We purchased VIP tickets for Drums of the Pacific expecting a special experience, but unfortunately…read moreit turned into one of the most disappointing experiences of our trip.
After being seated at our VIP table (#16), we got our drinks and began chatting with our tablemates. Shortly afterward, we noticed water starting to pool around our table. As the water continued rising, it became clear that it wasn't just rainwater, it had a strong sewer-like odor. Guests at surrounding tables were also noticing it and looking around wondering if anyone was going to address the situation.
Waiters and staff walked by repeatedly, but no one acknowledged what was happening. The water continued to rise beneath our table and nearby tables. I ended up keeping my feet elevated because I wasn't willing to sit with my feet in foul-smelling water. Several guests from our table complained to staff, waiters, and management, yet little was done until multiple people continued raising concerns.
We eventually got up to get food from the buffet, hoping the issue would be resolved. When we requested to speak with management, the interaction was disappointing. We were told the flooding was due to water coming from the parking lot. When we asked if there was another place we could sit, we were met with a dismissive response that left us feeling like our concerns were not being taken seriously. As paying VIP guests, we weren't trying to dictate a solution, we simply expected the staff to find a reasonable accommodation.
When we asked about a refund, we took the food we had already served ourselves and moved to a small bench off to the side while deciding what to do. Within a couple of minutes, a representative from Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa approached us and told us that we either needed to leave immediately or pay for the luau. I found this response unprofessional and unnecessarily confrontational.
What was most disappointing was the lack of effort to make the situation right. We fully understand that unexpected issues happen. Flooding is not something the staff could have prevented. However, customer service is measured by how situations are handled. A simple acknowledgment, apology, and effort to accommodate affected guests would have gone a long way. Something as simple as, "We're so sorry for this unexpected situation. We still want you to enjoy your evening. You may finish your meal, but if you choose to stay for the show, the refund would no longer apply," would have been completely reasonable.
Instead, after agreeing to leave, we went outside to finish the food already on our plates and were then told by Hyatt Regency staff that we could not stand outside and eat either. We weren't allowed to sit elsewhere inside, and we weren't allowed to finish our food outside. The entire situation became increasingly frustrating and left a very negative impression.
I also felt especially bad for the honeymooning couple seated next to us, whose special evening was impacted as well.
The flooding itself wasn't the issue. The issue was the response. There seemed to be no urgency, little empathy, and no meaningful attempt to accommodate guests who had paid a premium price for a VIP experience.
I'm sure the luau itself is wonderful, and under normal circumstances it may have been a great experience. However, seeing how Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa handled this situation makes me hesitant to ever return. The flooding itself was unfortunate, but unexpected situations happen. What guests remember is how those situations are handled.
Throughout the evening, there seemed to be very little urgency, empathy, or effort to accommodate guests who had paid a premium price for a VIP experience. The hospitality, warmth, and aloha spirit that are so often associated with Hawaiian culture were not reflected in our experience that evening.
What should have been a memorable night became memorable for all the wrong reasons. Based on how this situation was handled, I would give this experience 1 star.