Soaking Up The Sun At Marriott's Renovated Wailea Beach Resort

Maui has no shortage of beautiful beachfront hotels and resorts. The first to put its footprint on the Wailea shore was the Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott. Today, the iconic resort provides the same breathtaking views, but has transformed into a new modern resort.

The reimagined arrival experience includes a huge open-air lobby. I loved the variety of seating options, high ceilings, unique light designs and panoramic views of the ocean.  I unwound after a long flight in the Arrival/Departure Lounge featuring lockers, personal showers. and comfy seating. This area is also a great place to relax before heading to your next destination.

Each of the resort's 491 guest rooms and 56 suites features an outdoor balcony with ocean views. I could see humpback whales and watch spectacular sunsets from my lanai while enjoying a tropical cocktail. Warm tones of tan and brown emulate beach shades provide a soothing room housing big comfy beds, a spacious couch and large flatscreen TV.  Standard rooms offer over 500 square feet of space, and I loved the peaceful serene atmosphere. There's also new in-room technology with personal device mirror-casting, custom music streaming, and personalized Netflix and Hulu content.

Across the resort's 22 acres are five pools. Families will enjoy the NALU Adventure Pool with four water slides including the longest slide at any Hawaiian resort. I relaxed in a beautiful over-the-water private cabana at the Maluhia Serenity Adults Only Pool. Luxury chaise lounges overlook the infinity-edge pool for unobstructed ocean views. There are also two Ohi oceanfront pools and a dive pool for scuba lessons and certification.

The resort also revamped its dining options. Celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi has opened Humble Market Kitchin, an ode to his grandfather, featuring Filipino, Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian fusion dishes. Opt for the views from the patio tables over the indoor seating. Highlights of the menu include the Chirashi Kaukautin with ahi, Crab Dynamite, salmon and cucumber namasu; ahi, hamachi, ora king salmon, and ahi tataki sashimi; and chocolate lave cake and pineapple upside down cake.

Dine on familiar salads and sandwiches overlooking the Ohi Pool KAPA Bar & Grill. Menu highlights include mahi mahi fish tacos, Ahi poke, Thai coconut lemongrass red curry and the Kula farms kale salad. Also on property are Whale's Tale casual beach bar with smoothies, juices, breakfast pastries and acai bowls. The Mo Bettah Food Truck and NALU pool bar serving grab-and-go options.

Families will love the Kilohe Keike Club for kids 12 and under offering full- and half-day learning programs. There is also a huge Gamespace venue with football, billiards, shuffleboard and arcade games as well as a state-of-the-art movie house.