We're going to Hawaii for our honeymoon next September - 5 nights on Kauai (at the Hyatt), followed by 6 nights on Maui. We'd like to stay at the Kapalua Bay Hotel, but I'm concerned about rain in Kapalua. We're planning to see most of the island, and don't want to be too far from things. Should we stay half the week somewhere else, maybe Kaanapali or Wailea?

What hotels in Maui would you recommend? Also interested in any reports on Kapalua Bay Hotel.

thanks!!

Jess,

I recently read in the Honolulu Advertiser that The Kapalua Bay Hotel is closing, I am just not sure when. You should check on that.

We were considering doing 2 hotels too for our 5th anniversary in Sept but decided to just do 6 all at the Four Seasons Maui. $425 a night including car and breakfast for 2 - mountainview package. Wailea is supposed to have some of the best weather. Truly, any place you pick is going to be great!!!

Have fun,
Steve R
Maryland

2006

Hi
stayed at the Grand Wailea resort a few years ago, just a stroll from the Four Seasons. We thought the area was perfect, great for walks and the resort itself couldn't have been nicer. Beautiful grounds,and a full-service spa. The restaurants at the Four Seasons had wonderful food, better than at the Grand Wailea.

Hawaii is all about relaxing, especially on a honeymoon. Just stay in one place. We have stayed in Kapalua and Wailea. We personally prefer Wailea, but Kapalua is beautiful.

When we went on our honeymoon almost 19 years ago we stayed in a condo in Kapalua and spent a lot of time eating and relaxing at the Kapalua Bay Hotel. On one of our recent trips to Wailea, we drove out to Kapalua and went through the Kapalua Bay Hotel. We definitely both thought it looked like it was getting a little tired.

No comments on the hotels but on an 11 day trip, and a honeymoon no less, I would not want to be in 3 different hotels. Maui is not all that big of an island, I'd pick one place and go from there.

With 6 nights on Maui you won't be able to see "everything"...we had 7 nights and didn't see everything. But you'll have a great time so don't worry about it! On Maui I'd recommend either staying all 6 nights in one place, or else staying 4 nights in the Wailea area, and 2 nights in Hana. Hana is remote and lush and green...if you can afford it, the searanch cottages at Hotel Hana Maui are very romantic. we had 2 nights there for an anniversary trip. (Garden rooms at Hotel Hana Maui aren't nearly as nice.)

Do you prefer to be surrounded by people playing volleyball on the beach, lots of action, restaurants and people and big hotels all around you? If so, Kaanapali is the place for you. (Personally we saw Kaanapali and it turned us off, but some people love it.) We saw Wailea and loved it...we actually stayed just south of Wailea in the Maui Prince on Maluaka Beach and enjoyed that very much, especially our room on 4th floor with Prime Ocean view...we could leave the balcony doors open at night and hear the ocean. Wailea is a quiet area with high-end hotels with beautifully landscaped grounds and nice beaches...

Hana is a lush honeymoon paradise in my opinion. Rent a convertible and enjoy a slow leisurely drive to Hana with lots of stops to see waterfalls, etc. Try to leave your car near other cars when you stop as you'll have luggage in your car. Then from a hotel in Hana, you can enjoy day-trips to nearby waterfalls, 7 sacred pools, etc. At the end of Nahiku road off the Hana highway, there's a view of a wild picturesque coastline with waves crashing on the rocks. We were the only ones there in the early morning. cute fruit stands along the road to hana.

Happy honeymoon!

Oh, one more thing...if you like lush, remote areas, where if you set out early in the morning or late in the afternoon you might even find a waterfall or a beautiful cold pool all to yourself, you could consider spending all 6 nights in Hana. But Hana lacks night-life and doesn't have many restaurants, you have to make your own night-life in Hana! For a honeymoon I think if you do want to split your time I'd spend 4 nights in Hana, and 2 nights in Wailea, or Kaanapali if you need more action.

I will be in Maui in April for 6 days, five nights. I will stay in Kannapali/Lahaina area three nights and two in Wailea.

I did the same thing in Oahu in 2003. Part in Waikiki and part in Ihilani. No regrets.

It's nice to visit other parts of the island, but also nice to stay there as well. JMO

More than one hotel is best. One night in Hotel Hana in ocean front room with jacuzzi on the deck- have some fantastic spa treatment and enjoy your surroundings. Then stay 3 nights in Wailea. I stayed at the Renaissance Wailea Beach resort- relaxed luxury at its best