Maui recommendations?

[boiler717]

I have a work trip to Maui in March. My mom is going with me and we're staying at the Grand Wailea.

Recommendations for things to do, places to eat etc? My mom is not super active so I don't think she'll be up for hiking, but if there are other solo things she can do while I'm working that would be good, too.

I'm on the fence about renting a car. I will have afternoons and evenings free, but don't know if that's enough time to really utilize a car, however, it seems like seeing only a small part of the island would be missing out.

[mdgirl]

I'd still recommend getting a car. Transfers to and from the airport probably still aren't cheap, and in Wailea you're really stuck without a car. Even getting to the other resorts or restaurants would be tough, particularly for someone who doesn't want to walk a ton.

There's a lot to do that's not super active. You can take a snorkel cruise and just not snorkel, or opt for a sunset cruise. Big Beach in Wailea is pretty, too. I think there are some farms you can visit upcountry. I have lots of restaurant recommendations in my blog if you'd like to take a look.

[sunnysally]

We rented a car through this website discounthawaiicarrental.com/ It was inexpensive and we had no problems. I feel like you really need a car on Maui.

[spunkarella]

I agree with renting a car. Also, eat some li hing mui shave ice from Ululani's for me. That was my very favorite thing to eat on Maui.

We stayed near the Grand Wailea and enjoyed driving through the lava fields nearby and walking the trail that runs down the beach. It was easy walking on a wooden path. The Grand Wailea also has beautiful grounds.

She could do a bus tour of the road to Hana while you're at work. I didn't go, but others on my trip did and really enjoyed it.

For nice meals, we liked Humu's at the Grand Wailea and Mama's Fish House. I also felt like I needed to try Spam sushi at Da Kitchen. It tasted like Spam sushi, but I'm glad I tried it! Makena Grill was my favorite casual meal. It's a roadside stand near Big Beach, but it looks like it might be closed now?

[Deleted]

There is a fish taco truck just south of Wailea that is so good. I think it's called Jawz?

Also Monkeypod Cafe and Spago were highlights for us. They had a pre-fixe meal for $49 each which was a deal and really good.

[Deleted]

Oh, and if you haven't done the road to Hana, I would do the first half. Even if you started in the afternoon you could do the first half and then turn around. It's gorgeous

[chicago]

Nowhere near Wailea, but we loved Merriman's for dinner. It has spectacular sunset views and the food was great.
Maui is definitely the kind of place where renting a car is a great idea. There's so much to explore.

[audry80]

I would recommend a car. We were just there in January and I was able to rent a car for under 200 bucks through Costco. Restaurant recommendations in that area:

Monkey Pod ( owned by Merrimans)
Nick's Fish market- next door to your hotel at the Fairmont
Sarento's


Things for your Mom:

Lahaina- 40 min drive with lot's of cute shops
lavender farm- about 30 mins drive
Spa day

[starburst604]

If you go to Mama's Fish House, there's a beach nearby where tons of sea turtles come up to lay on the beach right before sunset, we stopped by there our last night in Maui. They're very cool to see swimming in from the ocean and hauling themselves up on the sand. I'd also recommend a snorkeling trip to molokini, and we also did one to Lanai. We used Trilogy Excursions for both, highly recommend. We went to Monkeypod also, and someplace called Joe's that we really enjoyed. The Asian fusion restaurant at our hotel was excellent also, I can't remember the name but it's at the Fairmont. I would get a car, although most of the hotels offer shuttle service around Wailea. We used that so we didn't have to worry about drinking with dinner.

[dbsk8dance]

Get a car. You really need it.

I'm on Maui right now. We stayed at the grand Wailea for one night. If you can swing it, I highly rec the spa. They take spa finder gift cards that you can get at Costco. We paid $319 for 2 massages and got $50 to spend at a restaurant on property. Just call and ask for the Hawaiian airlines magazine deal. The spa is fantastic.

Monkeypod restaurant is great and has two happy hours and is super close to the GW. The humumunukunukapuaa restaurant on property is great too.

She'll be able to spend lots of time at the beach and the pools are great.

[ashap]

Ditto grabbing a rental car you really will need it. The spa at the GW is really nice so I would recommend at least a massage or an afternoon there.

For dinners we stuck to the restaurants at the 4S property Spago's was fantastic as is the Italian restaurant by the beach.

[CloudBee]

Book a snorkel tour to Molokini with the Pacific Whale Foundation.

www.pacificwhale.org/

www.pacificwhale.org/cruises/Snorkel-Cruises

[bullsgirl]

I agree on getting a car. Highly recommend eating at Cuatro. It was the best meal I had in all of Hawaii, and was 25% off if you got there before 6. We stayed at the Fairmont and did a canoe trip. Not sure if your hotel does something similar but we saw tons of sea turtles up close. It was really neat and laid back.