For Paris Hilton, family traditions and luxury hotels go hand in hand. Over the last two years, the iconic world traveler has been posting stunning photo albums of her young family’s stays at the Grand Wailea in Maui for their holiday vacations on social media, sharing that it’s been a family tradition since she was two years old, with her sister, Nikki Hilton, chiming in: “Favorite hotel.” 

So what makes the Grand Wailea—a Waldorf Astoria Resort and one of the premier Hilton properties—the Hilton sisters’ favorite? Paris Hilton talked with Travel + Leisure earlier this month, revealing why the resort means so much to her family, including husband Carter Reum and their young children, son Phoenix and daughter London. “Grand Wailea is one of my favorite places on Earth. It’s just so beautiful and peaceful. The second we land, I feel like I can just relax and get away from it all,” Hilton shared with T+L. “It’s become such a special place for my family. London actually took her very first steps there, which I’ll never forget. Now it’s where we make new memories together, and that means everything to me.”

Choosing to spend Christmas and New Year’s at Grand Wailea is not just “sliving the dream” for Hilton; it also means she has experienced the transformation of the resort throughout its multi-year, $500 million renovation, which included the debut of the 50,000-square-foot Kilolani Spa, newly appointed guest rooms and suites, and wellness collaborations with Erewhon and The Biostation, culminating with the opening of the first Nobu restaurant on Maui in early May. Hilton launched skincare brand Parivie this May, so she’s naturally a fan of the state-of-the-art super-spa, which integrates Native Hawaiian moon rituals in its treatments. So far, she has indulged in two signature treatments. “The new spa is amazing. I had the Lomi Lomi Massage and a facial that left my skin glowing,” she said. “I’ve always been super into skincare, especially now with launching Parivie, so I love when a spa really gets it.”

Hilton says she appreciates the other upgrades at Grand Wailea, too. “It’s gotten even more gorgeous over the years. I love how it still feels warm and relaxed, but now with these really beautiful, elevated details. And I’m so proud of my friend Melissa Wood-Tepperberg. Seeing her MWH workouts featured on the in-room TVs at the resort is so cool. She’s such a beautiful soul and has built something so inspiring,” she shared. “As a mom, I appreciate how easy it is to be at the resort with kids—they’re having fun, and I still get to relax. When we’re there, we love just hanging out by the pool, going on beach walks, and snuggling up for family movie nights.”

Of course, the international influencer and hotel scion—who has partnered with Hilton’s “It Matters Where You Stay” advertising campaign since it launched in 2022, in collaboration with her own 11:11 Media company–has a few other must-stay hotels on her list. As part of the campaign and to celebrate her “Infinite Icon” album release last fall, she collaborated with The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on the creation of Paris-inspired “Stay Like An Infinite Icon” pink-on-pink suites. And, while you might think that Paris, France, would hold a special place in her heart, it turns out that it’s another city across the pond that truly calls to her. “London is my favorite city. It’s where I feel most inspired, and of course, we named our daughter London,” Hilton told T+L. “I love the London Hilton Park Lane. It’s classic, elegant, and feels like a true home away from home.”

Another longtime personal favorite: Waldorf Astoria New York, which Hilton recently toured with Gayle King for CBS Morning News ahead of its eagerly anticipated grand reopening this summer. “It’s such an iconic building. It was so great getting to chat with Gayle. She is amazing, and we talked about so many beautiful memories,” Hilton said about her times living in the flagship hotel, laughing about her escapades sneaking out to hit hotspots in the city that never sleeps when she was young. “I’ve spent so much of my life in hotels—they’re a huge part of my story.”

Over the years, Hilton says she has perfected her hotel rituals. Her go-to hotel tips as a new mom are “unpack right away, bring some familiar little extras for the kids, and stick to your routine.” To make her family’s hotel suites feel more like home, “I always set up my skincare and makeup right when I arrive. I like having a little glam station.” Like most of us, Hilton also admits that one of her hotel habits is lounging in her hotel robe. “I pretty much live in the hotel robe as much as possible.”

While slaying her stay and nonstop traveling with her family in tow has become a way of life for Hilton, she says she doesn’t take anything for granted. “I am grateful to be in this era of my life— getting to travel, spend time with my family, and create new traditions. Truly feeling like a ‘Sliving Mom!’”

Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku is a Hawai‘i Island-based freelance journalist and travel writer. She has had the privilege to visit all six of the major islands in Hawai‘i and has written about them for such publications as Fodor’s Travel, Matador Network, Hawai‘i Magazine, SF Gate, Trip Advisor, Local Getaways, and others. Her writing carries with it the kuleana (responsibility) of helping to produce more educated, conscientious visitors to this culturally and ecologically sensitive place, advocating for tourism that is sustainable and ethical. Laurie’s areas of expertise include Hawai‘i hotels, family travel, luxury travel, food & beverage, Indigenous excellence, animals, sustainability, voluntourism, and nonprofits. You can read her work on her website, or follow along with her on social @hawaiitravelwriter.

Saturday, July 19, 2025