A Taste of Paradise: An Evaluation of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

Editor's note: This review is based on a stay that occurred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawaii is currently closed to tourists, with the reopening date tentatively set for October 15 at the earliest.

Even with the state's tourism restrictions, Hawaii continues to attract travelers globally, and we hope this review aids in planning your future trips once it is safe to travel again.

This review is based on a pre-pandemic experience, and upcoming stays may differ significantly.

Check out TPG's Hawaii destination hub for more insights on reaching the islands, accommodations, and activities to enjoy during your visit.

Prior to the widespread outbreak of the coronavirus in the U.S., I took a brief getaway to Hawaii, enjoying a couple of nights at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa located near Lahaina on Maui. I fell in love with the resort, but returning might be out of reach unless I had a generous supply of World of Hyatt points.

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Here’s a glimpse of my stay before the pandemic hit.

Reservations

The Hyatt Regency Maui is categorized as a Category 6 World of Hyatt property, requiring 25,000 points for a complimentary night. Fortunately, Hyatt points are relatively easy to obtain since they can be transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. For example, signing up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which currently offers a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months, could net you enough points for four nights at this hotel just by utilizing the card's bonus.

I used my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to book my stay, aiming to meet a $25,000 annual spending requirement on my Delta Reserve card, which helps me maintain my Platinum status with Delta. However, this became irrelevant when the pandemic struck and Delta decided to extend status for all Medallion members.

The nightly rate for my room was $449, excluding a resort fee of $32 per night along with occupancy and state excise taxes applied to both the room rate and the resort fee, adding another $69 per night. Thus, the actual cost per night exceeded $550 instead of the listed $449. These extra charges significantly increase the cost of staying in Hawaii—my two-night visit exceeded $1,100!

Guests booking with World of Hyatt points will not be liable for the resort fee, which can lead to considerable savings, especially for longer visits.

For my stay, I accumulated a total of 6,860 World of Hyatt points and 1,960 American Airlines Aadvantage miles. (Hyatt and AA have a mutual earning program.)

Location

The Hyatt Regency occupies a sprawling 40 acres along Ka'anapali Beach, located roughly a 40-minute drive from Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui.

While the resort boasts a stunning location, it is somewhat removed from other attractions. An hourly shuttle operates from a nearby bus stop to Lahaina Harbor, but coordinating schedules can be a challenge.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of activities available, including Atlantis submarine excursions (highly recommended), whale watching, Jet Skiing, and visits to historical sites. Many of these activities can be accessed directly from the resort, as whales frequently breach in the waters off the hotel. I also walked to Lahaina, which took me about an hour along some rugged paths.

For transport to and from the Hyatt, Speedishuttle is the recommended option. Do keep in mind that it’s quite a distance from Maui Airport (OGG), costing around $62 each way. While you can use Uber or a taxi, those options tend to be even pricier.

Opened in 1980, the Hyatt Regency proudly claims to be the world's first destination resort. It underwent a significant renovation in 2011, and during my visit, additional updates were in progress.

The hotel features 806 guest rooms and 31 suites, with most accommodations offering private lanais.

Check-in

I arrived late on a Friday night after a 12-hour journey, traveling from New York-JFK to San Francisco (SFO), then to Portland Airport (PDX), and finally to Maui (OGG) as part of a status challenge for Alaska Airlines that I was undertaking.

Check-in was a delight when I arrived around 10 p.m. I received a warm welcome from a staff member named Karen at the front desk. I appreciated the Hyatt's high-ceilinged lobby that opens into an airy atrium, but be cautious of slippery floors during rain.

I had initially reserved a room with a partial ocean view on the third floor. When Karen asked if I would prefer a higher floor, I eagerly replied "absolutely," and she graciously upgraded me to a full ocean view on the seventh floor. The tower I was in has rooms that extend up to the eighth floor.

She also provided me complimentary access to the Regency Club, which normally costs $125 per night. This might have been due to my placement in one of the two towers that had yet to be renovated.

She expressed gratitude for my status as a World of Hyatt Explorist member and presented me with a fragrant flower lei and necklace. It truly made the long hours of travel feel worthwhile.

Room

I had a good night's sleep, which isn't surprising given the lengthy journey. The beds were cozy, though the sheets and duvet were somewhat thin, and the pillowcases felt a bit lumpy and flat. Nonetheless, I was comfortable.

In general, the rooms feel quite dated and show significant wear, with issues like chipped wood, old stains, and a cracked glass table on the lanai. When I unfolded the sofa bed, it seemed like it hadn't been vacuumed in ages, revealing what looked like popcorn kernels and a wrapper that had slipped through the cracks. However, the rest of the room was kept reasonably tidy.

The room featured a nice 48-inch television with a variety of Hyatt channels. Although the fast Wi-Fi was complimentary for World of Hyatt members, I frequently lost connection and had to log back in multiple times.

There was a pullout sofa bed, and while it was not particularly comfortable, it was still better than some I’ve encountered in the past.

During my stay, the power went out several times. I’m unsure whether it was due to grid issues in Hawaii or the strong winds that persisted throughout my visit.

As I noted earlier, the hotel was undergoing a significant renovation during my stay. One wing of guest rooms had already been completed, so I requested to see one of the new rooms. I received the key to Room 969 in the Lahaina Tower.

As soon as I stepped off the elevators, I noticed the hallways had been significantly upgraded, featuring new lighting, carpets, and fresh paint.

The newly renovated room boasted a modern and fresh design, featuring updated lighting and furniture. It felt much airier and warmer compared to my previous room. The lanai furniture had also been refreshed, and the bathroom received a significant upgrade with a larger, more open layout. However, it seems they retained the original bathtubs, which are quite small.

Amenities

This expansive resort offers a multitude of activities to keep guests entertained. There's a half-acre swimming pool complete with waterfalls, a children's lagoon, and the secluded Grotto Bar.

The resort is home to numerous wild birds and even a few penguins, and I spotted a semi-wild cat during my stay.

There is a dedicated gym located along the promenade, though it requires a bit of a walk from the rooms. Nonetheless, it is well-kept and tidy.

The spa, known as the Marilyn Monroe Spa, is part of a spa chain and operates independently from the hotel. As expected, the glamorous icon is reflected in the signage and services offered. The staff was fantastic; I enjoyed both a haircut and a full massage, each of which was top-notch. However, I did find the prices a bit steep: $165 for an hour-long massage and $45 for a men's haircut, although that includes the gratuity. Booking through the Hyatt concierge also grants a 10% discount.

The men's locker room features a nice sauna, a steam room, and a hot tub, all available for free with any spa service, making it a great spot to relax.

Dining and drinks

I dined at Japengo, which promotes itself as a Pacific Rim and sushi eatery, one evening, and it was fantastic. The concierge highly recommended it over several other on-site options and secured a 7 p.m. reservation for me.

They seated me at a lovely corner table where I could watch the sushi chefs at work, despite dining solo. I enjoyed a virgin piña colada and started with chicken satay. For my main dish, I ordered chicken fried rice and hamachi sushi. Everything was delicious, particularly the sushi, and the service was excellent. My total, including the tip, was just over $61.

During my short stay, I also decided to give room service a try.

I placed my order around 7:15 a.m. and was told to expect a 45-minute wait for delivery, which seemed excessive given their prices. Fortunately, it arrived in just 25 minutes.

The staff allowed me to order from the children's menu, which was a more reasonable $11 for scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. The adult version of the same dish was priced at $23. I also added a fruit bowl and yogurt for $9.

To give you an idea, a three-egg omelet costs $26. On top of that, there's a $6 delivery fee and a 24% service charge. Ouch! Plus, not all of the tip goes directly to the server: "A portion of the service charge is allocated for costs or expenses beyond employee wages and tips." What does that entail?

Regardless, the food was satisfactory and there was enough to fill me up, even though both items I ordered were from the children's menu. However, the coffee—both from room service and the in-room machine—wasn't very good.

The Regency Club

Gaining access to the club was a fantastic benefit. It served as a pleasant retreat where you could enjoy a snack along with some good coffee or espresso.

The staff were all very friendly, and the atmosphere was lively. However, the food and drink options were rather standard and likely not worth the $125 per night unless you're planning to drink heavily or have all your meals there.

Service

My experiences with the hotel staff were all positive, and I found the overall service to be quite commendable.

I was a bit disappointed when I called around 8:20 p.m. to request a late checkout the day before my departure. They offered a 1:30 p.m. checkout, but that wasn’t very helpful since my shuttle was scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The standard checkout time is 11 a.m.

Overall impression

I thoroughly enjoyed my brief stay at the Hyatt Regency Maui. The staff were welcoming, the property was expansive, the rooms had been updated, and there were plenty of amenities, making it a fantastic getaway.

Regrettably, the numerous taxes and resort fees make it quite costly unless you're utilizing World of Hyatt points. If I were to suddenly acquire a bunch of Hyatt points, I would return in an instant.

All photos by the author.