Grand Wailea - 'Tis the Season

With the frost and snow bringing an end to the golf season in Canada and Northern USA, there remain some spots where the fairways are always green and the golf never ends.   With Christmas quickly approaching, what better time for planning a winter family retreat?

'Tis the Season of Aloha 2014 at Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

Wailea, Maui, HI – A treelighting ceremony, Santa arriving on Hawaiian voyaging canoe, and a gingerbread village built by na keiki (children) from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui (BGCM) are all reasons to celebrate the holidays in Hawaii. The month of December 2014 is themed `Tis the Season of Aloha at Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort on the tropical island of Maui, and Grand Wailea celebrates the holiday season with aloha (love and caring, the breath of life). Many of the December month-long activities and programs benefit local charities including Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, The Maui Food Bank and Women Helping Women.

On Saturday, December 6, more than eight miles of white lights are strung along the monkeypod trees lining the driveway to Grand Wailea for the Treelighting Ceremony. In the center of the magnificence, is a live Christmas tree reaching 25 feet and waiting to be lit by children from BGCM. Carolers stroll the lobby singing traditional and Hawaiian holiday songs, special ukulele and hula performances by BGCM are instant photo opportunities, and guests can make an ornament in The ROCK family activity center to hang on the lobby tree with Grand Wailea donating $1 to BGCM for each ornament made.

Santa makes an appearance twice: Breakfast with Santa is December 14 in Grand Dining Room Maui and families can have their photo taken with the bearded one. Santa and friends arrive by Hawaiian outrigger voyaging canoe on December 24 at 10 a.m. at Wailea Beach fronting Grand Wailea. Hundreds of children are expected to turn out to see Santa sail in on Mo`okia o Pi`ilani of Hui o Wa`a Kaulua. The canoe is Maui’s voyaging canoe and culturally significant.

An Aloha Friday Series in Botero Lounge features Hawaii recording artists, spa events benefit Women Helping Women, art events assemble glass artists from across the country, Hannukkah and Christmas are celebrated, dive-in movies, mermaids and more keep families entertained all month while leading up to the New Year’s Eve party where guests ring in the New Year in Grand-style with dancing, party favors and a fireworks show on Wailea Beach.

Fun for all December Instagram Promotions include Elf on a Shelf (#AlohaElf,) surfing photos in the lobby (#GWSurf,) and a scheduled Maui Camera Club Instagram takeover on the Grand Wailea Instagram handle @GrandWailea.

For reservations or information, call toll free 1–(800)–888-6100 or visit www.grandwailea.com for holiday calendar details, or follow @grandwailea on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.