What part of Maui is best?
Oct 25th, 2006, 10:29 AM
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What part of Maui is best?
Hello, we will be styaing 4-5 days on Maui and 4-5 in Ohau. What is the best part of maui to stay? West, central, north?? Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated. I am looking for the area that will offer the most to do (sightseeing, relaxing on beach) and showcase what Maui has to offer.
Thanks!
Linda
Thanks!
Linda
Oct 25th, 2006, 11:55 AM
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You'll get answers that are personal opinions stating why each of those areas are the best. I suggest you read books and search the Net to make that decision. Now for my 2 cents - Wailea/Makena...everything you're looking for can be found in these areas.
I do go during the off season though so there are no crowds and no traffic that others mention.
Oct 25th, 2006, 12:33 PM
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The guide book "Maui Revealed" details each area, allowing you to form your own opinion. MY opinion, however, is to stay in Kihei on the mid-south shore. It's near where the "pinch" in the island is, allowing access to the busy (relatively speaking) west side, the posh Wailea area (sunset drinks at the Farimont are a must), and the start of the infamous Road to Hana. The 3 Kamaole Beach Parks have ample parking and plenty of ABC stores for lunch/postcards/souvenirs and there are many different types of restaurants, from inexpensive pupu places to OUTSTANDING Nick's Fishmarket. Have a wonderful trip!
Oct 25th, 2006, 12:45 PM
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The one thing that disappointed me at Kaanapali were the what I thought were poor beaches..narrow shores and rocky bottoms but then again I didn't go to all of them. Probably depends a great deal on where you stay/decide to swim.
Oct 25th, 2006, 12:46 PM
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As has been stated, everyone has theri own favorite places.
We stayed at the Westin on Ka'anapali. We thought the area was way too busy. The beach is nice, but so are all the others.
Sightseeing is all over the island...not near 1 spot or another. I assume you will have a car?? If so, you should pick a place that you like based on what you like for the accomodations you want, the price you are comfortable paying and perhaps the closest beaches.
If I were to go back to Maui [we liked BI best], we would look to stay around Napili Beach. The beaches were really nice, there are shops in the area; and there seems to be lots of nice condos and hotels to stay in there.
Granted, this area doesn't look like it has a big night life or tons of shopping like Lahaina, but you can always drive to those places. For us, we like a bit more peace and less crowds.
Get Maui Revealed, it has lots of good information and be sure to check out Maui Jons' site -- it is REALLY helpful.
http://www.mauihawaii.org/
Hope this helps...
Debi
We stayed at the Westin on Ka'anapali. We thought the area was way too busy. The beach is nice, but so are all the others.
Sightseeing is all over the island...not near 1 spot or another. I assume you will have a car?? If so, you should pick a place that you like based on what you like for the accomodations you want, the price you are comfortable paying and perhaps the closest beaches.
If I were to go back to Maui [we liked BI best], we would look to stay around Napili Beach. The beaches were really nice, there are shops in the area; and there seems to be lots of nice condos and hotels to stay in there.
Granted, this area doesn't look like it has a big night life or tons of shopping like Lahaina, but you can always drive to those places. For us, we like a bit more peace and less crowds.
Get Maui Revealed, it has lots of good information and be sure to check out Maui Jons' site -- it is REALLY helpful.
http://www.mauihawaii.org/
Hope this helps...
Debi
Oct 25th, 2006, 01:35 PM
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You might also check the weather. I've stayed at the Ritz - NW part and it was very rainy while Kanaapali (the same day) was sunny; it was like this for several days. Also stayed in Wailea which I think is great (Grand Wailea). If you have a car, you can (obviously) get anywhere. If so, check out Makewao.
Oct 25th, 2006, 05:52 PM
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We stayed at the Sheraton at the Kanapali Beach & Black Rock. The beach was beautiful soft sand. The water was clear & the snorkeling was great. It was within walking distance to Whalers Village using the Beach path. There was also buses into Lahaina, if you didn't want to deal with trying to find a parking space. We were even picked up by a minivan to go on a sight-seeing adventure on the Road to Hana. We found it very convenient.
Oct 25th, 2006, 06:00 PM
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I'm with Suze. I'm a Lahaina addict. Yet lately I've stayed away from the action in Upcountry (Haiku/ Makawao). Although it's 10-15 minutes from the beach, and a B&B kind of place. So probablly not your thing. I have visited and thought about staying in Makena some time.
Oct 25th, 2006, 11:08 PM
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We too favor the south-Kihei/Wailea. It's dry, and, as you move further south, less congested, with low rise development. Nick's Fish Market is in Wailea, at the Kea Lani, south of Kihei. The Hana Highway (highway 36/360) starts up north, around Pa`ia. Lahaina may appeal to some visitors, but is has no worthy beach: it's famous for kitch,trinkets, a luau and a banyon tree.
There are sights to see all over Maui.
There are sights to see all over Maui.
Oct 26th, 2006, 05:04 AM
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We loved Wailea. We spent time on the entire island, and were glad we chose Wailea. From the Four Seasons, you can walk to other hotels (including Nick's, which is incredible), and there's a shuttle to a nice shopping area. The beaches in Wailea were perfect, in my opinion. The drive to Lahaina is a bit long, but with the exception of David Pauls (delicious!), we weren't crazy about Lahaina - too busy for us.
Oct 26th, 2006, 06:24 AM
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Lahaina IS busy! That's what I like about it. It has a very 'honky tonk' (as my Dad calls it) end-of-the-line feel about it. It's interesting historically and I love that I can walk everywhere. You don't need a car staying only in Lahaina. I like all the shops, galleries, historic walking tour, restaurants and bars.
Point of reference I also adore Puerto Vallarta, Waikiki, and Key West. You get the picture.
Even if you don't want to stay there, I definitely recommend it for an afternoon or evening to see a show, have a meal, do some shopping.
Point of reference I also adore Puerto Vallarta, Waikiki, and Key West. You get the picture.
Even if you don't want to stay there, I definitely recommend it for an afternoon or evening to see a show, have a meal, do some shopping.
Oct 26th, 2006, 02:05 PM
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Lahaina is very much like Key West. Alot of punky kids, drunks, & prostitutes roaming the streets. We weren't impressed. We enjoyed the shops & restaurants(Kimo's & David Paul's Lahaina Grill). But, we were glad that we didn't stay there.
