Where

Congratulations! 

You’ve decided to travel to Maui. You’ve booked your flights and now need to decide where to stay. South Maui, West Maui, Upcountry…what does that even mean? And the names of the towns all sound the same! Don’t panic, I’m here to help.

Nicknamed “The Valley Isle,” due to the great valley that lies between its two major volcanoes, Maui is shaped like an hour glass with the airport in the middle and Haleakala (world’s largest dormant volcano) sitting on the south east side of the island (Upcountry refers to the higher elevation towns residing on Haleakala like Kula and Makawao). Most visitors stay in either West Maui (Ka’anapali, Napili, Lahaina town or Kapalua) or South Maui (Kihei or Wailea). South Maui tends to get less rain than West Maui but is often hotter. Some may want to split their time between the two for stays 10 days or more, or spend a night on the Road to Hana if they want to take their time checking out the waterfalls. Let’s decide on the best primary location for you.

West Maui

Ka’anapali

Aerial View of Ka’anapali Beach – Island of Maui – Hawaii

If a friend recently got back from Maui, chances are they stayed in Ka’anapali — a lovely resort area with mid-range hotels (like the Hyatt Regency) set alongside a beautiful beach, next to a mediocre golf course. Most end up at Whaler’s Village, an outdoor mall with a few oceanfront restaurants, or Lahaina town for dinner.

Pros: Ka’anapali has a paved pathway that runs along the beach, perfect for morning jogs and evening strolls. You feel like you are “in Hawaii” with the tiki torches lit at night, luaus and parrots on display at the various hotels. Hotel pools are great with swim up bars and some have waterslides. A long sandy beach is right there so you can take a quick dip and then lay out by the pool.

Cons: It is one of the more touristy areas of the island. Don’t expect too much privacy at this lively, high energy resort area. Hotel living isn’t cheap when you factor in all the eating out and constant temptations to buy things, whether it be a drink by the pool, souvenir or tour. If you like to get up and go, prepare for a wait at valet or walk to your car every time you want to leave. The crowded beach fronting the huge hotels isn’t the best, but it is suitable for building sand castles or taking a dip. Plan to drive elsewhere for snorkeling or privacy.

BEST FOR: High energy families and couples who prefer hotel living (don’t want to cook or think and just want to stay at the pool or beach in front), plan to go on a lot of tours, and have a moderate to high budget.

Kapalua

Aerial View of Oneloa Beach in Kapalua

Kapalua features Kapalua Bay (one of my favorite white sand beaches), award-winning restaurants and accommodations like the Ritz Carton and Montage, and two legendary world-class golf courses. There are also moderate to high priced condos (depending on view of golf course and/or ocean) geared mainly to golfers.

Pros: It’s luxurious, has fewer kids and “touristy tourists” than other resort areas, and not many beaches on the island can beat Kapalua Bay. Golf is fantastic if you can hit a low drive to beat the wind. It is also close to many of the West Maui loop adventures like Nakalele Point, Blowhole & “Acid War Zone.”

Cons: It’s expensive, windy and rains a lot (but you can’t get rainbows without rain). It’s also pretty out of the way (about an hour or more, depending on traffic, from the airport), so Kapalua is not great for exploring the island or playing tourist. There are limited restaurants, so you will find yourself driving a lot if you aren’t staying in a condo.

BEST FOR: Couples, golfers, honeymooners, those seeking a little more privacy, and have high end tastes. Recommended for those that have already been to Maui and know what they want to do.

Napili

Rocky trail from Napili Shores to Napili Bay

Nestled between Ka’anapali and Kapalua is Napili, home to the famous Gazebo breakfast and beautiful Napili Bay. Napili offers low to high priced condo communities nestled right on the water. Napili condos have great views but lack sandy beaches in front of most of the communities. Also, be sure to check if the property has A/C as many don’t allow them. Napili Point, Napili Shores and Napili Surf are three of the most popular.

Pros: Enjoy all that Kaanapali has to offer at a fraction of the price. Condo living means cost savings! Napili Bay is another gem of a beach and if you are agile on your feet and can navigate the rocky entrance into Honokeana Bay, you can find yourself snorkeling with the honu (sea turtle) just steps from your room.

Cons: Like Kapalua, Napili gets a fair share of rain, but you can often outrun it by driving a few minutes south to Ka’anapali. Do your research as some of the condo communities feel more like a motel than a home in paradise. There isn’t much around in terms of restaurants and amenities. Be prepared to drive daily either to Kapalua or Ka’anapali. Since Napili is basically just a few small oceanfront condo communities along a residential road, it doesn’t have too much charm or identity, but you will have privacy.

BEST FOR: Families that want condo living (sleeping separation, cost savings and ease of cooking at home) and access to all the touristy wonderfulness that Lahaina town and Ka’anapali offer.

Lahaina

Aerial View – Lahaina Harbor and Lahaina Town

***2024 UPDATE: Lahaina Town almost completely burned in the 2023 fires and is still (for the most part) closed. While some restaurants are beginning to open, it will take years for it to reopen as a place for tourists to stay. The most important focus now is housing the local families that lost their homes. Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili and Kapalua are all open for visitors. Please note that many places on the west side have a Lahaina mailing address — but were not impacted by the files — so check a map to determine where they are specifically located. As you drive through the area, please have respect for the lives and homes that were lost. Do not pull over to take pictures.***

Lahaina is visited by two million people, or about 80% percent of all of Maui tourism, every year, which is no surprise considering the popularity of Front Street. Lined with restaurants, bars, art galleries, booths selling tours and timeshares, and a wide variety of shops, Lahaina town is definitely a top attraction on the island. Most people visit Lahaina at least once on every trip to Maui for dinner, drink or even just dessert, but they usually end up strolling down Front Street, window shopping and visiting the massive Banyan tree located in the town square. Lodging is sparse compared to other locations, but there are a few condos and homes for rent. One of the best is the ocean front, hotel like mid-rise condominium complex called Lahaina Shores.

Pros: If you are more into shopping and nightlife than snorkeling and laying on the beach, Lahaina could be a good option for you. Of all the places on the island, Lahaina is probably the easiest town to get away without a rental car. Home of two of the most popular luaus, Old Lahaina Luau and Feast at Lele, you can stroll home or take a short taxi ride home after partaking in the all you can drink part of the show.

Cons: Because of its popularity, Lahaina is almost always busy (except for early mornings) and traffic and parking is often a nightmare. It feels more like a bustling small town vs. a sleepy beach community, so it doesn’t have the “get away from it all” vibe most are seeking in a Maui vacation. There are a few small beaches but you aren’t picking Lahaina for the beach scene.

BEST FOR: Singles, young couples and backpackers that want shopping and nightlife within walking distance.

South Maui

Wailea

Beachfront walk in Wailea

Ahh, Wailea…what’s not to love besides the price? Wailea is home to 90 holes of championship golf and world-class beaches, tennis, shopping and dining. Wailea includes high end beach front condos, moderately priced golf course condos and some of the finest (most expensive) hotels on the island including the Grand Wailea, Four Seasons and Fairmont Kea Lani. Wailea Elua Village is a gated beachfront condo resort spanning the length of Ulua Beach that we often stay at when we are in the mood to splurge. All of these gorgeous resort properties sit along a meandering, ocean front, paved path perfect for morning runs and quiet sunset strolls.

Pros: Wailea has more beautiful beaches than you could visit in a trip, and if you did, you could continue on to the beaches of Makena. The beaches are rock free for swimming in the middle and you can’t beat the snorkeling at the lava points on the edges. Turtle sightings are almost guaranteed. Like Kaanapali, you “feel like you are in Hawaii,” but people move at a much slower pace and everything feels much more luxurious. Fine dining is easy to find at the various resorts and the high-end Shops of Wailea are a good place to treat yourself.

Cons:  Hotel rooms during high season can cost more than $1,000 a night. If you want to stay in Wailea, you definitely want to price shop and consider going during low season for the best deals. Ocean front condos in Wailea can easily cost 2-4 times more than condos in Kihei and Napili, but they do offer world-class beaches and sunsets without having to get into a car. A better deal can be found at the golf course condos, but those communities lack charm and are pretty far from the beach, so you may be better off with an ocean view condo in Kihei for the same price or less. Some of the high end hotels are not as family friendly and you might get tired of dressing in resort attire and keeping your kids quiet so you don’t disturb the other guests.

BEST FOR: Affluent couples and older families (or those splurging for a special occasion) that prefer the best of the best and a slower resort environment.

Kihei

Kihei is a popular community for travelers that like to stay in condos and don’t like rain. It’s known for the wide variety of shops, restaurants and beaches that line South Kihei Road for miles. Kihei also has pretty lively nightlife for those that like to visit bars, breweries and casual restaurants after a day at the beach. It is divided into three parts — North, South and everything in between. Personally, I’d avoid most of Central Kihei, so let’s move on.

North Kihei

Morning at Sugar Beach in North Kihei

North Kihei is one of the closest places to stay near Kahului (besides the always windy Maalaea Harbor area) — where the airport, Costco and Walmart are. For the most part, there are low to moderate end, beach front, high rise condo communities on the ocean side and residential neighborhoods and apartments across the street. You aren’t in a resort area or near anything touristy. Sugar Beach Resort is one of the nicest options, with a beachside pool, but it is also one of the priciest.

Pros: One of North Kihei’s primary benefits is it offers low prices for big ocean views. People that have never been to Maui often end up there because of the lure of the view in the condo listing. I like to say that North Kihei “isn’t near anything, but it’s closest to everything.” Let me explain. If your plan is to explore every part of the island, North Kihei could be a great home base. It is also very convenient if you need to get to Kahului a lot.

Cons: On the flip side, plan on driving daily to find the best beaches, restaurants and things to do. Also be aware that it is incredibly windy there, the water at the beaches are often brown with runoff, and many of the communities do not offer A/C so be sure to check. When touring many of the communities, I often felt like I was in an apartment complex, not a Hawaiian resort. (Personally, it’s not my favorite area.)

BEST FOR: On-the-go couples that only want an affordable ocean view and a place to rest their heads.

South Kihei

South Kihei beach at sunset looking at West Maui mountains

South Kihei is where you’ll find the best beaches in Kihei with clear water, nice sand and great snorkeling with turtles. There are also a lot of great moderately priced restaurants and condo complexes. South Kihei reminds me a little of a small Californian surfer town. It’s relaxed and overall pretty casual. It also isn’t as touristy as West Maui so you’ll find more “travelers” and repeat Maui visitors who want to avoid the crowds and just enjoy the best that the island has to offer. Most condo communities are low to mid rise with a few beachfront high rise communities. My favorite low rise complex is Maui Kamaole for its location, extra-spacious units and lush landscaping. For those with larger budgets and small families, the beachfront high rise Mana Kai Maui is a great choice for its amenities and location on the lovely mile long Keawakapu Beach.

Pros: I love South Kihei because it has the best of “both worlds.” You won’t break the bank with Kihei pricing for lodging and food, but you can also enjoy all of Wailea’s amenities just down the street. You can stroll into a restaurant for a fish taco right off the beach or get dressed up for the night and enjoy fine dining at the Wailea resort properties just minutes away. (See Wailea Pros.) In a nutshell, South Kihei has great beaches, tons of affordable food and shopping options, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Cons: Kihei isn’t a resort area so at times you might not “feel” like you are in Maui. The beaches, palm trees and sun are all there, but you don’t get the lush vegetation that you find in Wailea or Kaanapali. Most of the condo complexes are just across South Kihei Road from the beach so be sure you do your research when booking your unit. An ocean view in South Kihei might also come with road noise.

BEST FOR: Families and couples that don’t like rain, love multiple beach options and snorkeling, and want condo living (sleeping separation, cost savings and ease of cooking at home) but DON’T WANT the touristy vibe and expense of West Maui.

Conclusion

Sunset view from Anthurium House lanai

Only you can decide what part of Maui is best for you, but if you are still torn on South or West Maui, then take the quizzes below!

My personal favorite area is South Maui. Wailea is amazing, but for cost reasons and a more family friendly atmosphere, we prefer staying in South Kihei and taking advantage of Wailea’s amenities during the day. Convinced a South Kihei condo is the way to go? Check out our spacious, front row, ocean view 1BD/2BA condo, Anthurium House, and see if it is right for you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]