Really need help planning a first time trip to Maui. We would like to stay in Wailea (we think) and are looking for a "moderate" priced condo or hotel. Any recommendations for a tranquil property with lovely ocean views?

I've heard good things about Kihei Surfside, but I just booked our condo for Dec 1-7 at Sugar Beach Resort/Condo for a garden view $114nt, which is right on a 6 mile sandy beach, another good one is Mana Kai.

We stayed at the Kihei Surfside condos last July and loved it. It sits on the shore, you just have to walk through the parking lot to get to Keawakapu Beach (and the Mana Kai condos that it shares the parking lot with ARE actually on the sand, although you'll pay more for it), the ocean and neighboring island views are incredible across the enormous verdant lawn, and the building is curved toward the water so each unit has a great view. It was $125/nt for a one bedroom.

I have lots of details on it in my trip report here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34436140

Let me know if you have any questions!

love
roxy

You might look at the Ekahi in Wailea, a large condo complex with a wide range of choices.
The Mana Kai and the Surfside are in Kihei, not Wailea proper-though very close. I've stayed in both. While the Surfside is a very good property, I would not recommend the Mana Kai. It's a hybrid: part hotel, part condo. I was with a group who stayed there and saw both kinds of units. While the hotel rooms were adequate and the views were very good, the condo units were dark and had an institutional look and feel about them. The beach is outstanding.

Unless you're really set on staying on the Wailea side of the island, I would strongly suggest the Napili/Kapalua side which is by Kannapali and Lahaina.
This to me is by far the best side of the island.

Thanks for the great advice. Kihei Surfside is exactly what I was looking for. I was able to book a room on Expedia for a decent price considering it's oceanfront. Phew, now I can relax.

Glad you booked with the Kihei Surfside, you'll love it!

I would call Expedia and request a room closer to the ocean. Although ANY room will have a magnificent view of the ocean and sunset.