20 Best Hotels in South Shore, Maui

If you don't need everything to be totally modern, consider setting up house at this great value condominium-by-the-sea. Three different room plans cater to couples, families, or friends traveling together; make sure to request a unit with air-conditioning—a must for hot, dry Kihei. The heated pool and deck is a social place, with gas grills, a full outdoor kitchen, hot tub, sauna rooms, and shuffleboard court.

Sophisticated travelers and romance-seeking couples will swoon at the sleek luxury of this eco-friendly, beachfront resort. Whitewashed rooms are on the small side; those seeking more space can opt for a suite or luxuriate in one of the 4,000-square-foot oceanfront villas. Amenities include three cascading infinity pools, an adults-only pool, apothecary spa, gallery and boutiques, and free cultural activities.

"Impeccably stylish" and "extravagant" describe most Four Seasons properties, and this elegant one fronting Wailea Beach is no exception, with its beautiful courtyards and luxuries such as 24-hour room service, twice-daily housekeeping, excellent restaurants, on-site spa, and adults-only serenity pool with outstanding views. Most of the rooms have ocean views; cabanas, chaise lounges, and a car service transporting guests around Wailea are among the complimentary amenities.

This resort, which sits closer to the crashing surf than most in Wailea, delivers not only dramatic views but also luxurious amenities and spacious accommodations. Grown-ups can find peace and quiet at the adults-only Maluhia serenity pool, while kids can frolic at the Nalu Adventure Pool, which features four waterslides, including the longest in Maui at 325 feet. The resort also has the Mo Bettah food truck, a fun take on a local culinary tradition.

Take in sweeping views of the ocean and Haleakala from the large lanai of the one- to three-bedroom units at this sprawling, well-maintained property just outside the swanky Wailea Resort. There's not much in the way of amenities (pool, small whirlpool spa, tennis court, putting green, shuffleboard, and daily housekeeping), but just across the street is Kamaole Beach Park III, one of the area's most popular spots for family picnics and sunset watching.

Gleaming white spires and tiled archways are the hallmark of this stunning resort that's particularly good for families with its spacious suite and villa options. The 37 two-story villas have two or three large bedrooms, a laundry room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private lanai with plunge pool and barbecue grill. There's also an on-site spa, cultural classes, and wellness programs. The family-friendly and adults-only pool options offer something for everyone.

"Grand" is no exaggeration for this opulent, sunny, 40-acre resort that's wildly entertaining due to its elaborate water features such as the Wailea Activity Pool with enclosed "lava tube," slides, caves, a Tarzan swing, and the world's only water elevator. Paths meander tropical grounds, passing food gardens and artwork by noted international and Hawaiian artists. The Humuhumunukunukuapuaa restaurant—named for Hawaii's state fish—"floats" in a saltwater lagoon. The fabulous Spa Grande has wellness options that range from astrology to massage.

This adults-only boutique hotel, perched on a quiet hillside above Wailea, delivers luxury, romance, and spectacular views. The 18 two-story buildings offer one-bedroom suites with private lanai, kitchenettes with top-flight appliances, sofa beds, and bathrooms with large soaking tubs and walk-in showers. Reserve the intimate Treehouse, hidden in a canopy of mango and avocado trees, for a private seven-course dinner for two or small reception or drop into the beautifully themed Birdcage Bar for a relaxing drink. The resort fee includes yoga and fitness classes, parking, attendant services at Wailea Beach, and high-end shuttle service to beaches, shops, and golf.

This South Kihei property sits across the street from Kamaole III beach and is perfect for active families. Ten four-story buildings wrap around 15 acres of grassy slopes with a swimming pool, a small waterfall, tennis courts, and barbecues. Units include one-, two-, and three-bedroom options, and all units have two bathrooms, kitchens, laundry facilities, and private lanai.

Located across the beach and in the quieter north end of Kihei, this relaxed, family-friendly property has 26 units—some with kitchens and kitchenettes—that range from standard rooms to three-bedroom, two-bath penthouses. There's a rooftop deck and various outdoor spaces that are nice for lounging and socializing in the well-maintained tropical garden.

For travelers who've done all there is to do on Maui and just want simple but luxurious relaxation at a condo that spills onto a private beach, this is the spot. The secluded complex, which hugs the South Shore coastline, is designed to belie its size—from the road it's hard to tell that the two- to three-bedroom units are taller than a palm tree, all with ocean views. Privacy envelops the grounds, which include remnants of an ancient Hawaiian fishing heiau (a temple comprising a rock formation).

You simply cannot get any closer to gorgeous Keawakapu Beach than this unsung hero of South Shore hotels, offering both renovated hotel rooms and condos that may be older than those of its competitors but are well priced and have marvelous ocean views, especially during the winter humpback whale season. One- and two-bedroom condos have private lanai and kitchens, and on-site amenities include a heated oceanfront pool, an activity desk, and a yoga studio.

These one- and two-bedroom condos—some with ocean views—lie across the street from one of Maui's best beach parks, Kamaole III, and the property has tropical gardens, two tennis courts, two pools (one in a grotto with a waterfall), a whirlpool spa, and barbecue grills. Condos have two bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable TV, and washers and dryers; for extra space, reserve the popular two-bedroom units, which have a loft-style master bedroom.

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.

You'll pay less for the tastefully designed suites in this "condotel" than you would elsewhere in the Wailea resort area, and the hillside location serves up amazing sunset views. Amenities include lovely swimming pools, a coin-operated laundry, commercial-quality barbecue grills, a lobby lounge, and a basketball court.

At Wailea's hideaway for the rich and famous, the two- to three-bedroom villas are an immersion in luxury, with up to 3,100 square feet of living space, furnishings that inspire poetry, and gourmet kitchens fit for an Iron Chef. Add to the mix some units with plunge pools, some with outdoor showers, and all with private balconies and Viking barbecues. Throw in stunning grounds and all the services of the finest resort hotel—the concierge will arrange anything from in-room spa treatments to a personal trainer or a chef—and you've got the vacation accommodations of a lifetime. Beach shuttle and service, garage parking, and twice-daily housekeeping are included in the rates.

Overlooking Keawakapu Beach, this family-friendly vacation resort features studios and one- and two-bedroom suites in low-rise buildings that span 34 acres of tropical gardens and won't cost your child's entire college fund. Amenities include four swimming pools, paddle tennis, shuffleboard, and barbecue areas, as well as a covered beachfront pavilion—near the private entrance to Keawakapu Beach—with access to bathroom facilities, plus a full kitchen with an ice maker, a cold water dispenser, a refrigerator, a microwave, and an oven.

These affordable hillside condos offer panoramic vistas of the resort area, the ocean, and nearby islands. One- or two-bedroom condos are set on 18 tropical acres with two pools, outdoor grills, and a recreational pavilion; parking and Wi-Fi are included.

On Ulua Beach, one of the island's most beloved snorkeling spots, these upscale one-, two-, and three-bedroom condo suites have spectacular views and 24 acres of manicured lawns and gardens. Units have custom appliances and furnishings and, befitting the million-dollar locale, there is a gated entrance; the concierge can stock your refrigerator with groceries, including hard-to-find items for those with dietary restrictions, for a nominal fee.

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.