) Service was good and friendly from the valet parkers, maids, and pool staff.

Overall, this is still a beautiful piece of "paradise" - and a top pick of places to stay in Maui. Aloha!

I should say up front that I am a member of the Grand Wailea Resort, so I get a discount when I stay there, and it substantially improves the ROI. I first stayed here in 1996, and then returned in 2012, and have since been back 4 times. The staff is unfailingly pleasant, helpful, and prompt. The bellman will remember you if you return. Great story: upon my first return in 2012, we sat at the lobby bar [beautiful setting], ordered drinks and started chatting with the bartender. It was about 4 in the afternoon, so he wasn't super-busy. After a couple of minutes, he says to me: "So, how long has it been since you were last here.....14-15 years?" Now, like any good psychic parlor trick, there are ways that could have been set up, but in the moment, it did not matter.

A few tips:
1. Rent a cabana, at least for one day. Pricey, but the sense of luxury is delightful.
2. Don't fail to try Amasia. Wonderful food.
3. Make sure to walk along the beachfront. The path can take you for miles along the island
4. You don't need a car to get to/from the GWR, but you will if you want to tour the island. Rental rates at the National desk at the GWR are actually very reasonable.
5. If you want to see the sunrise at Haleakala, plan to leave about 2am to make sure you get there without rushing.
6. This really is a great family hotel. You can let your [hopefully well-behaved] kids loose, and know they are reasonably safe. There is much for the to do, and kid-specific activities like Movie Night. When I first visited with my wife and 9-month-old, we had a great time.
7. Though it's not a quite, secluded romantic getaway, it's also a great place for couples blissfully in love, and for anyone who can let the minor annoyances of a resort roll off their back.
8. If this is your first time in Maui, you really cannot go wrong here.

Pros:
1. Beautiful grounds and buildings;
2. Excellent food at Amasia.
3. Wonderful breakfasts and the setting for breakfast is great.
4. Adult pool a welcome respite from all the kids, but not quite isolated enough. Service at the pool is pretty good.
5. Right next door is the Four Seasons, with a wonderful outdoor bar with live entertainment and excellent restaurants. And other locations are nearby as well. You can walk to a number of great places to eat.
6. Wailea.
7. Mau.
8. Hawaii.

Cons:
1. I am a coffee guy, and there is no nice way to put this, but the coffee at the GWR Officially Sux®. How this can be with so much good [not bland 10% Kon, but really good] coffee in Hawaii, and the resurgent Maui coffee industry, is just beyond me. When I am at the GWR, I simply walk over to the nearby Honolulu Coffee Company every morning. [BTW, I think the best coffee on the island is at the café at the Hanua Kai.]
2. The place is large, and the food apart from Amasia and breakfast is only average.
3. Adult pool regs are not rigorously enforced, and so there is often a smattering of wanna-be-adults. It's Hawaii. Relax.
4. Breakfast is popular. Go early. Sometimes, there are seams in which the line diminishes.
5. A place this large almost always has some renovation or repair, large or small, going on. Usually, it is not intrusive, but there are folks who don't like that.
6. It's a big hotel, and it is never empty. Lots of people here, and that often means wait times, leaving VMs and waiting for call backs, etc. Relax.
7. Standard rooms are not huge, but they are pleasant, and the bathrooms are very nice.