My fiancee and I are going to Kauai, Oahu and Maui for our honeymoon in August. We are wondering where we should stay in Maui. We were worried about the Ritz Carlton because we heard that area (Kanapali) is rainy. I would love feedback if anyone knows anything about that area.

The Ritz Carlton is actually not in Kaanapali, but in Kapalua. The area is lovely, though it can be windy sometimes. In August the weather should be very nice.

Congratulations to you both. Have a wonderful trip!

The Ritz is not directly on the beach - it is on a gold course. There is not much in Kapalua and friends who have stayed there didn't like it as much as they thought they would. Of course, it is the Ritz but I would look at the resorts in Kaanapali (closer ot Lahaina) There is a Hyatt, Westin and Sheraton. We have stayed at the Westin and most recently, the Sheraton. We loved the Sheraton and it's location!

It can be very hot on Maui in August, and friends of mine actually loved that about the Ritz Carlton, that it was a little cooler and rainier there ... they found it refreshing. Said it was a bit of a walk down to the beach, but they still really liked the place. Kapalua is beautiful, but if you want to be closer to more action, I would do Kaanapali or Wailea (my favorite area.)

Kapalua isn't as sunny as the other areas. Every afternoon, you'll find clouds hanging over and tropical rain. Still, it's lovely as is the Ritz. Four Seasons is where I would choose for a Honeymoon, have you checked it out, yet?

Hi beachybride - search for my trip report "Cajunstorm's April 08 Maui Trip with Volcano Air Tour". I stayed at the Ritz Carlton and have pictures of the area and hotel linked in the post.

The area is rainy but that usually means clouds roll in for a 10 minute shower and then it's over about once a day. But with rain comes rainbows and a cool-down from the heat. If the clouds linger too long a drive to Kaanapali Beach is about 10 minutes and should have more sun. BUT if you crave constant sun and heat I don't recommend Kapalua (no guarantees for that there).

We love staying in Kapalua because of all the terrific restaurants nearby (Banyan Tree, Sansei, Plantation House). Plus it's nice to have that isolated feeling by not seeing a row of hotels when looking up the beach.

I'll be happy to answer any specific questions you might have. Oh, and be sure to book as soon as possible (the Ritz was filled to capacity when we were there).

we went through the same dilemna when we were planning our honeymoon 5 years ago. A good friend had stayed at the Ritz and switched hotels b/c of the rain there as opposed to the other parts of the island. Yet, my FIL and his wife stayed there 2 years ago and had great weather the whole time. The Ritz is also great if you golf.

For our honeymoon we chose the Four seasons in Wailea and loved it.

On four separate visits at different times of the year we have never had bad weather at Kapalua.

Ironically, it was when we went to congested, citified Kaanapali that we had showers. We couldn't wait to get back to the peace and quiet!

I stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Maui a couple of years ago and thought it was great. It is probably even better now with the recent renovations. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate - there was some strange weather pattern that only happens a couple of times a year (at least that is what I was told) where a storm moved in and stayed and stayed and stayed. It rained for 4 straight days. But that was in March and, like I said, it was an unusual event. I would not hesitate to go back again - hopefully next time to some sunshine.

August is a good time to stay at the Ritz in Kapalua. It is generally more wet than the other resorts but that is usually during and near the winter months.

The RitzCarlton is in an odd location, and doesn't have a waterfront, beachfront, or even cliff-front location. They tried to build on the cliff, but it was an ancient Hawaiian burial ground and they were refused permission to build there. They have a golf cart to shuttle to to and from their beach, which makes it a bit more cumbersome. Overall, I thought it was very overrated. I prefer the resorts along the Wailea/Makena region in south Maui because they are truly on the beach and it is quick stroll to the sand. The Four Seasons is more to my liking.

Another really romantic spot for a Maui honeymoon would be the Hotel Hana Maui.

All of the others are in two resort clusters: Kaanapali and Wailea, where the resorts are literally side by side connected by a busy footpath.

It's up to you how isolated you want to be. That's a matter of personal taste/preference.

leavingsoon - To me, you make Wailea sound like the Vegas strip. It's not anywhere near that way. It's a peaceful paradise.

Even Kaanapali, which certainly is busier than Wailea or Hana, is, to me, pleasantly busy (nothing like the Las Vegas Strip, which was annoyingly crowded). But then, I'm not one for isolation (even on a honeymoon -- I like activity, even if it's just people-watching on the beach).

Who said anything about the Las vegas strip...but now that you mention it...that IS how it feels, to me.

We don't mind civilization on our trips, and I love Waikiki, but when I go to Maui, I feel that I want a very unpeopled setting and whichever way you describe it, neither Wailea nor Kaanapali are "unpeopled."

That's a very good way of describing it - you prefer "unpeopled" while I prefer "moderately peopled". Only the OP knows which she prefers!

dmlove- Exactly what I was trying to say! Thank you for expressing it.

Just wanted to clarify regarding a comment on the location of the Ritz - there are golf carts that would shuttle you to the beach but the beach is close enough for you to walk. It is less than a 5 minute walk from the hotel to the beach. And it is perched above on a cliff - giving very nice views from the balcony of your room.

And I want to clarify tom42's comments about the beach location.

It is down a big, big hill. You can walk down, but it is a big haul to walk back up. That's why they have the golf carts. Honestly, I just prefer a hotel where I can walk out past the pool to the sand and back without stress.