The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa was a wonderful choice for my first trip to Maui (and Hawaii).
For many reasons (but particularly the location), you cannot beat the Hyatt. It is at the end of a hotel row in west Maui, which isolates you from the other hotels but is still connected by a boardwalk. At the other end of the boardwalk is Whaler’s Village, a cute shopping mall with restaurants.
After walking the entire length of the boardwalk, I appreciated the Hyatt’s location even more. The other hotels and condos on Kaanapaali were insanely close together and the crowds were heavy. The Hyatt is in its own little world and removed from the chaos.
The Hyatt resort is also the closest hotel to Lahaina, a very cute town with great restaurants and entertainment…a quick 10 minute drive.
The views from the room are also spectacular.
The Hyatt also has an amazing oceanfront spa. My boyfriend and I had a 50-minute deep tissue couples massage that was incredible. It is not more money to have the massage by the ocean, but its location is right by the pool and too loud to tune everything out (aka kids screaming in the pool). I also wasn’t too excited about the recommended swimsuit since it is in a public place. Indoors was the right choice for us.
The spa has great amenities like a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi that you can use the entire day of your appointment. There is also a salon. I got my hair colored while my boyfriend got another massage the last day of our vacation. She gave me the exact sassy color I requested. The staff was always friendly and there were incredible views of the ocean from the salon and relaxation room. If you don’t stay at the Hyatt, then you should at least check the spa out.
By the spa is the beach activities hut with the friendliest guys you will ever meet. I couldn’t believe one guy remembered Bryan’s and my name the entire week after meeting us once. And the activities are reasonably priced. We were given quick tutorials and then went snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding multiple times that week.
They also offer jet skis and parasailing.
Although the Hyatt has nothing to do with this, the year round 70 to 80 degree ocean is magnificent! It makes me want to move there ASAP.
Something that the Hyatt did have control over (and did right), was their amazing restaurants. We ate at all of them and were blown away by how good they were. They also had the friendliest bartenders and wait staff.
Son’z Maui at Swan Court is breathtaking and I loved watching the swans swim. Try to go at sunset and watch the magnificent views.
Japengo has awesome sushi and again, great views. They also have a cute tradition if you buy a bottle of sake. They let you write on the sake box and then save it until your next trip back.
‘Umalu is a fun restaurant to eat at during the day. Sit at the bar and banter with the bartenders!
The Hyatt also has a wonderful array of birds in the lobby. Great entertainment for the kids!
I should advise you that there is $25 per day resort fee, $14/day fee for self parking and $20/day fee for valet, which was slightly annoying but common for most resorts.
The rest of extras at the pool were quite reasonable: $30/day for use of 2 lounge chairs on the beach, $60 a day for an oceanside cabana that sits 2 and $200/day for a large oceanside cabana for a family. Ironically, the only rude staff I encountered my whole trip was at the towel drop.
The only drawback of the trip was that I could hear children at the pool as early as 6 in the morning. That being said, I’m glad I woke up and didn’t sleep in on my vacation.
I am a total planner so our itinerary was already set before arrival but anyone we asked for help (directions, restaurant reservations, etc.) was amazing.
I can’t wait to go back!
All photos © Joelle Pittman
Related articles
- Preparing for Maui (memtolax.com)
- The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa (memtolax.com)
