Maui - Wailea or Kaanapali?
 

We're spending about 4 or 5 days in Maui, so not enough time to split between the two areas, but I can't decide which would be better. We could probably afford a really nice ocean front room at the Sheraton or a mountain/garden view room at the Fairmont or Grand.

This will be an anniversary trip, so we are going for romance and fun. We have some activities planned to do, but are not super active people, and we want to relax. Also, the cooler/less humid the better...we live in Houston and sweat just walking out to the car! I don't mind driving 30-45 minutes to town for dinner, etc., and I do like a nice room, even if not huge. I don't want to pay $500+ a night for something that looks like the EconoLodge, you know? Thanks for your help!

Wailea is nice, but there's more to do in Kaanapali.

I agree with the above post. Wailea is very nice, but there's so much more to do in Kaanapali. If you want just total relaxation and plan not to do much, then Wailea would be fine.
If you plan to explore and sightsee, I would definatly stay in Kaanapali.

I'd vote for Wailea. It's a beautiful area.

To me, Kaanapali was one crowded high rise after another. The kind fronted by big pools packed with humans and pool chairs. And the beach (in Feb) was narrow and steep. Felt like Myrtle Beach without the nice beach. There are much nicer areas on Maui.

Kaanapali can have cool wet weather in winter; Wailea can be hot in summer. So go to Kaanapali in summer, Wailea in winter. Besides weather, Kaanapali/Lahaina has more to do, more restaurants. Wailea is prettier, nicer beach settings.

It depends on what you want: I prefer Wailea because there is nothing to do!! :-) Laying on the beach with a cold drink, a good book, beautiful beaches, the ocean: that's my idea of a vacation. If you want lots of activity, hotels, etc. then Kaanapali would be a better choice for you. We prefer the peace & quiet of Wailea!

You don't mention what time of year. Wailea can be very hot in the summer. You might consider the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua, as it is cooler and has a breeze. I'm not big on Kanapaali. OK if you are a young couple or have kids. Too noisy, too busy, not restful to me. I'd go either Kapaula or Wailea

Wailea. The Grand Wailea is exquisite. There is a Wailea shopping center nearby (Coach-Tiffany-Fendi stores). The 4 Seasons next door, also very nice. Great beach and cliff walk. The SPA. I think there's plenty to do. Lahaina is close enough. Kanaapali is crowded; just too many people-agree with Brian above. Depending when you go, Kapalua can get more rain. Aloha.

I vote for Wailea where we spent a fabulous week, the oceanfront walkway is to die for. Kaanapali is nice but agree high rise hotels closer together and not as much character. But either destination you cannot go wrong.

Wailea definitely.

And as for the Fairmont Kea Lani, I cannot recommend it highly enough. You will not be displeased. It is amazing.

I vote for Wailea too. I have been to both and prefer the beauty of Wailea.

Plus, Wailea offers easy touring of Upcountry and Central Maui (e.g. closer to Iao Valley and the beginning of the Road to Hana) - two of my favorite parts of the island. So there's NOT nothing to do there - go explore part of every day and enjoy the gorgeous resorts and beaches of Wailea the remainder of the day! The only things that are closer to Kaanapali are the many resorts, Lahaina, and the west coastal drive.

We stayed at the Fairmont for our honeymoon and went through the same dilema back then: Kaanapali, Wailea??? We are very pleased with our choice. The Kea Lani is an awesome, beautiful resort. You are still pretty close and can drive anywhere you want on the island to check out other parts. If you are going to stay in Wailea the Fairmont is the way to go (We visited the Grand while there and were happy we didn't stay there because it was packed with kids, kids are great, but you probably want a little more relaxation and romance on you honeymoon). We will be celebrating our 5th Anniverssary next year and we are going back. This time to Kaanapali. Now you have an excuse to return in a couple of years! Have Fun!

You're on your honeymoon. You want beautiful, peaceful and something you'll never forget. It has to be Wailea. Now, the best if the Four Seasons. Don't know if you can swing that, if not, the Kea Lani is fabulous. It's all-suites so you can stretch out and very elegant. You'll be sorry if you don't stay in Wailea at one of these two properties. They're just what you're asking for.

The first time we went to Maui, approx. 10 years ago, we stayed in Wailea condo which was very nice but as a young, childless couple in our twenties back then, it was quiet. We spent most of our time looking for beaches with bigger waves and nightlife so we were driving back and forth to Kaanapali and Lahaina town almost every day! However,the coastal drive in a convertible between Wailea and Kaanapali/Lahaina is amazing at night, the stars are so brillant and the sky so clear it feels as if you could sweep your hand across them to gather them up. In 2003 we went back to Maui with our two kids and stayed at the Hyatt in Kaanapali. The pool was great but the beach(March)was rough, the waves that brought us there years before were too big to swim in for the kids and the shore line had eroded that winter so there was very little sand. We found ourselves driving to Wailea a couple of times to snorkel and enjoy the beach!If you do choose Wailea, which is where I would choose to go hands down if it was me, I would stay at the Fairmont over the Grand Wailea based on reviews at tripadvisor.com and what I have read here and feedback from friends. FYI- The pool at the Sheraton was not heated the last time I was there and I found it uncomfortable for swimming, but the hotel was ok.You will have a great time no matter what, you will be in Hawaii!If you seach this forum you will find many posts that compare the two areas.

DEFINITELY go to Wailea - specifically The Fairmont Kea Lani. My husband and I went in 04 and are going back in November '06. We're very picky about hotels and loved the Kea Lani. The rooms are all suites and gorgeous. There are fantastic restaurants on the grounds, good shopping, a great little deli, a seperate adult pool from the kids pool, a nice beach, great buffet breakfast, etc. We didn't mind driving 30 minutes to go to dinner somewhere else or to shop or tour, but we always loved going back to the Kea Lani at night for the high-end accomodations. We're not ones to 'rough it'! Go to the KEA LANI!

Personally, I highly recommend staying in the Wailea area as many others have suggested. If you aren't huge on doing tons of activities and want to relax in style, Wailea is truly the place to do it. All of the resorts are just beautiful, and there are plenty of great restaurants and shops in the area.

If you like a big room, the Kea Lani has wonderful suites that are just HUGE! I've heard that not all of their rooms are renovated, though, so you may want to ask for one of those when booking. We stayed there two years ago and it was honestly the nicest place I've ever stayed in my life. The pools are gorgeous, the rooms were clean and airy, and everything was SO relaxing.

Kaanapali, on the other hand, was a much younger crowd. Music was playing everywhere and it seemed like every restaurant was bursting at the seams. The shopping was great and it was a fun time, but I definitely preferred the quiet atmosphere of Wailea. Kaanapali is more like Waikiki Beach in that respect.

I don't know when you're travelling, but if you want to stay in Wailea for a great price, check out the Renaissance. I know they are closing some time in the future (they keep pushing the date back), but we stayed there 4 years ago and had a great time.....it wasn't quite as classy as the Kea Lani, but it was peaceful and beautiful and very relaxing. AND the rates were MUCH more reasonable. You can get a AAA discount there, as well. Don't miss the onion rings at their Maui Onion restaurant!!

I'm leaving for my wedding at "Secret Cove" in a little over three weeks.....we are spending four nights at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel and five nights at the Four Seasons in Wailea. I've never stayed in Kaanapali, so I'll be able to give you a more accurate comparison when we return. Personally, though, my gut instinct is Wailea.....ALL of the resorts are just fantastic!!

The big hotels are very nice but very expensive. They get crowded and not very romantic. When I go to Maui, my dream vacation is being right on the beach. I want to walk out, and take a few steps and be on the sand. Where I can take a swim right in front of my own condo or walk on miles of "private" beach where I won't run into another person. I don't want kids, or crowds or noise to ruin my vacation. I just want to see and hear the ocean.

So I don't do the big hotels anymore. Too expensive and to crowded. I found the most wonderful condo. It has everything I dreamed about. Wonderful heated pool, beach side shower, 180 degree views, free parking!!! and it is close to some of the best restaurants 4 & 5 star(all with fabulous ocean views) and wonderful shops and the Maalaea Harbor.

I just can't go back to a large resort anymore. I hate to tell people about this condo, because when I want to go back, it might booked. But I also want you to experience a wonderful anniversary and a vacation to remember so I am letting you in on a secret, don't tell anyone else about this web site. www.mauibeachfrontparadise.com

I'm sitting on my laptop on our lanai at Wailea, right now. Alooooha!

Wow.

Typing while sitting on a laptop? How do you do that? I just tried it on mine and I broke it!

-Bill