Where to Stay on Maui? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay

Maui is the island in Hawaii where your choice of area makes the biggest difference to the kind of holiday you get, so deciding where to stay on Maui really matters. The west coast has the long resort beaches, the south coast gets the most sunshine, and on the other side of the Haleakala volcano you’ll find the surf town of Pa’ia and lush, rainy Hana. Driving from one end of the island to the other can easily take three hours.

That’s why it’s a good idea to pick your area before you pick your hotel. Here are my six suggestions for where to stay on Maui, with maps, driving times from the airport and hotels in several price ranges.

Where to Stay on Maui: The Best Areas

• Ka’anapali - best area for a classic resort holiday with children
• Kapalua & Napili - best area for peace and quiet and snorkelling
• Kihei - best area for sunshine and value for money
• Wailea & Makena - best area for luxury and honeymoons
• Pa’ia & Upcountry - best area for surfing, Haleakala and a more local Maui
• Hana - best area for rainforest and tranquillity at the end of the road

Below, I go through the areas one at a time, from the west coast via the south coast to the north coast and Hana. The prices come from a search for a week in March for two people, and many resorts add a resort fee and parking on top, so check the total price before you book. If you’re combining Maui with Oahu, Big Island or Kauai, you can find the other islands in my guide to where to stay in Hawaii.

You’ll need a car in all six areas. You pick it up at Kahului Airport, where the rental companies are all based together, and you can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com before you travel. Book early in high season, as the cars can sell out.

1. Ka’anapali - the best area for a classic resort holiday with kids 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Ka’anapali is on Maui’s west coast, about 40 km from Kahului, the island’s largest town. Lahaina is a couple of kilometres to the south.
• 🚗 Transport: A hire car for trips around the island. Within the resort area, you can walk along the beach path between the hotels, restaurants and the Whalers Village shopping centre.
• ✈️ Time from Kahului Airport: About 45 to 60 minutes by car via the Honoapiilani Highway, longer when traffic is heavy.
• 💰 Price level: $$$ to $$$$. The three hotels below cost around $285 to $750 (roughly £215 to £560) per night when I searched for a week in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and peaceful. The current around Black Rock can be strong when the waves are big, so swim where others are swimming and respect the red flags.

Ka’anapali was built as a purpose-planned resort area in the 1960s, and you can still tell. The hotels sit in a row along the beach, linked by a beach path, and you can walk from the pool to the beach, the restaurants and the shops at Whalers Village without getting in the car. That makes it the easiest choice if you’re travelling with children or simply want everything within walking distance.

At the northern end of the main beach, the lava headland Black Rock juts out into the sea. There’s good snorkelling along the rocks with fish and sea turtles, and at sunset a diver leaps from the top as part of an old tradition. Further north are Kahekili Beach and North Ka’anapali, home to the newer apartment hotels. The restaurants are further away here, but the beach is quieter.

See hotels in Ka’anapali here.

In winter, you can watch humpback whales breaching in the channel towards Lanai straight from your sun lounger, and in the evening the sun sets behind the island. The downsides are the price and the crowds. Resort fees and parking can together add up to around $70 (about £50) a day on top of the room rate, and the main beach in front of the big hotels is packed from mid-morning.

Just to the south lies Lahaina, the old royal capital and whaling port, which was destroyed by a wildfire in August 2023 in which more than 100 people lost their lives. The town is being rebuilt, and several streets and businesses have reopened, but some areas may still be cordoned off. Check Maui County’s Maui Recovers page before you drive in, and stay away from fenced-off sites. I wouldn’t stay in Lahaina, but in Ka’anapali, and I’d happily spend my money in the Lahaina businesses that have reopened.

Hotels in Ka’anapali

OUTRIGGER Honua Kai Resort and Spa - large apartments with kitchens in North Ka’anapali

Honua Kai sits right on the beach in North Ka’anapali, about 3 km north of the central part of the beach. Every suite has a fully equipped kitchen, and there are several pools, an infinity pool, a waterslide and barbecues, making it an obvious choice for families who want space. The resort is big, some guests find it feels impersonal, and it’s the most expensive of the three here.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The beach is magical and easy to get to.”

See photos and book Honua Kai here.

OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort - a classic beach hotel in the middle of Ka’anapali Beach

Outrigger Kāʻanapali Beach Resort is in the middle of the main beach close to Whalers Village, and the hotel runs daily activities about Hawaiian culture. There’s a pool, restaurant, bar and family rooms, and you can walk straight down onto the sand. On the other hand, there’s a resort fee of $45 (around £35) a day plus parking on top, and some guests feel the price is high for the rooms.

From one review: “The clean, modern rooms (premium ocean-view room) with fantastic views.”

See photos and book Outrigger Kāʻanapali Beach Resort here.

Aston Kaanapali Shores - the cheapest option right on the beach

Aston Kaanapali Shores is on the beach in the northern part of Ka’anapali, a little north of Honua Kai. There’s a pool, spa, gym and tennis courts, and many of the rooms have a kitchenette or full kitchen. The resort fee is lower than at the big hotels, but you pay for parking here too, and one guest writes that the carpets need replacing.

One guest sums it up briefly: “What a lovely resort.”

See photos and book Aston Kaanapali Shores here.

2. Kapalua & Napili - best area for peace and quiet and snorkelling 🐢

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Kapalua and Napili sit on the far north-western tip of Maui, about 10 km north of Ka’anapali and about 55 km from Kahului.
• 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a hire car. From the hotels on Napili Bay you can walk to the beach and a few places to eat, but you’ll have to drive for everything else.
• ✈️ Time from Kahului Airport: About 60 to 75 minutes by car along the same main road as to Ka’anapali.
• 💰 Price level: $$$ to $$$$. The three hotels below cost around $385 to $1,050 (roughly £290 to £785) per night when I searched for a week in March.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet in the evenings. In winter, big waves hit the north-west coast, so snorkel in the sheltered bays and only when the sea is calm.

Kapalua and Napili are the quiet corner of Maui, and a great answer to where to stay on Maui if you want to unwind. Napili is a small crescent-shaped bay with low-rise apartment hotels right down to the sand, calm water for most of the year and sea turtles grazing on the reef just a few metres from the shore. Kapalua, just to the north, is more upmarket, with golf courses, the Ritz-Carlton and Kapalua Bay, where you can follow the coastal path along the lava cliffs to D.T. Fleming Beach.

Ten minutes’ drive further north is Honolua Bay, which has been a protected marine area since 1978. You’re not allowed to fish or take anything out of the water, and the snorkelling is among the best on the island in summer. According to Hawaii’s marine environment authority, you should stay away from the bay in winter when the waves are big.

See hotels in Kapalua and Napili here.

I’d stay here if you want a relaxing holiday with a morning swim in the bay, snorkelling and sunsets from the terrace, and if you don’t need nightlife. Many of the places on Napili Bay have kitchens, so you can do your own shopping and eat in, which brings the cost down, as the restaurants on the west coast are expensive. Napili also suits couples who have been to Maui before and now want a quieter holiday.

The downside is the distance. It’s a long way from here to Haleakala, Hana and the beaches on the south coast, and when the Honoapiilani Highway is closed because of an accident, the traffic grinds to a halt. Kapalua also gets more rain and wind than Ka’anapali, especially in winter. The stretch between Ka’anapali and Napili, with Honokowai and Kahana, has cheaper apartments if you want to stay on the west coast for less.

Hotels in Kapalua & Napili

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua - five-star resort above D.T. Fleming Beach

The Ritz-Carlton sits on the slope above D.T. Fleming Beach with direct beach access, a spa, a kids’ club and golf courses right next door. Some suites have kitchens, and the coastal path to Kapalua Bay starts just outside. There’s a daily resort fee and paid valet parking on top, and some guests feel the bars and restaurants close too early.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Gorgeous views from the hotel and a lovely walk to the beaches.”

See photos and book The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua here.

Nāpili Surf Beach Resort by Castle - apartments with kitchens right on Napili Bay

Nāpili Surf sits right on Napili Bay, and every unit has a fully equipped kitchen. There’s a heated pool, barbecues, a garden and free parking, and guests give it one of the highest scores in this whole guide. There’s no restaurant on site, so you’ll need to cook for yourself or drive out to eat.

From one review: “Excellent location, helpful staff, spacious room and a wonderful view from our room.”

See photos and book Nāpili Surf Beach Resort here.

The Mauian Hotel - simple, cosy hotel on the same bay

The Mauian is also on Napili Bay and is a small three-star hotel with a pool, barbecues and free parking. The studios have fully equipped kitchens, so it’s a good choice if you want to stay on this beautiful bay for less. The rooms are basic, and one guest complains about the shower.

One guest highlights: “We loved the location on one of Maui’s most beautiful bays.”

See photos and book The Mauian Hotel here.

3. Kihei - best area for sunshine and value for money 🐋

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Kihei stretches for around 10 km along Maui’s south-west coast and lies 15 to 20 km from Kahului.
• 🚗 Transport: Hire car. South Kihei Road runs the full length of the coast, and in the southern part you can walk between beach parks, places to eat and shops.
• ✈️ Time from Kahului Airport: Around 20 to 30 minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: $$ to $$$. The three hotels below cost around 305 to 635 dollars (around £230 to £475) per night when I searched for a week in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe, but never leave anything visible in the car at the beach parks. The wind often picks up in the afternoon, especially in the northern part of town.

Kihei is Maui’s most ordinary town, and that’s exactly its strength. Many of the island’s residents live here, and along South Kihei Road you’ll find condo hotels, small shopping centres, food trucks and bars side by side with the beach parks. It’s not the prettiest place on the island, but you get more for your money than in Wailea and on the west coast, and it’s where you’ll find Maui’s most reliable sunshine. If you’re weighing up where to stay on Maui on a budget, Kihei is well worth a look.

The best beaches are the three Kamaole Beach Parks in the southern part of town, as the map shows. They have lifeguards, toilets and showers, and you can snorkel by the rocks between them. The northern part of Kihei has a long, flat beach where it’s windier, and where you’ll often have the sand almost to yourself in the morning.

See hotels in Kihei here.

From November to April, humpback whales arrive in the waters around Maui, and according to the US humpback whale marine sanctuary programme you can spot them both from land and from a boat. The south coast is one of the best places to see them. Boats to the crater island of Molokini leave from Kihei and the nearby harbour at Maalaea, and you can, for example, take a snorkelling trip to Molokini and Turtle Town from Kihei for around 195 dollars (around £145).

The location is practical too. It’s a short drive to the airport, to the road up Haleakala and to the beaches of Wailea and Makena. The downside is that the town is long and spread out with plenty of traffic, and many apartments are on the other side of the road from the water. So check the map before you book, and choose the southern part around Kamaole if you want to walk to the beach and eat out in the evening.

Hotels in Kihei

Hilton Grand Vacations Club Maui Bay Villas - apartments with a pool and kids’ club in the northern part

Maui Bay Villas is in the northern part of Kihei, a three-minute walk from Kalepolepo Beach Park. The apartments have kitchens, and there’s a pool, a children’s pool, a kids’ club, a gym and free parking, so it suits families on a longer stay. A daily resort fee is added on top, and one guest was disappointed that the restaurant wasn’t open.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely staff and great facilities.”

See photos and book Maui Bay Villas here.

Maui Coast Hotel - hotel with an infinity pool opposite Kamaole Beach

Maui Coast Hotel is on South Kihei Road directly opposite Kamaole Beach Park, and it has the highest rating of the three here. There’s an infinity pool with a pool bar, a restaurant and a gym, but the rooms only have a microwave and fridge, not a proper kitchen. The resort fee and parking cost extra, and one guest didn’t find the staff particularly friendly.

From a review: “Exceptional value for money, and you stay in a really great spot.”

See photos and book Maui Coast Hotel here.

Nona Lani Cottages - small cottages in a lush garden by the beach

Nona Lani Cottages are small cottages with kitchenettes set in a garden in the northern part of Kihei, just a few steps from the beach at Mai Poina ‘Oe Ia’u Beach Park. There’s free parking, a barbecue and beach chairs, but no pool. It’s a simple place, but guests give it a very high rating, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched.

One guest writes: “We absolutely loved the place, with beautiful lush greenery everywhere.”

See photos and book Nona Lani Cottages here.

4. Wailea & Makena - best area for luxury and honeymoons 🥂

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Wailea lies just south of Kihei, about 27 km from Kahului. Makena and Big Beach are 5 to 6 km further south.
• 🚗 Transport: A hire car for day trips. Within Wailea, you can walk the coastal path between the beaches, the resorts and The Shops at Wailea.
• ✈️ Time from Kahului Airport: About 30 to 35 minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: $$$ to $$$$. The three hotels below cost roughly $550 to $1,910 (around £410 to £1,430) per night when I searched for a week in March.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. At Big Beach in Makena, the waves can break hard right at the shoreline, so keep children in the shallows and don’t go in when the sea is rough.

Wailea is Maui’s luxury address. The area is built around five crescent-shaped beaches, Ulua, Mokapu, Wailea, Polo and Palauea, with golf courses on the slopes behind and a paved coastal path linking the resorts. You can take a morning stroll along the water from beach to beach and finish with a coffee at The Shops at Wailea. The weather is just as dry and sunny as in Kihei, but everything is smarter, quieter and pricier.

Further south lies Makena with Big Beach, a long, wide stretch of sand that’s considered one of the island’s best. Offshore between Wailea and Makena is Turtle Town, where you’ll almost always see sea turtles, and even further on, the road ends in the lava fields at La Perouse Bay. There are no shops or restaurants at Big Beach, so bring water, sun cream and a packed lunch with you.

See hotels in Wailea and Makena here.

I’d choose Wailea for a honeymoon, a milestone birthday or a holiday where the hotel and pool are a big part of the experience. The resorts on the waterfront have direct beach access, while the newer hotels up on the slope are cheaper but need a car or the hotel shuttle to get down to the sea.

The downside is that everything comes at resort prices. The resort fee can be over $50 (around £40) a day, parking costs about $40 (around £30) a day at several of the hotels, and a simple lunch by the pool soon adds up. Drive to Kihei to do your shopping and eat more cheaply, it only takes ten minutes. And don’t expect any nightlife, as Wailea goes to bed early.

Hotels in Wailea & Makena

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea - one of Hawaii’s best-known luxury resorts

The Four Seasons sits on Wailea Beach with pools, an adults-only infinity pool, a spa, a kids’ club and several restaurants. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, and on top of that comes a resort fee of $55 (around £45) a day plus paid parking. Breakfast isn’t included, which several guests mention.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Wonderful hotel in a fantastic area.”

See photos and book Four Seasons Resort Maui here.

Hotel Wailea Maui - small adults-only luxury hotel

Hotel Wailea is a five-star, adults-only boutique hotel on the slope above Wailea with views over the ocean. There’s a pool, spa, yoga and a shuttle down to the beach, which is about 2 km away. Parking costs around $40 (around £30) a day, and some guests feel the hotel restaurant is too expensive for the food you get.

From one review: “The service was absolutely incredible.”

See photos and book Hotel Wailea Maui here.

AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea - modern hotel with an infinity pool up in Wailea

The AC Hotel is up in Wailea, about 1 km from Wailea Beach, and is the cheapest of the three here. There’s an outdoor infinity pool, a gym and family rooms, but no beach shuttle. Parking costs around $40 (around £30) a day, and that’s exactly the expense guests complain about most.

One guest sums it up briefly: “Beautiful infinity pool.”

See photos and book AC Hotel Maui Wailea here.

5. Pa’ia & Upcountry - best area for surfing, Haleakala and a local side of Maui 🏄

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Pa’ia is on the north coast, around 11 km east of Kahului. Makawao and Kula are a 20 to 40-minute drive up the slopes of Haleakala.
• 🚗 Getting around: A hire car is essential. The places are spread out, and there’s no beachfront promenade to stroll along.
• ✈️ Time from Kahului Airport: Around 15 minutes to Pa’ia and 30 to 40 minutes to Kula.
• 💰 Price level: $$ to $$$$. The three places to stay below cost around $275 to $870 (around £205 to £650) per night when I searched for a week in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. The sea on the north coast is often rough and only for experienced surfers, and you should keep at least three metres away from the turtles on the beach at Ho’okipa.

Pa’ia is an old sugar town that became the base for surfers and windsurfers on Maui. The main street is lined with colourful wooden buildings housing cafés, surf shops and fish restaurants, and in the afternoon you can watch windsurfers and kitesurfers flying above Ho’okipa Beach Park just east of town. This is where sea turtles haul themselves up onto the sand to rest late in the day, and Baldwin Beach west of town is the long beach where you can go for a walk.

Pa’ia is also the start of the Road to Hana. If you stay here, you’ve already done the first hour of the drive while others are still in the car from Ka’anapali or Wailea. Up the mountain lies Upcountry, with the cowboy town of Makawao, farms and lavender fields in Kula, and air that’s noticeably cooler than on the coast, so pack a jumper for the evenings.

See places to stay in Pa’ia and Upcountry here.

The big draw is Haleakala. From Kula you can reach the summit in about an hour, and if you want to see the sunrise, you need to book in advance. According to the national park, the reservation costs $1 (around £1) and entry is $30 (around £22) per car, valid for three days. The ticket also covers the Kipahulu section of the park near Hana, so keep your receipt.

I’d stay here if you’d rather experience a local Maui than a resort, or if you want to go up the volcano more than once. The downside is that there are hardly any hotels. You’re choosing between a few small inns, bed and breakfasts and holiday homes, and the north coast beaches are rarely good for swimming. So it’s worth combining a few nights here with Kihei or Wailea.

Places to stay in Pa’ia & Upcountry

Paia Inn - boutique hotel in the heart of Pa’ia with a path to the beach

Paia Inn is on the Hana Highway in the middle of Pa’ia, and a path leads from the hotel down to the beach at Paia Bay. You have cafés and restaurants right on your doorstep and free parking, but there’s no breakfast. The price is high for a three-star hotel, and one guest writes that the place isn’t maintained well enough.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful location in a beautiful town, and we got a surprise upgrade!”

See photos and book Paia Inn here.

Ha’le Kiana - peaceful adults-only bed and breakfast in Kula

Ha’le Kiana is in Kula on the western slope of Haleakala, a small adults-only place with a terrace, views and free parking. It’s a good base if you want to head up for sunrise on the volcano, and guests give it a very high score. There’s no kitchen, and it’s quite a drive to both the beach and the restaurants.

From a review: “Beautiful place. Perfect location for visiting the national parks.”

See photos and book Ha’le Kiana here.

Puu Koa Palms - studios with kitchens in leafy Haiku

Puu Koa Palms is in Haiku, between Pa’ia and the rainforest, and has studios with fully equipped kitchens and free parking. It’s the cheapest of the three and good for a longer stay where you cook for yourself. One guest writes that some of the furniture needs replacing.

One guest writes: “Fantastic studio, even for a longer stay on Maui.”

See photos and book Puu Koa Palms here.

6. Hana - best area for rainforest and peace at the end of the road 🌿

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Hana is on Maui’s east coast, around 84 km from Kahului along the Hana Highway.
• 🚗 Transport: Hire car or guided tour. There are only a few places to eat and shop, so fill up with petrol and buy groceries in Pa’ia.
• ✈️ Time from Kahului Airport: At least three hours by car along the Road to Hana, and much longer with stops along the way.
• 💰 Price level: $$$ to $$$$. The two places to stay below were around $590 to $775 (around £440 to £580) per night when I searched for a week in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and very quiet. The road is narrow with single-lane bridges, so pull over for locals behind you, and don’t drive the road for the first time in the dark.

The Road to Hana is Maui’s most famous drive. According to Hawaii’s official tourism website, it winds 52 miles, around 84 km, along the north coast with more than 600 bends and 50 bridges, through rainforest and past waterfalls. Most people drive out and back in a single day and spend most of that time in the car.

That’s why I would spend one or two nights in Hana. You can drive out at your own pace, see the popular spots early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive, and drive back without having to make it before dark. Just north of town is Wai’anapanapa State Park with the black sand beach Pailoa and lava caves, and as a visitor you need to book entry and parking in advance.

See places to stay in Hana here.

Hana itself is a small town with a bay, a church, a few food trucks and a shop, and the atmosphere is a world away from the resorts on the west coast. Around a quarter of an hour’s drive south is the Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park, with the pools at ‘Ohe’o and the Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest, and on the way you’ll pass Hamoa Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. In the evening it’s completely quiet and most places close early, so buy food for dinner before you drive out.

The downside is that Hana has very few places to stay, and it rains a lot on the east coast. So I only have two suggestions here, and you need to book early. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can take a small-group guided tour along the Road to Hana for around $280 (around £210) including pick-up.

Places to stay in Hana

Hana-Maui Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence - the island’s most secluded resort by Hana Bay

Hana-Maui Resort is around 400 metres from Hana Bay Beach Park and has a pool, spa, restaurant and bar, and some of the suites have a kitchen. There’s no seafront promenade or shopping street, just gardens, sea views and peace. Some guests say a few rooms need maintenance, and the price is high because there are hardly any alternatives.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The whole resort feels so peaceful.”

See photos and book Hana-Maui Resort here.

Hana Kai Maui #201 Honokalani - apartment with sea views over the bay

Hana Kai is a small apartment complex by Hana Bay, and #201 is a one-bedroom apartment with a fully equipped kitchen and views of the sea. There’s free parking and a barbecue, but no pool and no restaurant, and one guest says the apartment is a little worn. Hana Kai has several apartments on Booking.com, so check the others too if this one is taken.

From one review: “The view was amazing.”

See photos and book Hana Kai Maui #201 here.

Where not to stay on Maui?

Kahului and Wailuku are the island’s practical hub, with the airport, shopping centres and offices, but there’s no swimming beach and no holiday feel. I would only stay here on the first or last night if you have a very early morning flight. Lahaina isn’t a place to stay either while the town is being rebuilt, as there are almost no places to stay, and many of the houses are people’s homes that are being rebuilt.

Maalaea, between the west and south, is a small harbour town with the boat trips to Molokini, but it’s almost always windy and the beach isn’t good for swimming. Also be wary of cheap holiday homes in the middle of the island or high up in Upcountry if you dream of walking to the beach, and don’t stay a whole week in Hana, or you’ll spend all your days in the car.

If it’s your first trip to Maui, I would stay in Ka’anapali if you’re a family who wants everything within walking distance, and in Kihei if you want the most sunshine and the best value for money. If you want peace and snorkelling straight from the beach, choose Napili, and if it’s a honeymoon, Wailea is hard to beat. Pa’ia and Upcountry are for you if you’d rather have cafés, surfers and the volcano than a resort.

With a week on the island, I would split the stay in two: four or five nights on the west or south coast and one or two nights in Hana or Upcountry, so you don’t have to drive back and forth. Medical treatment in the USA is very expensive, so check your travel insurance before you go.

If you’re flying to Hawaii via the West Coast, a night in California can make the long journey easier, and you can use my guide to where to stay in Los Angeles. If Maui is the end of a longer trip, you’ll find the rest of the country in my guide to where to stay in the USA.

Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇

• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers

Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?