Place to stay on Maui - any suggestions?

[LeeH]

I'm researching a soon to be taken trip to Maui. Any suggestions on nice places to stay that won't break the bank? We're not really looking for a big resort... more of a B&B, cabin, etc that's reasonably close to civilization, but not in the thick of the tourist areas.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Look north of Kaanapali and Lahina

[einreb]

Originally posted by Jared Fenton
Look north of Kaanapali and Lahina

I would agree with that. But the key is to find the right deal. Going through brokers will cost you. Finding an individual that is willing to rent out their condo usually offers the best value. As an example, my wife nabbed a coworkers place in that area for $1200 for a 2br for a week this november.

Not to open a can of worms... but if you're looking for something a bit more 'non-resorty' is Kauai an option? (Not that there aren't really nice resorts on Kauai... but its a more 'rural' island).

[Drago]

My wife's family has a two bedroom condo here that is very nice. It's in Kihei which is centrally located and only about 20 minutes to the airport.

[Drago]

Here's a pic of what we woke up to every morning:



You can get end units where you walk off your padio, cross a couple of feet of grass and you on the beach.

[LeeH]

Originally posted by Drago
My wife's family has a two bedroom condo here that is very nice. It's in Kihei which is centrally located and only about 20 minutes to the airport.

Sounds like the sort of area we're looking for - the web site says it's "between Kihei and Maalaea." The $250/night rate is significantly higher than we're looking for.

[cbeers]

Hey Lee, have you considered the Big Island?

MUCH more land, variety etc.
FAR LESS people
MUCH more space

can't help with places to stay though, just thought I would throw out the idea. It's BY FAR my favorite


-Chris

[Drago]

Originally posted by LeeH
Sounds like the sort of area we're looking for - the web site says it's "between Kihei and Maalaea." The $250/night rate is significantly higher than we're looking for.

Thats accurate...the town of Kihei is about 10 minutes south and Maalaea harbor is about 15 minutes north around the bay.

Sorry about the price. One of the perks of marrying a little $ is I don't have to ask

[LeeH]

Originally posted by cbeers
Hey Lee, have you considered the Big Island?

MUCH more land, variety etc.
FAR LESS people
MUCH more space

We did some reading and picked Maui for the variety of landscapes. Beaches, mountains, deserts, and forests all in one place seemed like a good thing.

[dd74]

Two suggestions:

1) Kea Lani in Wailea:
http://www.fairmont.com/kealani/

2) Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua:
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/kapalua/

This is the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua:



I don't know how big a bank you're talking about, but these are worth a call just for comparison's sake...

[xlr8]

Here's an interesting alternative.

[ubiquity0]

We stayed at the Kapalua Bay Hotel, next door to the Ritz Carlton. Its smaller, but still 5-star (and alot less crowded).

We booked through hotwire- there are only 2 5-star hotels in Kapalua Bay so when hotwire listed a 5-star available for $xxx (can't remember the actual rate- probably no more than $150 or so) we knew it was going to be one or the other. From memory the room was about $100 a night less than the hotel's rates.

[LeeH]

I think my wife would be more likely to sign up for the Westfalia than the resort.

[Z-man]

Maui Coast in Kihei. Not a resort, but a very, very nice hotel.

Stayed there twice - once on Honeymoon, once during our 10-year anniversary return trip.

-Z.

[targa911S]

Don't fall for those "7 sacred pools". The drive to Hanna.......leave early in the morning, start home way before dark. Hope you enjoy switchbacks! Go to the volcano. (dress warm)

[Moses]

All of Hawaii, including Maui, is loaded with beautiful new timeshare condos. The owners frequently rent out weeks they are unable to use. The condos tend to be in prime spots with great prices.

Marriott has some great ones. Check this out;

http://www.tug1.org/tugads/1-2sposted1.html

[einreb]

Originally posted by Moses
All of Hawaii, including Maui, is loaded with beautiful new timeshare condos. The owners frequently rent out weeks they are unable to use. The condos tend to be in prime spots with great prices.

Marriott has some great ones. Check this out;

http://www.tug1.org/tugads/1-2sposted1.html

wow. thats a great link... lots of good stuff at very reasonable prices.

[pbs911]

Originally posted by cbeers
Hey Lee, have you considered the Big Island?

MUCH more land, variety etc.
FAR LESS people
MUCH more space

can't help with places to stay though, just thought I would throw out the idea. It's BY FAR my favorite

Having lived in Hawaii for 15 years I have to second the Big island Suggestion. Maui is like, well, Southern California. Sorry. It sure ain't Hawaii by Hawaii standards. Maui was a great place about 15 years ago, but since they pulled out the sugar cane and pineapples fields, it's just one big condo with overpriced resorts. I wouldn't waste my time or money on Maui. The spiritual magic is just gone.

Check out the Kealoa Beach Resort in Kailua Kona. I've returned there no less than 5 times since I've left the islands. Great prices on packages (free night, upgrades, breakfast brunch) via Pleasant Hawaiian.

[911pcars]

A friend has a 1 bedroom condo he rents at the Aston Papakea Resort (Maui). It's a four story, oceanfront, condominium complex located between Kaanapali and Kapalua.

Let me know if you want more details.

Sherwood

[LeeH]

We ended up booking a condo at Mana Kai. With the airline employee discount it was $1078 with all taxes for 6 nights. I did a lot of reading and people were overall very satisfied with it for the price. It's right on the edge of Kihei and Wailea.

I found a very useful web site during my research:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/
Sort of like Epinions, but for travelers.