lindaack

Hi, I am planning a trip to Maui for 4 days, 5 nights in Maui and I am having trouble deciding where to stay. I am a female young professional in my late 20s and will be traveling by myself. I want to hike/bike at Haleakala National Park, check out Road to Hana, go to the beach (I can't swim so I'll just be laying out), enjoy local food and coffee, and just chill. With that said, where would be best to stay? I was thinking Kihei because it's affordable (my budget is $130/night max but I'm flexible, given I only have a few weeks until my trip) and also I could walk around at night and enjoy restaurants and bars, but this area hasn't gotten very good reviews overall. What do you guys think of Kihei? Any other suggestions for lodging? I'm looking for a place that's clean and NOT outdated or dingy. It doesn't have to be beautiful, fancy, with marble/stainless steel, just something that does NOT feel like you're staying in your older cousin's basement.

Any suggestions would be great!!! Thanks.

suze

Will you have a rental car the entire time?

If I were going to Maui solo, I'd stay in Lahaina. Because I really like that town. It's cute, easily walkable, loads of shops, bars, restaurants, things to see and do right there.

sunbum1944

Another vote for Lahaina - or Paia- which is a much smaller town, easy access to Haleakala , fun beach town vibe, famous for wind surfing that is done at Hookipi beach.

No advice for where to stay but in Lahaina I thought Lahaina Shores looked like it might be a good place for a single person-

I was not impressed with Kihei as a town- but there are nice beaches and if that is where you find a hotel in your budget, I would not hesitate to stay there- just not a first choice for me.

MichelleY

My cousin sort of went alone. She was part of a fan group from her local college in California that went to Hawaii for a football game. They then did a side trip to Maui. She stayed at the Best Western in Lahina, had her own room and loved it. Handy to bars, restaurants.

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest..._-feed-_-12012

lindaack

Thanks guys! Yes, I plan to rent a car (which I still need to reserve -__- I'll def do it tonight from discountcarrental.com!) and I plan to drive all over the island. I see that Kihei fairly central to everything, so that was another choice. If I were to stay in Lahaina, it would double my drive time to Haleakala, Road to Hana, and I also planned a day trip to Paia. But again, similar to these 2 reviews, it appears that Kihei is nobody's first choice...

lindaack

oops, that website is: discounthawaiicarrental.com, has anyone rented from here?

MichelleY

We did. I had reserved thru Costco, but kept checking prices. Discount Hawaii came up with a better price, so I re-booked with them.

sunbum1944

If your activities are going to be in that area, I would not hesitate to stay in Kihei- just not a first choice for me. But sounds like you will be moving around a lot and you will have a nice time using Kihei for a base and some beach time.

suze

<If I were to stay in Lahaina, it would double my drive time to Haleakala>

Maui's just not all that big. We went to Haleakala from Lahaina one morning. It was a pretty drive and not terribly far. I was there as part of a family reunion trip, my parents booked us all at Lahaina Shores. I liked it fine but think it might be a little more than the requested budget. It has a gorgeous pool out in the middle of the lawn out back but the beach is very narrow, right at the hotel. Why I loved it was the easy walking distance into town.

I prefer Waikiki/Honolulu for my solo trips, but if I were to go anywhere else, Lahaina is where it would be.

suze

How about someplace like Makawao? Upcountry near Haleakala. It's a tiny town and no where near a beach but seems like it could be fun... maybe?

jamie99

We stayed in Honokawai in West Maui at Papakea (might be in your budget) but I really liked the area around Napili, nice swimming at Kapalua just north of there, low rise condos. Did not care for Kihei, just seemed like lots of strip malls there.

logandog

Here's a vote for Kihei!
But for a twenty something who doesn't swim I can't recommend much.

lindaack

Thanks everyone!! Ok, I think I have it figured out. I'll rent a car from discounthawaiicarrental.com, and book lodging in Paia, at a b&b, or place I find on VRBO or Airbnb (this would fit in my budget, maybe go over but not by much). I decided on Paia because I like how it's a hippy/surfer town (even tho I can't swim, ha!), also it's close to Haleakala and Kula (compared to staying in Lahaina) since I want to visit various farms in Kula; Paia also has beaches which I love to check out despite my inability to swim. Also, I'm a pretty low-key person, so I do want to check out bars/shops/restaurants, but I'm not a party-er, and Lahaina seems like its nightlife is wilder, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

I decided against Kihei based on the overall not-so-good vibes from all travel sites (sorry to all the Kihei fans!!). I took a solo trip to the Dominican Republic last year and stayed in a so-so resort/area that got just ok reviews and I figured it would be fine, but in the end I wasn't at all satisfied, so don't want to make the same mistake in Maui.

Sound good?? Last words/recs from other reviewers?

suze

>

I guess if you went looking for it you could find "wild nightlife" in Lahaina somewhere, but that's certainly nothing I sought out or even observed.

sunbum1944

Sounds like a plan to me- I think Paia is a cute little town and I am sure yu will find plenty to do.

Check out the Mana Grocery store- it has a great deli where we bought food before out drive up Haleakala - it gets rather crowded but we found to be an interesting stop.

MichelleY

My cousin who stayed in Lahaina is a young 70. She is not into night life, but into nice dining and activities. She enjoyed being able to walk to a wide choice of restaurants, shops. She also went to the Feast at Lele and Warren and Annabelle's.

suze

I really enjoyed a show called Ulalena at Myth & Magic Theater in Lahaina. Kind of a Cirque de Soleil meets luau.

tifa2276

I would stay in Kihei for budget options and convenience to Road to Hana, I'ao Needle, Upcountry and Haleakala - try the Maui Coast hotel. It is comfortable, clean and modern. I stayed there in 2009 and it felt very safe - restaurants and bars a short drive/stroll away.
Then maybe you can move to Paia or Lahaina - although I think Paia is often regarded as boho-chic and I don't think it's that cheap In Lahaina I stayed at the Outrigger Aina Nalu and thought it was cute and boutique-y. I liked the in-room kitchen and washer/dryer and it's a short walk to Front Street which is where all the action is. Enjoy!

ChiSue

We own in South Kihei, a few palm trees from upscale Wailea. My only problem putting you in South Kihei is your budget for lodging. Your money would go farther with a condo. Try Maui Vista, Kamaole Sands, Maui Banyan, Hale Kamaole. Oh, and Island Surf.

Central Kihei is a 'real town', with real local residents (who mostly work in Wailea and Kaanapali). It's not glammed-up any more than any small town in America. It has Safeway, Ace Hardware, Long's Drugs, gas stations, and the usual fast food places -- plus some more 'touristy' restaurants and bars. The life-guarded Kamaole Beach Parks are frequented by locals and tourists alike.

You might also try North Kihei for more budget condos. The sand is fine; the ocean isn't the best for swimming due to currents bringing in seaweed.

I'd feel better about you staying in Kihei than Paia.

I'd want A/C -- absolutely! Some condos in Hawaii don't have it -- not because 'fans will keep you cool', but because electricity is sky-high-expensive in Hawaii.

ChiSue

I just remembered Kihei Kai Nani, across from Hale Pau Hana (much more $$$$ because it is ON, not across the street from, Kam II beach).

Your plans sound a bit ambitious. RTH is a 12-hour day if you do most of the stops. It takes two hours to get up to the crater, and then you'll want some time Upcountry. Take a day to drive up to Kapalua, stopping to browse Lahaina Town. Get south past Makena to where the last lava flow is dark against the blue ocean. You can park at any of the Wailea hotels for a valet tip (or at Shops At Wailea), then walk along the oceanfront to see posh palaces like Four Seasons and Grand Wailea. All beaches in Hawaii are public places.