The perfect Maui getaway for families: Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott

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Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott is an oceanfront property in Maui nestled between two crescent beaches (Wailea and Ulua) and along the scenic Wailea Coastal Walk. This stunning destination with a view is connected to high-end shopping at The Shops at Wailea, world-class golf courses and neighboring luxury resorts like 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. Though we considered Waikiki, we ultimately opted for the tranquility of Maui’s beaches  — which turned out to be a fantastic decision.

JON MAXWELL/THE POINTS GUY What is Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott?

We chose 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 sea animal structures for my 2-year-old.

The hotel exudes a welcoming ambience, and the sunsets are spectacular. The overall vibe of the resort is relaxed yet upscale, making it ideal for families or couples looking for unpretentious tranquility.

JON MAXWELL/THE POINTS GUY How to book Wailea Beach Resort

I applied for a new Marriott Bonvoy credit card and made reservations through the Bonvoy app. This allowed me to quickly reach the credit card’s sign-up bonus of 150,000 points. 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 complimentary breakfast for two adults throughout our four-night stay.

When booking Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott, you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Marriott stays, or one that offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include:

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier. 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 a higher tier. 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 a higher tier. 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 a higher tier. 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 a higher tier. Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 5 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.

The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

JON MAXWELL/THE POINTS GUY Checking in

Arriving via a 30-minute shuttle ride from Kahului Airport (OGG) for $80 plus tip, we were greeted by a friendly valet and the front desk staff. They welcomed us with chilled guava juice and leis. The front desk is actually outside, next to a spacious lanai with plentiful seating and a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring islands. 

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A koi pond in a raised area with a tree swing and an Instagrammable “Aloha” sign faces the front desk. My kids loved the tree swing and the koi pond, which they stopped at many times during our stay.

The check-in process was smooth, and even though there were other groups checking in, the fact that the “lobby” was all outside with a lot to look at made the experience feel relaxed and even fun.

JON MAXWELL/THE POINTS GUY The location

Nestled amid 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 advantageous. 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 offered scenic walks. 

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The nearby Shops at Wailea provided convenient options for dining, shopping and entertainment, with Island Gourmet Markets offering affordable and tasty food and supplies just a stone’s throw away. Pro tip: The fresh ahi poke bowls were amazing!

JON MAXWELL/THE POINTS GUY The rooms

During our stay, we experienced two room types. The Garden Oasis room impressed us with its semiprivate outdoor space featuring a bathtub and shower. The outdoor area was perfect for family activities during the day and adult relaxation after the kids went down. The room itself was pretty standard, with the contemporary, tasteful decor that you’d expect from a Marriott property. 

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On the downside, the Garden Oasis room was on the first floor, which made our room pretty dark, and sometimes, we could hear noise from the valet stand that was close to us. That being said, the private outdoor bath and shower were such a bonus, especially with young children. This room was also priced much cheaper than any of the ocean-facing rooms, so it was a great value option as well.

We opted for an 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.

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This 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 did justify the higher price point.

Dining and drinking outlets

There are two main restaurants: Humble Market Kitchin 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 Starbucks and Whale’s Tale, which also serves cocktails during happy hour. There are also three stand-alone bars: Makani Bar near the entrance, Nalu Pool Bar at the Nalu Adventure Pool and Sunsets Bar next to the Maluhia Pool.

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Makani Bar is on the Grand Lanai, and while the bar is basically just a drink stand, the bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. They recommended a 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 the sunset views were.

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Each morning, we started our day at the breakfast buffet at Humble Market Kitchin. Though priced at $49 per adult, it offered a sumptuous spread. The buffet featured egg scrambles, French toast or waffles, bacon, sausages, a fruit bar and a salad bar. You could also place a custom egg order with your server. Our package covered two adult breakfasts, and our 2-year-old happily munched for free, so we just paid $20 plus tip for our 5-year-old. 

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At night, we returned for happy hour plates like Mongolian Baby Back Ribs and Chili-Peppah Wings, which were flavorful and reasonably priced at $11. Overall, the vibe at Humble Market Kitchin was relaxed and casual.

The fitness center and other activities

We opted for 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 kids under 12). Our canoe launched from Wailea Beach, and we rowed to a reef in front of the resort. From there we got into the water and got to see some of the local aquatic life. The luau was a Hawaiian feast with kalua pig as the centerpiece — but for me, the poke was probably the highlight. While we ate, local performers told the story of Maui through song and dance. 

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I’m glad we were able to experience the luau, but if I had to choose, snorkeling was more enjoyable since I was able to swim with large sea turtles, which was an absolute highlight of the trip. Also, the length of the luau tested the patience of my young daughters, although they did love the fire dance.

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The resort’s complimentary activities, game room and movie house provided additional entertainment options, though we were unable to explore them fully due to our busy schedule and the fact that much of our free time was spent at the pool.

Pools and beaches

Wailea Beach Resort boasts multiple pools, with the Nalu Adventure Pool being a highlight for our family. The resort’s pool facilities offered a perfect balance of excitement and relaxation, featuring four waterslides, including the longest slide in Maui, and fun animal structures in the splash pool area. My children would have spent every waking moment at the Nalu pool, and it’s all they have talked about after the trip. Just know that the longest slides have a height requirement of 48 inches.

The family cabana rental ($400) provided a private retreat, and chicken tenders ($16), kalua pork nachos ($25) and acai bowls ($18) from Mo’ Bettah Food Truck added to our poolside enjoyment. During the late afternoon, the waitstaff brings around complimentary cold treats like mochi ice cream and Melona bars.

JON MAXWELL/THE POINTS GUY Reasons this hotel might not be for you A reliance on stairs at this sprawling property can create longer routes for strollers or wheelchairs Limited variety of on-site dining options Geared more for families than luxury-seeking couples No direct beach access Accessibility

Wailea 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 the door and phone.

Checking out

As our vacation came to an end, we reflected on the memories created at Wailea Beach Resort. The Nalu Adventure Pool, turtle encounters, stunning sunsets, beach explorations and relaxed ambience left a lasting impression on my family. The resort’s value and amenities make it a compelling choice for families with children, leaving us eager to return for future vacations.

Related reading

Marriott Bonvoy: Complete guide to the hotel loyalty program The best Marriott credit cards Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it The best credit cards to reach elite status The best hotel rewards programs in the world Best hotel credit cards