TravelGram

I know the question is about Maui, but I'm kinda wondering why more people haven't suggested Kauai she's not interested in shopping and likes to spend a lot of time on the beach. We've been to Kauai and for us it was too laid back. Maui has always been our choice, but the next trip will be split between the Big Island and Maui. We've been to the BI before, but only for a day trip and want to spend more time there before we get too old to really enjoy it.

Sally30

Thanks for all the tips! After sitting on this for a while, we have decided that we would like to spend some time on Maui (maybe 4 nights) and then go to the Big Island after (6 nights). Not sure I can make it work with flights, etc but that is the plan for now. Given the short time in Maui, I was wondering if anyone can recommend a hotel for us. Normally we stay in condos because easier and cheaper for two adults and two little children but, as others have pointed out, the condos in Maui go fast. I figured for a shorter stay, a hotel would be fine, and I was hoping I could get a deal by booking with the flights. Any recommendations on resorts on the southern/eastern side of the island (this is for Feb)that are about $300/night and (ideally) would have a sofabed in the room would be great. On a quick glance online, the prices seemed considerably higher so maybe my budget is unrealistic.

wekewoody

A hotel in Kihei (South Maui) that might come close to your budget is the Maui Coast. It is not on the ocean and I am not sure the rooms even have a ocean views, but that might not be important. Rooms start at around $300 during high season. The hotels in Wailea (South Maui) are all going to be well over budget. There are condos that would fit $300, but you might have to really hunt for one that doesn't have a 5 day minimum during high season. We stayed in a large one bedroom with a sleeper sofa at Wailea Ekahi for around $300, but it had a week minimum.

There is the Days Inn Maui Oceanfront in Kihei. Rooms there would be around $300. It used to be REALLY sketchy, but I think it has gotten better over the years.

There are no hotels that I know of on the southeastern part of the island. There are some rentals in Kipahulu.

Sally30

Thanks wekewoody. I actually meant west (not east)! bad sense of direction. In any case, I have spent way too much time trying to find a place to stay and I am coming away pretty discouraged as far as finding a two bedroom condo for $200-300/night in the South Maui area. All seem to be filled (as others above predicted) or just look pretty run down, especially compared to the very nice, less expensive places we have rented on the other islands.

So, I am wondering if perhaps we should consider the northern part of the island and not worry about the weather considering that for this first trip to Maui we will likely be sightseeing a lot and trying out different beaches. I have not done a very thorough condo search for the northern area but i did come across the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel which looked sort of fun and the price is right. I thought it could be fun to go somewhere with a lot of activities for the kids. That said, I do not want a resort with such fun pools and playgrounds for the kids that they don't want to leave and actually see Maui!

please let me know if you have any thoughts on that hotel and whether I may have more luck renting a condo in the northern part of the island? or more importantly, whether you would advise against doing so in mid-February because of the weather. thanks again!

wekewoody

"That said, I do not want a resort with such fun pools and playgrounds for the kids that they don't want to leave and actually see Maui!"

You won't need to worry about that at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. LOL I have stayed there twice. I like it. The location on the beach is great. It is right next to the Sheraton and very near Black Rock. Your kids would love the beach and it is a very laid back place for you. It is old and it is a bit of a throwback, but it sounds like it would fit what you are looking for. I mean where else can one stay that has a whale shaped pool circa 1962?

I wouldn't worry to much about the weather. Just go and have a great time.

I can relate to your frustration at finding something affordable in Wailea. All of my favorite places book up a year in advance during February.

tifa2276

I like the Kaanapali Beach Hotel because of the whale-shaped pool! (I get excited about things like that, LOL). I've never stayed there but we go to Blackrock quite a bit and we walk up and down the beach and I always look at their pool.

I think it's a good choice for an affordable option on that beach. There are restaurants and markets nearby so it's convenient, and I really love snorkeling at Blackrock!

Sally30

After talking this through with my husband for a bit, we have a new plan. We are not too happy about the condo offerings in the Kihei/Wailea area given our budget and popular time of travel. We are interested in exploring Maui and are planning for a solid week of relaxing (wishful thinking given our young travel companions). On the Big Island we have booked a condo and will settle in for the week. So after looking at the distances for driving and what we want to do, we are now thinking we will move around on Maui and stay on the Hana side for a couple of nights and explore there. I'm a bit nervous about the weather but willing to take a chance (unless someone tells me to expect 90% chance of rain all day every day).
I am interested to hear thoughts on our new plan from Maui experts.

Night 1 (after VERY long day traveling from Boston) - arrive 10pm and collapse at airport Residence Inn

Days 2 and 3 - pick up rental and drive to Hana. Explore eastern side of Island Looking at Travaasa (splurge hotel but saving on night #1) or Hana Kai (condos look comfortable)

Day 4 and Day 5 - Drive to western side of island and stay in resort in Wailea (Marriott?). Explore beaches. Enjoy housekeeping and not cleaning/cooking. Indulge kids' desires for pools, waterslides and other things we could do anywhere and did not need to come to travel to Hawaii for.

Evening day 6-13- Big Island. Stay at our usual condo and visit our favorite beaches, snorkle trip etc.

We are all excited to see the lush tropical side of Maui that we don't always get, at least on the Kohala side, of the Big Island. It sounds like not trying to do Hana in a day would allow us to do that.

wekewoody

I love Hana and that side of the island. I have stayed there on several trips. The Hotel Hana Maui (Travassa) is wonderful. I love the Sea Ranch Cottages. They are worth the extra expense. If you stay at the Hana Kai, try to get one of the beachfront units. Staying for two days will be a great way to start your Hawaiian adventure.

AustinTraveler

A stop in Paia the morning you leave for Hana would be a good idea for breakfast, snacks, etc. It really is a cute town that is mostly ignored on this board.

Sally30

Just wanted to write a quick follow up in case anyone has the same question. We just got back from 5 nights in Maui and 6 nights on the Big Island.

So...to answer my question, yes, we did like Maui and are glad we went to see a different island. But, overall, we prefer the Big Island and I don't think I'd go back to Maui given the choice between the two.

In Maui, we decided to start on the West/South side so that we wouldn't have to do a long drive the day after taking a very long flight. Our flight was changed a few days before we left such that we would arrive in the early afternoon. We couldn't get a room for the first night at the Marriott in Wailea where we were staying the second and third night (had originally planned to stay at airport first night as were getting in at midnight) so we ended up staying in Ka'anapali. It was great to see another part of Maui but that was too many hotel moves for us and our young kids. I liked the Ka'anapali area - nice beaches and relaxed vibe (once you step out out of the resorts). Coming from New England and spending summers on Cape Cod, I think I have an aversion to high rise hotels on the beach. Obviously a personal thing to me!

Wailea Beach is very nice and our kids loved the Marriott and kids pool/water slides. We had to drag them away! But I did not really enjoy the Wailea/South Maui area. Too many resorts piled on top of each other and crowded with people. I took a jog at 6:30 am on the ocean path and was literally dodging other joggers as if in Central Park. My husband had the same experience later in the day. Perhaps we should have tried Makena instead. I did like the accessibility of the beaches relative to the Big Island. It was fun to just stop the car and jump out (we went to the Kam beaches).

After a couple of days, we drove to Hana. I followed advice to leave later in the day because we were staying overnight and doing so was great as we were practically the only ones on the road there. Enjoyed the drive immensely and we loved Hana. The Hana Kai Maui was great for us - was nice to have a kitchen even for breakfast and snacks after staying in a hotel. The two nights in Hana were a highlight of the trip. Highly recommend staying there - there is a lot to explore. Kids loved the tropical garden and swimming in the Hana Bay beach which was very calm. We were lucky to have sunny weather the whole time there.

We went to the Big Island next to our usual spot in Kohala and had a great time there. Thank you for all the advice and I'm glad we saw some place new.

ChiSue

Sally, thanks for returning to tell us about your trip!

We own at Maui Kamaole (opposite the Kihei small boat launch

ChiSue

(whoops!) I wanted to say that we stay in South Kihei, a few palm trees north of the border with Wailea. It's very quiet on our little hill, and we can walk to the busier Kamaole beaches (lifeguards, picnic tables, restrooms) and Keawakapu beach. I never want to have to take an elevator to beach level, so I avoid Kaanapali. February IS busy on Maui though. There are the usual snowbirds (like us) plus it seems the world and it's wife want to see the whales, and Maui is *the* place for it! Another place to find more peace -- and low-rise, low-density compplexes -- is Napili. (Sometimes 'iffy' weather there and in Kapalua in winter though.)

Glad you loved Hana -- and missed any rain or flooding while you were there.

nanabee

I prefer the Big Island to Maui. But my favorite island is Oahu. I've been to the four main islands. For me the similarity to southern California and the BIL and Maui is the geography. Oahu and Kauai OTOH seem more tropical and lush in the landscape and beauty. Also Maui seems to have more mainland transplants. Oahu is more diverse with Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiians, etc. At least from my observations.

But since you go to the BI often, you might try Maui and see if you like it. The beaches are very beautiful.

You can also do inter-island flights to spend a little time scouting out the other islands for future trips.

kc14015

This may be way too late for your decision making process, but both islands have their charms. I think the Big Island offers great variety and beauty and there is a lot to explore. On the other hand Maui is also very laid back and perhaps more tourist oriented, but there are still great places to get away from the crowds. I do think the snorkeling and swimming spots are perhaps more plentiful and safe on most parts of Maui, and it sounds like beach life was a big part of your hawaiian routine on the Big Island. It will be interesting to hear your reflections after you return.

FaceInTheCrowd

Thanks for the report back, Sally, and glad (for your sake) that you enjoyed Maui. If we ever go back it'll be to see/hear whales, but I doubt that'll be anytime soon, since Kaua'i and the Big Island have equally captured our hearts.

smb_seattle

Thanks for updating after yor trip. Would you mind sharing what your favorite go to accomodation is on the big island?

Dave0099

Each Island has its own personality, and you will soon find what appeals to you. Like another person said, they "went to Maui and couldnt understand what everyone was raving about".

That was exactly our experience....not to say it was good or bad, just that it did not appeal to us, we found it too "artificial" in terms of the resorts, and just thought it did not have the variety that Oahu had for scenery, shopping, dining etc.

I think one clue might be if you like a quieter environment to just chill, then you will probably like it....but then if you are comparing it to the Big Island or Kauai, then I think you will find it "busier" than the Big Island.

One thing for sure, as compared to just about anywhere in the world, its hard to beat the beauty of any of the Islands.

Agonizing over which to go to is sort of "1st world problems"