3550 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, Hawaii, 96753, United States

Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya

resort comparison guide

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort at Wailea vs Kaanapali Shores by KBM

Choosing between Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort and Kaanapali Shores by KBM? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which resort is the best fit.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort resort
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
All-Ages • Wailea • Mokapu Beach Luxury

Best for families, couples, and multigenerational travelers who want a polished Wailea luxury resort with direct Mokapu Beach access, multiple pools, strong dining, and a boutique-feeling Maui atmosphere.

Kaanapali Shores by KBM resort
Kaanapali Shores by KBM
Condo-Style • Kaanapali • Independent Stay

Better for travelers who want a more residential condo-style stay in Kaanapali, with extra independence and a less traditional full-service resort rhythm.

Quick Verdict: Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort vs Kaanapali Shores by KBM

If you want a high-touch luxury resort on Maui’s southwest coast, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is the stronger choice. It has direct access to Mokapu Beach, five outdoor pools, a spa, fitness offerings, on-site dining, and rooms, suites, and villas with private lanais.

If your priority is a condo-style base in the Kaanapali area, Kaanapali Shores by KBM is the better fit. It suits travelers who prefer a more independent stay over a resort-centered vacation.

Bottom line: choose Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort for a refined Wailea beach resort experience; choose Kaanapali Shores by KBM for a more residential Kaanapali condo-style stay.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort vs Kaanapali Shores by KBM – At a Glance

Category Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort Kaanapali Shores by KBM
Overall Vibe Luxury Wailea resort with a hip boutique feel, direct beach access, strong dining, and amenities for both couples and families. Condo-style Kaanapali stay that works best for travelers who want more independence and a less resort-driven pace.
Location Set on 15 beachfront acres along Mokapu Beach in Wailea on Maui’s southwestern coast. Located in the Kaanapali area, better for travelers who want a West Maui condo-resort base.
Rooms & Suites Rooms, suites, and luxury villas with private lanais; villas include kitchens, with select villas offering plunge pools or hot tubs. More residential in feel, making it a fit for guests who prefer condo-style accommodations over a traditional hotel room.
Dining Multiple on-site venues including Ka‘ana Kitchen, Morimoto Maui, Lehua Lounge, Bumbye Beach Bar, Mōkapu Market, and in-room dining. Best approached as a self-directed stay, with dining plans shaped more by the guest than by a resort restaurant lineup.
Pools & Beach Five outdoor pools, including cascading ocean-facing infinity pools, a lagoon pool, and a separate adults-only tranquility pool, plus direct Mokapu Beach access. Better for travelers who want a Kaanapali-area beach vacation with a condo-resort feel rather than a Wailea luxury pool scene.
Kids & Family Children of all ages are welcome, and the resort’s villas, connecting rooms, pools, beach activities, dining, and concierge support suit luxury family vacations. Appeals to families and groups who value the flexibility of a condo-style stay in West Maui.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who will use the full Wailea resort experience: pools, beach access, dining, spa, fitness, and service. Best value for travelers who care more about a practical Kaanapali base than a full luxury resort package.

Rooms & Suites: Wailea Resort Polish vs Condo-Style Independence

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Room Style

Rooms and suites at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort feel polished and resort-forward, with private lanais and in-room comforts like a balcony, flat-screen TV, coffee machine, and mini-bar with complimentary nonalcoholic drinks and snacks.

  • 320 accommodations including rooms, suites, and luxury villas
  • Every accommodation includes a private lanai
  • Villas include kitchens, with select plunge pools or hot tubs

Andaz is the better pick if you want a luxury resort stay with villa options, beach access, and a more curated Wailea experience.

Kaanapali Shores by KBM – Room Style

Kaanapali Shores by KBM is better suited to travelers who want a more residential, condo-style setup in the Kaanapali area rather than a classic luxury resort room.

  • More independent stay style than a full-service resort
  • Good fit for travelers who like a condo-resort base
  • Best for guests who plan to shape more of the vacation themselves

If you want the flexibility of a condo-style Kaanapali stay, Kaanapali Shores by KBM will likely feel more practical than Andaz.

Dining & Drinks: Wailea Resort Venues vs Self-Directed Flexibility

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is a major advantage, with a collection of on-site venues ranging from open-air Hawaiian dining to beachfront Japanese fusion and relaxed poolside options.

Expect:

  • Ka‘ana Kitchen for farm-to-table Hawaiian cuisine with Asian influences
  • Morimoto Maui for beachfront Japanese and American fusion
  • Lehua Lounge, Bumbye Beach Bar, Mōkapu Market, and in-room dining for more casual options

Kaanapali Shores by KBM – Restaurants & Bars

Kaanapali Shores by KBM is the better fit if you prefer a more independent dining rhythm, where meals are not centered around a luxury resort restaurant program.

  • Best for travelers who do not need a large on-site dining lineup
  • Works well for guests who like flexibility over a set resort routine
  • Ideal if your Maui plans include time away from the property

If dining is a central part of the hotel experience, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is the stronger choice.

Pools & Beach: Mokapu Beach Resort Scene vs Kaanapali Condo-Resort Base

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Pool & Beach Scene

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort has a true Wailea beach-resort setup, with direct access to Mokapu Beach and five outdoor pools designed for different moods and travel styles.

  • Three ocean-facing cascading infinity pools
  • Lagoon pool plus a separate adults-only tranquility pool
  • Direct access to Mokapu Beach for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling conditions when suitable

Kaanapali Shores by KBM – Pool & Beach Scene

Kaanapali Shores by KBM is better for travelers who want to be based in the Kaanapali area without making the pool-and-beach program the main luxury-resort feature.

  • More condo-resort in feel than Wailea luxury resort
  • Better for guests who plan to explore beyond the property
  • Good fit if Kaanapali location matters more than a high-design pool scene

If you want the more polished pool and beachfront resort experience, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort has the edge.

Kids & Family: Luxury Family Resort Support vs Condo-Style Flexibility

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Family Programming

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is an all-ages resort where children of all ages are welcome. Its villas, suites, connecting rooms, pools, beach activities, dining, and concierge support make it well suited for luxury family and multigenerational trips.

  • All-ages resort with children welcome
  • Villas and connecting rooms help families spread out
  • Pools, beach activities, dining, and concierge support add convenience

Kaanapali Shores by KBM – Family Programming

Kaanapali Shores by KBM is a fit for families who prefer a more independent condo-style stay and do not need the same level of resort programming or service.

  • Good for families who value flexibility
  • Better for self-directed Maui itineraries
  • Works for groups who want a residential-style base in Kaanapali

If your family wants more resort support and a polished Wailea setting, Andaz is the stronger choice; if you want independence, Kaanapali Shores by KBM may fit better.

Price & Value: Which Maui Stay Feels More Worth It?

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Value Snapshot

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort offers the most value when you plan to use the full resort experience: beachfront setting, pools, dining, spa, fitness classes, beach gear, and Wailea-area convenience.

  • Best for travelers who want a luxury Wailea resort, not just a place to sleep
  • Strong for couples, families, and multigenerational groups who will use the amenities
  • Worth it if direct Mokapu Beach access and polished service matter

Kaanapali Shores by KBM – Value Snapshot

Kaanapali Shores by KBM is the better value if your priorities are a Kaanapali-area base, a more residential stay style, and less reliance on resort dining and services.

  • Best for travelers who want condo-style independence
  • Stronger for guests who plan to spend significant time exploring Maui
  • Worth it if location and flexibility matter more than luxury-resort amenities

Who Wins? Best Maui Stay by Travel Style

Best for Wailea Luxury Resort Travelers
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort resort

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Choose Andaz if you want a refined Wailea beach resort with direct Mokapu Beach access, five pools, notable dining, spa facilities, and accommodations ranging from rooms to villas.

Best for Condo-Style Flexibility
Kaanapali Shores by KBM resort

Kaanapali Shores by KBM

Kaanapali Shores by KBM is the better pick for travelers who want a condo-style Kaanapali stay and a more independent Maui vacation.

Best for Pools, Beach & Dining
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort resort

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

For couples, families, and multigenerational travelers who want a polished resort experience with beach, pools, dining, and service close at hand, Andaz is the clear fit.

Best for Independent West Maui Stays
Kaanapali Shores by KBM resort

Kaanapali Shores by KBM

If you want a practical West Maui base and do not need the full luxury-resort package, Kaanapali Shores by KBM makes more sense.

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Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

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