Maui

How to Create the Perfect Maui Itinerary

You probably think that after you book your flights, your accommodations, and your rental car, you’ve got it made in the shade, right? Not so fast. Surprisingly, many people find laying out a daily itinerary for their trip the trickiest part!

While Maui has some of the best beaches you’ll find anywhere, it’s too far to go and too expensive to just lay around and work on your tan the whole time. Most visitors want to get out and really explore the island. But how do you know how much you can you do in a day? What are the “don’t miss” spots and what’s overrated? Do you need to do organized tours or can you see everything on your own? And how can you see it all and still have time to lay on the beach (because you need to come home with a tan, right?)???

Don’t panic! ; ) I’m going to break down everything you need to know so you’ll be able to see all the best things to do in Maui!

Island Breakdown

First up, you need to know a little bit about how Maui is laid out. Maui is the second largest Hawaiian Island and it’s a lot bigger than most people think. It has a lot of unique geographical areas as well. It’s divided into five areas:

West Side: The west side is the largest (and oldest) resort area and includes the historic whaling town of Lahaina, the resort complex of Ka’anapali, and the planned golf resort community of Kapalua. This side has plenty of gorgeous beaches and so many shops and restaurants but can feel a little isolated from the rest of the island.

South Side: The south side is the driest and sunniest part of the island, and it’s home to Kihei (an area with a boat load of affordable condos), and Wailea (Maui’s most upscale resort area). This side has plenty of swimmable beaches and shops and restaurants, yet feels a bit quieter than the west side.

Central Maui: Most tourists don’t see much of central Maui besides the airport and Costco (both in Kahului) since until recently the valley has mostly been used for sugar cane production.

North Shore/Upcountry: Maui’s north shore and upcountry towns (Paia, Makawao, Haiku, and Kula) feel very “local” but are a still a big draw for tourists wanting to see the “real Maui.” These former plantation and ranch towns are full of restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.

East Maui: Mostly jungles and waterfalls, east Maui is typically experienced via the Road to Hana. While some choose to stay overnight in Hana (or for a few days), it’s very “off the grid” and most visitors see east Maui on a day trip.

5 Best Maui Honeymoon Resorts

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

Hawaii is one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world and for good reason…it’s tropical, it has all of the amenities and activities you could want, and it’s relatively easy to get to for being on the other side of the world. And of all the islands, Maui is definitely the most popular with honeymooners.

Before I let you in on my favorite Maui honeymoon resorts, here’s my biggest tip for planning the best honeymoon…pick the right time of year to go. Hawaii is an extremely family friendly vacation destination so when kids are out of school, expect even the swankiest resorts to have a pool full of kids. While a lot of places have adults only pools, kids are always around everywhere else you go, so if you’re looking for a quieter time to go, pick spring or fall (or at least avoid the summer and winter holidays). I’m not telling you this to make you think Hawaii isn’t the perfect honeymoon destination (it is), but many people mistakenly believe that by staying at a super expensive beach resort they’ll limit the kids (noise) around, but that’s not necessarily the case. When you go has more to do with it than where you stay.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Maui? Read up on the lay of the (is)land here.

That being said, here are 5 amazing Maui honeymoon resorts…

Four Seasons Maui: The Four Seasons is the granddaddy of them all and definitely my #1 pick for a Maui honeymoon. The resort is super luxurious and it’s located in Wailea which is much quieter (and more upscale) than the west side. The spa, the pools, the restaurants, and the beach…they’re all phenomenal. The only problem with staying here is you probably won’t ever want to leave the resort. Pricing starts at $450/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Andaz Maui: This boutique property by Hyatt is located on one of my favorite beaches on Maui and has a very young, hip vibe. The whole property is very luxe with Asian influences and the pool area especially feels very trendy and posh. If beach and pool time are at the top of your must do list, you’ll love the Andaz. Pricing starts at $450/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Hotel Wailea: Hotel Wailea is the only “adults only” hotel on Maui, so if your honeymoon is during the busy summer or holiday season, this is a great option. It’s nestled in Wailea on the slopes of Haleakala (great views but not beachfront). While there is a luxury shuttle service to take you down to the beach, you may not want to leave the quiet and luxurious pool area. Pricing starts at $320/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Best Family Friendly Resorts in Maui

While Maui may be known as the honeymooner’s isle, I think it’s actually the best island for families as well. All of those gorgeous (and safely swimmable) beaches mean plenty of fantastic beach resorts. Maui lacks the hustle and bustle (i.e. one million people crammed onto a tiny island) of Oahu but has PLENTY to keep you and your kiddos busy.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Maui? Read up on the lay of the (is)land here.

I feel like this post needs a disclaimer up front: pretty much anywhere you go in Hawaii (especially Maui) is going to be kid friendly. Maui is not a stuffy destination. The most posh and expensive hotel on the island (hello, Four Seasons) caters to children quite amazingly and unless you’re at the adults only pool (many resorts have them) or at an adults only hotel (Hotel Wailea is the only one that comes to mind), you’ll always find kids boogie boarding in the waves, bobbing around in the pool, and having dinner with their families. That being said, this list includes resorts that may appeal to children especially due to their pools or kids clubs, and parents due to their locations and convenience factors.

Westin Maui Resort & Spa: This is my number one hotel recommendation for families visiting Maui (especially if you want to be on the west side). It’s located right on Ka’anapali Beach (which is great for swimming and snorkeling) next door to the Whaler’s Village, which has a lot of shopping and dining options. There are also snorkel catamarans that pick up right on the beach. The resort has a huge “aquatic complex” with five pools (one for adults only) and a great waterslide. There are parrots and flamingos on the grounds and there’s a kid’s club as well. Pricing starts at $250/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Grand Wailea: This is my other number one hotel recommendation for families visiting Maui ; ) This is your best south side option. While this is a world class resort for anyone (gorgeous open air lobby, plenty of shops, dynamite spa, amazing dining, and one of the island’s best beaches), it’s especially great for families. The Grand Wailea has one of the best pool complexes on Maui (probably anywhere really). The nine different pools include tons of water slides (they actually just opened a new “lava slide”, a rope swing area, a rapid river, water elevator, hot tubs, a swim up bar, and an adults only pool. The Grand Wailea also has a kids club, a teen club, a gaming lounge, and a ton of cultural activities to participate in. Pricing starts at $350/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Sheraton Maui: Most Sheraton resorts are pretty family friendly and this one is no different. It’s located on Ka’anapali Beach (just a few doors down from the Westin) right in front of Black Rock (one of Maui’s most popular snorkeling spots). It has a nice pool area and several dining options. You can also walk down the bike path to the Whaler’s Village for shopping and dining. Pricing starts at $240/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Hawaii Like a Local: Maui with Chris Norberg

Hawaii Like a Local is an interview series to help visitors to Hawaii start exploring less like a tourist and more like a local. This week’s guest is Chris Norberg, blogger at MauiGoodness.com.

What island do you call home?

Maui!

What’s your “Hawaii life” like?

I moved to Maui over 12 years ago mostly to get away from mainland overpopulation and traffic. We came for 6 months, fell in love with the people, land, and lifestyle and decided to make it home. Most people think living in paradise is easy. This misconception is why most people from the mainland get spit out by the 2 year mark. There are several factors for this:

It’s expensive. Yes, Maui prices for home rentals and real estate are becoming comparable to big mainland cities, but the day to day is more costly. Food, gas, etc… And though jobs are available, finding ones that pay enough to be comfortable are few and far between.
Island Time. The slower pace can be hard for those looking for excitement. It can also be frustrating for those new to the islands and want to have things done quickly. Those that adapt find the pace a highlight.
It’s a challenge being accepted into the community right away. Making friends with long-time locals can be hard at first and for good reason. We learned both sides of this firsthand when first moving here. We made great friends with a couple that arrived around the same time we did. They moved away 2 years later and subsequently our friendship suffered due to distance. SO, now we’re more hesitant to put effort into developing strong relationships with those new to Maui. It’s an unconscious defensive mechanism I didn’t realize I had until maybe 5 years ago. It’s pretty common and understandable. Transient friends are great, but adding them to my small sphere of important daily people isn’t something I do.

That being said, it’s an incredible place to live once you adapt and overcome the financial hurdles. It’s funny, I just read that Hawaii is one of the few US States that is declining in population each year. In light of the points above, it’s understandable, but with the increase in visitors, it doesn’t feel like it. Real estate prices and traffic get worse daily!

What’s your favorite thing to do on your island?

Beach time and exploring with the kids. There’s so much to do here! Even when we get stormy days (we live on the north side, so rain’s a pretty regular occurrence), there’s plenty to do with the kids. Keiki Playhouse, Ultimate Air Trampoline Park, The Maui Ocean Center, and more. Or, we can just drive to the south or west side which are usually dry and sunny.

What are your favorite local “gems” on the island? (This can be beaches, hikes, things to do, restaurants, etc.)

Kai Kanani out of Makena. We discovered this sailing catamaran pretty early on. They’re one of the only south Maui vessels allowed to do beach-entries, which is fun. They depart from Maluaka Beach (our favorite beach) in front of what was the Maui Prince (or Makena Beach Golf Resort). Though they run most of the normal boating trips (snorkeling, dinner cruise, and whale watching in season), we especially like them because they keep passengers to a minimum, so there’s lots of room to roam. It also helps them deliver pretty remarkable service. Besides dozens of trips in between, we had our entire wedding party go out on this boat over 10 years ago and we just took their Valentine’s cruise this last month!

What are some places you always take friends and family when they visit?

The beach. We also try to get them Upcountry to some of the farms and restaurants. It’s an area that visitors widely ignore. For those of us that live here, the views and countryside are worth the drive.

Where would you go for a staycation on the island?

Travaasa in Hana or Four Seasons in Wailea. We most often do the west side at the Sheraton Maui because of Starwood point accumulation. The resort is in the perfect location on Ka’anapali Beach and you can’t beat FREE!

16 Maui Beach Resorts

If you’re anything like me, staying at a nice beach resort is just about the best vacation you can imagine. Lucky for you, Maui has no shortage of amazing beach resorts ranging from super luxury to family friendly to great “bang for your buck.” Here are Maui’s best beach resorts (in my opinion) broken down by location. Click through the links to check pricing and availability for your travel dates.

Not super familiar with Maui? Read this post to help you get the lay of the land and decide which area of Maui is right for you.

West Maui

Ka’anapali Beach

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa: If you want the best “Maui” experience and it’s in your budget, stay on Ka’anapali Beach. The Westin would be my pick. It’s got a great pool area, nice rooms, its spot on the beach is not too crowded and it’s just a couple of resorts down from an outdoor mall where there are several dining options. Click here to check pricing and availability.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa: The Sheraton on Ka’anapali is also a great option. It’s right in front of Black Rock so some of the best snorkeling on Maui is literally right outside your door. Click here to check pricing and availability.

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa: The Hyatt is at the opposite end of Ka’anapali Beach (it’s a three mile beach) and while you won’t be right in the middle of the action (or close to snorkeling at Black Rock), it is a quieter option and a very nice resort. Bonus…they have penguins! Click here to check pricing and availability.

Marriott Ocean Club: The Marriott has a great location on Ka’anapali Beach that will keep you in the middle of the action while still staying at a familiar property (if you track points through Starwood or Marriot, that may be of interest to you). Click here to check pricing and availability.

Honua Kai Resort & Spa: If you want to be in the Ka’anapali area but slightly removed from the crowds (or the prices) try the Honua Kai Resort and Spa. It’s just north of Black Rock but still technically in the Ka’anapali resort area. Click here to check pricing and availability.

12 Budget Hotels on Maui

While Maui has the reputation for being super expensive, it’s actually possible to find a place to stay at ALL price levels. If you’re looking for one of the cheapest ways to do Maui, you’ll find several budget hotels in Maui that are perfect for saving a few bucks but still staying in style.

Not very familiar with Maui? Read up on the lay of the is(land) here to get an idea of what part of the island you’d like to stay on.

Maui Budget Hotels

Ka’anapali Beach Hotel: Located right on bustling Ka’anapali Beach, the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is the perfect place to stay on Maui’s west side. Located on the Ka’anapali beach walk nearby the Sheraton, Westin, and Hyatt, you’ll enjoy being in west Maui’s gorgeous resort area at a fraction of the price. This charming “old Hawaii” hotel starts at $149/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

Maui Coast Hotel: Located super close to Kamaole Beach I in the heart of Kihei on Maui’s south side, the Maui Coast Hotel has great amenities including outdoor pools, a hot tub, a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, a poolside café, tennis courts, a fitness center, and a shuttle to Kihei and Wailea. Pricing starts at $157/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

Lahaina Inn: Located in the heart of Front Street in Lahaina, this inn is housed in a restored 1938 building and features plantation style rooms with private lanais. Guests at the Lahaina Inn can also use the facilities at the nearby Royal Lahaina Resort. Pricing starts at $115/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

Aston at Papakea Resort: Located in the Ka’anapali area near Honokowai Beach Park, the Aston at Papakea is an all-condo resort with a pool, tennis court, and putting green. Pricing starts at $159/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

Where to Stay in Maui

If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume you’re planning a vacation to Maui—yippee for you! If you’re not planning a trip to Maui, you should be! Seriously though, get on it!

Anyways, if you’re even remotely considering a trip to Maui and wondering where to stay, this post is for you. If you’ve never been before, you might be overwhelmed…which part of the island should you stay on? Are some beaches better than others? Are those fancy resorts really worth the money? Will a condo save you big bucks? I’m going to let you in on everything you need to know!

Side note: After you read up on the lay of the is(land) and know which part you want to stay on, check out these posts for recommendations:

25 awesome Maui Airbnbs

12 Maui budget hotels

16 Maui beach resorts

6 Best Family Friendly Resorts on Maui

5 Best Maui Honeymoon Resorts

Top 10 luxury resorts in Hawaii

12 favorite Hawaii boutique hotels

Lay of the Land, Maui Style

Maui is kind of a big island (we’re talking 10-12 hours of solid driving to go all the way around, which is just a point of reference because NOBODY drives around the entire island in a day) so don’t underestimate its size when you’re planning your trip. It’s divided into four main regions (West Maui, South Maui, East Maui, and the North Shore/Upcountry area) but only has two resort areas. You’ll fly into Kahului (the most sizable city/town) and this is where Wal-Mart, Target, and Costco are located but you likely won’t spend much time in Kahului once you pick up your rental car and groceries.

West Maui: West Maui was originally developed in the 1960s and remains the most popular place to stay and play on Maui. The old whaling village of Lahaina anchors this area and the Ka’anapali resort area is home to the majority of dining and accommodation options on this side of the island. It’s about a 30-40 minute drive from the airport (in Kahului) to the Ka’anapali/Lahaina area in West Maui.

South Maui: South Maui consists of Kihei (a decent sized beach town with plenty of condo options), Wailea (a more upscale, privately planned resort community), and Makena (the sleepy end of the road region in South Maui). The beaches in South Maui tend to get the most sunshine and are generally less crowded than the ones in West Maui. The resorts in Wailea (the Four Seasons, Grand Wailea, Marriot, etc) are only about a 15-20 minute drive from the airport.

East Maui: East Maui is the most remote side of the island (reached by the Road of Hana) and is usually reached as a day trip as accommodations are limited. While most visitors stay in West or South Maui, East Maui isn’t to be missed and the Road to Hana will likely be a highlight of your trip.

North Shore/Upcountry: The North Shore and Upcountry are the most authentic areas of Maui. This is where the locals live and while you likely won’t stay in this part of the island, you should plan plenty of time to explore this part of the island. Paia, Makawao, and a drive upcountry through Kula to Ulupalakua shouldn’t be missed.

Now that you’ve got the lay of the land, you’ll need to decide which part of the island will suit you best. First off, I’ll lay out some pros and cons of the West side vs. the South side before mentioning some more “off-the-beaten-path” options on the North Shore and in Hana.

25 Awesome Maui Airbnbs

One of the trickiest parts of planning a trip for me is finding just the right place to stay. My trips to Hawaii are pretty active and include plenty of exploring so I don’t want to pay a bundle on a fancy beach resort when I’ll be off trekking to the summit of Haleakala for sunrise or hiking through the bamboo forests of Hana, however sometimes a budget hotel can leave a little to be desired when I’m in the mood to lounge at the beach or poolside.

So I’ve got the perfect solution for you…you can save a bundle and still get amazing amenities by staying in an Airbnb on Maui! And yippee for you…I’ve got a $35 credit for you to use towards your stay! You can grab that right here.

But before I let you in on some of my favorite Maui Airbnbs, you probably have a few questions…

What is Airbnb? Airbnb is an online booking platform that connects people who are looking to rent out their home (or condo, guest cottage, garage apartment, etc.) with people who are looking for that type of accommodation. Operating in over 200 countries and 35,000 cities, Airbnb has over 10,000 listings in Hawaii alone!

How does it work? By doing a simple search by island, you’ll be able to find a wide (price and type) range of accommodation. Some Airbnb listings are for a shared or private room in the “host’s” house and some are for an entire apartment, condo, or house. You can refine your search to fit certain criteria (part of the island, price, style, etc.) before you start weeding through specific properties. Once you settle on a property, you’ll work out the details with the host and submit your payment through Airbnb’s online booking system, which mediates the transaction.

Why Airbnb in Hawaii? Airbnb is a popular accommodation source all over the world, but Hawaii is an Airbnber’s dream. Hawaii has a great variety of accommodation options, which makes it the perfect place to try out Airbnb. Since Hawaii is a major vacation destination, there are of course MANY condos to choose form but besides condos, Hawaii has a ton of “ohanas.” Ohana means family (any Lilo and Stitch fans out there???) and in Hawaii the term is applied to separate living units located on the same property as the main house. Many homes in Hawaii are divided up into multiple spaces (each with its own private entrance, bathroom, kitchenette, etc.) while some have a guest cottage on the property. Because so many homes are configured this way, it’s easy to find a private apartment or cottage on the same property with a local host.

How does it save me money? There are several ways you’ll save money on a trip to Hawaii by staying in an Airbnb. The biggest way you’ll save money is that it’s soooo much cheaper than staying at a resort or hotel. On many islands you can find condos or ohanas either right on or just a block or two from the beach. Plus, resorts can get expensive really fast if you have more than two adults staying in a room. Airbnbs are perfect for larger parties who can rent an entire house or multi bedroom condo and split the cost. Another big benefit that Airbnbs offer is the full kitchen (or kitchenette depending on what you book). Having a place to cook some meals and a fridge to store snacks and drinks can really save you a lot. Another big plus to staying in a hosted Airbnb is that they often provide gear for you to use. If you’re staying at a beach resort, they’ll only provide chairs and umbrellas for you at their beach, but an Airbnb or condo will often have chairs, umbrellas, beach towels, coolers, and snorkeling gear for you to use during your stay. This is a pretty big bonus if you’re the adventuresome type who likes to check out different beaches and do day trips to explore the island.

Before I let you in on some of my favorite Airbnb’s, if you’re not very familiar with Maui, you should read this post to get the lay of the is(land) and decide which area you’d most like to stay.

25 Awesome Maui Airbnbs

West Side

Maui’s west side is the island’s largest resort area (home to Lahaina, Ka’anapali, Napili, and Kapalua) and has sooo many condos and Airbnbs to choose from.

Beachfront condo at Napili Bay: This one bedroom unit in the Napili Shores complex starts at $198/night.

Old Hawaii condo with a private beach: This one bedroom unit (with a shared pool and beautiful grounds) has an almost private beach where sea turtles are commonly spotted and starts at just $149/night!

Napili Hale Plantation House: This beach chic two bedroom/two bathroom home is within easy walking distance to Napili Bay and starts at $195/night.

The Whaler at Ka’anapali Beach: This oceanfront condo complex is a great way to stay on bustling Ka’anapali Beach (with excellent access to snorkeling at Black Rock) at a fraction of the price of the major resorts. This one bedroom condo (sleeps six) starts at $180/night.

Maui

Island Breakdown

West Maui

Ka’anapali Beach

Maui Budget Hotels

Lay of the Land, Maui Style

25 Awesome Maui Airbnbs

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