Yes. There are penguins living in a Maui hotel lobby.  And yes, it is exactly as delightful as it sounds.

I know what you’re thinking because it’s what I thought at first too…penguins? In Hawaii? No way. But sure enough, tucked inside the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Ka’anapali, there is an actual penguin habitat where actual penguins live.

Penguins on Maui

The Hyatt Regency Maui sits right on Ka’anapali Beach, which is one of the most famous stretches of beach on the entire island. Ka’anapali is on the west side of Maui, just north of Lahaina, and it’s one of the main resort areas with a long strip of beachfront hotels, restaurants, and the Whalers Village shopping center all connected by a walking path along the beach. 

The resort itself is big and pretty impressive, with lush open-air grounds, a pool complex, multiple restaurants, and that famous stretch of Ka’anapali Beach right out the front door. But honestly? The penguins might be the most talked-about thing about the place, which is saying something.

The penguin habitat is in the lobby area and is part of the resort’s broader collection of exotic birds and wildlife that are scattered throughout the property. The Hyatt has flamingos, macaws, and various tropical birds as well, but let’s be honest…the penguins are the main event.

Why You’ll Love This

You simply do not expect to see penguins in Hawaii. That element of surprise alone is worth it. There’s something so wonderfully absurd and charming about watching penguins waddle around in the middle of a tropical resort.

It’s completely free to see. You don’t have to be a guest at the Hyatt to walk through the lobby and watch the penguins, which makes it a very easy and budget-friendly little detour.

It’s a great activity if you’re traveling with kids. Children absolutely lose their minds over this and honestly so do most adults. It’s just a fun, unexpected moment in the middle of vacation.

It’s super convenient if you’re already in the Ka’anapali area. If you’re staying nearby or spending the day at Ka’anapali Beach or shopping at Whalers Village, the Hyatt is right there and the penguin stop adds maybe 20 minutes to your day.

But guess what??! Besides the normal delightful penguin experience, there’s an even MORE special reason to visit the penguins now. There’s a brand new penguin chick! This is the first penguin chick to hatch here in 17 years!! How special is that??

So stop in for a minute to see the penguins. There’s a lot of amazing things to do on Maui, but seeing penguins in a hotel lobby? That one’s pretty unique.

 

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