Fiance and I are discussing hotel options for our honeymoon in May. He wants something romantic and also something with a tropical feel, not a generic room.
I want something practical. I'm thinking perhaps a condo.
He loves the Hotel Hana but I'm worried that it is too far away from the activities we will be doing (helicopter ride, snorkeling, etc. We will have a car. We can get an excellent rate for the Hotel Hana through Costco but it is for 6 nights...our whole stay on Maui.
We are also considering the Sheraton and the Whaler at Ka'anapali.
Any opinions on these hotels and what would be the best fit for us? Any other suggestions are also appreciated. Thanks!

Depends on how much seclusion you seek. Hana is out of the way, but that's a huge part of its charm. After dark, it is quiet. Magical. Not a snorkeling mecca, but, no matter where you stay, you'll probably drive to sample snorkel venues. Hamoa, the "official" beach of the Hotel Hana Maui, is one of the prettiest anywhere in Hawaii.

Ka`anapali is high rise living with a pretty backdrop. You won't find seclusion in the neighborhood. Snorkeling can be good at Blackrock, and places north.

You might investigate Wailea or Makena. Less crowded, low rise toney developments on crescent-shaped beaches. Many first rate places to snorkel.

Yes, it depends what you want from your trip.

If you want to do lots of activities and sightseeing, Hana would not be the best base. It is really too far from places such as Haleakala crater, Iao Valley, and to see these as day trips from Hana is simply wasting your time in Hana!

But if you want time to relax and get away from it Hana is great! It is a beautiful area. There are many things to do in the area - some great hikes and Hamoa Beach is gorgeous.

A possibility is to split your time on Maui something like 4nts Kaanapali or Wailea/2 nts Hana. Then you will be able to see more of the whole island, and relax in Hana at the end.

Thanks for the opinions so far.

Any suggestions for golf? We would like to play at least 2 days. Any specific course recommendations or advice on getting the best rates? I read that you can book golf packages...but not sure how to find this information.

Highly regarded Palmer and Crenshaw designed courses at Kapalua, where the Mercedes Championship is hosted and the Ritz Carlton is located, and three fine courses at Wailea Golf Club down south. Neither area is inexpensive. Kapalua is more secluded, though close to Ka`anapali where you could find the activities you seek.

Best hotel on Maui is Ritz Carlton Kapalua - we went there on our honeymoon and our 10th anniversary and now we are going back this month for our 11th anniversary! Beautiful resort - tons of activities, near Kaanapali but also more secluded with a view of Molokai island...stay away from Hana - nothing to do there!!!!

By all means "stay away from Hana - nothing to do there". Leave it for those of us that REALLY hate it and love the boredom.

-pila

pila,
Hana looks awesome and my fiance really wants to stay there.
I have a Frommers Maui guidebook that I'm trying to tackle but with all of the wedding planning it's a little difficult.
I'm just worried that we might spend too much time traveling.
As I said, golf is a priority for us. As well as snorkeling and a helicopter ride (my fiance's choice, I'd really rather not. I've had to take a helicopter at work and hated it)

We also would like to attend a luau. I remember a post about an authentic one but I can't recall where it was. Anyone remember?

memejw,

Can you get deal through Costco that includes one or two nights at HHM and 4 or 5 somewhere else? If so, go that route. I think spending 6 nights in Hana sounds fabulous, but I've been to Maui numerous times over the years and have seen most of the island, but for you it's a different story. As has been said above, Hana is not easily accessible to the rest of the island and is not great to use as a base.

As far as other lodging goes on other parts of the island, I've always wanted to stay at the Makena Surf condos. They are pricey, but the location is spectacular and would satisfy the "something romantic", ungeneric hotel thing. We will be in Maui in February and are renting a private home in that part of the island because it is quiet and somewhat removed from the resort atmosphere.

Up in the Kaanapali area look at http://www.hooilohouse.com/index.html for something romantic and different. It is not on the beach, but it looks wonderful and gets good notices on tripadvisor.

Hope this helps and good luck.

-pila

The authentic luau is Old Lahaina Luau. Book far, far in advance, as seat location is determined by earliest booking dates. The show is traditional-their focus is not on humiliating newlyweds- and sensational.

The beach in front of Makena Surf, a condo, has fabulous snorkeling. We've considered Makena Surf several times, but, it's a little isolated. 'Course, that might not be a bother.

The hotel that Bill aka iamq, suggested looks lovely. Another suggestion would be the beachfront cottages at Mama's: http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/ You're not in the thick of things at Mama's, and yet close enough to other areas to have a pretty centrally located place. We always stay in the Wailea/Makena area and are happy to suggest spots there if you're interested. The Hana Hotel is out of the way for exploring the area but would be nice for a couple of nights because it's amazing.

Thanks everyone!
pila and TTess, the places you suggested look wonderful but are out of our price range.

We're trying to decide between the Maui Prince and the Whaler at Ka'anapali. I know one is a hotel and the other a condo with amenities. Does anyone have experience with either of these properties?

What's your preference of atmosphere? If you want a busy, hustle-bustle, exciting party-like atmosphere, that would be Kaanapali. If you want a very quiet atmosphere, that would be Makena. Then, you have to factor in your own personal preference of a condo v. hotel.

There was a very recent post asserting that the parking deck at the Whaler was crumbling, and the newly raised mandatory resort fees exorbitant.

Snorkeling is usually great at Makena. I like the beach there also. I would vote for that location.