Guide To Maui

Unless you are able to score free airfare with airline miles and/or free lodging with hotel points, buying a package may save some time and money. Just be aware of the cancellation penalties and strongly consider buying the insurance. You will arrive at the airport in Kahului , which is on the east side of the island. Renting a car is highly recommended as the island is easily navigated and cabs are not a common sight. For anyone absolutely opposed to renting a car, you can, of course, take a cab to your hotel and book tours to see the sights. If you plan not to rent a car, you should consider staying in the Kaanapali area, or else in Lahaina itself, as this would give you the most choice of restaurants and activities in walking distance to your hotel.

There are two primary tourist centers. On the northwest side is Kaanapali, a planned resort area with high rise hotels that was the first upscale resort area that was developed on Maui. It is still one of the premier places to stay primarily due to its close proximity to Lahaina, the quirky tourist town that was once a whaling center and is now a delightful blend of restaurants, shops, tourist activities and charm. Another plus for Kaanapali is the continuous beach that stretches the length of the principal resort area with water almost as smooth as in a swimming pool. A sidewalk runs along the beach making for easy walking between hotels and the shopping center located in the middle of the resort. The island of Lanai can be seen offshore. Hotels here are fairly expensive and include many recognizable names such as Westin, Hyatt and Marriott Vacation Ownership. Hotel and condo construction has developed all along this coast going north up to Kapalua. The weather up in Kapalua is much windier even though it is only a ten minute drive from Kaanapali. That is because the West Maui mountains that protect Lahaina and Kaanapali do not offer as much protection to Kapalua making it a poor choice in the winter months. It can be windy and raining at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua and sunny and calm at the Westin in Kaanapali with only a ten minute drive between the two!

The other primary resort center is really two areas that are on the southwest side of the island. There is the upscale and incomparable Wailea area and the budget condo world of Kihei. These two areas are about 5-10 minutes apart by car. Anyone traveling with a large family and/ore looking for condo or motel lodging that won.t break the bank should check out the Kihei area as there are numerous choices. Anyone looking for a luxurious experience should focus on Wailea as the top rated hotels on the island are mostly all located here. For many frequent travelers to Hawaii, the Wailea area of Maui is their overall favorite place to stay in the entire island chain. The coastline here meanders up and down, in and out, with lovely beaches and patches of volcanic rock that make for spectacular scenery. There is a mile plus walkway going along the shore that connects the hotels (similar to Kaanapali) except that here it is an activity in and of itself to walk the coastline, passing the beautifully manicured hotel lawns and gazing out at various other small islands in the chain. All the hotels in Wailea are very expensive, as are the restaurants, however it is a short drive north into Kihei with its vast variety of restaurants in all price ranges. Wailea enjoys the warmest, sunniest weather on the island as it is protected from wind and rain by the 10,000 foot Haleakala mountain. Hotels here include the Four Seasons, the Grand Wailea, the Fairmont Kea Lani (which is an all-suite hotel and as such is a good choice for families) and the Marriott, which is the most reasonably priced. It takes approximately 45 minutes to drive from Wailea or Kihei to Lahaina and this is an easy beautiful drive that is a pleasure especially if you are lucky enough to witness a whale playing offshore along the way. Such whale activity is often the cause for traffic jams experienced in the winter/spring months.

Driving south from Wailea you come to Makena and recent construction has added many condos and other lodging along the coastline here. Just be aware of staying too far south, at least as a first time visitor, or you may be spending more time in your car than you might have bargained for.