For our short fall break, we decided to take a long weekend trip to Maui, Hawaii. I know that might sound a little crazy, but since we live in Phoenix, it’s actually a pretty easy trip for us — and we’ve gone almost every year in our 17 years of marriage. I couldn’t skip our annual visit!

For this stay, we decided to split our time between the Andaz Maui and the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort. Both are amazing Hyatt resorts, but they offer very different experiences.

Full review of each property below:

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

Andaz Maui Resort in Wailea

Here’s my full comparison of the two properties — hopefully it helps you decide which resort is the best fit for your next Maui getaway!

Booking on Hyatt Points in Maui

If you’re booking with points (which you should be if you follow me on Instagram!), the Hyatt Regency Maui is a Category 6 property with award nights ranging from 21,000 to 29,000 points per night.

The Andaz Maui is a Category 8 property, with award rates ranging from 35,000 to 45,000 points per night, depending on whether your stay falls during off-peak, standard, or peak dates.

In short: If you want to stretch your points, the Hyatt Regency Maui is the obvious choice!

Location on Maui

The Hyatt Regency Maui is located on the western side of Maui in Lahaina. It’s surrounded by other beachfront resorts, giving it a more casual, family-friendly feel rather than an ultra-luxury vibe. Since the Lahaina fires, much of the historic town was destroyed, but it’s now being rebuilt and restored. Nearby, you’ll find Whalers Village, a beachfront shopping area with great restaurants and stores—just a 15-minute scenic walk from the resort. There are plenty of dining options in the area, and Napili Bay, one of our favorite beaches, is only 10 minutes away by car. The western side of Maui tends to be warmer and drier than other parts of the island.

The Andaz Maui sits in Wailea, my favorite area of Maui. Wailea is known for its lush landscapes, luxury resorts, and tree-lined streets with beautiful golf courses. The Andaz is surrounded by other high-end resorts like the Wailea Beach Marriott, Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, and Fairmont Kea Lani. It’s an easy walk to The Shops at Wailea, where you’ll find great restaurants and boutiques. Parking is free at The Shops at Wailea, while Whalers Village charges unless you get restaurant validation.

In short:

• Choose Hyatt Regency Maui for a family-friendly location in Lahaina, close to shops, restaurants, and a variety of nearby beaches.
• Choose Andaz Maui for a more upscale, lush location in Wailea, with luxury resorts, tree-lined streets, golf courses, and easy access to shops and dining.

Hotel Beaches Regency vs Andaz

Both resorts are oceanfront, but the beach directly in front of the Hyatt Regency Maui is currently closed due to erosion and restoration work. You can still access the beach by walking a little farther down the coastal walkway, though there’s some coral in the water. If you continue along the boardwalk, you’ll find better swimming areas nearby. We drove about 10 minutes north to Kahekili Beach Park, which has free parking, calm, crystal-clear water, and plenty of shady trees—it’s one of our favorite nearby spots. While the beach in front of the Hyatt isn’t ideal, there are still beautiful, swimmable areas within a short walk or drive, and exploring new beaches is part of the fun in Hawaii anyway.

The beach in front of the Andaz Maui, on the other hand, is fantastic—calm water, soft sand, and resort-provided chairs and umbrellas make it easy to relax.

If you prefer to stay at the resort and not explore much (or won’t have a car), the Andaz Maui is the clear winner for the best oceanfront beach experience.

In short:

• Choose Hyatt Regency Maui if you enjoy exploring different beaches—nearby options like Kahekili Beach Park and Napili Bay offer calm, clear water and shade.
• Choose Andaz Maui for the best oceanfront beach at the resort—calm water, soft sand, and chairs and umbrellas provided.

Room Experience of each Hyatt

Both rooms are modern, comfortable, and have a balcony with two queen beds. I can’t directly compare the standard room at the Andaz since we were upgraded to a suite, but overall the style at the Andaz feels a bit more sleek and refined. Both rooms have a small refrigerator, but the Andaz also includes a complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar with snacks and drinks that’s replenished daily, although our experience included only 2 drinks and 2 bags of chips (I’m assuming they forgot to refill it!).

You’ll likely have a better chance at an oceanfront view upgrade at the Hyatt Regency since there are more rooms overall, but you can use a suite upgrade at either property.

In short:

• Choose Andaz Maui for a touch more luxury and the included daily non-alcoholic minibar with snacks and drinks.
• Choose Hyatt Regency Maui if an ocean view is your priority.

Early Check In/Check Out

At the Hyatt Regency Maui, we had both early check-in and a late 4 p.m. checkout, which was a huge perk. One of my followers even mentioned getting a 7 p.m. checkout, which is amazing for those late-night flights home. Because the property has so many more rooms, it’s usually easier for Hyatt to honor early or late checkout requests — making it the better choice if you’re flying home on a red-eye.

At the Andaz Maui, our experience was different. We didn’t get into our room until after 4 p.m., and our checkout was limited to 1 p.m. This may have been due to our suite upgrade, but overall, late checkouts seem harder to get here.

In short:

• Choose Hyatt Regency Maui for a higher chance of early check-in and late checkout, especially helpful for red-eye flights.
• Choose Andaz Maui if you don’t need flexible check-in/out, though late checkout may be harder to secure.

Pools and Resort Grounds

The Hyatt Regency Maui has extensive pools perfect for families. There’s a sandy, kid-friendly pool with a toddler slide and a larger slide for older kids, plus a fun swinging bridge. The main pool is huge, and you can also walk to the nearby Hyatt Vacation Club for quieter Hawaiian lava rock pools, a small waterslide, adult pool, hot tub, and waterfalls. The resort grounds are large and beautifully landscaped, with gazebos, streams, waterfalls, wildlife (penguins, fish, swans, and birds), and plenty of seating. Multiple pools, waterslides, and expansive grounds make this ideal for families.

The Andaz Maui has a more adult-focused pool setup, with three infinity pools cascading down the resort. The ground-level zero-entry pool is kid-friendly, and there’s an adults-only pool, but children may find it less engaging. The grounds are smaller and less lush compared to the Hyatt Regency, with fewer Hawaiian plants and fewer interesting spots to explore or relax.

In short:

• Choose Hyatt Regency Maui for families, multiple pools and slides, extensive grounds, and kid-friendly features.
• Choose Andaz Maui for adults or couples-sleek infinity pools, a quieter and more relaxing setting.

Amenities Comparison: Hyatt Regency Maui vs. Andaz Maui

Both resorts include a long list of amenities in their daily resort fees (waived on award stays), but they offer very different experiences.

Hyatt Regency Maui:
Perfect for families and kids. The resort is full of daily activities and entertainment. The $49 resort fee includes things like:

• Fitness center and yoga classes
• Lei making, hula lessons, and wildlife tours
• Penguin and koi feedings
• Resort trolley service around Ka’anapali
• Pickleball passes
• Beach portrait session
• Discounts at nearby golf courses
• Backpack beach chairs and 24-hour towel stations

This property feels more lively and family-oriented with something always going on.

Andaz Maui:
A more luxurious and relaxed experience focused on ocean activities and cultural touches. The $50 resort fee includes:

• GoPro rentals and snorkel gear
• Kayak and outrigger excursions
• SUP lessons and fitness classes
• Bikes for exploring Wailea
• Lei greeting and welcome drink
• Ukulele, hula, and coconut weaving lessons
• Beach chairs, umbrellas, and reef-safe sunscreen
• Courtesy vehicle around Wailea

I love that the Andaz offers complimentary outrigger and kayak excursions, something you don’t usually find included at other properties.

In short:

• Choose Hyatt Regency Maui if you want a family resort with tons to do.
• Choose Andaz Maui if you prefer luxury, relaxation, and ocean adventures.

The Club at the Hyatt Regency Maui

If you like the idea of free breakfast, light dinners, desserts, and all-day snacks and drinks, the Hyatt Regency Maui is a great choice — especially if you book a Club Access room or use a Club Access Award. It’s incredibly convenient for families since kids can easily grab snacks or drinks throughout the day, and it helps you save money on meals. While the food is simple and not particularly exciting for adults, the convenience alone makes it worthwhile for families or anyone looking to stretch their travel budget.

If you have Hyatt Globalist status or a guest of honor award and prefer a higher-end breakfast experience, the Andaz Maui easily wins. The breakfast buffet is extensive, featuring made-to-order eggs, fresh fruit, and local favorites, all in a stunning indoor-outdoor setting overlooking the resort and ocean. As a Globalist, you’ll receive this breakfast free — and it’s one of the best perks at the property.

If you don’t have Hyatt status, both resorts are great options. However, it’s easier to access the Regency Club without status by booking a Club room or finding a Club Access Award. You can sometimes get these awards through travel creators on Instagram (myself included), in World of Hyatt Facebook groups, or even purchase them on eBay — then just call Hyatt to have it applied to your reservation.

In short:

• Choose Hyatt Regency Maui with Club Access for money savings, convenience, and family-friendly perks.
• Choose Andaz Maui for luxury, quality, and a delicious Globalist breakfast

Final Thoughts

For the best experience, I recommend a split stay—it’s the perfect way to explore both sides of Maui. If you know me, you probably guessed this—I love hotel hopping and experiencing a variety of resorts!

If you’re traveling without kids, spend a little more time in Wailea at the Andaz for its luxury, upscale vibe, and incredible Globalist breakfast. With kids, or if you want to save points, plan a longer stay at the Hyatt Regency Maui—it’s more family-friendly, easier to get late checkout, and still a beautiful resort.

If you’d rather not move hotels, choose the Andaz Maui for a more luxurious and relaxing stay, or the Hyatt Regency Maui for better value and family fun.

Keep Reading

Related: How to Vacation in Hawaii for Nearly Free with Points and Miles

Related: Best Hyatt Property in Maui: Full Review of the Andaz Maui Resort

Related: Review of the Family-Friendly Hyatt Regency Resort in Maui

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