Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa In-Depth Review by UntoldMiles
Table of Contents:
Airport, Arrival, Parking, and First Impressions
Like many airports on the islands, Maui’s OGG airport is on the smaller side, which I prefer due to it’s ease of navigate both to and from your plane.
Once you deplane, you’ll make your way through the terminals to find yourself at baggage claim. After grabbing your luggage, you can get yourself a rideshare or taxi to your hotel. For us, we chose to rent a car to sight see and explore. In order to get to the car rental center, you will have to walk across the street to the tram. This tram is very spacious and comes for pick up and drop off frequently. Having a wagon, two checked bags, and two car seats, we were able to wheel everything onto the tram without issue. After a short 3 minute ride to the car rental area, we hopped off and made our way to our rental car.
From the OGG airport to the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, you’re looking at a 40-45 minute drive on average. Before we headed to the resort, we stopped by Costco to pick up some snacks, food, and drinks that we would want during our stay since we had access to a mini fridge. The Costco is only a 4 minute drive from the airport and it has goodies that you won’t find on the mainland. Near the Costco, you’ll also find two food truck parks with some really great food options. Make sure you grab a bite to eat here before you get back on the road! One of our favorite’s is definitely the “Thai Mee Up” food truck!
The drive to the Hyatt Regency Maui is pretty smooth and relaxing. It overlooks some very beautiful beaches with a few curves and a short tunnel. On the drive, you’ll notice the brown and rocky landscape. I was told that Maui was experiencing a drought and this may be why it’s not as green lately.
Quick note: Use Google/Apple Maps. Do not use your car’s GPS. It took us onto private property which technically does connect to the Hyatt Regency Maui, but the gate is kept locked.
As you turn left off the main road, you’ll enter a large golf course/property. Make sure you keep an eye out for golf carts and other pedestrians. An important note for this road is that it is a two lane road on each side. There are no dividing lines which may cause some confusion. You’ll want to stay on the left side of the road to make a left hand turn towards the Hyatt property.
On the final home stretch of the drive, you’ll want to drive past the Hyatt Residence Club to get to the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. If you want to unload your luggage or passengers, just let the valet know and they’ll make sure you’re pulled off into a safe area to do so.
Self-parking is included in your resort fee if you paid cash. If you use points to book a stay here, you do not have to pay any additional taxes or resort fees and you’ll still get self parking included as well. To get to self parking, you’ll head back out, towards the Hyatt Residence Club. Ask the valet and they’ll direct you. For Globalists, valet parking is NOT free at this property so you’ll have to use self parking or pay for valet which is about $40 per day as of the writing of this review.
Once valet has taken your car or you have made it back from self parking, the bellmen will take your bags and wait for you to check in. They’ll then walk you to your room and help unload your bags.
My first impressions of this property is that it is well kept, organized, and the customer service is on par with what you’d expect from a Hyatt. The open areas through the property and the layout is well thought out and helps make your stay unforgettable.
Check In and Resort Towers
The check-in desk is located to the right of the entrance. There is a separate line for World of Hyatt Elite members as well as a standard check-in line. Check-in was quick and easy. If you’re a Globalist, you’ll get these cool gray wristbands that are your key to everything on this property including your room, towels, the club, the gym, etc. If you’re not a Globalist, you’ll get a standard orange wristband which functions the exact same way. The gray ones are just reserved for Globalists to make us feel *special*.
The Hyatt Regency Maui has three towers where your rooms can be located. The first is the Napili Tower which has 8 floors, the Lahaina Tower with 7 floors, and The Atrium Tower with 9 floors.
If you want a quieter stay, you’ll want to request a room in the Napili Tower which is furthest away from the luau but it is also the furthest from the Regency Club, gym, and spa. Another benefit of staying at the Napili Tower is that it is very close to the kid’s pool. The next tower is the Lahaina Tower. This tower is nice because it’s close to the Luau, laundry room, Regency Club, Spa, and Gym. You may even get a room that has a lanai (balcony) where you can watch the luau from. However, it will be loud for a few hours during the night due to the luau. The Atrium Tower is located right in the middle of the property and makes up the large open space past the entrance to the property. This tower may be a nice mixture of the two other ones in terms of distance to everything.
The First Suite in the Lahaina Tower
We were upgraded to an Oceanfront suite on the third floor of the Lahaina Tower. After entering the room, you’re immediately greeted with an open living area that has a pullout couch, mini-fridge, a TV, coffee maker, kettle, small dining table, and a small lanai (balcony). For our suite, the small lanai gave us an incredible view of the Drums of the Pacific luau (photos later).
For our stay, we were greeted with gorgeous purple orchid flowers all over our suite. We were also given complimentary champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, a goodie bag of treats, and a complimentary set of sunblock. All of these things were a nice surprise as we were not expecting that for our stay. However, you may or may not get this for your stay so your mileage may vary.
The living room connects to the bedroom which has your typical closet, in-room safe, room phone, and nightstands. A cool feature is under the bed luggage storage by the foot of the bed. It really helps to give you more space in your suite.
From the bedroom, you can access a second and much larger lanai which has a nice outdoor couch. This lanai gave us unobstructed views of the beach, a glimpse of the luau, and it was a great spot for sunset. Photo below is from the first lanai of the luau.
From the bedroom, you can also access the spacious bathroom which has a tub and a separate shower. The bathroom had the usual amenities such as mouthwash, dental kit with toothbrush and toothpaste, bar soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. Each of the rooms can be separated by a sliding door for privacy.
My thoughts on this suite:
This suite is beautiful, spacious, and the location was great. The views from this Oceanfront suite were incredible. From the first lanai, we had a clear view of the entire luau and gorgeous mountains. From the second and larger lanai, we had an unobstructed view of the beach and could hear the calming sounds of the ocean all night. Being so close to the luau has its pros and a cons. The pro being that you’re able to take in the dancing and performances from the comfort of your room. The con being that it will be loud for a few hours due to the drums.
Note: The sliding glass doors to the lanais (balconies) do not have a child lock on them so make sure you keep an eye on children at all times. A second thing to note is that the air conditioning system automatically turns off if the door to the lanai is open.
Having two small kids with us and an unpredictable sleep schedule, we did ask to be moved to another room due to the luau’s loud drums. We were helped to another Oceanfront Suite over at the Napili Tower.
The Second Suite in the Napili Tower
Our second Oceanfront Suite was at the top floor of the Napili Tower. The Napili Tower is located on the opposite side of the property from where the Lahaina Tower is. Walking to this tower, you’ll pass by the popular Japengo restaurant, the Hyatt Residence Club office (timeshare), and a walkway that leads to one side of the pool.
This Oceanfront suite was the same in terms of layout as our previous suite. However, the views from both lanais were so much nicer. Our larger lanai gave us a view of the kids pool, the waterfall, and the beach.
The smaller lanai which was accessed via our bedroom, gave us a gorgeous and much closer view of the ocean. A truly beautiful room if you want a picture perfect view of sunrise and sunset.
A huge benefit that the Napili Tower gave our family was that it was located on the quieter side of the property. Being the furthest away from the luau meant that we got much less noise at night from the luau drums. For the kids, the Napili Tower was great as you had a walkway that gave you access directly to the kids pool area.
As noted in our first suite, we had some complimentary goodies which included a set of sunblock which we did not see in our second room. So I am not sure if that’s something every room gets or not. Granted, we already got a set so I’m not sure if this was set up in every room or only specific rooms.
The Grounds and Animals
The property at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is beautiful. It is well kept, clean, and very spacious. The layout of the property is easy to navigate and the open air concept throughout the property gives it a very welcoming and grand feel.
You can easily take a walk around the property every morning or evening to get some steps in and enjoy the views without worrying about getting lost. There aren’t any grassy areas for kids to run around and play but there is a green turf area in the center of the property, across from the penguins, that is a great spot for kids to play if there are no wedding receptions at the time.
Depending on when you arrive, you can run into some parrots around the property. They do have a set time when they’re out and are fed if you want to see that. If you like to watch fish, there are many koi fish in the center of the property for you to enjoy. One animal that this Hyatt has that is very unique are black footed penguins! These penguins can be seen 24/7 as they have their own little habitat on property. They do have specified feeding times where they will be more active. You do not need to sign up ahead of time to go see the animals or watch them get fed.
On the other side of the property are different types of birds. You’ll be able to see both black and white swans, different species of ducks, cranes, and even flamingos. You may even run into some cats around the property which I can only assume are around to keep rodents in check.
The Regency Club
Two common brands within the World of Hyatt portfolio where you can find clubs are at the Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt. Of course this will vary from property to property. If you hold Globalist status with World of Hyatt, you have complimentary access to the Regency Club at the Hyatt Regency Maui. If you are not a Globalist, access to the Regency Club can be purchased directly from the property with a cost of about $150 per day (cost may vary). If you book with points, you may be able to find rooms with club access for a bit more points than the standard rooms. The clubs usually offer breakfast, snacks, light dinner (appetizers), coffees, lattes, juices, milks, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during club hours.
The Regency Club is located on the ground floor and is close to the Lahaina Tower. After using your wristband to enter the club, you’re immediately greeted with a very welcoming seating area. If you need a quiet area to do some work, this would be ideal.
The Regency Club offers a solid breakfast with many foods that you would find locally on the island as well as things you’d find in a traditional breakfast. You can find a wide selection of foods which include assorted pastries, fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, melons, eggs, deli meat, bacon, poke, Portuguese sausage, and more. There are some “secret menu” items that are not offered openly and you can ask for such as oatmeal and bagels with cream cheese. There may be more but I didn’t explore these other options much. Coffees and teas can be found nearby as well.
My experience of the snacks during the middle of the day from various clubs that I’ve been to so far, including the Regency Club here, has been underwhelming. You still have access to the drinks but the food items consist of cookies, chips, granola bars, and fruits like apples, and oranges. So lunchtime is where you’ll want to supplement with a solid meal either on or off site. There are plenty of solid local spots 7-8 minutes drive north of the property if you want to get something local. In the evening, the Regency Club offers a light dinner/appetizers or sometimes they market it as hors d'oeuvres. You could absolutely get away with this as a dinner with what they offer. Since it’s a buffet style offering, you can go back as many times as you like. Some food items here can be seen more often than others but their main dish is rotated out on a daily basis so you shouldn’t have the same meal everyday (unless you’re here long term). What you can expect during the evening is some sort of salad with or without dressing, vegetables, chips and dip, pita and hummus, steamed potstickers, orange chicken, fried rice, poke, macaroni and cheese, empanadas, coconut shrimp (these are SO good), asian inspired noodles, pancit, samosas, meatballs with sauces, spanakopita, and more.
With your light dinner, you’ll also have a selection of two or three different types of desserts which includes small cakes, cheesecakes, and more.
In terms of drinks you can find at the Regency Club, you have cranberry juice, apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, tomato juice, skim or whole milk, soy milk, oat milk, and more. There’s a coffee machine that has a wide variety of caffeinated drinks you can choose from. There is a good selection of soft drinks to choose from in addition to a wide selection of teas. Alcoholic beverages can be ordered separately and is usually cheaper than anywhere else on the property.
The Pools and Waterslides
You can find six different pool areas at this property which include various waterfalls, a waterslide for adults, an interactive kids pool area with kid waterslide, a rope bridge (closed when I was there for repairs), and a bar inside of a cave. There is also a whirlpool area off by the kids pool area which does close at 10pm.
The water temperature at the pool was very comfortable and provided a nice refreshing place to cool off during the warm parts of the day. The pool area is well kept and clean. You can order food and drinks from the nearby bars or from the staff that is walking around. The pool area is usually busy after breakfast time to early afternoon but does clear out after that. The lounge chairs are the first to be taken but the actual pools themselves are not crowded. There are a ton of poolside chairs to lounge on and plenty of umbrellas for shade.
For pool towels, you’ll find towel dispensing kiosks throughout the property. To use these kiosks, you tap your wristband to the sensor, open the door, and grab as many towels as you need. There is a return slot for the towels at the same kiosks when you’re done. Note that the hotel will charge you for towels that you do not return by the end of the day. These towels have chips in them so they can track how many towels you took and how many you returned. We never ran into any issues with these towels. Cabanas are available for rent between 9am to 5pm and can be reserved online, at the pool desk, or the front desk.
The kiddie pool area is located towards the Napili tower, away from the main pool area, past the Grotto Bar. It has a good number of lounge chairs and a roped off area for younger kids to play. The water here is shallow and there are a few climbable structures and water features for the younger kids. You can also enter the main pool from this area. If you enter the pool from here, going right will lead you to the Grotto Bar while going left will lead you towards the adult water slide. To the left of the kids pool area, you’ll find a hot tub which does close at 10pm.
There are two waterslides on this property. The adult one can be found towards the kiddie pool area. You climb up a set of stairs and a lifeguard will meet you at the top where you’ll be given instructions before you go down.
The second waterslide is over at the kiddie pool and is meant for kids. My two year old was able to use this slide without any issues by himself. There are no staff or general lifeguards at the pool aside from the top of the adult waterslide so ensuring the safety of yourself and your children solely rests on you. We had some issues with older kids blocking the slides and making it unsafe for other kids and had to deal with them and their parents ourselves so keep that in mind.
If you think it’s a good idea to climb onto the rope bridge and jump down into the pool, sure it may seem fun but you’ll most likely be asked to leave the property. Security here are pretty cool but they definitely see you before you see them!
Drums of the Pacific Luau
The onsite luau at the Hyatt Regency Maui is called Drums of the Pacific. It’s a three hour show which “...takes you on a journey through the islands of Polynesia, complete with a traditional imu ceremony and the exotic flavors of native Hawaiian cuisine.” It features “authentic dances and music of Hawaii, Tahiti, the Tuamotus, Rarotonga, New Zealand, Tonga, and a thrilling three-man Samoan fireknife finale in the hottest luau show on Maui.”
There are two types of seating available, standard and VIP seating. The main difference here is how close you want to be to the stage. Other differences include a free photo, a souvenir gift, and more. Their provided menu includes the following.
Plated Dinner:
Kalua Pork
Teriyaki Braised Beef
Oven Roasted Ginger Soy Mahi
Okinawan Sweet Potatoes
Steamed White Rice
Maui Gold Pineapple
Pacific Ahi Poke
Cucumber and Onion Namasu
Local Style Potato Salad
Taro rolls with Lilikoi Butter
*Chicken nuggets, Mac & Cheese, and Broccoli for Keiki (children)!
Dessert:
Creamy Coconut Cake w/ Caramelized Pineapple
Maui Ku`ia Estate Chocolates
Open bar features:
Drums of the Pacific Luau is proud to offer a wide selection of locally made spirits and Maui brewed beers.
Mai Tai’s
Assorted Tropical Cocktails featuring Kula Rum, Pau Maui Vodka and Fid Street Gin
Draft Beer by Maui Brewing Co.
Hard Seltzers by Maui Brewing Co.
Wines from Hyatt’s Private Selection
Fruit Punch, Juices and Sodas
Prices for this luau range from $210 to $260 for adults, $105 to $130 for children, and kids 0-3 are free. You can find up to date pricing, meals, make reservations, and more information here.
Kamaha’o Spa and Athletic Center
The Kamaha’o Spa is located right next to the athletic center and provides a wide variety of services which include massages, body treatments, hair treatments, manicure/pedicures, makeup, and facials while enjoying an oceanfront view. They do require a 24 hour notice if you do decide to cancel a reservation or you’ll be charged a 50% fee. No shows or cancellations within 4 hours of appointment time will be subject to a cancellation fee of 100% of the service price. To make a reservation, view a list of all their available services, hours, and prices, click here.
If you love working out, the athletic center/gym at the Hyatt Regency Maui is where you’ll want to be. The athletic center can be found right next to the Kamaha’o Spa and is accessed with your wristband. They have a wide selection of cardio machines including treadmills and Peloton bikes. If you like resistance training, they have enough machines there to make sure you get a solid workout in.
For those that like free weights, there is a separate room which includes two full sets of dumbbells as well as curl bars.
There are plenty of fresh towels, a water dispenser, complimentary headphones, refresher towels, and sanitizing wipes for when you’re done.
In terms of when to go, I saw maybe one or two people here my entire stay so there’s no issue with capacity. This area of the property is prone to flooding due to the current erosion along the beach. There may be sandbags outfront but the gym is still open and accessible. I did not witness any flooding while I was there. The equipment may have some surface rust on them due to the salt in the air but that’s a given due to the proximity of the gym to the beach.
On-Site Restaurants
Remember, you can bill all food and drinks to your room. Just remember your room number and last name on the reservation! This is how you maximize your points earned on food and drinks! The following contains photos and information from the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa website.
Japengo - “Asian cuisine infused with island flavors.”
This restaurant is the go to spot for high end foods and sushi. Japengo provides beachfront views, waterfall views, with indoor and outdoor patio seating as well. If you’re looking for locally sourced steak and seafood, this is the place. It’s highly recommended to make a reservation before your trip! To go orders automatically get a 15% gratuity added to them.
Hours: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Dress code: Casual
Phone: 1-808-667-4909 or ext. 4909
'Ūmalu - Poolside Eatery and Bar
This spot is located right by the main pool area. It serves American cuisine which includes salads, sandwiches, entrees, appetizers, and more. If you’re looking for some lunch, dinner, or drinks, this is a great place to grab food and lounge poolside. Dinner reservations are highly recommended. To go orders automatically get a 15% gratuity added to them.
Hours:
Bar: Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 11:00pm
Breakfast: Sat-Sun, 7:00am - 10:00am
Lunch: 11:00am - 5:00pm
Dinner: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Happy Hour: 11:00am - Noon & 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wood-Fired Pizza: Thur - Mon, 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Dress code: Casual
Phone: 1-808-667-4933
Swan Court Breakfast/Son'z Steakhouse - Breakfast buffet and Steakhouse
Pondside breakfast buffet while you enjoy a tranquil pondside view with swans and other birds. You’ll find traditional breakfast dishes, local fruits, and baked goods. The breakfast buffet is $34 for adults and $5-$12 for children which will vary by their age. Seating is first-come, first-serve. An automatic gratuity of 15% will be added to all to-go orders.
Hours: 6:30am to 11:00am
Dress code: Casual
In the evening, the Swan Court becomes Son’z Steakhouse. Here, you’ll find "USDA prime cuts, including Tomahawk and Porterhouse, and fresh seafood paired with an extensive wine list that has earned an ‘Award of Excellence’ from Wine Spectator year after year.”
Hours 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Phone: 1-808-667-4506
Grotto Bar - Pool Bar and Bites
Located in the middle of the pool, under the waterfalls, you’ll find the Grotto Bar. Here, you’ll be able to grab a variety of drinks and some light pub inspired bites. There are TVs here as well for your viewing pleasure.
Hours: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Honolulu Coffee
“Enjoy fresh brews of award-winning coffee to complement pastries at our lobby-level coffee shop. Savor tropical fruit smoothies, acai bowls and flavorful snacks all day.”
Hours: 6:00am to 1:00pm
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
Voted #1 for Shave Ice on Maui from 2017-2019. Great local and other popular flavors. Grab a refreshing shave ice after a nice pool session.
Hours: 11:00am to 5:00pm
In Room Dining - Breakfast and Dinner
Breakfast from 6:00am to 11:00am
Dinner from 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Concierge and Activities
Across from the check-in area, right by the entrance, you’ll find a concierge desk. Here, you can book various activities on and off property. If you’re looking for an island tour, boat tour, a helicopter ride, or anything else, they can book it for you. All activities must be paid for at the time of booking and can’t be billed to your room.
I did the Tour of the Stars which is located on the rooftop of the Hyatt Regency Maui. A really cool experience if you want to see some stars and planets through three really expensive telescopes. I was able to take some amazing photos of the stars with my DSLR while up there. Maybe underwhelming for some, but I thought it was cool. Cost me about $60/person. Personally, I think it’s a bit pricey. I’d maybe value it at around $40.
Hours for Tour of the Stars: Thursdays through Mondays at 8:00pm, 9:00pm, 10:00pm, and 11:00pm.
Below is a photo I took using my DSLR camera from the rooftop during the Tour of the Stars.
Miscellaneous
This section will cover some information that don’t have a formal spot in the guide.
Laundry - Bring quarters or small bills
There is a laundry room on the ground floor of the Lahaina tower. It’s tucked away but it does house a good amount of washing and drying machines for your laundry needs. Here, you’ll find a dispenser for your detergents, softeners, and more. The washers and dryers take credit or debit card but if you want detergent or softener from the dispenser, it takes only quarters. Bring small bills for the change machine! The cost of laundry is $3.50 per cycle per machine.
Erosion Problem
Erosion is a huge issue for many coastal cities. Maui is no stranger to these issues as well. Along the property, by the beach, you’ll see many signs that warn you not to enter certain areas since they’re trying to protect the shore from this erosion issue. Just me wary of where you’re walking and you’ll be fine. Not a huge hazard in my opinion.
Jellyfish and Portuguese man-o-war
Along the property’s shoreline, you’ll find a few warning signs that tell you about dangerous currents and jellyfish. While I was here, I almost stepped on a Portuguese man-o-war, while technically not a jellyfish, they do sting like one. These can be found in the water and on the shore. Their tentacles can sting you even when not attached to their “body” so be wary. More info on these creatures here.
Sea Turtles
During the evenings, you’ll see groups of people along the shoreline watching the sunset. You may also catch a glimpse of sea turtles as they come in for the evening. They rest on the shore and head back out in the early mornings. Please keep your distance from these protected animals and do not touch them.
Final Thoughts
The Hyatt Regency Maui is a gorgeous family friendly resort. It has all the amenities and services you need to be spoiled, relax, have a good time, and enjoy your trip. Being only a short drive from the airport, it’s located in a beautiful area with many other resorts and local eats nearby. If you’re into golf, this is a great spot for you and the family. The pool areas are spacious and provide a nice relaxing spot for both adults and families. If it was my first trip to Maui and this was the property I ended up at, I would be pretty excited about it.
The property is a little dated but I love their traditional Hawaiian décor. If I can be honest, it was hard for me to give this property a fair evaluation after visiting the Grand Hyatt Kauai. Both the Hyatt Regency Maui and the Grand Hyatt Kauai cost the same amount of points per night on average (25K Hyatt points) since they're in the same category. If I had the option between these two properties, I’d choose the Grand Hyatt Kauai every time. However, don’t let my personal opinion sway you from this Maui property. Many people have their honeymoons and weddings here and for good reason! You will be treated amazing during your stay and you won’t have any regrets staying here.
Interested in other Hawaiian Islands? Check out these guides below!
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