The Best Hotels to Stay at When Visiting Maui
There are so many lodging options to choose from when visiting Maui, from condo rentals to Airbnbs, to hotels. It can be hard to pick where to stay when visiting the beautiful island of Maui. Picking the right fit for your vacation really depends on three things:
- Where on the island you want to stay
- The vibe you are looking for on your vacation
- Your budget
Depending on what you want to do for your vacation, staying at one hotel the entire time might be the best idea. When I visited Maui, I wanted to explore the entire island, so I split up the trip throughout the island with nights at different Maui hotels. If you need help planning your trip to Maui, please email me!
Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to book your lodging on Maui, especially during peak season. Waiting too long will result in price increases and sold-out hotels. If you are planning on traveling to Maui during whale season (November-March), book early for the best prices and the most options
My Hotel Recommendations on Where to Stay When Vacationing on Maui
Road to Hana – Eastern Side of Maui
The Road to Hana is one of the most popular activities to do when visiting Maui. It is a beautiful drive, but I personally think it is a lot to do in one day. My recommendation is to stay near the airport when you fly into Maui, spend a night enjoying the town of Paia, and start the next morning fresh for the drive to Hana. Then spend a night or two in Hana and make your way to the western side of the island.
Courtyard by Marriott Maui Kahului Airport
A nice hotel to stay at your first night on the island is the Courtyard by Marriott right by the airport. It is super convenient and really nice. They have very standard rooms that range from a small king bedroom at 312 square feet to a 2 bedroom suite, ideal for families.
Hana – Maui Resort (Used to be Travaasa Hana)
My top recommendation for where to stay when visiting Maui is Hana-Maui Resort (which used to be named Travaasa Hana). This resort is located in Hana. To get to it you either have to drive the Road to Hana, which not everyone wants to do, or take one of the flights from Kahului. If you’re driving the Road to Hana, my recommendation is to spend at least a night at Hana-Maui Resort. That way you’re not rushing the scenic drive, you’re able to make more stops along the way, and you’re able to relax and take a break at the end of a long day of exploring. Hana-Maui Resort is a beautiful luxury resort and is definitely worth splurging on for a night.
Authentic Hawaiian hospitality is at Hana-Maui Resort’ss core, and you feel that the moment you arrive. The grounds are massive and designed to help you unwind and relax. Even though we were visiting during peak season, it never felt like the resort was too crowded. Most of the time it felt like we had the whole resort to ourselves. It was all so peaceful and quiet. Each room is essentially it’s own bungalow and they vary in size to accommodate couples and families. Since the grounds are so spread out, they escort you to your room in a golf cart!
Our room was incredibly spacious. We had a large bedroom, bathroom, seating/bar area, and a covered patio with lounge chairs. After our long drive up to Hana, we definitely relaxed in our bath robes with some tea out on the patio taking in the beautiful views before dinner.
The views from the entire resort are breathtaking. This view below is from our breakfast and dinner spot. We visited in March, which is still whale season, and we could see whales breaching all the way from here. I could have sat here all day long just soaking in the views.
Hana-Maui Resort takes pride in caring for its beautiful property. We spent quite a bit of time just walking around the resort appreciating everything it had to offer. We also got spoiled with a double rainbow! Maui, you stole my heart.
Experience is the main focus at Hana-Maui Resort. They offer a variety of daily fitness classes. We were able to enjoy a yoga class followed by meditation, all included in our stay. They have bikes that you can use to ride around the resort or Hana. There are tennis courts for use by the guests. And you can hire a personal guide for a private bootcamp if you want to stay on track with your fitness routine during vacation. There are adventure options like SUP and trail riding on horses. You can learn how to make local smoothies, take a lei making class, learn to play the ukulele, try bamboo pole fishing, and so much more.
For us, I was sad that we only had one night to enjoy Hana-Maui Resort. Hopefully we will be back for a longer period of time!
Kaanapali Area – Western Side of Maui
The Kaanapali area has a lot of hotels to choose from and they have the bonus of being located on Kaanapali Beach, one of the top-rated beaches in the world!
Sheraton Maui
Another resort I stayed at was the Sheraton Maui in Kaanapali. I really enjoy snorkeling and the Sheraton Maui is right next to Black Rock, which is a hot spot for some really good snorkeling. It definitely wasn’t the best snorkeling we have ever done I think due to the crowds and the time of the year, but it was nice to be able to just walk right out from the beach and start snorkeling without having to take a boat.
This resort is huge. There is a lazy river, small water slide, hot tub, pool volleyball, large lagoon pool, and pool bar all with beautiful views of the beach and ocean. There are over 500 rooms ranging in size from one small traditional bedroom to huge presidential suites.
They have a cliff dive ceremony every night at sunset from Black Rock. The sunsets are absolutely stunning from anywhere on the property. My tip is to go to the top floor of the hotel where the big penthouses are and watch from up there! That is the view from there.
I would highly recommend the Sheraton Maui for one of the best hotels to stay at while visiting Maui. It is central to so many fun activities and there is a walking trail up and down Kaanapali Beach connecting the hotels and restaurants. The walk along the ocean is a great way to wake up! The Sheraton Maui offers so much that it is a great hotel for everyone, including families, couples, and group trips.
Honua Kai
Honua Kai REsort & Spa is a favorite for couples or groups wanting more space. They have accommodations ranging from studios to one, two and three-bedroom suites. Every room comes with a full gourmet kitchen, large lanai’s and in-room washers and dryers. It is a great option for longer stays or travelers that like to enjoy some meals at “home”.
Kaanapali Beach Hotel
Kaanapali Beach Hotel is favorite for many of my clients because it doesn’t have a resort fee. Most resorts on Maui you have to pay a resort fee and a parking fee. Currently at Kaanapali Beach Hotel you don’t have to pay either.
This hotel also has a lot of fun activities onsite, including hula lessons, Hawaiian language lessons, lei-making classes, and daily local musicians playing in the lobby. If you want to enjoy the ocean, there are beach rentals from snorkel gear to SUP boards to bodyboards and more.
Kaanapali Beach Hotel recently went through a major renovation with newly designed rooms that focuses on ocean and Hawaiian themes. If you want to stay in an updated room, look for the ones with the “Premium” name.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for a larger resort with a lot of activities for adults and kids with beautiful grounds, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is a wonderful option. On the property are the Drums of the Pacific Luau, 2 pools- one for adults-only and one for kids, a rooftop astronomy tour, lei making, hula demonstrations, 1800 square feet of white-sandy beach, and so much more. This is a great resort for both couples and families.
Wailea Area – Southwestern Side of Maui
Whereas the Kaanapali area offers a wide range of luxury, upscale resorts to affordable hotels, the Wailea Area is geared much more to luxury.
Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Are you interested in a 2,000-foot-long pool, with waterfalls and slides? The Grand Wailea Maui has one! Between the pools and being located right on Wailea Beach, this resort is is a great option for families looking for a bit of luxury on their Maui vacation.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
When I visited Maui and was walking the Wailea Beach Path, I walked by a wedding happening outdoors at Andaz Maui. It really had me rethinking my wedding choices! It was so beautiful with the wedding taking place on the lush, grassy grounds with the ocean and sunset in the background. This resort is ideal for the sophisticated island traveler, including couples seeking a romantic, luxury experience.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
If you want the ultimate luxury Maui experience, head to the Four Seasons. You will be waited on hand and foot to make sure you are happy the whole time in paradise. Take luxury to a whole new level by exploring the island of Maui in a Porsche Roadster and after that relax in your own private cabana or sail around in a luxury yacht. If you want to feel like royalty, bask in the luxury of the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.
Maui is an incredible island, and I think all of it should be explored. Do you want to check out everything the island has to offer in one trip? Or do you want to explore the island in pieces by checking out a new area each vacation? Knowing your vacation style will help you decide which lodging accommodations are right for you. Either way, Maui has an option for you.
If you need help with your vacation to Maui, send me an email and we can start planning your tropical getaway!
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