Has anyone stayed at the Maui Banyan or Elua Village? My travel agent is promoting the Banyan because of it's reasonable rate and I'd like to hear about it's location in Kihei, having to cross the highway to get to the beach, etc. Would Elua Village in Wailea be a better choice(but almost twice the cost)?

Try the Mana Kai (last place in Kihei before Wailea) It's not super luxurious but what it lacks in decor it more than makes up for in location(right on one of the best beaches in Maui) and views. And the price is very reasonable. Every person we've ever sent there has returned.

Look into staying at Grand Champions Villas or The Palms - both Wailea - both reasonable - Grand Champions is my first choice but The Palms would be a good back-up.

Kihei Beach Resort
All units are ocean front, 2 bedroom, 2 bath with full kitchen, living room, dining area, lanai
KBR is a 5 story building with 40-50 units, and is ocean front with a swimming pool and a lawn with chaise lounges between the building and the beach. There is 3-5 miles of sandy beach immediately in front of the property... Piu Bella!
www.kiheibeachresort.com

Margot - We've stayed at the Kamaole Nalu Resort in Kihei. It's located on the oceanside of the highway (one of very few that is). It was (2 years ago) $110/nt (we were there in low season - April-May) for a 2bd, 2bth, with kitchen, living room (VCR and stereo), laundry facilities in the unit and a great lanai with a table and chairs overlooking the ocean. It was right in the middle of two beaches - Kihei 2 and Kihei 3 - less than a minute walk to either. I think the price is up to $125 now. They will throw in a car rental for a very reasonable rate (we paid an extra $15 + tax a day or so). They have a website.

Maui Banyon is clean, nice grounds, etc. There are so many condos in this area that look the same--it is as good as many. Road is fairly busy, but small town atmosphere in Kihei is nice. Would not do Elua for twice as much.

My fiance's parents are staying at the Grand Champion Villas in Wailea in February (we're getting married at the Kea Lani and they wanted to be in Wailea, but in a condo). They got a 3BR for a week for $1000.

I'm sure you will gets lots of varying answers here but her's mine;
we stayed a few years ago at the Napili Shores. Its now an Outrigger but its still very lovely. Not super plush in case that's what you are looking for. But reasonable for Oceanview, Studio. WEBSURFER special is only $135. No highway or strret noise, beautiful area, and its 5-10 degrees cooler here. The ocean directly in front is rocky, but just a 2 min. stroll and you are on Napili bay beach--- magnificent. We like the west side of Mauias is closer to best beaches, Kapalua, Napili, Kaanapli close to Laihainia & lots-o-shoping. I highly reccomend.
good luck.

Unfortunately there's no easy answer for you, Margot. I've been to Maui many times and am still in a quandary about which condo to stay in for our May vacation. I can't even decide whather to stay in the Kaanapali area or Wailea area because I like both of them. I strongly suggest doing A LOT of research, and you might also want to check www.vrbo.com which has many excellent rentals in all the areas of Maui.

Margot, go to http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mauaerials.html and check out the aerial shots of all the different resorts. This is an excellent way to get a feel for the location and layout of each condo or resort, especially how near or far it is from the ocean. A lot of them claim to be oceanfront, but many of them really aren't. Depending on how important that part of it is to you, this simple step could save you a lot of disappointment when you arrive. Good luck and enjoy your trip, regardless of where you decide to stay!

I agree with ezron... the Mauna Kai Maui was great. We were there last week and had a 6th floor unit overlooking the beach... great view and nice accomodations. We got a condo, not the 'hotel room'. The 'hotel rooms' are on the parking lot side of the building and do not have a balcony. We paid $189/night which included a rental car and were very happy with our 4 day stay.

Definitely agree with the poster re: wizardpub.com. The site was a big help to me in choosing a place for next late spring. Ultimately chose the Polo Beach Club through vrbo.com. Hope we like it!