Inside the $350M Renovation of Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort: What’s Different in 2026 [Review]

Some hotels stick with you, and for my family, the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, in Maui, is one of them. We first visited coming out of the COVID era, and it instantly became a core memory trip, with its pools, beaches, and larger-than-life feel.

We returned a few years later to find an iconic property starting to show its age. This past spring break, in April 2026, we returned again, this time to a transformed resort following a $350 million renovation.

The Grand Wailea has long been one of the most recognizable and elusive Hilton Honors redemptions in Hawaii. Now that the renovation is complete, is it better and still worth your points?

Here’s what’s changed and what you can expect if you go.

The Rooms Finally Match the Price (And the Points)

If you stayed at the Grand Wailea before the 2024 renovation, you probably remember the rooms feeling a bit dated. That’s no longer the case. The rooms lean into a clean, modern Hawaiian look with light woods, neutral tones, and a more functional layout.

We noticed the difference immediately when entering our room. It felt brighter, calmer, and much more in line with what you’d expect given the price point.

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The refreshed rooms seem much more spacious and thoughtfully designed.

My favorite part was the spacious bathroom, with all white marble, a large soaking tub, a separate shower, and a toilet. It felt like a real upgrade that finally matches expectations for a resort like this.

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The new white marble bathrooms are large, clean, and bright.

Rates now start around 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night or about $700 per night, depending on the season. At those rates, expectations are high — and the updates delivered. I used 2 Hilton free night certificates from my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card to cover my stay, which definitely softened the blow.

Renovations Retained the Grand Wailea’s Personality

The Grand Wailea still feels like itself, just more cohesive now. The lobby, walkways, and seating areas were refreshed to improve the flow without losing the big, high-energy resort vibe it’s known for.

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The iconic mermaid statue and water features still set the tone, but have a noticeable refresh.

It still feels massive (because it is), and you’re still going to walk a lot. But now it seems more intentional than slightly dated.

The Spa Is Now a Destination

If there’s one area where the renovation clearly went all in, it’s the spa.

Formerly Spa Grande, the newly reimagined Kilolani Spa is now a true centerpiece. At 50,000 square feet, it’s the largest spa in Hawaii and ranks among the top 100 in the world by Vogue.

A visit to the spa was one of the highlights of our trip for my wife and me. The massages were great, but the real standout was the hydrotherapy garden. Waterfall showers, whirlpools, a sauna, a steam room, and even a cold plunge helped us reset after a few long days.

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The spa has been rebranded from the Grand Spa to the Kilolani Spa.

It’s stunning, relaxing, and thoughtfully designed. I could’ve spent hours in the spa.

Dining Feels More Elevated

Nobu Grand Wailea Maui is the headline addition to the Grand Wailea’s dining. Having Nobu on-site instantly elevates the entire dining lineup and gives the resort a true flagship restaurant that attracts guests beyond just those staying at the hotel.

If you stayed here before, you probably remember the Grand Dining Room between the adult pool and the rest of the pools. That space has been completely reimagined and is now Olivine, which feels like a totally different restaurant with a more polished, coastal Mediterranean vibe.

One of the best meals we had was at Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, which is still a must-do. It’s been refreshed, but the setting is just as iconic. Our dinner there delivered across the board with great views, strong service, and delicious food — albeit very expensive.

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The bar at Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa sets the scene.

Loulu is still there, and it was our go-to for breakfast both mornings. It’s open all day, but we loved the fast, casual, made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, acai bowls, fresh pastries, and good coffee, so we could grab something quick and get down to the pool. Loulu also carries items from Erewhon, the iconic LA-based organic grocer and café.

Haleakalā Shave Ice is a welcome addition to the Grand Wailea. On a previous visit, we had to walk over to the nearby Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea for shaved ice.

And Aloha Trick Pony is right by the pool, perfect for grabbing tacos between swims.

The Pools and Beach Are Still the Stars of the Show

The Wailea Canyon pool complex is still one of the best in Hawaii, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

With slides, lazy river sections, and multiple levels, it’s the perfect setup if you just want to unwind, have some fun, and spend the entire day at the resort. The same goes for the beach, with easy access, swimmable conditions (depending on the day), and one of the best stretches of sand in Wailea.

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The pool complex is still the main draw, and its iconic red slide says it all. Image Credit: Chris Hassan

The renovation cleaned things up around the edges, but the core experience here is exactly what the resort is known for.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, didn’t need a complete reinvention, but it absolutely needed this refresh. Now, the rooms, dining, spa, and overall design match the setting. That’s a big deal for a resort that’s long been one of the most talked-about Hilton redemptions in Hawaii.

Is it perfect? No. It’s still expensive, still busy, and still very much a large-scale resort experience. But if you’re traveling with family — or just want a gorgeous setting with an amenity-packed stay in Maui — it delivers in a way few properties can. When you’re able to book it using points instead of paying $1,000 or more per night, a stay here becomes even more attractive.

If this Maui resort has been on your list, the postrenovation version is absolutely worth it.