AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea [In-Depth Hotel Review]

Would you book a hotel in Hawaii that’s not on a beach?

My wife and I did that to save a bunch of points, and we were pleasantly surprised by several aspects of our stay at the AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea.

That said, not everything was perfect. The breakfast situation left a lot to be desired, and the noise from the room above us was irritating. However, there were more positives than negatives from our 2-night stay in late January 2025, and we would stay here again on a return trip to the area.

Let me walk you through our recent stay at this property.

Booking the AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea

The cheapest prepaid rate for our 2 nights at the AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea was $756 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members. That increased to $972 for rooms with an ocean view.

Since I have the Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card, I checked the card’s discounted rate, which was $766 per night — better than the $795 for rates that weren’t prepaid, but still not the cheapest rate available.

The option for redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points wasn’t ideal, but we took it. A standard room required 133,000 points for 2 nights, costing 66,500 points per night. Compared to the cash rates above, this was a redemption rate of nearly 1.14 cents per point against the prepaid rate — or even better against the more expensive rates.

It’s worth pointing out that the rates dropped about 10 days before check-in, costing just $659 per night for prepaid rates — although the special rate for Marriott Bonvoy Business cardholders actually went up to $794 at this point. Those paying cash could save money by checking rates again closer to the arrival date.

Hot Tip:

If you’re paying cash for a stay, consider using one of our recommendations for the best credit cards for Marriott Bonvoy fans to earn extra points from your spending.

Location of the AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea

The hotel is in Wailea, in the region known as South Maui. Traveling to the hotel by car from Kahului Airport (OGG) takes about 30 to 35 minutes.

The AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea is not set on the beach, to be clear. It was near numerous other area hotels — Four Seasons Maui at Wailea (featured in the first season of “The White Lotus”), Andaz Maui at Wailea, and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort — a golf course, and multiple shopping centers. The shopping, dining, and golf were easily walkable from the hotel.

Checking In

As we turned off the main Wailea Alanui Drive and headed up Wailea Ike Drive, the hotel’s sign on the corner was easy to spot.

The hotel’s ocean-facing rooms stuck out as we circled three-fourths of the property before finding the entrance.

This smaller sign led to the hotel’s actual entrance on Wailea Ike Place.

If we hadn’t passed much of the property before arriving here, the entrance would have made us think it was nothing special.

When we stopped our rental car, there was no activity at the entrance, and no one came out to greet us.

Luggage carts were available, but we never saw any bellhops during our stay — meaning these were for self-service.

The doors were open, and we were greeted by a friendly employee as we stepped into the bright, open lobby. As I gave my ID and credit card for incidentals, my wife poked around the large lobby.

A nearby station had lemon-and-lime-infused water and paper cups.

And the lobby had more seating than you could shake a stick at. Here, cushioned chairs faced a row of benches with cushions and pillows.

There also was a long, wooden table with outlets that served as a coworking space, complete with stools.

Past this, several armchairs were around a circular table.

In the middle of the lobby, a ramp led down to a recessed area with several couches.

Wicker chairs with unique designs sat near desks with computers, and benches were along the outer windows.

The most interesting seat was this driftwood bench in front of an “Aloha” sign on a living wall.

As I handled the check-in duties, we heard about the hotel’s amenities and their locations. Lest we needed to remember everything, the hotel had an information sheet with pool, gym, and dining info. QR codes provided more details and the ability to order food or reserve cabanas.

Since the hotel wasn’t on the beach, the back of this sheet had walking directions to 2 nearby public beaches reachable within 14 to 17 minutes.

Elite Benefits

Since I have Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status, we enjoyed a few added perks during this stay.

First, I used 2 Nightly Upgrade Awards (1 per night of our stay) to move us from a standard guest room with a balcony into a 1 King Oceanview Suite. As a welcome amenity, we had the option of 500 bonus points or a $10 food and beverage credit.

We value those 500 points at $3.50, but the $10 dining credit applied to each person on each day, so that was worth $40 — a much better option. And this credit could be used at any of the hotel’s food and beverage outlets.

Unfortunately, parking wasn’t complimentary, and the $10 food and beverage credit didn’t cover the full cost of a hot breakfast. However, we did get an offer of a 4 p.m. late checkout, though we didn’t need it.

Bottom Line:

I earn Marriott’s Titanium Elite status every year, which normally provides nice perks on hotel stays. However, elite benefits at AC Hotels aren’t as good as those offered by Marriott’s other brands.

1 King Oceanview Suite

We were told that the best path to our room was to go outside, past the pool, rather than through the hotel’s interior. That’s because the lobby was on the second floor — the ground floor on that side of the property — but our room was on the first floor because of the sloping hill.

The pathway from the parking lot to this lower level led between plants and then arrived at a side door, where we needed to tap our key cards to enter. There were consistent puddles in this area.

Our room was No. 140, the fourth (last) in the hallway. Rooms had solid wooden doors, but they didn’t slam loudly.

As an end room, our room was L-shaped, entering into a small hallway with artwork and a mirror on the back of the door.

Past the closet and restroom, the bedroom unfolded before us. We loved the layout. Its open floor plan, copious natural light, and simple color palette made the room feel massive.

The room’s main feature was a king-size bed. It had 4 pillows, 2 that were soft and 2 that provided good support. The sheets were soft and light — just what we needed in a tropical destination.

Each side of the bed had a floating wooden nightstand. There also was a lamp and a reading light on an adjustable arm. On the wall were multiple USB-A and 3-prong outlets.

The nightstand closer to the bathroom was empty, while the other held the phone, TV remote, and a notepad. There also was an information card with a QR code for ordering room service.

A large TV was across from the bed on the wall, mounted above a bench with 2 pads.

Beautiful wave designs were on the board above this bench.

Next to the TV was a white, wooden desk with a wicker chair that seemed more decorative than functional.

There also was a window above the desk, including adjustable blinds.

The other corner of the room had a nice sitting area with an L-shaped sofa and 2 glass-topped, round tables. The sofa also had a foldout bed.

A small storage area was inside the sofa’s ottoman.

A painting of a surfer was on the wall on the near side of the bedroom, and we also found a digital thermostat here.

Bathroom

A sliding, frosted glass door led to the bathroom, which was between the entry hallway and the bedroom.

The bathroom was an adequate size, but its layout maximized size to avoid feeling cramped, and the backlit mirror with a digital clock was a nice touch.

In the center was a sink set in a large counter with ample space. On the counter, we found soap, a box of tissues, and a washcloth. There were 4 outlets on the wall.

Wooden shelves under the sink held towels, and there was a bar for the hand towel.

On the left, a sliding glass door led to the toilet.

The toilet was rectangular, which caught us by surprise because of how uncommon that is.

A spacious glass shower enclosure was at the opposite end of the bathroom.

The shower had both rainfall and handheld showerheads. Interestingly, the control knob for pressure and temperature was on the opposite wall, away from the showerhead and closer to the door.

There were pump bottles of Korres toiletries on the wall. These had a nice citrus smell.

Closet

The open closet was across from the bathroom, set into the wall.

A small safe was found above an ice bucket, a single-serving coffee maker, and coffee supplies.

There were 3 wooden drawers, and one of them held the hair dryer. Another had laundry bags and religious texts.

We also found a pair of terrycloth bathrobes here.

The closet also had a flashlight, iron, ironing board, and 10 hangers.

Next to the closet was a large wet bar with a sink in the middle of a huge counter.

The cabinet doors had an interesting design, but the cabinet itself was empty. A minifridge contained bottled water and drinking glasses.

Lanai

Since we were on the ground floor, we had a walkout lanai (patio). Those on the middle and upper floors had balconies.

A sliding glass door led to the lanai, which had sheer and blackout curtains. The door also had a latch for security.

The lanai had a pair of padded lounge chairs with a small table in between.

For privacy between balconies, those closer together had a full wall. Those further apart had a partial wall with slats as well as bushes. It wasn’t the full privacy you’d want if you lived here and used the space regularly, but it was enough for our needs.

There was an open space in front of our lanai that we kept calling “the putting green,” and we had views to the ocean beyond.

There was an outlet available on the lanai. However, we were disappointed to find a stain on one of the lounger’s cushions.

Amenities

While the hotel didn’t have a spa or its own beach, it wasn’t without a fair amount of amenities.

Pool and Hot Tub

The hotel had an L-shape layout, bending around the infinity pool as its centerpiece. Some of the standard rooms (those not labeled “ocean view”) faced over the pool, and those on the ground floor could walk directly from their lanai to the pool, pool bar, or hot tub.

There was a stone path and artificial turf between the hotel building and the pool itself.

Both trash and towel bins were available along this path. Several times during our stay, we noticed there were no clean towels available and had to ask for them at the front desk.

For convenience, bathrooms were near the pool.

The coolest feature at the pool was the plastic loungers partially submerged in the water. These were great for cooling off on a hot day. We also loved the whale design on the bottom of the pool.

The pool had a lift for those who needed it at the far end.

The lift was just behind the hot tub, which could hold a dozen people and was super popular at night.

Triangular cabanas were available for rent on the pool deck.

Cabanas cost $300 per day, including 2 drinks and 3 food options, and could be reserved via a QR code on a sign at the cabana.

ATM

Bathrooms and an ATM were past the breakfast restaurant toward the guest rooms.

Fitness Center

A gym was on the hotel’s main floor, near the ATM, and was available 24 hours a day.

Cabinets with extra towels and a water station were in a nook before entering the gym.

Immediately inside the gym was a station with wipes, towels, and some decorations that felt out of place.

The gym had an open layout, with free weights and an adjustable bench on the far side.

Along the windows, facing the pool deck, were exercise bikes and treadmills.

The wall closest to the entrance had a clock and a pair of rowing machines. The center of the gym held a multifunctional weight machine.

The back corner of the gym had kettlebells, mats, and exercise balls, as well as a full-length mirror. There also was a stool for box jumps.

Elevators

A pair of elevators was past the ATM and the fitness center.

The insides had mirrors and a fun red-and-gray pattern that felt like a nice change from the typical hotel elevator.

Laundry

Continuing past the elevators, we found the hallway with guest rooms. These had wooden doors and carpet with earth tones.

The laundry room was down this hallway on the same floor as the lobby. It was available 24 hours a day, accessible with a key card. The machines themselves were operated by credit card using tap to pay.

Parking

Self-parking was available for $35 per day. The lot wasn’t covered, and there was no guard, but getting into the lot required tapping your key card. We received a small paper to put on our dashboard when parking to confirm that we were staying at the hotel.

Internet

The hotel offered both free and enhanced Wi-Fi connections. The enhanced option cost $5.95, though it was free for those with Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status or higher.

While it sounded interesting, the enhanced internet wasn’t impressive. We got average speeds of around 14 Mbps in our room.

Food and Beverages

Along with room service, the hotel had 3 other options for food and drinks.

AC Kitchen

AC Kitchen was the hotel’s main restaurant, offering daily breakfast. It was just past the reception desk, before the ATM and the gym.

The restaurant used seating in the lobby while serving food in a space in the opposite wall. AC Kitchen was open from 6:30 to 10 a.m. on weekdays and 7 to 11 a.m. on weekends.

AC Kitchen offered a breakfast buffet for $30 per person, plus tax. This included all of the items on the buffet plus hot items ordered from the kitchen. Dishes included things like avocado toast, waffles, and open-face toast.

We thought what was offered didn’t justify the cost, considering what we would actually eat since my wife and I are both vegan. We asked if we could just get fruit and coffee. The employee said we could get coffee, cereal, and fruit for $8 per person. We took that deal happily, since it was covered by our $10 daily food and beverage credit.

The buffet had cold cuts, muffins, waffles, and individual quiches.

At the far end were hard-boiled eggs and a small bowl of mixed fruits. That was surprisingly disappointing when you consider that Hawaii is famous for fruits. Pineapples were nowhere to be found here.

There also was a coffee machine in the breakfast nook, though a sign said not to use it ourselves.

AC Store

Adjacent to the reception desk, the AC Store was available 24 hours a day. It sold various protein bars, bags of candy, chips, and even products like hair ties or sunblock.

The store also had drinks, prepackaged meals, and a microwave.

KAI Poolside Bar

“Kai” means “seaside” in Hawaiian, and this poolside bar sat between the lobby’s exit and the pool. The open-air layout and thatched roof provided local flare, and the bar was very popular in the evenings.

It had bar seating, round tables with armchairs, and booths.

There also was additional seating along the path from the main hallway. These wicker chairs had cushions and tables, but there wasn’t any cover here.

There also were chairs circling a firepit near the bar, and getting a chair here during sunset required luck.

KAI was open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and had happy hour specials from 4 to 6 p.m. daily.

Service

Other than breakfast, we thought service at this hotel was great.

During check-in and checkout, the employees were friendly and efficient, telling us the info we needed without dragging it out. And staff at the desk were happy to answer questions, such as giving us directions or getting us a towel when the bin was empty. We also found the employees at KAI friendly during our limited interactions.

The employee at the host stand during breakfast on both mornings was much more focused on efficiency than friendliness. When checking in, she simply counted the number of people, asked for our room number, and told us the buffet price. She grunted when we asked about a less expensive option, given that we’re vegan and wouldn’t eat most of what the $30 buffet included.

Both mornings, the buffet ran out of clean plates. On the second day, we flagged down an employee who was cleaning tables, and she brought out more plates.

On the first day, we tried alerting the employee at the host stand. She simply told us to get our fruits in the paper coffee cups. The idea of getting clean plates restocked on the buffet was apparently foreign to her. The way she said it was also sassy, which is why we avoided her when seeking plates on the second day.

Everyone has a bad day. I get it. This employee at the breakfast stand wasn’t friendly either morning, so that’s an issue for me.

Checkout

Checking out was simple. Our room rate was already taken care of, and the $10 food and beverage credits covered our fruits and coffee each morning. The friendly employee at the desk asked if he should charge our parking to the credit card on file, and he promised an email with our final bill within a few minutes.

As the hotel didn’t have bell staff, no one offered to help with our luggage. However, the employee at the desk did smile and wish us a safe trip home.

Final Thoughts

The AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea didn’t blow our minds with impressive features or doting service like you’ll find at some of the top hotels in the area. It also didn’t have direct access to a beach. In exchange, it offered a lower price point for scaled-down amenities.

For us, this hotel provided a happy compromise of location, cost, and amenities with service that was mostly good. Our room was excellent, the pool was great, and we could easily get anywhere we wanted nearby using this hotel as a home base.

The food credit didn’t seem ideal at first, but it worked once we found a cheap, light breakfast option. If a few adjustments were made to service at breakfast, the stay would’ve been even better.