Maui question

[janetplanet20]

If you've stayed in Maui, which part of the island do you recommend?
My husband and I want to take a vacation to Maui this summer, when our son will be about 1 year old, but I am not sure what part of the island to look at.
We want to rent a condo through VRBO (or another company if anyone has recs) and be walking distance to the beach.

[Mrs. ChanandlerBong]

Kaanapali Beach is really nice. There is a condo place right on the beach called the Whaler. I would imagine some of them are part of VBRO.

[game blouses]

We stayed in Ka'anapali and it was awesome. Lahaina Town is nearby, and it's a little touristy but still fun.

[rootbeerfloat]

Kaanapali

[leeann]

We stayed in Ka'anapali, as well. We had a condo with a kitchen and washer/dryer. It was close to everything and very nice.

[bonquiqui]

I wish I was there now.  That is all lol

[janetplanet20]

Jan 6, 2014 16:18:27 GMT -5 bonquiqui said:

I wish I was there now.  That is all lol

lol!

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm looking at condos in Kaanapali now!

[MixedBerryJam]

Do you have kids? We stayed in the Kihei area with kids and it was perfect. A little touristy, but easy access everywhere (we had a car). We stayed in a condo.

[jerseygrl]

We stayed in Wailea which was very low key and quiet.  I remember there being condos in that area as well as hotels.  We were thrilled with the area and that is where I would like to stay again if we get back there

[lulu13]

I personally love Wailea. I prefer to visit Kaanapali but not stay there. With kids we've had the best time at the Grand Wailea. We did do two days in Kaanapali before heading to Wailea with the kids a few years ago and I wish we stayed in in Wailea the whole time.

[jerseygrl]

Jan 6, 2014 16:50:23 GMT -5 lulu13 said:

I personally love Wailea. I prefer to visit Kaanapali but not stay there. With kids we've had the best time at the Grand Wailea. We did do two days in Kaanapali before heading to Wailea with the kids a few years ago and I wish we stayed in in Wailea the whole time.

We stayed there on our hm and I remember telling H that we had to come back with our kids because of the kick ass kids pool!

[lulu13]

Jan 6, 2014 16:52:28 GMT -5 jerseygrl said:

Jan 6, 2014 16:50:23 GMT -5 lulu13 said:

I personally love Wailea. I prefer to visit Kaanapali but not stay there. With kids we've had the best time at the Grand Wailea. We did do two days in Kaanapali before heading to Wailea with the kids a few years ago and I wish we stayed in in Wailea the whole time.

We stayed there on our hm and I remember telling H that we had to come back with our kids because of the kick ass kids pool!

They loved it! The lazy river, water elevator, tarzan rope etc. They had a great time. It's great for kids!

[Moe]

I stayed at Wailea. It was the first experience where I went to a Versace store, and saw a woman drop over $10.000 in a few items.

Ahh, the things I remember.

Island bumpkin and all.

(well, wait, Caribbean island bumpkin and all)

[wannabe]

Ka'anapali is fun, although we've only ever stayed in Wailea. The Grand Wailea is awesome, as is the Four Seasons.

[Deleted]

We have stayed in both Kaanapali (Hyatt) and wailea ( four seasons) and I would recommend either!
Both are close to restaurants, great beaches, activities, etc.

You can't really make a "wrong" decision between those two general areas, IMO.

Also despite having been at hotels both times I've been in Maui, I do prefer condo rentals in Hawaii. We used vrbo in Kauai and had a great experience.

[dbsk8dance]

We stayed in Ka'anapali at the Westin when DS was 2 and it was great. We're going next month and staying in Wailea, but we have free nights at hotels there.

[janetplanet20]

Jan 6, 2014 16:40:18 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Do you have kids? We stayed in the Kihei area with kids and it was perfect. A little touristy, but easy access everywhere (we had a car). We stayed in a condo.

Yes, our son turns one in early June and we plan to go in either June or July.

[Deleted]

Jan 6, 2014 17:05:11 GMT -5 wannabe said:

Ka'anapali is fun, although we've only ever stayed in Wailea. The Grand Wailea is awesome, as is the Four Seasons.

The Four Seasons Wailea is my fave hotel I've ever stayed at. Spago was also one of the best meals we've had on a holiday.

[mnirishgirl]

Jan 6, 2014 16:15:50 GMT -5 rootbeerfloat said:

Kaanapali

Agreed.  My best friend and I stayed in a hotel but this area was close to everything, beautiful and quiet/relaxing. We stayed in honolulu first for a few days and then went to Maui for 4 nights.  Maui is what I imagined Hawaii to be like. 

[fuckyourcouch]

Kaanapali

[Cricket0619]

We stayed at the Grand Wailea and loved it.

[pantsparty]

My cousin stayed at these condos last year and she couldn't rave about them enough. They also rented a car. www.astonmauikaanapalivillas.com/accommodations/

[dbsk8dance]

IMO you HAVE to rent a car on any Hawaiian island other than Oahu. There is very little in the way of public transportation and there are so many neat things to see. There are some hotels in Ka'anapali that have shuttles to Lahaina and other the mall, but having the freedom to explore is huge.

[sewpinkgal]

We usually stay a few days in Ka'anapali and then a few days in Wailea - both have excellent beaches, though I would say the Wailea beach is particularly great for toddlers. We've been twice with J (when he just turned 1 and just after he turned 2) and they were both fun trips. There should be condos through VRBO in both cities, though Wailea is typically more expensive than Ka'anapali for hotels, and might be the same for condos.

Good luck and have SO much fun!

[cleo29]

Kaanapali Beach, right near Black rock at the Sheraton. What I loved about the resort is that it never felt full even when it was at capacity and they had a nice pool and a good sized beach. You can also walk to restaurants and stores.

www.sheraton-maui.com/

I am also 99% sure this is the resort the Seavers stay at on the Growing Pains Hawaii episodes.

[jade]

MIL lives in Kihei so we have been a few times. I definitely prefer Kihei/Wailea to Kaanapali. Kihei is more centralized. It is a long drive from Kaanapali to get anywhere else on the island, and the north and upcountry have a lot to see. Kaanapali also feels super touristy to me.

[Deleted]

Jan 6, 2014 17:55:17 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Lahaina !

This! I also stayed in Lahaina and loved it. I would also suggest renting a car.