Hi. My boyfriend and I are planning a 10-day trip to Hawaii this September. We want to spend 5 days on Maui (most likely West Maui), and 5 days on the Big Island (Kona coast). We have been researching various hotels, inns, etc., and are becoming increasingly confused. Does anyone have recommendations for good, but not too expensive, hotels, etc.?
On the Big Island, we like Kanaloa at Kona (we are thinking of renting one of these condos directly from the owner, it's cheaper that way), we have been recommended Outrigger Keahou.
We also like Holualoa Inn, Horizon Guest House, and Hale Hualalai bed & beakfast.
Would you recommend staying in any of these inns over being right on the beach? We plan to do a lot of activities, but want a nice place to come back to at the end of the day.

Maui is even more confusing. We have been recommended Sheraton, but I have read some conflicting reviews about that. We've also looked at Napili Bay condos, and Maui Kai condos.
We want something that looks Hawaiian, a place where people are hospitable, and where there is no resort fee. We would also like a pool, and, if possible, a fridge in the room. We would want to be away from places where there are many children (there's a possibility that we might elope, so our trip would also be our honeymoon).
Any and all suggestions would be much appreciated

It is said that the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel is Maui's most Hawaiian hotel. Tropical courtyards, gardens, whale shaped swimming pool, and and outdoor bar and grill. Island decor rooms have balconies and mini-frig. Hawaiian activities on-site during the day. I think I read that this is the hotel Disney studied when designing the Polynesian resort at Walt Disney World.

I stayed at the Keauhou Beach Resort last September and loved it. I got it for around $120/nt on their website. I have lots of details in my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34542623

On Maui we stayed at the Kihei Surfside condos, amazing ocean views from each unit, around $130 a night for one bedroom. There's a pool and an enormous lawn, right on the shore, and you just walk through the parking lot to where Keawakapu Beach starts (a wide, soft, golden sandy beach). This is the Maui trip report: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34436140

Condos will have full kitchens. You'll have to ask each hotel if they have a fridge, sometimes they will have them to rent by the day. Let me know if you have any specific questions!

love
roxy

I saw nice looking B&B style places walking around just off Front Street in Lahaina on Maui. Sorry don't know the names but I'm guessing a google might find them for you.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
I think that on the Big Island we will do one of the inns I mentioned (would someone please recommend which one is the best - Holualoa, Hale Hualalai, or Horizon), and a couple of days at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.
On Maui, we are still undecided. We've looked at the Maui Kai and Napili Bay condos that you can rent directly through owners. These seem to be pretty good. Has anyone stayed at either of these places?
Also, as far as Kaanapali beach goes, which hotel has the best stretch of the beach? Which has the best pool? Which has the best rooms?

The Sheraton on Kaanapali has an amazing stretch of beach--not only is it sandy, wide and beautiful, there's also good snorkeling. It's also a bit quieter because it's at the end of a row of hotels, so you don't get cross-traffic. The pool was nice, too. We liked our room, but we lucked into a Black Rock room, so we had an amazing view and a huge lanai.

giulietta429:

If you do a search on Maui Kai on this forum you will find a lot of info. My favorite is #402.

Have a good trip.

My two kids and I just stayed at the Hale Kona Kai in Unit #213 and LOVED it. It's right on the water (sound of surf, etc.) and next door to the Royal Kona in a fantastic location. It's on a quiet street (no traffic noise) and you can walk to everything. I rented directly from the owners who had lots of good tips. I rented from the owner http://www.e-pix.com/hawaiioceanfront/.

cheers,
Maggy

We stayed at the Holualoa Inn and absolutely loved it. We found it great to be away from the Kona strip and tourist hubbub at night...it was a totally peaceful retreat at the end of the day, champagne and sunset in the pool before dinner.

I always stay at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Perfect location with a perfect beach. The hotel staff are all Hawaiians and treat you with the "aloha spirit". It's a moderate hotel in a very high-price area.

I stayed at Holualoa Inn with a group of gals. It was a lovely retreat with stunning, if distant, ocean views. It was not inexpensive though, if that is your criteria.

this thread is from 2005....