One of the biggest perks of staying at a vacation rental in Wailea is that you’re also close to some of Hawaii’s most spectacular resort territory. And every now and then, you may want to go full resort for a day to experience the fancy pools, the waterslides, the swim-up bar, and perhaps a mai tai while you’re horizontal in a lounge chair. The good news is that you don’t have to book a $1,200/night room to do it. Just grab a Wailea resort day pass and go!
Resort day passes have become a legitimate travel hack for Wailea visitors, and the Wailea/Makena strip south of Kihei has several world-class options to choose from. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to! Here’s what you need to know about each resort’s pool complex, waterslide situation, pricing, and family-friendliness, so you can pick the right splurge for your crew.
How Resort Day Passes Work
Most Wailea resorts sell day passes through ResortPass.com — a third-party platform that lets non-guests book pool access, spa days, or cabanas at luxury hotels by the day. A few resorts also sell passes directly on their own websites.
Passes typically include pool access, a lounge chair, and towels. Some include food and beverage credits; others don’t. Pricing is dynamic (like airline fares, where the same day can be cheaper or pricier depending on demand and how far in advance you book), so the figures below are ranges to expect rather than fixed prices. Always check ResortPass for current availability before you go.
One important tip: book in advance. Popular dates sell out, especially during school breaks and weekends.
The Resorts, Ranked for Families
1. Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
The Legend — Worth Knowing About Even If You Can’t Always Get In
Let’s start with the one everyone asks about. The Grand Wailea might just have the most spectacular resort pool complex in all of Hawaii. Even if day passes aren’t always available for a given date, every Wailea visitor should at least know a bit about this fantastic option.
The pool complex: The Wailea Canyon Activity Pool is a 770,000-gallon, 2,000-foot-long network of nine interconnected pools across six levels. It has seven waterslides, six waterfalls, a lazy river, caves, a Tarzan rope swing, a sand “baby beach,” three jacuzzis, and a swim-up bar. Five of the waterslides are open to guests of all ages; two (the Lava and Puka slides) require a 48-inch height minimum. The longest slide is 325 feet, a serious ride by any measure.
The resort’s crown jewel is the world’s only water elevator, which carries you back up through the complex rather than making you climb stairs. Slides are open daily from 10am to 5pm; the water elevator runs 11am to 4pm.
Day pass availability: Here’s the honest truth: the Grand Wailea does not have a reliable, always-available day pass program. Passes do appear on ResortPass from time to time, typically spa access and occasionally cabana packages too, but the full pool complex is not consistently accessible to non-guests. The resort prioritizes its overnight guests, and when inventory is available, it goes fast. Cabana packages, when they appear, run around $950 and represent the primary way non-guests can access the pool area.
Our recommendation: Check ResortPass for your specific dates. If a pool or cabana pass is available and the pricing works for you, go for it! But don’t plan your entire trip around it. If it’s not available, the options below are genuinely excellent alternatives.
The bottom line for families: If you ever want to justify a night (or three) at the Grand Wailea itself, the pool complex alone can make it worth the extra splurge. For day visits, just keep checking ResortPass to see if anything opens up.
2. Wailea Beach Resort, Marriott, Maui
Best Pick for Families Who Want the Biggest Thrills
If waterslides are the mission, this may be your top pick. The Wailea Beach Resort probably has the most impressive waterslide setup of any day-pass-accessible property in Wailea, and the family reviews back it up.
The pool complex: Three pools anchor the property:
- Nalu Adventure Pool — the family showstopper, featuring four waterslides, a waterfall-showered grotto, and a whirlpool spa
- ‘Ohi Pool — a dramatic all-ages infinity pool with sweeping ocean views
- Olakino Pool — an adults-only wellness sanctuary (nice to know about, but your kids won’t be allowed in)
The waterslides: The star of the show is the Big Kahuna, a 325-foot slide described by guests as a smooth, exhilarating ride that adults love just as much as kids. There are four slides total in the Nalu pool: two large slides (including the Big Kahuna) require a 48-inch height minimum, and two smaller slides are open to all ages and perfect for younger children.
A note on that 48-inch height rule: Most kids eight (8) years and older will clear the requirement, but it’s worth measuring before you go if you’re unsure. And then some of the pool attendants don’t actually care too much if you’re an inch or two short!
What guests say: Family reviews are outstanding. Guests describe it as a “perfect 10 for family friendliness” and note that kids talk about the Nalu pool for weeks after the trip. It’s an active, high-energy atmosphere that can feel more like a waterpark than a tranquil oasis. And maybe that’s exactly what you’re looking for?
Dining: Day pass guests have full access to resort dining, including Humble Market Kitchin, KAPA Bar & Grill, Whale’s Tale bar and lounge, and the Mo’ Bettah Food Truck for quick, casual local-style plates.
Day pass pricing: Available through ResortPass. Pricing typically runs in the range of $50–$75 per person, though this varies by date and demand. Lounge chairs and towels are included. Reef-safe sunscreen and cold fruit-infused water are complimentary on-site.
Best for: Families with kids who want maximum waterslide fun. Active, high-energy vibe. Located directly on Wailea Beach.
3. Fairmont Kea Lani
Best Balance of Family Fun and Genuine Luxury
The Fairmont sits on the southern end of Wailea’s resort row, right on Polo Beach, one of the more uncrowded and beautiful stretches of sand on the South Maui coast. It hits a sweet spot that’s hard to find: genuinely fun for kids, genuinely relaxing for adults, and not so hectic that you leave exhausted.
The pool complex: Three pools in total:
- Two family lagoon-style pools: lushly landscaped, connected by a waterslide, with a tropical resort atmosphere that oozes Hawaii from every angle
- Keiki splash pool: a dedicated shallow wading area for younger children
- Adults-only Serenity Pool: for when the grown-ups want some quiet time for themselves
- Also: two hot tubs, a waterfall, swim-up bar, and a basketball hoop
The waterslide: A 140-foot waterslide connects the two family pools. It’s thrilling enough for adults but comfortable for kids and there does not appear to be a height requirement (unlike the Marriott’s 48-inch rule), making it more accessible across ages. It’s not as extreme as the Marriott’s Big Kahuna, but it’s still a proper slide in a beautiful setting.
What guests say: Reviewers consistently praise the lounge chair availability (“a nearly unending supply of lawn chairs”) and the relaxed, welcoming family atmosphere. The resort’s all-suite layout gives everything a spacious, uncrowded feel even when it’s busy. Guests note feeling genuinely welcomed rather than merely tolerated as day pass visitors.
Dining: Full poolside food and beverage service is available through dedicated pool servers. The resort has multiple restaurants on property and day pass guests can place orders poolside.
Day pass pricing: Available through ResortPass and also directly through the Fairmont Kea Lani’s own ResortPass page. Individual day passes typically run around $125/person. The resort also offers a Family Pass, a single bundled price for the whole family, which can represent significant savings over buying individual passes. Check ResortPass for current family pass pricing and availability.
Best for: Families who want a waterslide plus a genuinely luxurious, unhurried atmosphere. Also excellent for couples who want the adult pool option while kids play. Polo Beach access is a bonus.
4. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort (Hyatt)
The Most Beautiful Pools, Better for Adults Than Kids
The Andaz is arguably the most visually stunning resort in Wailea. Its five pools cascade in tiered infinity formations toward the ocean and it’s the kind of setting that pretty much looks exactly like the Instagram photos. If your vacation aesthetic leans more “architectural digest” than “waterpark,” this is your spot.
The pool complex: Five pools across 15 beachfront acres:
- Three cascading ocean-facing infinity pools (the signature visual of the property)
- One lagoon pool (the “Bumbye Pool” is zero-entry and great for kids)
- One adults-only Tranquility Pool
- Direct beach access to Mokapu Beach
Waterslide situation: There isn’t one. This is the most important thing to know about the Andaz if you’re coming with kids who have slides on their minds. The pools are beautiful and the zero-entry Bumbye Pool works well for children, but if waterslide thrills are the goal, the Andaz will disappoint.
What guests say: Adults love it without reservation. Families with younger children who are happy to splash around in beautiful pools generally enjoy it too. Families expecting waterslide action specifically tend to note the absence as a letdown.
Dining: The Andaz’s signature restaurant is Ka’ana Kitchen, an open-kitchen concept centered on Hawaii regional cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. Poolside food service is available to day pass guests. If you’re a food-motivated traveler, the combination of exceptional poolside service and a kitchen this serious about local food might tip the scales in favor of the Andaz even without the slides.
Day pass pricing: Available through ResortPass. Individual passes typically run $75–$110/person. Cabana packages (which include food and beverage credits) run significantly higher at around $200/person. Many guests who’ve done the cabana route report feeling it’s genuinely worth it as a full-day luxury experience. Either way, you’ll also enjoy direct beach access to beautiful Mokapu Beach.
Best for: Adults, couples, and families who prioritize stunning aesthetics, exceptional food, and beach access over waterslide action. Not the right call if slides are on your kids’ wish list.
5. Four Seasons Maui at Wailea
Exceptional Service, but Unreliable Availability
The Four Seasons is legendary for its service and day pass guests report receiving the same attentive treatment as overnight guests, which is saying something. The challenge is that day passes here are not reliably available. The resort only opens up passes when they have excess capacity, so you can’t count on it for a planned splurge day.
The pool complex:
- Serenity Pool — adults-only, panoramic infinity views, swim-up bar, bubble loungers, underwater music
- Waterfall Pool — family-oriented with a waterslide (smaller and more resort-ambiance than waterpark-scale)
- Saltwater Fountain Pool — open 24 hours
Day pass availability: If you’re set on spending a day at Four Seasons Maui, check ResortPass frequently in the weeks before your trip. Passes do sometimes appear, but inventory is limited and unpredictable. When available, prices typically run $75–$110/person.
Best for: Four Seasons loyalists and anyone who wants to experience the resort’s service standards without the room rate. Check availability early; if passes are showing for your date, grab them!
Quick Comparison
| Resort | Day Pass (approx.) | Waterslide | Beach | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Wailea | Varies; check ResortPass | 7 slides, up to 325 ft | Wailea Beach | The ultimate pool complex |
| Wailea Beach Resort (Marriott) | ~$50–$75/person | ✅ 325 ft Big Kahuna | Wailea Beach | Families who want serious slide action |
| Fairmont Kea Lani | ~$125/person or Family Pass | ✅ 140 ft | Polo Beach | Best balance of fun + luxury |
| Andaz Maui | ~$75–$110/person | ❌ None | Mokapu Beach | Adults, aesthetics, great food |
| Four Seasons | ~$75–$110/person | ✅ Small slide | Wailea Beach | Service lovers, if available |
Prices are approximate and subject to change. Always check ResortPass.com for current pricing and availability.
A Note on Height Requirements
If you’re visiting with children, the two resorts with the most impressive waterslides, the Grand Wailea and the Wailea Beach Resort, both have a 48-inch height minimum for their larger slides. The Fairmont Kea Lani’s slide doesn’t appear to have a published height restriction.
The Vacation Rental Advantage
Here’s the thing about day passes that makes them especially appealing when you’re staying at a vacation rental in Wailea: you’re already saving a significant amount on your nightly accommodations compared to booking a resort room. In our minds, that gives you some nice flexibility to splurge on a day pass without blowing your entire budget on a 7-night hotel stay.
You get the condo kitchen, the extra space, the option to make your own breakfast (instead of a $28 resort smoothie every morning), and then when you want the pool with the waterslide and the swim-up bar and someone bringing you lunch on a lounge chair, you just book a day pass and go do exactly that for one entire day. Then get out and play Maui’s best golf courses, snorkel with the turtles, or tour upcountry Maui on other days, without feeling guilty that you paid all that money for a resort stay and aren’t sitting poolside the entire week.
It’s also worth noting that not every day needs to be a resort day. Condo complexes in Wailea often have genuinely lovely pools of their own. Grand Champions, for example, where our Wailea Oasis condo is located, has two beautifully maintained pool and hot tub areas that are perfectly suited for relaxed morning swims or a lazy afternoon BBQ. But sometimes you want more: the waterslide, the full-service poolside dining, the sense of occasion. That’s where a resort day pass really shines!
All pricing and availability information is subject to change. Check ResortPass.com for current day pass options at each resort. Height requirements and pool features are accurate as of 2026 but may be updated by the resorts, always confirm details directly when booking.