10 Best Hotels in Maui, Hawaii

A luxurious intimate getaway without resort facilities, this stunning, 2-acre B&B in the foothills of West Maui's mountain, just south of Lahaina town, exemplifies quiet perfection. Most furnishings and building materials were imported from Bali. Each uniquely decorated room features traditional Balinese doors with mother-of-pearl inlay, a custom bed, private lanai, huge bathroom with giant bathtub, flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and—best of all—a private outdoor shower. Common areas provide great spots to snack, chat, or just relax, and immense glass doors open onto a small sparkling pool and a breathtaking view of the Pacific.

A thatched-roof gate opens to the courtyard of this informal Balinese-inspired guesthouse, which has a sweeping view of Hana Bay, a ground-floor studio with a private outdoor shower, and two other units with private whirlpool hot tubs on second-floor decks. The upstairs units can be combined to house six, and all units have kitchenettes with limited cooking supplies. In keeping with the community's ecominded spirit, owner John Romain keeps it green with photovoltaic solar panels, nontoxic cleaning products, and recycling receptacles in each unit.

If a taste of rural Hawaii life in plantation days coupled with quiet time and privacy is what you crave, you can find it at this 2-acre property: it's awash in tropical foliage, dotted with banyan trees, and has a 50-foot, saltwater pool and in-ground spa that afford views of Maui's northern coast and Molokai. The cottages (with granite-topped kitchenettes and private entrances) are simple and functional, but the gem is the 1927 plantation house, with its sprawling living and dining rooms, commercial-grade kitchen, and a lanai that will take you back in time.

Nestled in gardens adjacent to one of Maui's most popular dining spots (Mama's Fish House) and fronting a small beach known as Kuau Cove, these well-maintained studios, suites, and one- and two-bedroom cottages (beachfront and garden options) have high-end appliances, contemporary furnishings, and local artwork that set the stage for beach house luxury. Each unit also has a private patio and fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette, making the inn ideal for both couples and families. It's best to make reservations for the restaurant when you book your accommodations or you may not get a table.

This B&B on the grounds of an old banana plantation past Oheo Gulch (about a 40-minute drive southwest from Hana town) is a simple, back-to-nature kind of spot that is "off the grid." Banana trees still populate the property, alongside mango, papaya, coconut, and avocado trees. There's also a Balinese garden, complete with a lotus-shaped pond. The single room has a private lanai with an outdoor kitchenette, shower, and tub (there's a regular shower in the room as well), and astonishing views of the coastline. Sam and Mercury, a mother-daughter team, live on-site in the main house and are available to give tips and advice about exploring the area. Note that the owners prefer not to host children.

A handsome, 1924, Craftsman-style house in the heart of Makawao town is on both the Hawaii and the National Historic Registers, and provides a great base for excursions to Haleakala, Hana, or North Shore beaches. Owner Cherie Attix has furnished three pretty guest rooms with antiques and fine art, and she allows you to peruse her voluminous library of Hawaii-related books; all guests have access to the main kitchen for light meal preparation. The lush serene grounds have a gazebo and one of the biggest Norfolk pine trees in Hawaii. Discounts are offered to guests who participate in volunteer projects through Cherie's site (www.volunteer-on-vacation-hawaii.com).

This quaint, ocean view (but not oceanfront) inn with four studios of varying sizes sits next to Paia's shops and restaurants but is also secluded in its own little world—one where the grounds feature tropical fruits and flowers, hammocks in mango trees ("mangolani" means "mango heaven" in Hawaiian), a barbecue, and a hot tub. Other amenities include free on-site laundry, free Wi-Fi, and the use of towels and beach gear. A three-night minimum is preferred for advanced travel dates. Contact the inn directly for less than three-night stays.

Although it's set along Hana Highway, this chic inn with oceanfront accommodations and Southeast Asian influences is surprisingly quiet. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen televisions, mini-refrigerators, bathrooms with travertine tile and spa-quality Malie Organics products, and regular housekeeping. The on-site VANA restaurant has one of the most impressive sushi menus on the island.

Entry to the property, which is in a residential area, is through a courtyard overflowing with colorful flowers and featuring a koi pond. Each of the four rooms has plantation-style furniture, well-equipped kitchenettes, private bathrooms and lanais, and either full or partial ocean views; the separate two-bedroom cottage is ideal for families.

Convenient, comfortable, and affordable, this Polynesian-style pole house provides a good base for exploring the area, as it's only a ½-mile from beaches, five minutes from golf courses, and close to restaurants and shopping. There's a feeling of old Hawaii here: the covered lanai is decorated with original tiki-style wood carvings by local artists, there are Hawaiian quilts on the beds, and stately palms shade the patio area, where you can barbecue or just relax next to a burbling fountain.