processgal

DH and I will be travelling to Maui for our (long overdue) honeymoon in April. (We are planning to spend 8 nights on Maui and 5 nights in Oahu. This is our first trip to Hawaii and need to book places to stay SOON as the trip is < 6 weeks away.

The main thing I am wondering about Maui, (which I can't seem to really find out from my guidebook) is if the island is small enough that we could pick one place to stay for all 8 nights, and drive to all the different parts of the island on day trips? (We are planning to rent a car). Or does it make more sense to drive around the circumference of the island, stopping and staying in various places along the way?

If staying in one location for the duration of the trip, I would like to stay somewhere on the West coast of the island (as I have heard it is sunnier). Any recommendations for the best towns? (Since it is our honeymoon, somewhere with nice hotels/condos, but if possible not too touristy - more laid back, slow paced if possible). Which are the touristy towns to avoid? What towns are great for honeymoons??

Finally, I am looking for recommendations for a nice (4* or more) hotel or beautiful condos.... i'm sure condo rates by the week would be cheaper than a hotel, but since it is our honeymoon I would like to *splurge* for a few nights at least at a great hotel (probably couldn't afford all 8 nights there though). BTW, if driving the road to Hana, do you recommend spending the night there and returning the next day? Any recommendations for a nice place to stay in Hana?

Much thanks!

saige

Congratulations!

Maui is beautiful and a wonderful honeymoon destination. Pick a place that meets your needs and expectations for a honeymoon stay and book a rental car to see the rest of the island. You don't need to move from one hotel to another to see everything you want to see. If you do the road to Hana, be sure you have a good map and a tape or CD to guide you to the stops along the way. It is about the journey, not the destination. There is lots of good information about Maui on the forums that you can access by entering search terms in the search function at the top right hand of this page.

Aloha and happy honeymoon, Saige

montereybob

It's easy to stay at one spot on Maui and take day trips to all parts of the island. It's not an island that works well for a circle drive around it while staying at various hotels as the hotels are not scattered around the circumference of the island. They are in three main areas: Kaanapali, kehai, and Wailea. The most lively area is kaanapali which has wonderful resorts suitable for a honeymoon. The most beautiful and peaceful one with the least kids in that area is the Hyatt. If you want a less lively area then Wailea would be the choice. It has several honeymoon perfect resorts. Kehei has many reasonably priced places to stay but IMO none have the romantic ambience fitting for a beautiful honeymoon setting.

Tomsd

When you arrive - I would suggest you take the wonderful drive out to Hana and stay out there a night or so.

Then, beat it back to Kaanapali or Kapalua or Napili for the rest of the time, and yes, the rest of what you want to see is withing daily driving distance.

Or go to the 4 Seasons in Kehei.

montereybob

If you want a resort that is even more serene and quiet than any I mentioned in my previous post, you could check out the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua. It is not necessary to spend the night in Hana but if you want to, their is a famous peaceful and highly rated resort there. If you are staying in Waikiki, I would recommend an ocean view room in the tower of the Moana Surfrider Hotel. Have fun.

efmtravel

I would suggest that you do go to Hana and stay a night or more, it is wonderful and peaceful out there and lots of great outdoor activities. I would save it for the end of your trip (unless you arrive in Maui before noon.)
Stay at the old Hotel Hana maui now called Travaasa Hana, it is the only resort out in Hana and it is magical. They are offering inclusive pricing too. Have a great Honeymoon.

voyager61

For what you are describing, I think Wailea fits the bill perfectly. Kapalua is also beautiful, but I think the weather is sunnier in Wailea, and beaches are more romantic. You can choose from The Grand Wailea, The Four Seasons, and other high-end hotels, or several condo places. Depending on your budget, look at Elua Village (very expensive), Ekahi Village (expensive to moderate), or Ekolu Village (moderate) as possibilities for condos. Wailea is also easily accessible from the airport, close to Haleakala and close to Lahaina area for all your day trips.

bfox718

I would definitely stay in Hana and stay at the Travassa for a night or two, it's amazing! We went there on our honeymoon and really enjoyed the Wailea area hotels as well as big beach a few miles down the road. It's away from all the hotels and just gorgeous. You could then do day trips up to Honolua bay/Napili and Kaanapali.

We stayed in Kaanapali, Hana and Wailea on our honeymoon, and we both decided we could've done without Kaanapali. If you do stay on the north side, however, the Feast at Lele Luau is Amazing!!

Also, biking down Haleakala is fantastic. If you are super adventurous, you can mountain bike the spine. One of the best things we've done on all of our trips.

BiofuelsPA

I agree with the mike ride down Haleakala, also a helicopter ride, wonderful to see it all from the air! Hawaii is an awesome place to honeymoon, would do it all over again!

TasteHawaii

Aloha ProcessGal,

Yes, first trip to Hawaii!

I recommend staying on Maui; less traffic and people - but the right mix of great hotels, restaurants and sights.

This is your honeymoon, so you are spending a few dollars. Stay at three different hotels: two nights at Ritz Carlton in Kapalua, two nights at Travaasa Hana and then two, or more, nights at the Four Seasons Resort in Wailea (closest to the airport).

You will make reservations with these hotels before you leave the mainland.

To get to the Travaasa Hana, you will travel the Road to Hana. Leave by 10:00am, pack a lunch, full tank of gas and take your time to see the sights along the way.

Looking for great chefs and restaurants, here's a link: http://www.taste-hawaii.com/chefs

Travel with respect for others: http://taste-hawaii.com/flavorsandscents/?p=363

Aloha! Safe and happy honeymoon ...

Tomsd

Great summary by Taste Hawaii. Since you arrive at the airport - and it's part way to Hana - I would do that first - and then after two nights/whatever - come back and spend a few days at each end of the West side. Just so you know - it's only an hour (without traffic) from the Lahaina area down to Wailua, so changing hotels is not a big deal, and it makes it easier to explore both ends.

Actually - if it was me - I would add another day kicking back on Maui (9 in totl) - and take one away from your Oahu time - as 4 days there is plenty - especially if you are heading on over to Maui.

Tomsd

BTW - after two nights at lovely Hana - we drove back around the south end of Maui - but I believe the rental car companies still prohibit that. Ordinarily - people retrace their route going back from Hana, and I think you would enjoy it more by doing it on different days.

suze

My highlights on Maui included: Haleakala (not at sunrise though just later in the morning, not bike riding -ha!), the Old Lahaina Luau, a self-guided historic walking tour around Lahaina, U'lalena at Myth & Magic theater, and poking around Lahaina town.
suze

Tomsd

Good start Suze - and the Iao Needle is intresting, as is driving around the North End of Maui, and snorkeling above Kapalua is also fun. Taking the ferry from Lahaina over to Lanai is a kick - as is taking a snorkeling tour over to either Lanai or Molokai. Aside from greeting the SunGod/sunrise at Haleakula, upcountry Maui is also unique - even visiting a winery up there.

And not sure what they have on Maui - but OutRigger resorts can have good deals - and are more of a local group.

Tomsd

And here is the webpage: http://tinyurl.com/85qpmm6

I just thought of them as I am on their email list and they have some $99 type deals, but not obviously - at every place.

Rebelfone_Inc

Congratulations!
Hawaii is very beautiful place for any kind of trip especially honeymoons, Out of all the island, Maui is the best I feel. You can choose a place to stay according to your choice and then drive throughout the island by renting a car. As already advised by others Kaanapali as well as Kehai has good resorts quite suitable for your honeymoon trip. You can spend a night in Hana which is more than enough, or just go there for a day. Have a nice trip.