Maui Lodging and The Road to Hana

Jim I recommend the travel guidebooks and website for the Real Guide to XXXX (in this case to Maui) for a lot of good info and RS-like information and recommendations. We did the road to Hana once (that was enough), and you probably know this, the journey is the attraction, not Hana itself. I didn't see anything in Hana itself worth visiting. The seven pools comes further down the road. As I recall, our rental agreement did not allow us to drive farther than that (around the south end of the island) because the roads are not improved. Maybe thats changed or you are OK with the risk.

We've only stayed in Kaanapali area so can't help with hotels.

PS oh, and get the smallest, thinnest car you can. Its no joke about the hairpin turns and fast-driving locals.

We loved this place with it's nearly private beach http://paiainn.com. Good place to begin driving to Hana on what is called Divorce Road. If you stay call to be sure construction will not interrupt your peace as they have been planning to add 4 rooms.

We were staying in Ka'anapali Beach when we did the road to Hana and back in 1 day. At the time that we went I do not believe that the road was open to drive completely around the island. We did the drive on a Sunday, took our time, stopped at Charles Lindbergh's grave, and returned around 3pm. We were told to do the drive on a Sunday because it should not be as busy. We were also told to be off of it by 3pm because the locals would start returning home from work and drive the route like they know it. We found both to be true. The road itself has many turns (600?) and can be narrow. If any member's of your party are not comfortable driving along a cliff road then you may want to rethink it. I am sorry that I can not offer any tips on where to stay.

When I went to Hana many years ago, the auto rental agreement specified not past Hana, so we took a van tour all the way around -- scenic past Hana if you like hot moonscapes. Road on the back side was unpaved and narrow; when the van got a flat tire, there was no handy AAA truck.

The road to Hana is a spectacular drive, but not for those subject to being carsick. While it's not far, budget the whole day if going to/from. Wai'anapanapa State Park is a nice stop for a hike and picnic (pack it before starting the day). It's a very nice place to sleep if you can book one of the 12 cabins. Good advice to rent a small car and understand if the rental agreement prohibits driving much beyond Hana.

We have driven to hana stayed there and went all the way around the island. The road around the island is fine. The car rental companies sometimes don't want you to do it mainly because of towing expense if something happens, but the road is good. We have stayed here http://bambooinn.com/overview.php and enjoyed it. Kitchenette in studio right on the bay. Hana only has a couple food choices which are just ok...the expensive hotel restaurant and the beach burger place, so we bring food and grilled. Hana is pretty sleepy, the advantage of overnight is you can leave to begin the drive later in the day and have less traffic and people at the hiking spots etc..and you can have hana to yourself in the evening and the next morning including the seven sacred pools. Maui Revealed is a great guide book if you don't already have it.

We did the drive many years ago and decided not to heed the rental car company's warning of not driving all the way around. We ended up getting to a spot that had water about 6-8" deep, about 10' wide running across the road into the ocean and many other tourist stopped wondering what to do. We waited a bit and watched a larger vehicle cut across so we decided to do the same with our sub - sub -sub compact car. In my genius way, I had the three other occupants in the car walk across while I drove. Looking back, I probably should have had them in the car for extra weight, but nevertheless, made it across with no problem. It saved hours on the trip back.

oops, as Keith said, Maui Revealed is the guidebook to which I meant to refer.

Aloha Jim----born and raised here. Survived the Road to Hana all the while thinking about a book I read called the Long Walk---a trek from Northern Siberia to India and China--on foot. LOL---I married at an old church in Hana that my grandmother married in some 71 before--on the same month & day, too. So, between the book and grandma's journey on her Ford (92 years ago), the drive there was great. There were places to stop alongside the road where residents sold goods---bbq---whatever. My fav was the bbq'd breadfruit (ulu). Not sure they're still there but if they are, don't miss this one. Hotels: there was really only 1 really nice one (very expensive) and one casual (where we stayed) and it was fine. We took that same coastal drive back (that you speak of). You know-----when you're newly married, everything is beautiful. As I look back though, and dig as deep as I can, it was dry, arid, hot----how about a 1 way rental and flight back to Kahului?

Echoing what Laura B said: the rental agency will probably tell you not to drive all the way around. However.....the scenery in the south of Maui is fantastic. If you get ambitious, you can visit the grave site of Charles Lindbergh/