Travelguy14

I am looking for some help and advice on what hotel/resort and area to choose to stay while in Maui. I am heading over in a with a group of 4 other late 20s/early 30s professionals. Looking for good bar scenes and hotels that are good for singles. Not looking for a crazy spring break atmosphere at all (otherwise we would not have chosen Maui), but want a fun, good vibe with suitable beach, pool, bar, restaurant and nearby town scenes.

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated!

Tomsd

Pretty much up for Maui - up by -in/around Lahaina to Kapalua - or down by Kihei/Wailua - are the most night spots.

Google away - for such sites as www.gohawaii.com for more info.

Travelguy14

Thanks for the note. I am leaning towards hotels like the Westin and Hyatt in Lahaina.

Kihei seems like a good spot for bars but nothing in terms of hotels or beaches. Is that accurate?

Anything going on in Makena or Kahului/Wailuku area?

ChiSue

Kaanapali/Lahaina or South Kihei. Really though, Waikiki has more variety, and, I would think, more singles. Maui draws a lot of honeymooners and families.

MichelleY

Kaanapali and Lahina area.

logandog

Beautiful beaches in South Kihei .

sylvia3

"Kihei seems like a good spot for bars but nothing in terms of hotels or beaches. Is that accurate?"

No. There's more lodging than you can imagine, and the beaches are terrific. I would have recommended Kihei first for your specifications.

suze

I don't know the resorts there, but I'd stay in or near Lahaina myself.

Tomsd

Kahului/Wailuku will probably be mostly locals - where you could get your haole buxx' seriously kicked if they think you are hustling their wahinis.

FaceInTheCrowd

Yeah, Kihei and Lahaina are where you'll find the best bar scene, but neither has any good resort hotels. And none of the hotels in the resort areas, Wailea and Ka'anapali, have very bar scenes. If the choice is based on beaches, Wailea is an easy pick. If it's more the bar scene, Ka'anapali, because it's closest to Lahaina. Did you consider the Sheraton?

logandog

Lots of people rent condos in Maui. Gives you a kitchen with a fridge and a living room to hang out in.
Tons of choices in South Kihei within any budget.

ChiSue

Kihei is a long strip along the ocean, stretching from south of Maalaea to Wailea.

North and Central Kihei are largely residential with the exception of Sugar Beach at the north end. Good beaches begin around 2000 S. Kihei Rd. There are three beach parks, Kamaole I, II, and III. South Kihei has the Mana Kai condo-tel and the Maui Coast hotel.

Almost all of the top hotels on Maui are in Wailea -- along with beautiful beaches all the way south to Makena. Wailea is newer and more 'upscale' than Kaanapali.

There are many condo choices in both West Maui and South Maui. If you plan to tour to the opposite side of Maui often, that's more convenient from South Maui.

Virtually every visitor to Maui reserves a rental car for airport pickup/drop and tours the island. Fewer people plop at a single resort hotel. It's not like some third world resorts where you stay within a compound

For your 'wants' list (Bars, pool, beaches, town), I would choose Waikiki over Maui.

VirgnIslands

Stay in Ka'anapali. You'll find a cluster of Hotels along the Beach that will have a lot going on. It's perfect for your age group. Then you can shoot down to Lahaina for the nightlife via taxi or designated driver.

South Maui is great, but with what you're looking for Ka'anapali will be the right fit.

By all means though, take some time to explore. You'll have a rent a car, so put some miles on it!

wekewoody

You didn't mention a budget, but take a look at the Andaz in Wailea. Very hip. Perfect for what you describe. It looks more like a hotel you'd find in Palm Springs, but if you can get past led uplighting everywhere, Jawaiian music and the lack of Hawaiiana, it might be what you are looking for.