I'd love to hear from all of you experienced travellers. My parents just celebrated a special anniversary AND will both have milestone birthdays this year. As a family we've been to Oahu before, and they loved it. I am planning a trip to Maui, probably around Thanksgiving time. Rather than stay in a hotel, we're thinking of renting a place on the beach (Dad is big on oceanfront!). Doesn't have to be bigger than 2 bedrooms. What thoughts do you have? Is this a financially better option than hotels? It is a better or worse experience than hotels for those of you who've experienced both?

Thanks!

You would love the Makena Surf in South Maui. Bldgs E, F are direct oceanfront - lanais have gorgious views!!. The 2-bedroom has two baths as well which is great. This complex is a 3 story lowrise and has a very private beach on property. I prefer to stay in a condo because of the space, laundry facility in condo, gourmet kitchen to cook a few meals yourself to save $$ (BBQ's on property, too). You get daily maid service as well. You may want to spend a couple nights in a hotel as well if you want to get a bit of the hotel resort experience. We used to do that a couple of years ago, but my husband always hated to move - he missed the spaciousness of the condo. You can checkout a number of Makena Surf units at the Destination Resorts website as well as other condos that they handle, however, I wouldn't book thru them (you can save by going thru a travel agent) - I have a great one. Hope this helps!

Napili Sunset is nice. Website:www.napilisunset.com

We loved the Hale Hui Kai in south Kihei last summer. The oceanfront units are more expensive but worth every penny!

Kim

We went to the Hale Kai- www.halekai.com - last June and loved it. It is in the Lahaina area. We were in unit 220 which had a fantastic view of the ocean on two sides because it is a corner unit. There is a nice salt water pool - very clean. There's a bedroom with a king bed, a bedroom with 2 twin beds, and a loft with a double or queen bed. There are two bathrooms. The kitchen was small but adequate and we really appreciated having that. There's also a gas grill for use down by the pool. It's a close drive to two grocery stores. It has only 42 units and it felt like a nice, close private ocean experience. There is a park on the south side of the condo and another small condo on the north so you're not hemmed in by high rises. There were also washers and dryers by the office and no extra charge for parking.

Thanks for the responses...I've done quick checks on the websites you've mentioned, and they look great, but now I have more questions...how are the beaches? We were spoiled last time in Honolulu with the quality of the sand...hard to tell how it is here...also, what side of Maui (West, South) is preferable?

Thanks again!

The beaches of Napili and Kaupalua are really wonderful.

You really can't go wrong with Maui beaches. South Maui has some beautiful spots - "Big Beach" near Makena is gorgious - soft clean sand. Calgon...take me away!

"The quality of the sand" in Honolulu? What was it that you liked so much about the sand in Honolulu? Did you know that a good part of Waikiki beach was artificially created?

We stayed at Polo Beach Club (I think we got this through VRBO.com). The condo was wonderful and in a great location. Would also consider the Wailea Ekahi or Elua resorts.

Have fun!

Great! I will start researching and come back to you all later...

We have stayed at the Kahana Outrigger (#4-A2 ) and at the Kahana Village. Both are right on the water, but do not front a beach. They are a few minutes north of Kanapali. Both of these places have 3 bedroom rentals. The outrigger is available via Chase'N Rainbows, and the Village you can book direct.

KAANAPALI ALI'I!!! Great views and great location. Felt great watching the guest at the Westin Maui eating their room service as we made fresh cooked breakfasts and drank freely on our private lanai. Yes they DID notice us! We stayed in unit #183-2000 sq. ft. of tropical pleasure overlooking Black Rock-but ANY unit in building 1 is great (oceanfront). It's a bit pricey but when you compare it to hotels at 200-400/nt. for 300-600 sq. ft. it's fine. Whaler's village (great restaurants/shops) is just up the walkway and Black Rock is just a bit further. As you can tell we LOVED it.

When I stepped out of the lobby door I was on a three mile long beautiful, uncrowded, beach. I stayed at Maui Kai Condos. It's 9 stories, not individual huts, but it is very quaint and quiet. Not a big, crowded, noisy hotel. It doesn't have room service, but does have full kitchens and nice big balconies, looking straight onto Liahana Bay. You see two close islands of Molaki and Lanai and the sun sets between them, turning my room golden orange. Not fancy, great prices, but the giant beach and view are the greatest. websight is www.mauikai.com
My favorite apartment is 303. It's a large studio. They also have 1 - 2 bedrooms, but they do cost more. Photos of rooms are on websight.
Personally, after staying there I will never stay at a hotel again. In hotels I hear people above, below & beside my room, anouncements and lots of footsteps.
At this condo I heard ONLY the waves and some faint music from the big hotel a few yards away. Yup! No neighbor noise! Was wonderful!

Check Hololani.com. Large two bedroom condos right on the beach in Kahana. Not a high rise, which is nice. I love the small town Kahana--nr busy Kaanapali ( which is a pre-planned large resort with assorted condos and high rise hotels)and Lahaina area, but more of a local atmosphere.
i thinnk going as a family and staying in a condo is really nice, assuming you al get along!!!