Maui is a great island to stay, but not every part of it is the same or offers the same activities and comfort. Simply put, not every area suits every traveler. For example, if you like to be close to the attractions and ready to party all night, you won’t enjoy the North Shore, and if you prefer a relaxing experience in a community with nature, you can be sure Central Maui is a bad choice for you.
So, what is the best area for you? It depends on what you’re looking for. In general, Maui can be roughly divided into five areas, each with its own advantages and downsides.
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What to consider when choosing where to stay?
Proximity to top attractions
As you could guess, every region has its own set of attractions, so being close to them all is a bit hard. If you want to be the closest to the most, then stay in Central Maui, but you’ll have to drive a lot. If you want the best beaches and water activities, then West and South Maui are for you.
Crowds or secluded?
If you are good with the crows, then there won’t be much of a problem with you staying in West Maui. But crowds are not for everyone, especially if you come from a big city and just want some time to yourself. If that’s the case, then maybe choose East or Upcountry Maui.
Budget
Since you’ve probably worked really hard to be able to travel to Hawaii, it’s important to choose wisely where to spend your money, especially given that Maui is one of the most expensive islands. Choose the budget-friendly options whenever you can, places like Central Maui offer good options while still being close to the main attractions.
Weather differences
Giving that Maui has many mountains, you can expect a changing climate. The coastal areas tend to be warm and sunny all year-round, while the mountains can be chilly. The weather also has a lot to do with the season. If you’re traveling from November to March, during the Rainy season, you can expect some rain showers, so be prepared.
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How to stay connected in Maui, Hawaii?
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Breakdown of Maui’s Best Areas to Stay
West Maui: Beaches, Resorts and Action
West Maui is a great place to stay if you want a good balance between natural beauty and modern comfort. If you want to relax in the sun or do some water activities, you have Kaanapali Beach and Napili Bay. For the adrenaline seeking, you can jump from Black Rock to the crystal clear waters of Kaanapali beach.
It’s also great for people wanting to connect more with the local culture. You can take a walk around Lahaina, which was once a whaling village and now is open to tourists. There you can visit one of the most authentic luaus in Hawaii, the Old Lahaina Luau, where you can admire the hula dancing while tasting local dishes.
Where to Stay in West Maui
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Kaanapali: Best resorts of the whole area with excellent beaches. If you want a vacation in a tropical paradise, this is your dream area. You can stay at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, excellent for families, or the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa if you want to snorkel a lot. For a more affordable option, since this area can get quite expensive, you have the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.
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Napili & Kapalua: A good option if you prefer a less crowded area but still enjoy all the perks of the coastline. Also excellent if you like golfing, as hotels like the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua have world-class golf clubs. If you’re on your honeymoon, one of the best options you have is the Montage Kapalua Bay, with excellent service and a bit more exclusive.
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Honokowai and Kahana: If you’re trying to stay in Hawaii with a more modest budget, this area might be what you’re looking for. It’s still close to Kaanapali Beach, while offering condo and vacation rentals. You can stay at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa or the Kahana Sunset, excellent condo-style resorts with direct access to the beach.
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South Maui: Sun, Sand and Upscale Vibes
Similar to West Maui, here you’ll find exclusive resorts full of comfort and luxury with beautiful beaches. If you’re deciding on where to have your honeymoon and you have the means to afford it, don’t look further. Here you’ll have the opportunity to take your spouse on a romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise, to take some cocktails with the sky taking almost all the colors of the rainbow. Or you can both take a day trip to Lanai, to discover secluded beaches and watch dolphins play in the water.
If you prefer a more adventurous approach, you can visit the Molokini Crater, where you can do some snorkel or scuba diving. If you love paddleboarding or kayaking, you can rent one in Kihei or Wailea and explore the calm waters in the early morning, before taking a break at the Maui Brewing Co., for some good food with excellent craft beer.
Where to Stay in South Maui
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Wailea: Best if you’re going all out and you want the best of the best. Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, a 5-star resort famous worldwide, or at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, with incredible pools and trendy designs.
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Kihei: It’s more affordable than Wailea, no doubt there, and there’s also a more local feel, so it’s a better option if you’re trying to stay within budget. You can stay at the Maui Coast Hotel or the Aston at the Maui Banyan. Both offer an accessible price with good amenities.
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Makena: If you’re traveling to Hawaii for its beautiful nature, then this area is best for you. Compared to the others, it’s remote and unspoiled by modernity. There’s no big hotel, no trendy shops and restaurants, but you can stay at the Makena Surf Condos or private vacation rentals.
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East Maui: Secluded & Scenic
If you liked the idea of staying in a place more remote and less touristic, then East Maui and especially Hana will catch your attention. Firstly, you’ll get to enjoy the Road to Hana, one of the island’s main attractions, without having to rush back quickly. And once in Hana you can visit Wai’anapanapa State Park, with its stunning black sand beaches and sea caves. It’s also a great place to do some hiking, so make sure you’ve packed your good shoes and your trusty backpack.
If you want to take some amazing pictures, visit the many waterfalls of the area. You have the Twin Falls, early in the Road to Hana, with nice natural pools where you can swim. There’s also the Upper Waikani Falls, also called the Three Bears Falls, and the Hanawi Falls. For some cultural visits, you should head to the largest ancient Hawaiian Temple on the island, the Pi’ilanihale Heiau, also called the Kahanu Garden, since nowadays it is a peaceful botanical garden.
Where to Stay in East Maui
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Hana: The most famous area and the most visited. There you’ll find luxury resorts like the Hana-Maui Resort, with ocean-view cottages and spas, as well as more budget-friendly options like the Hana Inn. And for the adventurers that love an unconventional stay, there’s the Hana Maui Dream Temple.
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Kipahulu: Great for adventurers, since it’s very remote and has few accommodation options. There you have two main options, either the Wai’anapanapa with their rustic cabins or the Kipahalu Campground, where you’ll need to have your own tent.
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Central Maui: Local & Convenient
If you don’t like the idea of being off the grid in the middle of nature without AC or WiFi, then why not stay in Central Maui? It’s great if you’re trying to stay on a low budget, and you won’t even have to go too far from the airport! Also, even if there’s no beachfront or that many tourist amenities, from there you have a close access to the rest of the island.
But having few amenities doesn’t mean it’s a boring place to stay in. You can visit the ‘Īao Valley State Park, where you can admire the ‘Īao Needle, an interesting rock formation surrounded by lush rainforest. If you want to hike a bit more, you can follow the Waihee Ridge Trail, with its 5-mile round trip offering an excellent view of West Maui Mountains, waterfalls and coastline.
Where to Stay in Central Maui
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Kahului: Best if you’re looking for convenience and budget-friendly accommodations as it’s closer to the airport and many shopping centers and local restaurants. You can stay at the Maui Seaside Hotel near the Harbor, or the Courtyard, near the airport.
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Wailuke: Still well within a small budget, but it has a more authentic and local feeling. After all, is the older part of the town, with all the character and history that this entails. If you want to fully explore this feeling, you can stay at the Old Wailuku Inn at Ulupono, a charming bed & breakfast that used to be a plantation-style home, or the Wailuku Guesthouse with its cozy ambiance.
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Upcountry Maui: Quiet Retreat in the Hills
If you want a quiet retreat without necessarily going all out into the nature, then Upcountry Maui might be your best place to stay. This place is great for people that are just searching for some peace and a relaxed experience.
If you love wine and are interested in the agricultural side of the island, then you can visit the Tedeschi Vineyard. This is actually the only commercial vineyard in the whole island, so you can be sure you’ll be tasting something unique. You can also visit the Surfing Goat Dairy and the Maui Lavender Farm, if you want to see something unique and taste the Hawaiian flavors directly from the source. Incidentally, you have the opportunity to stay at said dairy farm, if you want a rustic experience.
Where to Stay in Upcountry Maui
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Kula: If you’re looking for a peaceful rural vibe with great views of the island, then this place is for you. It’s located in the slopes of Haleakalā and is a great base for hiking and exploring. You can stay at the Kula Lodge & Restaurant.
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Makawao: If you want a different vibe, here you’ll find a historic paniolo (cowboy) town, with art galleries, unique shops and overall a laid-back atmosphere. If you want some luxury, you can stay at the Hana Ranch.
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Pukalani: It’s the most central area, located in the middle between the beaches and the rest of the upcountry, so you have the best of both worlds. You can stay at the Pukalani Vacation Rentals, in a lovely cottage with access to the local attractions.
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Ulupalakua: In this small ranching area you’ll find the Tedeschi Winery as well as the Ulupalakua Ranch, where you can stay. There’s also some private ranch rentals, if you prefer a more private stay.
FAQs about staying in Maui, Hawaii
Where to stay in Maui with family?
If you’re traveling with young kids, you’ll probably want spacious accommodations that actually allow kids. In West Maui you’ll find several great hotels like the Aston Kaanapali Shores and the Honua Kai Resort & Spa which offer child-friendly activities and amenities.
Where to stay in Maui after the fires?
You may have read about the fires in the news, and worried how they may have affected the area you were planning to stay in. Currently the situation is still being assessed, and the recovery efforts are underway. The main affected areas were in West Maui, especially in Lahaina, so you probably won’t be able to stay there. Even in areas close by that were not affected, like Kaanapali or Napili, have been slightly affected, so even if you can stay in both of them, some services might be limited.