Places to Stay in Maui

When my husband went out there 5 years ago for a wedding ( I don't like flying long distances, so I didn't go. I know, I'm crazy) he stayed at Marriott's Maui Ocean Club and loved it :)

We haven't stayed at the Sheraton Kaanapali, but I always hear great things about it and that it's wonderful for families.

If you are willing to pay top dollar, you have to check out either the Grand Wailea or the Four Seasons (also in Wailea). Both are unbelievable, but of course, you have to pay the big bucks (I haven't done it but someday, I hope to). Even if you don't stay there, the Grand Wailea is a fun place to walk around (the pools are amazing) and you can get a fun (but pricey) meal or appetizers at their restaurant Humuhumunukunukaapua'a

The guidebook Maui Revealed has fantastic info and tips. Some of my favorite things to do:

Snorkel trip out to Molokini (we took a great boat called the Four Winds II)
Old Lahaina Luau (by far the best luau on the island, if not all of Hawaii)
Kaanapali is a great place for snorkeling because you can just walk in off the beach and see fish - waters are pretty calm and the beach there is great too
Front Street (I think that's the name of the main drag) in Lahaina - kids will enjoy eating at Cheeseburger in Paradise
Roy's is delicious in Kihei
We also really liked a restaurant called Leilani's that I think is in Kaanapali
Mama's Fish House gets rave reviews and is wildly popular, but I've never been because I don't like fish. : )

have fun! i'm so jealous!!

Kapalua. You can rent a condo or home or there is even hotel.

We stayed in Hyatt in Lahaina in March. It was great and not too $$$. We have younger kids though - 4 and 10 months. Hotel is beautiful, has a great swimming pool with waterfalls, kids pool with big and small slides, singing fountains. They also have pinguins, all sorts of exotic birds, parrots right in the hotel, flamingos. They offer hula class and ley making class for guests, and of course there's a kids camp. The only thing we didn't like is the beach is lousy there...but they're about 20 min walk from Sharaton and a great beach...Also about 20 min walk from shopping center and nice restaurants. We booked our stay ourselves thru Hyatt's website - was the cheapest deal this way.

I loved the Sheraton Kaanapali location, at the end of the beach in Kaanapali by the black rock, easy leisurely walk down to shops and restuarants.

We've stayed at Westin Ka'anapali Villas and Marriott Maui Ocean Club. My kids are now 8 & 11 & they loved the lagoon pools at the Marriott best. The beach at Marriott is also a bit nicer and more swimmable than Westin's. Both are in the Ka'anapali area, but Marriott more in the center of things. Honolua Bay has some great snorkeling with lots of reefs & sea turtles without all the crazy crowds at Black Rock in front of Sheraton. We usually ate most of our meals at the hotel, as both properties have kitchen facilities in the room. Honestly, we saw more sea turtles & fish just snorkeling out in front of our hotels & at Honolua Bay than we did going out on the pricey and crowded Molokini boat trips, but the trips were still fun. If you've never been to a luau, there are tons of "half-price" deals & "kids free" specials once you're there, but you won't be missing anything is you skip it. Have a great time!

The Kaanapoli area is great. We've also stayed in Kapula and loved it.

We enjoyed shopping in the Lahainia area, luau and this is where we got on the boats for the whale watches.

On your way home, go to Piai and eat at Mama's Fish House!

Enjoy..

Lucky!!!
If you're looking for a hotel I recommend the Kaanapali area. If you're looking for a condo I HIGHLY recommend the Napili Point area, it's a great, relaxing, very family friendly area.
If you're into a more touristy scene then you'd probably like Lahaina.
And you must must must have a meal at Mama's Fish House. It is expensive but SO worth it, it is gorgeous inside and out, excellent food and the best mai tai we ever had!
Have fun :)

Funny...we were just there in March. The Kaanapali area is quite nice. We stayed at the Westin and there were lots of families. People were snorkeling right off the beach, weather permitting (we were there with all the storm activity). The whales will be gone (they're really present in Feb-April), however you can take a great sunset cruise on a catamaran leaving from Whaler's Cove which is between Kaanapali and Lahaina. Great shopping and a wide range of restaurants in Lahaina, including David Paul's Island Grill, if you're looking for a fine dining restaurant. The drive to Hana is a full day of adventure because there are lots of places to stop for close up views of waterfalls. I understand there is a book that details where to stop and hike a bit, though we didn't have it with us. And then of course, there's zip lining. We went to Skyline Eco Adventures, which is on the road to Haleakala Crater. They also have trail rides on horseback at the same location. Whatever you decide to do, I suggest you make reservations before you go, not just accomodations, but activities as well. Summer is a busy time and things will book up quickly.

Stay away from Kaanapoli Shores (Resortquest).

We stayed there for our wedding - 2 weeks. Brought 12 family members with us. Travelocity screwed up our reservation, leaving us a day short. K. Shores would not help at all. We could either pay "rack rate" - 3 times our charged rate, or leave.

On a more positive note, get the guidebook - Maui Revealed. We took three guidebooks with us, and this was far and away an 11 out of 10. Honest descriptions, easy to understand directions - and lists all the "local" attractions that aren't tourist oriented (in addition to the ones that are).

http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/maui.html