A Grand Wailea Lū‘au — Hotel in Maui

Decent Luau experience. We paid $225/pp plus taxes, fees, and multiple gratuities. Overall about $600 for two people. Likely the most expensive luau on the island of Maui. Complimentary Valet parking. Very long, steep walk from the valet stand to the garden entry. After waiting in line in the hot sun we were greeted by the Luau MC and offered blue Hawaiian drinks (basically watered down blue Kool Aid). This venue had two stands for open bar. You can ask your waiter to fetch you a drink or go up yourself. I heard they swapped out the rum for a cheaper alternative. The drinks were way too sweet and had barely any liquor in them plus the bartender mocked us for looking like children. Our server Joe was very good and has worked there for many years (happily). There is a great westward view of the sunset. We were invited to take sunset photos, so we waited in line and participated only to be told it would be an extra $40. They offered temporary tattoos. WARNING: The base is like black acrylic paint. Until it naturally dries it could ruin your nice outfit upon contact. There was a stand to learn how to play ukelele which was fun but brief. They just teach you three chords and then invite you to leave. There were two craft stalls where you can purchase expensive but high quality items. The dinner was served Family Style. The two of us got our own table with way more than enough food for us to eat. The waiters and valet all expect tips so be sure to count that cost too. The luau itself had story telling, chanting lesson, a hula lesson, a sky ropes dancer, and a flame dancer. They had one professional flame master with four other dudes spinning a torch in the background. Overall most of the luau was just live music to fill in the time servers were delivering food or busing tables. There was almost no interaction with the audience (Perhaps a COVID related idea?). The biggest disappointment was nobody breathed fire the entire time. When they were done with their routine they yelled ALOHA and I was left thinking - wait that’s the whole thing? It sure didn’t seem authentic. The venue also reeked of propane (from the fake torches) and marijuana (from folks on the pedestrian ocean trail. The dessert sampler platter tasted like it was store bought. We got lost trying to leave in the dark, as did another dozen or so families. There were two proposals tonight. Sorry gentlemen it’s not an original idea, but if you do it I strongly encourage you to do it in front of the photographer during sunset pictures prior to the first course. Overall: Save your money and go see a real Luau in Lahaina. Book...

I was excited to see this luau with my husband, son and his friends. It started out great. We received shell leis and were greeted by friendly people. There was an imu pig in the ground and they described the process of how the pit is dug and the pig is cooked. Everyone took pictures as they brought out the pig. Then we sat down for drinks and the show. They let people from the audience come on stage and try the hula with two of the professionals. It was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed it. A long buffet of food was served and it was delicious!!

It went straight downhill from there. We waited quite a while from the time the audience participated to the time the show began. They encouraged people to go to the craft area where local people were selling their wares. Turns out that they were not local at all. I am not sure what language they were speaking. I was interested in a necklace that was passed off as made of shells from Kauai, like the Niihau shells(very expensive). They were asking $150, but I was offered a special price of $120. It didn't take long before she brought the price down to $60. Then I came back and offered her everything in my purse which was $41 and she seemed happy to get it. It felt pretty sketchy, a bit like negotiating in a third world country, not at the Grand Wailea!

So the show started out pretty well and we were all excited. It seemed fairly authentic. The MC did an excellent job, BUT then they had a "hula" dancer hanging off of a palm tree on a cloth and doing acrobats in the air like Cirque de Soleil. They also brought out a woman who had an enormous dress with a blower underneath so that the air blew her dress up and filled the entire stage. Toward the end, some of the men were wearing grass skirts and carrying torches. They ultimately put the torches down on the stage and sat on them to extinguish the flame.

The whole experience made me sad, because this was anything but authentic hula. It was actually a disgrace to the Hawaiian people. True Hawaiian hula and music is so beautiful. The Grand Wailea should be proud of the Hawaiian heritage and culture on the Island and educate people as what that really is.

Lastly, we decided to buy two photos of ourselves that they had taken of us upon entry. We paid $65 for two photos that were put on a DVD. When we got back to the mainland, the DVD was blank which seemed par for the course for a pretty...

This was a delightful experience! I want to address the 1 star reviews in this. There were absolutely no birds picking at the buffet, and there is no possible way to see “just the side profile” of the performers. Use common sense, get there at 3:45 to CHECK IN and get your seat assignment. It’s first come first serve! Yes, premium seating is worth it, but we were the row JUST behind them, and it was perfect. Drinks were a bit of mix between heavy and light, I guess that depends on the bartender, but I got a good buzz off it. I wanted to see a show and enjoy a meal, not get wasted! Staff was friendly and helpful, and if you’re nice to them they’ll be nice to you. Common decency. They start seating at 5pm, so plan on relaxing for a bit and get there a bit early to get in line and take your seat. Bring cash for souvenirs (I wish I did!!) they may be on the higher side, but you WILL NOT find them in the gift shops. And while you’re waiting, use that time to hit the restroom! Be smart! Go before you leave, go before the buffet begins, go when they LITERALLY ANNOUNCE that they’re taking a break, don’t drink so much booze if you have the bladder the size of a kitten. Don’t hold the show staff accountable for your lack of planning. Not to mention Hawaii has a noise ordinance, they can’t (and shouldn’t have to) bend to EVERY one of your whims and can’t play late into the night. The performances only get better as the night progresses! The imu pig roast was delicious, and to anyone who complained about it? YOU try cooking a WHOLE PIG underground for 10 hours and see how it tastes! The buffet had a great variety and the desserts were just right! Zero complaints on taste. The MC was charming and had an enchanting voice, and the performers (hula dancers, silks, fire) did a fantastic job. If I come back to Maui, I’ll come back to this luau! The price is comparable to all others on the island, so don’t boohoo about it. Yeah, it’s “pricey” but so is everything else. Budget, be smart, bring your common sense and decency, and a good attitude and you’ll have a GREAT time. MAHALO to all staff and performers and to...