Supermum

Hi, I am travelling from Australia, as part of a multi country trip I will be spending 5 days in Maui...wondering where is the best place to stay, Kaapinali seems to be very crowded with big resorts, but dont know that I want to hire a car and stay further away...ideally want fab beach, great snorkelling and views and resturants we can walk to...any suggestions?

suze

You really need a car on Maui, regardless of which area you choose to stay in.

suze

The only area I can think of where you could easily walk to lots of shops and restaurant and things to do is staying in or very near the town of Lahaina.

logandog

South Kihei has beautiful beaches, great snorkeling and many restaurants within walking distance.

nostongirl

We stayed at Sheraton Black Rock in Kaanapali Beach. Granted it was a few years ago. But it is on a huge beach and you can walk to open air restaurants at neighboring hotels on the beach. You can snorkel there too. We loved it! Have fun!

ChiSue

The airport is on one side of the island, in Kahului. The resorts are on the opposite side (South Maui and West Maui). Reserve a car for airport pickup and drop. Small is fine; you'll pay little more for a car than you would in taxi's and tours without the convenience. Very easy driving on Maui.

Is this four nights? What time of year? Who is coming? (Couple, Family, etc.) Will you want to do any sightseeing? (Haleakala, Road to Hana, Iao Valley?) What's the lodging budget, and how much room do you need? Condo or hotel?

Kaanapali is the original, older 'destination resort' -- in West Maui -- tall elevator buildings -- near Lahaina Town. Wailea is the newer, more upscale area -- in South Maui -- home to most of the island's top hotels. I prefer 'the ends' of the island over Kaanapali: Wailea and Kapalua. (I also prefer low-rise, low-density properties.)

Supermum

Hey thanks...I prefer low rise properties myself but in ideal locations and within walking distance to restaurants. I expect we will have to hire a car. Travelling with my sister so we need two beds and I would prefer 2 proper beds, not a foldout. Have found this Hawaii plan really difficult to make a good choice, everything seems really pricey for outdated accomodation. Concerned about the lack of aircon at smaller properties also. Don't mind paying if the location is superb and the acoomodation comfortable. We dont need kitchens etc, but tea and coffee making facilities and a fridge. Would like direct access to the beach and snorkelling spots...any recommendations?

hpeabody

Look into properties beyond Kaanapali like Honokawai, Kahana, Napili and Kapalua. There are some ocean front low rise condo places all along there and close enough to Kaanapali and Lahaina.

ChiSue

Sounds like you need a hotel room. Many have small fridges and a coffeemaker; some have microwaves. I wouldn't book anywhere in Hawaii at any time of year unless A/C was an option. (You haven't said WHEN you will visit.)

With a car, you don't need to be 'walking distance' to restaurants or beaches. Nothing is very far apart in either West Maui or South Maui. West puts you closer to Lahaina Town. South has Wailea and Kihei and a whole shoreline of good snorkeling; it's also more convenient if you plan sightseeing.

Maui is pricey. Just a fact. Hotel stays tend to be more than condo stays -- in the rate and because you'll eat out all the time. Hotels have more overhead and payroll to meet. However...few small condos have twin beds. You might check with Aston about their condos; as a management company, they might be willing to change out the beds for you.

Inexpensive condos within Lahaina Town are Aina Nalu and Lahaina Shores. Maui Coast hotel in South Kihei is reasonable and is walking distance to the good Kamaole Beach Parks. There are the usual chains in Kaanapali. Marriott and Makena Beach Resort are the less expensive choices in Wailea.

This site has aerials and reviews of most Hawaiian lodgings: www.mauirevealed.com

jamie99

I'd look into renting a condo, it's been a long time and we stayed in a condo in Honokawai called Papakea. However the beach there is not very good so we drove each day up to snorkel and swim in Kapalua and I really liked that area and Napili. Take a look at vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner) and also of course check out the property management sites listed. You did not say when you are visiting but I'd avoid this area in winter as it is further north and gets more rain.
Sorry ChiSue, just did not care for South Maui, we were there in early November and it was very dry and dusty as they had been setting fires in the sugarcane fields up above in the hills. I know you love it, just not my cup of tea.
However it may be what the OP needs, maybe look at a few videos on youtube?

Supermum

THanks so much for your input...we will arrive at Maui on September 13 for 5 nights, so any advice as to where on the island the perfect weather is likely to be would be helpful

ChiSue

jamie99 -- I had to chuckle. All of Maui has had *more than enough* rain this winter. I've never seen South Maui so green in the 16 years we've been there. We are nowhere near the cane fields that line the valley between Maalaea and Kahului. "Kihei" is a long north-south strip along the ocean. We are in South Kihei 'a few palm trees' from Wailea --home to nearly all of Maui's top-rated hotels.

I like Kapalua and Napili too, but not when we are on Maui escaping Midwest winters.

FaceInTheCrowd

Have a look at Napili Kai Beach Resort, on the west side, north of Ka'anapali: http://napilikai2-px.trvlclick.com/default-en.html. Mostly condos, but it doess have some hotel rooms. On a beautiful beach itself, and next door to Kapalua Beach; both are good snorkeling beaches. Also has a good restaurant and lounge on site, with Merriman's a few minutes walk away, and the more casual Gazebo at the other end of the beach.

If low density is high on your list, you'll have more choices with condos. Elua Villaga would be a great choice in Wailea, but you'd have to pay a premium on top of already high rates for a view.

jamie99

I hear you, ChiSue. From what I heard from a few of my TA friends, Kauai also got pretty hammered on and off as well, but not nearly as badly as they did a year or two ago.
However the OP is coming in September so they should be in good shape that time of year weather wise.

wekewoody

I used to think Makena Surf was the nicest condo on the island until I saw and looked around Wailea Elua this past February where we stayed at the lower end Ekahi Village about 1/2 mile north. Wailea Elua is spread way with lovely lawns and is set on Ulua Beach which has good snorkleing and since it is not a "hotel beach" it tends to be less crowded. It had a very nice low key feeling. The units can get pricey as stated above.