Napili in Maui with toddlers?
 

Traveling with 2 toddlers over Christmas. Starting with Fairmont in Wailea , then 3 nights in Hana and then very few options left for last few days over Christmas. Looking at limited units in Lahaina, Napili, and there are a few units at Maalea. I don't know anything about Napili --- the units are much nicer than what's avail in Lahaina. Any suggestions or insights?

Also look at Honokowai and Kahana which are right next to Napili. Lots and lots of rental units. Check out VRBO. I prefer the West Maui area over Maalea and Kehei.

Why are you moving around so much? With toddlers, you are only making your life more difficult. Can you extend your stay at one or both of the places you are already staying? You and the toddlers will be happier if they can establish a routine and stick with it.

I'm not fond of Lahaina, though I know many people love it. Sorry, can't help with Napili.

Napili is, in my opinion, the best place to stay on Maui.

Napili is beautiful, with a big but -- when my son was 3, he hated the ocean (which we found out while we on Maui), but loved the pool. So I wouldn't stay anywhere with toddlers and no pool if that's a possible issue.

I agree that you're moving around too much with two toddlers. Three nights in Hana is too many. Are your kids good in the car? No carsickness? Because Hana can be a long, slow drive. Maybe skip it.

We stayed at Napili Point condo years many ago. It was reasonably priced back then. Love the little cove that's right outside. LOTS of colorful fish. Napili Shores is right next door, and it has a great beach, easily walkable from Napili Point.

http://www.napili.com/index.php

Napili is very nice, we rented a condo from friends at Honokawai but drove up to Napili and Kapalua every day to swim and snorkel.
Hana could be a bit rainy and 3 nights would drive me insane but some folks love it.

Thanks so much for the useful replies. I would have preferred 2 locations but my sister's family had other ideas and now we are stuck since we've booked lodging that can't be extended.

We've stayed 4 nights in Hana many years ago and enjoyed it but I didn't have kids then (my sister did) and I did a lot of fishing and snorkeling while there. This will be the only time the kids are away from a pool during the trip.

Very glad to hear this feedback about Napili -- we will stay in that area as there seems to be lots of condos. Looking at Kuleana condos and Royal Kahana at this point. I will look into Napili Point, thanks!

In Hana, a hike up to Fagan's Cross for sunset should knock the tikes out for the night!

How old are they? Pool time can ruin everyones vacation when a dirty diaper gets by and shuts down a pool for all paying guests. Diligence is required. Water babies sounds cool until you have a poopie pool.

We enjoyed a family vacation in Napili.

Questions about Napili area -- are there enough restaurants in the immediate area for meals out or will we always be driving for 15 min to get to a restaurant?

There are so many condos along this stretch although I'm trying to find something on Napili Bay itself, but don't see any 2 Br left. This area generally seems less expensive than others, is there a reason why? I've never seen this much consensus on an area being so great on this forum, LOL.

The 3 times I've been to Maui, we have always stayed in Napili and would not stay anywhere else if we visited again. We just love the beach there. There are some restaurants in Napili (eg at Napili Point) but mostly we travelled the 15 mins to Lahaina or Kan'anapali but I don't see that 15 mins in a car is an issue, maybe with toddlers it is. If so, Ka'anapali might be an option to stay.

Looks like we're booking a 1 br unit at Napili Point Resort and my sister is at Honokeana Cove Condos.

I'm so excited as this is not a part of the island I've explored before and I'm hoping I can hop in and snorkel while kids nap, and my husband and I can switch off.

Thanks for the help, everyone! Now if we can only find a place to book Christmas dinner, LOL! We have a res at Mama's Fish House but that seems a bit too far of a drive from here.

Is there anything available that is directly on the beach, how do you access the beach from Napili Point? We went over the rocks to get to the Gazebo from Napili Surf which is the next property.

At the north end of Napili Bay are Sea House (Napili Kai's restaurant), and Merriman's, rated by most as one of the best on Maui, with price point to match. There are also restaurants at the Ritz Carlton and/or Montage Resorts, farther north in Kapalua.

At the south end of the bay is The Gazebo, a favorite breakfast spot. To avoid the usually long wait, call your order in, then eat it at one of the tables around the nearby pool.

The tables around the nearby pool are for guests, not take out visitors.

There's a trail from the Napili Point condo to the beach, it says 3-5 min walk and doesn't look dangerous (they posted a picture of the trail). It appears that there is no trail from Honokeana Cove Condos, however. There was a unit available on the beach at Napili Surf Beach Resort -- a little more expensive but do people think that's clearly preferable? We will switch if it makes a big difference --- my sister's family loves to snorkel.

"The tables around the nearby pool are for guests, not take out visitors."

Oh, I guess those people we've seen eating their Gazebo breakfasts at those tables are guests at Napili Shores? Seems to be fairly standard practice, and I don't recall seeing anyone interested in actually using the pool the times we've been there. But that might be because the people waiting to get into the Gazebo are queued up alongside the pool.

I've stayed at Napili Sunset many times and with a little one. It is beachfront for the 1 and 2 bedrooms.