domtor

Hello,

I am having hard time to decide where to stay and what type of property in Maui. I want a nice beach and clean place. Rather quiet than loud. Currently I am debating between Kaanapali Beach Hotel (swimming pool view room w/bfast) or one of the condo buildings in Kahana (ie. Valley Isle Resort - low floor ocean view). I know i am not really comparing apples to apples but from what i was able to figure out a hotel vs a condo in maui are not that different. What is your experience and recommendation? Which ones has a better location? We are not morning people so we might not make it for the incl. bfast in the hotel for dinner we would not cook in the condo anyway but eat out. Pro is that from a condo we could do a late check out (plane leaves at 10pm). We will have a rental car.
Thanks for your opinions.

WrightRyan

Look at VRBO. There are great properties from Lahaina to Hana.

You don't go to Maui for the resort. You go for Hawaiian life. Getting a house / cottage rental is so much more value added in my experience.

22tango

We've rented a condo or cottage the last three times to Hawaii and have reserved condos for trips this year. I doubt we'll ever go back to a hotel. Condos (and cottages) might be a bit more expensive, but we appreciate the larger living space. And even though we don't cook many meals, it's nice having the options a kitchen provides, especially at breakfast. Beers and mai-tais are cheaper on the lanai than in a hotel bar/lounge too.

Odin

We've been to Maui 3 times, 1st time we stayed in a B&B in Lahaina but the next times we stayed in a condo on Napili Bay. Love the location just north of Ka'anapali with low rise condos on a beautiful beach. We didn't cook many meals, either ate out or had take-outs. Loved the hotel next to our condo for their fab macadamia nut pancakes for breakfast.

domtor

Thank you for your responses.
Odin which condo did you stay in on Napili Beach?

sf7307

If I were going to stay north of Kaanapali Beach, I'd definitely choose Napili over Kahana.

Odin

We stayed at Napili Surf. It is quite modest, nothing fancy. We love the location & the condo unit but there are more upscale condos in Napili if you want them. Next to Napili Surf is Napili Sunset which is also really nice.

http://www.napilisurf.com/

http://www.napilisunset.com/

sf7307

If you do choose Napili, the Gazebo is a good place for breakfast.

hpeabody

Maui is like second home for me. The experience can be quite different depending on where you stay. Staying right on Kaanapali Beach (Kaanapali Beach Hotel) is amazing and recommend for first time visitors. If you want to consider a condo, perhaps the Whaler. Kahana and Napili are quiet in comparison with lovely views if you have ocean front. For me, I prefer to stay in Honokawai, just before Kahana at a condo called Maui Kai or next door (a little nicer and pricier complex) the Aston Mahana. These 2 are ALL ocean front units with killer views of Lanai and Molokai. The drawback is they do not have a good "swimming" beach, but nice for walking and sunset viewing. You can check VRBO for those condos. Whatever you decide, enjoy Maui!

ChiSue

We are 'condo people' in Hawaii. On Maui we favor Maui Kamaole in South Kihei near the Wailea border. "Home away from home" is good with Maui's casual lifestyle -- unless you want room service.

All of Maui's top hotels are in Wailea -- an exception is The Ritz at Kapalua. If you plan to sightsee across the island (Haleakala, Road to Hana, Iao Valley), South Maui is more convenient than West Maui. If you want to be near Lahaina, West Maui is your spot.

In winter the ocean is calmer south; in summer, north.

Odin

Maui is not exactly a big island, so sightseeing is OK from West Maui to anywhere IMO. The roads are good, the cars easy to drive, start early for the road to Hana and you can be there by 10am.

diveslot100

We've used VRBO to find condos for vacations beginning in Florida and for the past 4 years, in Hawaii. We're a family of 3, like to cook/eat in, shopping for groceries locally. We don't mind being a long walk/short drive from beaches, but like having a pool nearby.

We have favored Maui where The Palms at Wailea has been good to us. We've stayed at 3 different units there over the years. No doubt others have had good luck with other condos. If you're partial to air conditioning, read the fine print whether the A/C is in master bedroom only, or the whole condo.

Local grocery stores often have fresh fish, fresh poki and local produce. We buy/eat what we want, usually have 1 or 2 meals out. Eating-in gives us more flexibility to eat when we want too - important with teens involved!