Many of my coworkers and friends vacation in Maui – I’ve been sending the same links to places for the past few years – Here I offer my experience for the general public, and friends of friends.

Maui Revealed is a great source and guidebook. Link to Maui Revealed – see Resort Arials and Reviews under Free Travel Info  I found that Google Earth was also very helpful in orientating myself with the island.  I looked for condo rentals on vrbo.com.  I was specifically looking for a condo with two bedrooms with doors.  Most of the rentals available have an open loft as the second bedroom.

The choice was between the Mana Kai, located at the border of Wailea and Kihei, and Napili Point, in West Maui.  Wailea is where the stars vacation and Tiger Woods has a home on the beach.  There are long flat beaches to walk.  The condo rental afforded 2 seperate bedrooms, but it was a “lock out” situation.  The view was of a long flat beach.  Napili has a rugged coastline, is located just north of Lahaina, which was originally the capitol of Hawaii.  Wailea has shopping for the rich and famous, and so does Lahaina, at the Whaler’s Village in Kaanapalli (northern part of Lahaina).  Kihie has strip malls and looks very much like Southern California.  I chose Napili for the view.

Link to the 2 bedroom condo where I stayed my first time

I have had friends who stayed in the 1 bedroom ocean front condo in Napili Point and loved it. I’ve also had friends stay at Napili Kai and raved about it. If you have the money to spend, the Napili Kai is a fabulous choice, as it has a restaurant, bar, pool and great beach access. The rates are comparable to the Westin, Hyatt and Sheraton – which are great hotel choices if you are looking for pools on Kaanapali beach. I’ve stayed at the Royal Lahaina in the tower, which have great views, but the pool is a bit dinky.

There is another important difference between South Maui and West Maui… and that is rain.  Napili gets rain most days whereas South Maui is normally pretty sunny.  West Maui is very lush.

The West Maui Mountains are breathtaking, but they separate you from civilization – and the airport. The single road that connects West Maui to the rest of the island is frequently closed due to injury accidents. I was once stuck on the wrong side due to a wild fire. There is no alternate route – going around the other side of the island is only for locals who live in that area, and is extremely treacherous.

The beach at Napili Bay was also a deciding factor in my choice in accommodations. It’s listed in Maui Revealed as the most fun to play. It is certainly not good for walking along the beach hand in hand – it’s always a slope (being a bay) so it’s more like trudging side by side with your partner much higher or lower than you. The beach down in South Maui is much easier to walk into the sunset.

Back to accommodations on Maui:
Link to the runner up Mana Kai in South Maui

I have found other great accommodations on later trips to the island.  A great deal can be found at the Hotel Wailea, which is up on the hill with great ocean views.  You aren’t right on the beach, but the views are pretty nice and the place is relaxing.  It has a seventies Japanese flair but very comfortable.

http://www.hotelwailea.com/

Of course, if money is no object, I would have loved to stay at the Grand Wailea

Mama’s Fish House is out of this world, spectacular.

I really enjoyed the studio garden cottage. It was so nice not to have to drive after enjoying the fabulous dinner.

Going all the way to Hana – it’s a 3 1/2 hour drive, depending on how many times you stop and who is driving in front of you.  

Bring along some mosquito repellent for your stay in Hana. It’s best to get to Ohea Gulch (aka Seven Sacred Pools) before 10:00 am so you can have it to yourself. Also not to be missed is the black sand beach at Wai‘anapanapa and Hamoa Beach.

 I enjoyed a condo at the Hana Kai, it had a sleep number bed.

Here’s a link to the Hana Kai website
This is the unit with the Sleep Number Bed

Papalani is another beautiful option in Hana

My first trip to Hana was a bit more rustic – the mattress was a bit old, but it was clean and a step up from camping which is available at Wai‘anapanapa State Park with a bit of pre-planning. They also have rustic cabins.

Lani Maka’alae Studio

I have heard that Kahana Sands is a great place to stay, and if you have a family the Westin Villas is a good choice. There are good prices just north of Kaanapali in Honokowai – but Maui Revealed is correct – the beach isn’t all that great, and there’s a smell … also found a smell in North Kihie, so I wouldn’t recommend staying there either.