Te Au Moana Luau at the Wailea Beach Marriott in Maui, HI

Built in the era before building restrictions, this hotel nestles the coast line, one of the closest to the ocean. This proximity provides good snorkeling in the lava flows and coral, but there is no beach. While there are several pools, I missed the beach. The walking path which runs the length of the property provides a lovely way to enjoy the sunset and occasional whale. I made a reservation for a room with 2 queen beds, as I was traveling with my wife and adult daughter. In fact Marriott confirmed my reservation, but when I showed up they only had a rooms with a king bed and my daughter slept in a terrible pull out bed. While they rectified this error the next day. We couldn’t unpack and had to stick around the resort all day until they called. We ate at the Humble Market Kitchin’, Roy Yamaguchi's restaurant at the resort. What a disappointing meal. The signature butterfish was bland and under cooked. My wife’s surf and turf was adequate. Fortunately my daughter’s braised short ribs were good.

I came in for a facial, and it was just ok. My husband got me a gift certificate to come here, and I wanted to love it. I really did. =( First, the ambiance is quite nice. No complaints. The relaxation area in the locker room waiting area is clean, soft, and peaceful. You can get tea, apples, or dried bananas. Nice touch. The showers (or at least the one I used) leave a lot to be desired. The shower head in the stall I went in was clogged (probably due to the high mineral content in the water around here), and it took me *forever* to get the shampoo out of my hair. I don't even have much hair, so for it to take a long time for me is quite something. The drain was clogged and there was dirty water all around my feet. The locker room area has plenty of nice personal care products for you to use, but some combs or brushes would be useful. Bring your own if you go. Regarding the "main event" and the whole reason I went... the facial. I had a facial, and it was just ok. No steaming, no extractions, no typical facial stuff. It was just a bunch of creamy stuff applied and removed, applied and removed. I even left with bits of this weird rubbery mask still stuck to my skin (discovered that in the car). And, as much as I genuinely enjoyed the personality of the aesthetician, she talked the entire time. She was incredibly nice... but I wanted to melt away and enjoy my time and my gift from my husband. I responded to her questions, and I suppose I should have felt comfortable to ask for silence, but I didn't. My fault? The facial itself felt short in duration (perhaps wasn't, but the talking made it whiz by) and the actual facial itself was really just ok. I should have said something when I left, and I didn't. I think I was just so frustrated with the shower, confused by the experience with the aesthetician that I genuinely liked, and just the whole thing. I felt awkward. I live on Maui, and I really wanted a regular place to go. Maybe they can do better for you? I wanted to leave three stars, but "average" didn't seem accurate because this is a high end spa with high end prices to match, so I gave it two.

We started and ended our Hawaiian vacation at the Wailea Marriott and must say that the staff really helped our vacation. One staff member at the Kulu restaurant recommended an amazing restaurant that is 100% Gluten Free. The pool staff at the Infinity Pool especially Terry and Leslie were great. Huge shout outs to Zellie and Judi at the front desk who made sure that we were taken care of throughout our stay. Buffet breakfast was great as was dinner at Humble Kitchen. Great boardwalk along the shoreline to walk or run. Great location to go into Kihei, Wailea area and elsewhere. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel.

I had two massages at this spa last year and they were great. This last week we made appointments and expected the same, however, it was a complete 180 of what we experienced last year. There was no spa attendant, no big deal, until you went to find a robe and slippers in an open locker, they were non existent. Someone getting dressed said he had to get his own and showed me where to go. I turned the corner to go into the steam area and there were towels piled up in the bin. After turning on the steam in the steam room I walked in and it was littered with water cups and towels on the bench and the floor. It looked as if a bunch of kids had come in and left all of there things for their parents to clean up. I decided to just go to the mediation room and wait for my attendant. I walked into the room and at every table there was a glass and a emply nut cup. The water was completely out and was surprised that no one had been through to clean the mess up. I found a clean spot to sit and waited for my attendant. She came and escorted me back to a room. She wanted to talk or have me take deep breaths as she massaged me. I finally asked if we could just not talk and she said that was fine but seemed irritated that I would ask her this. After the massage I went to the shower. I was irritated to see that in every shower area there were towels on the floor and and they hadn't been picked up. I looked at the towel bin and it was overflowing and I decided to just leave. I went to the front desk and told the attendant that I had been to the spa before and it was really nice, this time not so much. She told me that she can't go into the area to clean it up and the male attendant that they had was busy and wasn't able to do it. She was unapologetic that it wasn't cleaned up and told me to come back any time and use the steam room. I asked her why I would want to come back to clean up the steam room so that I could use it and she said that it would be my choice. Just than another person person approached the counter and told the receptionist about how bad the mens locker room and facilities were. She again didn't say she was sorry she told him the same thing she told me, however, he was more irritated and left saying he would never come back he'd go somewhere else. I told her that she should really call someone to go clean it up and she said that she told me that there was not a male available to do so. I told her that I too probably wouldn't come back and to cancel my appointment the next day that I'd take a walk over to the Four Seasons Spa where I know they take pride in their facilities and care of guests. This spa was a nice spa at one time, however, It appears to have gone downhill. My recommendation is to go somewhere else.

Let me first start by saying that I was hesitant to visit this spa because of all the negative reviews about the spa. However, my wife and I decided to give it a try and I can say that I honestly don’t think it deserves some of the negative reviews it’s received. I can say that our experience was good. We have had better spa experiences, but generally it was good. We got a couples massage. It was in a corner room with beautiful views of the ocean. The massage was good and done very well. Our therapists were very thoughtful and took good care of us. We both walked away feeling significantly better than when we arrived. The only complaint I have about the spa is the atmosphere. Generally the environment at a spa is very tranquil and serene. However, at Mandara, it feels a little more like you are getting poolside service. The service is good, but the people are very loud and not calming. It starts from the front desk all the way to the therapists. The ladies that run the front desk are constantly laughing and you can hear it throughout the whole spa. Our therapists were also good, but not necessarily calm with the service. The draping was somewhat erratic. The often felt like my drapes were being thrown on and off of me instead of gently lifted and set back down. Also when they spoke to us, it was generally louder than at other spas we’ve been to. My advise to the spa is to work on the environment. They have the facility and service to make it great, but because of the environment, I’d say it was only good.