Casting reflects organic diversity with mostly white affluent guests and a more diverse staff including Black spa manager Belinda and Native Hawaiian employee Kai, without race- or gender-swapping or clashes with the setting. Subplots touch on progressive themes like white privilege and colonialism, notably through Paula (Olivia's Black college friend), who absorbs anticolonial readings and orchestrates a theft framed as reparations against the rich white Mossbachers, influencing mid-season drama.

LGBTQ representation appears via resort manager Armond, a gay recovering addict whose chaotic arc includes explicit sexual encounters and revenge against entitled guests, adding queer visibility without centering identity politics. Creator Mike White frames the show around money perverting relationships and the ethics of vacationing in others' realities, acknowledging colonialism's shadow in Hawaii but intentionally underdeveloping native characters to highlight guests' indifference.

Reception was overwhelmingly positive with Emmys, lacking significant 'woke' backlash; left-leaning critics faulted it for shallow engagement with race and imperialism, while some right-leaning voices hailed it as skewering woke elites. These elements feel incidental, enhancing satire without compromising entertainment or becoming the emotional core.