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Destination Guides
Where To Stay
As one of the top vacation destinations in the world, Maui can boast more than its fair share of lodging choices—large and small, inexpensive and princely. The 'Valley Isle', as it’s known, is sprinkled liberally with hotels, especially on the coast, while inns and B&Bs can seemingly be found around every corner.
WEST MAUI:
Ka'anapali Beach:
There's an ongoing debate about whether Wailea or Ka'anapali is the be-all and-end-all of Maui tourism. Of course, residents of the West insist it's Ka'anapali, while South Maui locals believe that grandeur begins and ends at Wailea. However, since Ka'anapali Beach was a legend while Wailea was just bleak desert, it seems only fair to give it first mention.
Staying in Ka'anapali is pricy; there's no way around it. The first "fantasy hotels" were built here, around famous Black Rock, and with each passing decade they continue to get more and more opulent. Resorts such as the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa and the Sheraton Maui boast every service and amenity that a vacationer could desire and a few that no one ever imagined! Not to be outdone, the Marriott's Maui Ocean Club has just completed a $100 million exterior renovation.
Often rated as the 'best value on Maui', the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel also offers one of the most authentic Hawaiian vacations. Other median-range lodgings can be found at any of the ResortQuest (formerly Aston) or Outrigger properties.
Kahana, Kapalua, Napili:
West of Ka'anapali, the vacation scene becomes a bit less hectic. While hotels and condominium resorts are still numerous, they are spread out a bit more along the coastline, and cater toward a more sedate clientele.
Kahana is located in between Ka'anapali and Kapalua. It offers lots of condominium lodgings, from Hale Mahina to the Kahana Sunset, located just on the border of Napili.
Napili is a serene, lovely town located on a protected bay. Hotels such as the Outrigger Napili Shores, the Napili Kai Beach Resort and the Napili Village cater to long-term visitors who prize peace and quiet above all things. The beach here is largely unspoiled, offering powder-fine gold sand and foam-tipped blue water.
Kapalua is a golfer's paradise. Its hotels cater to wealthy, mature travelers and to convention groups. The Ritz Carlton Kapalua is a stunning property located on secluded Honokahua Bay, further west than any hotel. Its restaurant, The Anuenue Room, is one of the finest in all Hawai'i. The Kapalua Villas, located on the jutting tip known as Hawea Point, also offer first-class accommodations.
Lahaina
While it's not nearly as hectic as Oahu's Waikiki Beach, Lahaina is definitely the most hectic district on Maui. Many people opt for hotels in Ka'anapali or Kahana, preferring to sleep somewhere outside of Action Central. However, a few hotels in town, while not quiet, are certainly plenty of fun. The Lahaina Shores Beach Resort claims the distinction of being the only beachfront Lahaina hotel. With the beach just outside and the charming 505 Front Street shopping center a stone's throw away, this hotel offers the best of all worlds—at a price, of course. Another option in Lahaina is the Ohana Maui Islander. The Best Western Pioneer Inn offers modern convenience in a charming historic building.
Sprinkled around Lahaina are a number of upscale, serene, pretty guest homes and bed and breakfasts. Visitors to places such as The Guesthouse and House of Fountains can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a quaint village inn, while making the most of the shopping, dining and ocean activities located just blocks away.
Kihei:
A verbal description of Kihei can make it sound somewhat unappealing. Strip malls, shopping centers, condominum complexes and moderately priced hotels take up most of the road, while three or four beaches in the center attract hundreds of sunbathers from the hotels across the way. But give Kihei the benefit of the doubt. It's a real town, with plenty of locals (unlike Lahaina) and some very good lodging and dining value (unlike Ka'anapali or Wailea). While the hotels are not deluxe, they are pleasant and comfortable, and many feature private balconies with beach views.
Hotels and condos on South Kihei are mostly interchangeable. Whether you're staying at Menehune Shores on the north end, the Royal Mauian in the middle or the Hale Pau Hana on the South end, you're guaranteed a comfortable room in an unglamorous highrise, with easy access to beaches and restaurants. Many of the ResortQuest/Aston properties are located on this strip; they are known to offer consistent quality and value. Among them are the Aston at the Maui Banyan, Aston Maui Lu and ResortQuest Maui Hill.
Wailea:
Sometimes, when driving in Wailea at sunset, the view is so extraordinarily beautiful that cars pull over all along the highway just to look. The most amazing thing is that, unlike many vacation destinations where the locals regard such actions as slightly laughable, in Maui the locals are usually the first to pull over.
It's hard to believe, but 15 years ago this verdant, perfectly maintained tropical paradise was an untouched desert. Several foreign developers decided to turn it into a luxury golf resort—with astoundingly successful results. Now, resorts such as the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort and the vaguely eastern-themed Fairmont Kea Lani Resort are rated among the top luxury hotels in the entire world. More intimate, but equally elegant--accommodations can be found at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea or the Diamond Hawaii Resort & Spa, which caters to Japanese golfers.
To say that it is easy to find bargain accommodations in Maui is a gross exaggeration, if not an outright lie. However, anyone seeking comfortable accommodations in a world-class setting is likely to be satisfied by the island of Maui. Discerning travelers with the advantage of a decent budget will agree that, as far as hotels in tropical paradise go, there's nowhere better on earth.
North Shore:
Perhaps you—like a growing number of travelers who usually stay in hotels, condos or resorts—have 'been there, done that', and wish to experience something a little less ordinary on your next vacation. The North Shore of Maui offers a refreshing change, including different recreational opportunities, a more peaceful and natural setting, and a diversified cultural environment.
The North Shore (encompassing Paia, Kuau, Sprecklesville, Haiku and Huelo) has plusses and minuses compared to the more-frequented west and south areas. Plusses: you will enjoy a relatively unspoiled tropical setting and be close to rainforest hiking trails, waterfalls, world class windsurfing, and uncrowded beaches. While there are plenty of shops and restaurants, there is a welcome absence of commercialization and high-rise development. Accommodations will be small-scale, privately-owned B&B or vacation rentals, where you can become acquainted with your hosts and have more access to an authentic experience of island culture.
You will be conveniently situated for a day trip to the remote jungle village of Hana, or a visit to the crater of the dormant volcano. Negatives: few north shore properties offer direct beach access, so it will be a short drive to reach the white sand. No 24-hour room service, and no night life within walking distance. There will be some rain (after all, it is a jungle out there!)
Fortunately, the island is small enough that you are never far removed from all points of interest, regardless of where you stay. It boils down to a basic choice: would you rather stay in a highly-populated and developed area, enjoy certain conveniences and have the beach within walking distance, or would you prefer a quieter, more private and natural setting, removed from crowds and commercial activity?
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Where To Stay
