Best Swimming Pools on Maui

Courtesy of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa

Some days in Maui are meant for adventure—driving to Hana, swimming beneath waterfalls, or snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles. Other days, however, are meant for the pool, where a good book, some suntan lotion, and an empty schedule are all that need packing for the day. Granted, hanging poolside usually requires staying at a resort, so the following info is most useful if you’re trying to choose where to stay.

Many resorts offer “adults only” pool areas that are serene and elegant in design; others have pools laden with water slides and activity areas that cater to kids. Most have poolside bars and restaurants, which let you order food and cocktails without having to leave your chaise. If all this sounds good to you—and you like to spend your vacation days lounging poolside—the following resort pools are ones you may want to dip your toes into.

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Less of a swimming pool than an oceanfront water park, the Grand Wailea is the gold standard that family-friendly Maui pools are measured against. Seven slides and rushing rapids connect nine different kids’ pools; the rope swing, water elevator, and sand-bottomed lagoon only add to the fun. If you need a little more tranquility, the adults-only Hibiscus pool is just a short walk away.

The Fairmont Kea Lani

The three pools at this resort include one with a kid-friendly, 140-foot-long waterslide, and another with an ocean-view swim-up bar—but it’s the adults-only pool here that epitomizes outdoor hedonism. Somehow, the cobalt tiles and infinity edge seem to cool you before you’ve stepped in, and the pool is long enough that swimming a few laps is a legitimate midday workout.

The Westin Maui

The five-pool setup at the Westin Maui has the feel of a private island, where the view from the uppermost pool to the bottom evokes a lookout from a luxurious mountaintop. The 128-foot-long waterslide offers a fast lane between the two, and don’t be surprised if you’re still finding hot tubs even at the end of your stay.

Hyatt Maui

Adults love the luxury, kids love the slides, and the grotto setting is cleverly arranged to accommodate both. While adults tend to gravitate to the swim up bar, kids can usually be found throwing themselves off of Ka‘anapali’s only rope swing; families that want to hang together can zip down the 150-foot waterslide or wade in the sand-bottomed lagoon.

Andaz Maui

If swimming pools inspire relaxing sighs, then the sighs at the Andaz are likely to be the deepest. Like an aquatic stairway leading towards the sea, three different tiers of infinity-edge pools here face directly out towards the beach. One pool is open 24 hours—and so is the adjoining hot tub. A family lagoon and adult-only pool ensure everyone has a spot to cool off.