Shari

Are there any places on Maui and the Big Island that are on the water, but are small, luxury resorts? I am thinking along the lines of Pink Sands on Harbor Island. I am having a hard time planning my trip because it seems like most places on the ocean are HUGE sheraton-type places. Is this the case?

kindra178

What about Kapalua Bay? I hear it's very quiet

Cicerone

Take a look at Small Luxury Hotels of the World (slh.com) the have the Hotel Hana Maui in Maui with 47 rooms, looks nice. Not beach front from what I can see. Also Leading Hotels of the World (lhw.com), they have two in Honolulu, but these may be larger than you want (about 44 rooms each).

I have always been happy with hotels I have stated at which belong to either of these associations.

hmmm

You may wish to look at the Hotel Hana Maui or the Diamond Resort, Wailea, Maui. Each has approximately 70 rooms. Hana is rainy, quiet and isolated (which, I write as the father of 3 young children, is a good thing). The Diamond (on a hill overlooking the water) caters to a Japanese clientele. Kapula is 175 rooms in a beautiful area.

Cicerone

I'm correcting myself, I took another look at the Hana Maui and it IS oceanfront. Looks very nice actually, I would consider it if I weren't currently living in Swizterland!

hmmm

Cicerone is corect. Hotel Hana Maui is oceanfront, though not beach front. It is near Hamoa Beach, one of the truly great beaches of Maui. (also near Red Sand beach, which has its own allure and special clientele). According to Maui revealed it is 76 rooms.

Semiretired

The Hana Hotel is in the middle of nowhere (if you like that type of hotel)...it's a 3 hour drive from other humans.

Yes, most hotels are zoo-like but the Ritz in Kapalua is may your best bet. It's off on it's own, luxury, beautiful view and beach. But you have to walk 100 yards downhill to that beach (and backup if the golfcarts aren't running).

bogart

Kapalua Bay Hotel on Maui fits the bill, IMO. Some will say it's not luxury...but we found it too be quite wonderful.

Patty

Hawaii has very few luxury properties that aren't large chains a la Four Seasons or Ritz. I think there was a similar post a little while ago. The only resorts I can think of that would come close are the Hotel Hana Maui and perhaps the Kona Village Resort on the BI. Although I'm not sure if the latter fits the definition of small and they do cater to families except for 2 months out of the year (May/September) which are marketed as 'romance' months.

bquarre

Others have mentioned the Hotel Hana Maui and it is a fabulous place. It is now managed by the same people who manage the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. The hotel is short ride to Hamoa Beach, which is one the most beautiful beaches anywhere on the islands. The rooms to get would be the Sea Ranch cottages wtih a spa on the deck. Hana is not for everyone though. I happen to love it there. If this is your first visit, you may want to plan a few days at the HHM and then the rest of your visit at one of the other hotels mentioned. I have stayed at Kapalua Bay Hotel and really liked it. Some aspects of the hotel are a little worn and dated, but it exudes a wonderful island feeling missing from other large chain hotels on the island.

welch

I love Hawaii and wouldn't miss a year for the world, but smal, good hotels are less common there. We stayed at Hotel Hana Maui this year (had stayed there twice before in 2 other incarnations). I was so disappointed in the renovations, I left. We were in 2 different, unacceptable rooms in one day. When I complained to the management when we left I was told it's too difficult to keep up a hotel on the ocean. This had nothing to do with deeply gouged floors, large patches of peeling and nonexistant paint on the inside and outside of the rooms, a screen door which was partially out of it's frame etc etc etc! What an awful disappointment. We stay at the very low key Kiahuna (on Kauai) every year (the Maui part of the trip was 3 days with just my husband before the kids joined us in Kauai) and, as much as I love it, it's not the place for a romantic getaway. You might consider the Four Seasons Hualalai if you can go to the Big Island. It's spectacular. There are numerous small buildings- all only 2 story, some rooms with a divine outdoor shower and an incredible spa. But it's far from inexpensive. It would, however, be my top choice.
By the way, I was born on Harbour Island and am very familiar with Pink Sands as it used to be owned by my God parents (50 years ago!).

Shari

Is Kapalua Beach VERY windy and rainy at end of December beginning of January? how bad?

Gardyloo

I do think Kona Village might be what you're looking for. Note it's all-inclusive ("American Plan") and very expensive, but according to friends who've gone there, worth it and very addictive. http://www.konavillage.com

travelchik

Shari, I've been to Pink Sands as well. On Maui the only hotel that fits that bill is the Hotel Hana Maui. I just spent a week there and it is lovely, however it is very remote. The hotel has a nice restaurant, but other than swimming, reading and beach going there is not a whole lot to do. It is close proximity to Haleakala National Park however, if you are interested in hiking and waterfalls. Rooms are in seperate duplex cottages, most with views of the sea. Sea Ranch cottages are the ones to get with jacuzzi out on the deck. The beach in front of the hotel is not swimmable and you must take the hotel's shuttle to nearby Hamoa Beach to swim.

Alternatively you could look at Kona Village Resort on the Big Island as another poster suggested.

All the other resorts are big high rises with lots of people and crowded beaches. We also stayed at the Four Seasons Maui..too many people for us.

Good luck!