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Maui Hotel Recommendations

I am helping my daughter do some research for her honeymoon which will be last week of February and first week of March. I think we are all set with Oahu for the first part, but we are having a tough time with finding affordable accomodations on Maui. Their budget is $700 p/night inclusive of resort fees and taxes. They would also like an oceanview room as well (I know, a big ask at such a paltry price point.) Their first choice was the Wailea area but are finding it tough to find something within budget. We are now wondering if Kaanapali beach area would be Okay. Not sure how that is after the nearby fires in Lahaina, although I understand the area, including Whalers village, is pretty much open for business.

Any suggestions for accomodations would be appreciated. They are also willing to look at other areas of the island that those in the know would recommend for first timers. As far as interests, they don't spend a lot of time on the beach but prefer to be active. Think ziplining, waterfall rappelling, snorkeling, hiking, etc. They hope to get things booked this weekend.

Edited to add: they can go up to $800 p/night inclusive, but the place would have to be something luxurious for that.

Posted by
2589 posts

Have you checked availability and prices for resorts via Costco Travel? A brief search minutes ago reveals a number of available resorts within your budget and preferred locations. We’ve booked a number of travel packages via Costco Travel and greatly appreciate there are no surprises as to what’s included and excluded.

Posted by
1494 posts

$800 inclusive? Inclusive of tax and resort fees? Then the big Wailea hotels will be difficult. There are plenty of beautiful condos in Wailea with a view If they aren’t really beach people and will be busy with activities; they can look into availability of a day access fee for one day at one the of the high end resorts if they need a day to luxuriate around a fancy pool.

Many years ago we used to stay at the Grand Wailea for around $500/night (not including taxes, resort fees) and the breakfast buffet price for kids was around $50 where they would eat two bites of fruit and an individual size box of cereal. Prices have at least doubled. I’m sure they are already considering the high cost of everything at Waimea’s luxury hotels, not just the room night cost, but it really adds up quickly.

One time due to heavy construction while staying at one of the Wailea hotels they moved us to one of the neighboring resorts in Makena since it became unbearably noisy. They could check those resorts.

Kapalua Bay would also be very pricey but Napili might have something at that price.

Posted by
2818 posts

This is my favorite hotel on Maui: Napili Kai. They have oceanview rooms in their budget in March.

This place is magical. On Napili beach. Low-rise, old style resort. Gorgeous grounds.

https://www.napilikai.com/

Posted by
9382 posts

We like the Kaanapali Beach Hotel which was relatively reasonable kbh hotel Noting that it was bought out by the Outrigger chain so we dont know if it has changed much (the name has) or gotten more expensive. We like it because it's the best part of the beach, and a short walk to Whaler's Village. Lahaina will be sorely missed, but there's still a lot to do on Maui.

Posted by
969 posts

Are they set on a hotel? I haven’t checked, but maybe Airbnb or VRBO would have options. It’s roughing it compared to resort hotels, but it would/could give them $$ to spend elsewhere.

Posted by
41 posts

Agree that the Napili Kai is magical. In Wailea we stayed at the Wailea Ekhai. Individually owned low rise condos. Pools and beach access.

Posted by
3798 posts

I lived on Maui and worked at the Grand Wailea. It’s a gorgeous hotel, but rates may be too high. I lived in Napili and agree with Valerie it might be more cost effective for your honeymooners. Check out Naplili Shores too, home of the now famous (I cry it’s no longer a secret), Gazebo restaurant.

Posted by
484 posts

Thank you all so much! I knew I was coming to the right place for help. I will look into all the suggestions and then pass on the best options for them to my daughter. My daughter is more low key, but FSIL likes higher end. Unfortunately for him, they're just starting out and not quite "there" yet :)

@Bruce - While I did check Costco for Oahu, I had not yet for Maui. They are not members as the nearest Costco to them is about 35 minutes away with no traffic, but I did tell them it might be worth the $65 fee just for the savings for their honeymoon. I will definately check out all these recommendations.

Thank you everyone!

Posted by
1120 posts

In 2016 we stayed in a studio at the Napili Surf and it was very nice and less expensive than Napili Kai. They have renovated since then so it may be more expensive. It’s an easy walk to Napili Shores or Napili Kai for meals.

Posted by
118 posts

This isn't a luxury ocean-side resort but the Pineapple Inn in Kihei was a fantastic choice for our trip to Maui. We did not want to stay on a beach with high rise hotels and condos. We drove to local beaches to snorkel in the mornings and hiked in the afternoons. We spent a day driving to Hana, spent a night near there, then had the whole next day to drive back to Kihei, stopping for the Pipiwai Trail hike. Why are they going to Oahu? IMO Kauai and the Big Island are much nicer for scenery, hiking and other activities.

Posted by
1219 posts

The beach at Napili Bay was very nice, if a bit crowded (I was there first week of June).
I didn't stay there, but the Royal Lahaina Resort seemed very nice. Not impacted by the fire, as far as I could tell. I had a nice dinner there and then walked over to listen to the nightly live music under the banyan tree (where food and drinks were also available to order). It was a local guy with a guitar singing some local music, some originals and some covers. It was lovely. It is open to anyone, so even if they stay somewhere else, it's a nice evening.
I can definitely recommend a snorkeling trip with Kai Kanani. If they get up early to do the first one, they will be among the first people out to Molokini (because this boat leaves from the beach in Wailea instead of from a dock further north). https://kaikanani.com
Since they'll be in their second week of the honeymoon, maybe downgrading the room a little and splurging on experiences is the way to go?
Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Posted by
668 posts

I love Napili, but it is much more a low key vibe than perhaps FSIL would appreciate. You could check ou tthe Kapalua Villas, which I believe are in your price range. Kapalua will feel a little more high end and they are close to many small beaches for snorkeling walkng the trail there etc.

In Kaanapali, The Whaler is an old favourite and does have some more reasonable units. The higher units have spectacular views. We stayed in the West end last year. While most of Lahaina is gone, we were still able to go to many restaurants etc.