Dacon_R

We will be taking our first trip to Maui this June and trying to decide between hotel, condo or house rental.

Usually we rent houses/villas on our Caribbean vacations but thought it would be good to be in a more social environment for a first trip. Hotels have been recommended (Kannapali Beach Hotel ) for their knowledgable staff- but we are not large hotel people.

So I was wondering if there is a happy medium, eg oceanfront condo-type resorts with on-site lounges/restaurants - so we can mingle a bit ... We don't usually cook on vacation so it isn't the kitchen we care about, but refrigerator is nice! ; )

We may rent a home in Hana for a couple nights, so we can take the Road to Hana drive at our leisure, so any recommendations there are also appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Dawn

DebitNM

This is a lovely area althought it is a bit removed from the hustle and bustle.

http://www.napili.com/

sf7307

Do you know where on Maui you want to be? On the main part of Kaanapali Beach, the Whaler and Kaanapali Alii are the two big condo complexes (there are others on the part of Kaanapali Beach that is north of Black Rock) but neither has the kind of amenities you are seeking. You might look at the Marriott, which is a timeshare property. One or two of the buildings were formerly the Marriott Hotel and were converted into 2-room suites with a limited kitchen. The newer "villas" are full-blown apartments. The Marriott has a really nice pool and some restaurants/bars.

explanation

Honua Kai condos.

Dacon_R

Thank you everyoneM. I'm researching now.. Well, maybe I should get some keep first. 4:30am yikes!

Lookin_Glass

Staying a couple of nights in Hana is a fantastic idea. Lots of wonderful rentals available.

wekewoody

If your budget allows, the Waikoloa Suites at the Hotel Hana Maui are a nice place for families for the Hana portion of your trip.

More budget friendly are the Hana Kai condos right on Hana Bay.

22tango

You sound like the kind of people who would enjoy Napili Kai, a ways away from the high-rises of Ka'anapali, on one of Maui's nicer beaches. Sea House restaurant and lounge there is very good too.

ChiSue

Wailea is home to all of Maui's top hotels -- save for The Ritz in far north Kapalua. Shops At Wailea has several restaurants. All the Wailea hotels have restaurants and bars. Wailea Beach Villas is walking distance to everything. For low-rise, low-density, see also: Wailea Ekahi and Elua and the Palms. The Wailea area is more low-key than Kaanapali.

Dacon_R

Thank you everyone - Napili Key looked beautiful, more in line with what we'd want. Unfortunately not for 3 adults. Next trip!

Any experience with condos at either Papakea Resort or Napili Point Resort? I find a couple through VBRO... but it looks like Napili Point doesn't have a beach...

sf7307

Papakea doesn't have much of a beach either.

SharilyJ

Honua Kai - my extended family rented 4 condos there in 2011 and we are renting 5 condos there this June. It's new - only 3 or 4 year old, beautiful property, feels like a high end resort but they are condos and there is a Duke's restaurant on site. I've always found our units on VRBO.com and we are renting two of the units we've rented last time. You can rent studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms and there are some unique one bedrooms plus dens for the third adult if you are looking to save money instead of renting a 2 bedroom.