Where is the best part of Maui for a nice 8 days of relaxation?
 

We are going to Maui for 8 days. We would like quiet peaceful surroundings near the beach. Maybe run and do some snorkeling, is Wailea better or up North near Kanapali? Thanks for any info!

If you want a quiet, relaxing area then Wailea is perfect for you. Kanaapali is far more congested.

Kaanapali is more crowded, Wailea quieter and more conducive to relaxation.

Definely the South end of the island Keiki has always been my favorite!<BR>Wailea is even less noisy and so beautiful!

if you want to stay at a really beautiful, peaceful & quiet place where it reminds you of old hawaii, take a 4 hr drive to hana. once you go there you'll never want to leave.

I would vote for Kapalua or Napili. Once you're there, you never want to leave. Snorkeling is good in both Napili and Kapalua all day. You're protected from the winds that hit the Wailea area in the afternoons and evenings. Honolua (excellent snorkeling except during big waves) is only a 5-10 min drive north. You've got some un-traffic-y areas to run from the Napili area up past the Ritz Carleton in Kapalua (you can actually go further up - but then you're running on the roads w/ cars. It's just a 10-15 min drive to Kaanapali and a 30 min drive to Lahaina, should you decide you want to go out on some nights. <BR><BR>Staying in Napili will have you closer to the beach, however the accomodations are mainly condos, the exceptions (as I recall), being the Napili Kai Beach Club (Great place) which offer both hotel type rooms and condos as well as the Outrigger Napili Shores with both Hotel type and Condos. <BR><BR>Kapalua, on the other hand, has two main hotels, the Kapalua Bay Hotel (much more posh - resort like). This is perched on a hill, with a 5-10 min stroll down to Kapalua Bay. There's also the Ritz Carleton - however the beach is "iffy". It's much more exposed to the waves and winds - but still a beautiful beach. There are also the Kapalua Villas - condo type situated on a golf course. <BR><BR>Although....almost anywhere in Maui is great for peace and quiet....except maybe Lahaina and Kaanapali. Hana is wonderful - except you will have a long drive back out, should you decide you want some night life.

Helen,<BR><BR>We stayed at the Maui Prince in Makena which is just south of Wailea. VERY quiet but just 5 minutes down the road from Wailea if you want a little bit of a crowd. The beach at the prince is really good, the only hotel on that beach. You can jump right in and be snorkeling with turtles and eel in 2 minutes. Would go back again in a heartbeat, especially compared to Wailea which is very expensive and fairly crowded (though not like Kaanapali).

Thanks Everyone, <BR>I appreciate your help!!<BR>Helen