Hi, My family is planning a last minute trip (our first visit to Hawaii) in April. There are not many rooms left at the beachfront hotels, but I have found some nice rooms located 2-3 blocks off the beach in Lahaina. My husband is concerned that it will be a big hassle getting to the beach if we stay in a hotel off the beachfront. I'm thinking, if all the beaches are public, how hard can it be to find parking? Plus, I think you would want to check out many different beach areas anyway, so you're going to end up driving around no matter what.(It will also be spring break week, which I realize will be crowded.) Anybody want to weigh in on this issue?

A beachfront hotel is is never NECESSARY but it is preferable. There aren't too many people who would take a non-beachfront location over a beachfront location (unless it was to save money).

Exactly what properties are you considering that are "2-3 blocks off the beach in Lahaina"? If you mean right in the town of Lahaina there are no decent beaches at all. What beach and what properties are you talking about?

A beachfront would be preferable, but Maui is a beautiful island, so an off-beach place would be ok.
This is my spin on the situation. If this is a one-time visit to Hawaii, I would go another time. May is very lovely, if you can go at that time, and not nearly as crowded. If ocean front is too expensive, you can get poolside, etc rooms at the beachfront places for less money. Places like Napili Sunset have bargains for pool-side rooms.
Two or three blocks away is not bad for the ocean, but it is Spring Break (a time when I wouldn't go) and the beaches will be crowded.

My suggestion is to NOT stay in Lahaina, and get a place oceanfront/beachfront.It will make all the difference in the world.

Bill

If you want beach, do not stay in Lahaina. Can be nightmare traffic, drive a long way to the beach.
Think about across the steet from beach (see Kihei threads; lots of condos near Kamaole Beach Parks, the more south, the better), don't forget Wailea.

Maui is all about the beach. For a first-time visit, I suggest staying at a beachfront hotel. Lahaina does not have nice beaches. Try the Maui Prince. They are on a superb beach.

Another vote to "just say not" to Lahaina.

I'm more in the camp that would prefer my lodging to be beachfront (or at least ocean view) but prefer condos over hotels. Have you considered a condo rental?

The Sheraton Kaanapali has ocean front rooms still available. You'll probably pay ~$500/night, however. The Sheraton is a great location for families, plus it has a great beach on its property.

We love Wailea...there are a few beautiful resorts in a row; we stayed at the Four Seasons right on Wailea Beach. ahhhhh

Personally, I avoid Lahaina like the plague. I find it noisy, congested with tourists and cars, bad beach. I would not stay there for your first visit.

We stayed in Lahaina for our first visit few years back and enjoyed it. It was convenient for reaching the beaches at Napili and other areas of the island. We didn't have parking problems in Lahaina and it was good to be able to walk to various restaurants/bars in the evening. However, I realise that this was couple years back and the traffic has got worse.

Second visit next month we will be staying beachfront at Napili but we will end up driving around revisiting different beaches and other spots as we don't tend to stay at the beach of our beachfront hotel that much.

I recommend staying beachfront if you can find anything. My wife and I have stayed at The Whaler twice. The Whaler is located at a very prime location on Kaanapali beach. Also, shopping and restaurants are very close. Each unit also has a full kitchen.

I would suggest staying at the beach...no good beaches right in town If you want to rent a timeshare such as the Marriott, etc. you can go to www.redweek.com and rent directly from owners at a good price.

Well, I love Lahaina myself, but the beach there is nothing much. I like being right in a town where you can walk around to shops and restaurants. Some people think it's too crowded or 'honky tonk' (says my Dad). I think it's fun, historic, unique.

If you'll be driving in a rental car to various beaches, you likely won't even walk to the beach in Lahaina (like I say, it's not much, on that I agree with the other posters).

How old are your kids? I ask because if they are teenagers old enough to want to get out on their own some of the time, another reason to stay right in Lahaina-town imo.

Or not!

Thanks everyone for the input. We actually decided to try Kauai instead, since the crowds and nightlife do not really appeal. My two kids (10 & 14) will have to settle for snorkling and kayaking up in Princeville with mom & dad. We found a condo at Sealodge which looks really nice.