Paradise, for a lot of, is the lapping of turquoise water in opposition to a white sand seashore with a row of swaying palm timber hovering above. Maui is that this and extra, with beautiful landscapes from volcanic-burned deserts to lush rainforests. You’ll have the prospect to decide on the solar and sand, surf alongside Maui’s North Shore, or enterprise inland to climb volcanoes and seize panoramic views.
We’ve damaged down the island into 5 main sections, every presenting vacationers with one thing totally different to contemplate. You’ll discover a vary of luxurious resorts, mid-range boutique inns together with trip leases full of helpful facilities. Maui might not be essentially the most budget-friendly vacation spot, however we’ve additionally compiled some inviting price range choices and defined how one can save.
Able to plan your subsequent trip to the Valley Isle? Discover your excellent house away from house in our information to the place to remain in Maui.
The Greatest Locations To Keep On Maui
Acquired no time to waste and need to know the place to remain in Maui? These are the perfect inns and trip leases to go well with each price range.
First time to Maui? First-timers will love staying in West Maui with the right mixture of rest, historical past, and actions. Go on to West Maui for particulars.
Every area in Maui has one thing totally different to supply. When weighing the professionals and cons of every, it’s vital to know what sort of trip you take pleasure in essentially the most. South Maui is the go-to spot because of the vary of resorts, whereas East Maui is extra distant, with few inns however is a chilled getaway.
Greatest Luxurious Lodge in Maui: Grand Wailea Resort
A member of Waldorf Astoria Resorts, Grand Wailea is the final word luxurious resort in Maui. These after an unforgettable trip, whether or not you’re a household or in your honeymoon, can take pleasure in over 40 acres of tropical gardens with personal entry to the beautiful Wailea Seashore.
From the second you stroll into the enchanting foyer, you’ll embark on an opulent expertise as memorable because the Maui sundown. Your lodging will function a non-public and furnished terrace, with the lavatory enveloped by Italian marble and the prospect to soak within the inviting tub.
There are a number of on-site eating places to select from, however for date evening don’t go up a night at Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Set above a romantic oceanfront you possibly can pattern native delicacies as the celebs glisten and the water sparkles.
Grand Wailea Resort additionally comes with a full-service spa. Providing a variety of calming therapies, Spa Grande additionally encompasses a hydrotherapy tub circuit. For households, head to the Wailea Canyon water park with 9 outside swimming pools, a lazy river, caves, and a water slide.
Extra Luxurious Resorts in Maui:
Greatest Mid-Vary Lodge in Maui: Napili Shores
Completely straddling the road between reasonably priced and a luxurious resort, Napili Shores presents wonderful consolation and views at a extra accessible worth. Alongside the northwest coast of Maui, Napili Shores brings small-town Maui to life. Have quick access to the gorgeous Napili Bay and expansive views out of your personal balcony.
Together with wonderful vistas, visitor’s lodge rooms will even include a completely geared up kitchen nice for saving on the restaurant payments. Whilst you’ll additionally have the ability to chill out in your seating space after an enormous day exploring.
Past your room, the resort is comprised of two massive swimming swimming pools and a sizzling tub. Take your choose from a day on the ocean or just chill by the pool in your solar lounge. Should you don’t really feel like cooking, you gained’t should go far for a meal because of the oceanfront Gazebo restaurant. Come for breakfast and lunch earlier than embarking on the seaside strolling path by way of the tropical landscapes.
Extra Mid-Vary Resorts in Maui:
Greatest Finances Lodge in Maui: Penthouse in Kihei
True price range inns are arduous to search out in Maui. Condos are your finest guess for locating high quality lodging at an affordable worth, particularly if you wish to keep within the standard spot, South Maui.
Proper throughout from Kamaole Seashore II, within the cute city of Kihei, take pleasure in spectacular views out of your top-floor condominium out into the turquoise Pacific Ocean. Open the home windows and let the breeze sweep by way of your house away from house.
Apart from the views, the perfect a part of this expertise is that you simply’re in a resort. Have built-in facilities at your disposal whereas simply with the ability to escape from all of it and prepare dinner up your personal feast in your full kitchen. Your condominium additionally has an exercise closet with seashore chairs, coolers, and towels, so that you’ll be prepared for that first seashore day.
Extra Finances Resorts in Maui:
The 6 Greatest Areas to Keep in Maui
Maui is a simple island to navigate. It’s damaged up into 6 most important areas which we’ll spotlight and allow you to know the place we predict are the perfect locations to remain.
No matter which neighborhood you select to remain in Maui, there isn’t any scarcity of wonderful views. Though not an enormous island, Maui is finest explored whenever you lease a automotive. It means that you can cowl extra of the island and provides you the liberty to benefit from the Maui tradition.
West Maui
Providing a unbelievable vary of luxurious resorts and upscale condos, West Maui is the right location for {couples} and people trying to find a layer of extravagance. However when you like your days to proceed into the night, you then gained’t have a scarcity of nightlife to take pleasure in as soon as the solar goes down.
Developed within the Nineteen Sixties to assist showcase the beautiful seashores and the West Maui Mountains to vacationers, you’ll discover a number of well-planned resort communities. On the leeward facet of the island, West Maui sees much less rain than different areas and may seem like dryer. However it doesn’t take a lot away from the spectacular surroundings.
There are totally different elements of West Maui to contemplate, particularly when you’re deciding between an opulent resort or one thing slightly extra adventurous. One of many first deliberate resort communities is Ka’anapali. The place you’ll discover an array of inns, condos, and resorts enveloping the golden sand seashores.
Kapalua is an upscale resort space the place you possibly can keep within the Ritz Carlton, with a wide range of trip leases positioned on high of the beautiful bluffs with entry to distinctive golf programs.
Should you’re trying to find one thing with slightly extra native tradition and the prospect to expertise the pure world, then take a look at Lahaina and Napili. The previous is a historic whaling village full of delicious native eating places alongside Entrance Avenue. Lahaina is the departure level for a lot of underwater adventures, akin to scuba diving, and is an ideal launch level for whale watching.
Simply north of Lahaina, you’ll discover the well-known Kaanapali Seashore. The expansive white sands stretch across the shoreline, providing loads of room to search out your personal slice of heaven. Once you aren’t buying and selling the turquoise ocean for the smooth sand, head to the north finish, the place you’ll uncover Black Rock. On arrival, you could spot folks leaping off the cliff-face into the deep water beneath. Be at liberty to hitch or embark on some unbelievable snorkeling.
As for Napili, house to the enchanting Napili Bay, you’ll discover a laid-back environment amongst a set of small resorts and condos that don’t overtake the skyline. The group wraps round Napili Bay, providing company the prospect to snorkel or dive within the turquoise waters.
It’s straightforward to see why West Maui is likely one of the finest locations to remain in Maui. Though it’s not the most affordable area on the island, you’ll discover a number of budget-friendly choices with the general common room price far beneath that present in South Maui.
South Maui
After West Maui, South Maui is the most well-liked vacation spot on the island for vacationers. Simply 20 minutes from the airport, it’s simply accessible with the seashore, eating places, and outlets proper in your doorstep. People who arrive at this finish of Maui will normally select between both Kihei or the famed Wailea.
Just like the western area, South Maui additionally faces the leeward facet, with a decrease likelihood the climate will preserve you inside. Or at the least reduce the chance of dancing within the rain. Vacationers flock to South Maui in nice numbers because of the wonderful array of white sand seashores, none extra famend than Kamehameha, in Kihei. Technically a trio of seashores generally known as Kame I, II, III, this pleasant stretch of sand results in electrical blue water excellent for laying in your again and basking in paradise.
Kihei isn’t simply in regards to the seashores nonetheless, the city on the southwest coast has a bigger quantity of condos and trip leases than Wailea whereas being a less expensive choice in South Maui for these on a price range. Kihei has some similarities with Lahaina, minus the lovable downtown. You’ll discover a wide array of actions on and off the water, from browsing and SUP classes to adventures within the Kealia Pond Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. On each fourth Friday of the month, you possibly can expertise the Kihei 4th Friday City Celebration for a enjoyable nightlife expertise that’s additionally family-friendly.
Wailea has the most important focus of luxurious resorts. With an exquisite mixture of facilities, Wailea resorts cater to {couples}, honeymooners, and even households. Wailea can also be house to the one adults-only resort on Maui. Take pleasure in a calming trip, some with waterfront infinity-edge swimming pools, personal seashore entry, and loads of upscale eating places inside strolling distance. Nevertheless, not like Kihei, you’ll discover few off-site meals choices and purchasing to embark on.
Such stunning seashores and main resorts don’t come low-cost. The key downside for South Maui is the value level, though you could discover a budget-friendly trip rental in Kihei. Vacationers must also bear in mind that lots of their chosen water adventures, akin to whale watching boat excursions, will depart from Maalaea Harbor, a few 20-minute drive away.
High Rated Resorts in South Maui
Maui’s North Shore
With the 2 hottest areas of Maui lined, let’s have a look at the island’s North Shore, which presents a better perception into one of the spectacular Hawaiian islands. Nearer to the pure wonders of Maui, however slightly farther from a few of the higher swimming seashores, the North Shore is all about shutting off from the world and respiratory within the serenity.
West and South Maui is a big resort space, with helpful facilities on website. But when your crew isn’t an enormous fan of that sort of journey, then the North Shore can also be an incredible different. Away from the crowds and the pesky vacationer traps, take pleasure in a neighborhood expertise. Discover the rainforests and the boho vibe in cities like Pa’ia and Ha’iku. As soon as a hippie surfer city, Pa’ia has stored its vibe all through its improvement.
Households can take pleasure in quite a few family-friendly inns and laid-back eating in Pa’ia with loads of hearty fare on provide. The principle exception to the rule is arguably the perfect restaurant on Maui, Mama’s Fish Home.
There are kid-friendly seashores such because the aptly named Child Seashore and Baldwin Cove. In case your younger one is a little bit of an intrepid explorer, then make your strategy to Ho’okipa Seashore for the character on provide. There’s an abundance of tide swimming pools to find whereas the off-shore snorkeling is a delight to the senses. At evening, collect as a household and watch the ocean turtles come collectively proper earlier than sundown.
I discussed that the North Shore isn’t famend for its enjoyable swimming seashores, however it’s house to world-class waters for adventurous souls. All alongside the North Shore, you’ll discover some distinctive browsing experiences for people who know their method round some gnarly breaks. There’s a cause the North Shore is house to a number of professional tour occasions. When exploring the tide swimming pools at Ho’okipa Seashore, you might even see a bunch of windsurfers benefiting from the coastal winds. They will need to have heard that the seashore can also be thought of the windsurfing capital of the world.
As for {couples} who need their very own romantic escape, the North Shore is house to a handful of upscale boutique inns the place you possibly can bask within the splendid views away from the crowds. Hand-in-hand, roam the comfortable city of Pa’ia and alongside the seashores the place the waves tumble down alongside the night solar.
High Rated Resorts in North Shore
East Maui
From the crest of the North Shore area, the Street to Hana begins its illustrious journey alongside the rugged coast of East Maui. The well-known drive is a must-do no matter the place you select to base your self on the island. However having it in your doorstep is likely one of the most important promoting factors for this a part of Maui.
East Maui is a set of waterfalls flanked by rainbows and climbing trails by way of rainforests and towering mountains. On the windward facet of the island, you’ll uncover an undeveloped paradise, lush and vibrant from the current rain. That is regardless of volcanic exercise creating a set of beautiful black sand seashores.
Away from the pristine white sand seashores and the array of seashore resorts, East Maui feels distant. Its most important city, Hana, can solely be accessed alongside the aforementioned iconic freeway. Tucked between the coast and the Hana Forest Reserve, Hana has however a number of native eating places, some scrumptious meals vans, and one main lodge. You’ll even have your selection of some trip leases, however primarily the pickings are slim. For a lot of, they wouldn’t have it some other method.
East Maui is full of issues to do, a lot so that each one itineraries inevitably embody the native motion. Close to to Hana is the Kahanu Backyard house to a lava rock temple referred to as Pi’ilanihale Heiau. After exploring the wonderful botanic backyard, head to Waianapanapa State Park for lava tubes, sea caves with immense blowholes, and an unimaginable black sand seashore. Talking of unimaginable seashores, East Maui can also be house to Kaihalulu Seashore. A pink sand seashore that sparkles underneath the Hawaiian solar whereas the clear blue water laps the sting.
For the trekkers amongst us, a few of the finest hikes in Maui could be discovered within the jap area. These embody the unimaginable Pipiwai Path and the trek to Wailua Falls. It isn’t arduous to see why East Maui is the best vacation spot for people who need to get out and about. Commerce the nightlife and resort expertise for climbing boots and distant seashores to see a rugged however equally beautiful a part of Maui.
High Rated Resorts in East Maui
Upcountry/Central Maui
From one journey paradise to a different, depart the coast and head to the mountains for rural Maui. Because the identify Upcountry suggests, heading inland brings an enormous elevation achieve as you ascend in the direction of the sky to be among the many ranches, farms, and small villages.
Break up by Haleakala, the imposing dormant volcano, the leeward or west facet of the Upcountry is sparse desert. Nevertheless, to the east, it shortly turns to lush rainforests teeming with unique waterfalls and muddy but sensible hikes. The stark contrasts are only one side that makes the native surroundings so spectacular.
Upcountry Maui is the normal house to the Paniolo. You may argue that the Paniolo had been the unique cowboys, whose ranching customs and traditions date again lengthy earlier than the famed cowboys of the Wild West. Central Maui might not have an abundance of cities, however one value visiting in Makawao. The most important city within the area is a unbelievable place to buy at native boutiques or take pleasure in artwork galleries and workshops all throughout the authentic country-style structure of the Paniolo. Should you’re in Maui on July 4th, commerce the boozy seashore day for a customary rodeo present in Makawao.
One other city in Upcountry Maui is Kula. Surrounded by fertile farmland, you could find a few of the finest farm-to-table eating places on the island. Naturally, Kula can also be house to an exquisite farmers market, held each Saturday from 7 am to 11 am. Should you’re up for a culinary journey, head to the market earlier than taking a tour on one of many native farms, akin to Browsing Goat Dairy or the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm.
The most effective issues to do, and a significant cause vacationers base themselves in Upcountry Maui, is to hike to the summit of Haleakala. From wherever on the island you possibly can see the large volcano looming overhead. It checks out that such a peak can be house to the perfect view on Maui. The expertise requires trekkers to get up lengthy earlier than daybreak and make the journey to the bottom of Haleakala. From there, hikers head up the mountain to seize an unforgettable panoramic dawn. Scorching tip, the sundown is simply as mesmerizing, so long as you possibly can deal with the hike down at midnight.
High Rated Resorts in Upcountry/Central Maui
The place to Keep in Maui for the First Time:
For first timers to Maui, pack your luggage and head to the west facet. That is the right spot for these exploring the island for the primary time, because it has slightly little bit of all the things. Not purely adventurous and never simply mega-resorts. Some West Maui highlights embody Lahaina, the primary capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Discover rows of retailers, eating places, historical past, and nice nightlife.
Have entry to powder sand seashores, calmer waters, and fewer rainfall. From West Maui, South Maui is inside attain together with a one-hour journey to the big waves alongside the North Shore.
Greatest Place to Keep in Maui for Nightlife:
Whereas not well-known for its nightlife in comparison with Oahu, you’ll nonetheless discover loads to maintain you entertained on Maui as soon as the solar has gone down. In West Maui, you’ll discover the perfect collection of late-night institutions, particularly within the historic city of Lahaina. You’ll have your selection of pumping bars, beachside patios with stay music, and some dance golf equipment that may carry your crew into the early hours.
South Maui is tamer with just some bars alongside the primary street in Kihei. Some resorts, nonetheless, could have nightly leisure however you possibly can anticipate it to be extra low-key.
The place to Keep in Maui for Households:
There are a number of elements of Maui which can be nice for households. Ultimately, it boils all the way down to what your loved ones needs to get out of the expertise. Should you want to take pleasure in some nature and be away from the touristy spots, then you possibly can’t go improper with the North Shore. A extra budget-friendly vacation spot, your loved ones can benefit from the quieter lifestyle and informal native eating together with a collection of seashores that may preserve everybody entertained for hours on finish.
Should you’re after a resort expertise, then west and South Maui could have you lined. Most inns and resorts could have family-sized rooms together with loads of on-site facilities, so that you’ll have all of it inside attain.
With the majority of the area people, north and West Maui are the perfect spots to base your self to do some purchasing. Lahaina has some nice nightlife, however in the course of the day, Entrance Avenue is house to an abundance of native outlets the place you may get your repair of retail remedy. Go between boutique shops with the odd artwork gallery alongside the best way.
The sleepy city of Pa’ia additionally has some purchasing choices for you, together with a neighborhood farmers market. You’ll even have entry to the outdated pineapple canneries in Ha’iku, which have been repurposed into a shopping mall.
The place to Keep in Maui for Sightseeing:
In case your goal is to do as a lot sightseeing as doable, then will probably be helpful to base your self alongside the North Shore. Though it’s not centrally situated from a geographical perspective, the North Shore is properly related to the perfect motion all through Maui. Consider North Shore like an remark tower from which you’ll see all of it.
Have a comparatively quick and scenic drive to Lahaina, Haleakala, and Hana. Giving you quick access to stunning seashores (white, black, and pink), together with a number of trailheads that take you to the numerous beautiful vistas across the island.
The opposite selection can be to stick with the epic surroundings in your doorstep. For instance, within the Upcountry on the crest of the Haleakala Crater or in Hana, the place the fabulous Street to Hana begins and ends.
Our Cash Saving Ideas for Maui
Everyone knows that Hawaii isn’t precisely a haven for price range vacationers. However there are methods so that you can lower your expenses with out sacrificing your expertise in paradise.
One of many finest methods to economize in Maui is to remain in a condominium. Many condos are part of native resorts granting entry to surrounding eating places, swimming pools, and seashores. They’re cheaper than lodge rooms and include full kitchens so it can save you on consuming out.
Low season journey comes with decrease room charges and cheaper flights. Arrive between February and Might for strong climate and whale watching season with out the crowds and peak costs.
Getting Round Maui
After arriving at Kahului Airport, you’ll have a wide range of selections for getting round Maui. You may base your self in a sure location and embark on day excursions. Many inns could have shuttles to native locations akin to outlets and sights. These are extra prevalent in West and South Maui.
There are 14 bus routes across the island, with the world round Hana being serviced the least. A one-way fare for all routes will value $2 with a day go going for $4.
Nevertheless, if you wish to see as a lot of Maui as doable, then you will have to rent a automotive. This will probably be one of the simplest ways to drive the Street to Hana and see the extra distant areas in Maui’s Upcountry.