Any recommendations on where to stay?

I stayed at Kaanapali Shores years ago with my family and it was really nice then. Very nice beach there, though you probably can't go wrong with any of the places along the same stretch.

Thanks! I'll look that place up.

Pretty much anywhere.

I just got back from Oahu/Big Island a couple weeks ago...

Nothing like going from crap Oregon January weather to Hawaii. Have fun and know that I am jealous.

We were in Kaanapali 2 months ago, and it was good most every day. Any of the big hotels on the beach are nice.

We are staying in Kihei this trip, in a condo. Won't be as nice, but closer to really good golf courses and a little calmer wind wise.

Thinking a day trip to Lanai to play golf....one hour on a boat doesn't thrill me much.

Just got back from Maui last week.  I stayed at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.  It was ok, definitely underwhelming for $250/night, but that is about as inexpensive as you get for Kaanapali Beach.  If I were to go back I would look for a condo to rent either in Kapalua, Napili, or Kihie.  Kaanapali was just to busy for my taste, but it is where the conference was I went to Maui for.

I'd stay in the Kihei- Maalaea area. It's easier to get to the south and windward side. Driving between Kihei and Kaanapali can be a nightmare.

Seconded

nworduck wrote: I'd stay in the Kihei- Maalaea area. It's easier to get to the south and windward side. Driving between Kihei and Kaanapali can be a nightmare.

Makena Surf

Thanks! for the input.

Very nice but might be a little too expensive.

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--- duckblood wrote:

Makena Surf

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Kamaole Sands condos are pretty nice and the public beach across the street (Kamaole III) is one of the better beaches on the island - body surfing, tide pooling, snorkling, etc.

A little hidden gem is Waiohuli Beach Hale, in Kihei. You have a pool, barbecue, store close, beach front and dead end street. You will want to drive to nicer beaches but this is a great cheaper beach front, quiet condo location. I will say you can't go too wrong on the island.

We had a great deal at Kapalua years ago.  Last I saw it is a little higher.  $250 a night...Big time golf courses all around..  If money is no object, go there.  Probably much more now though.

Kihei is great and could be really cheap.  Last time we were there we paid $88.

BUT, here's what I would do now..  I googled Kihei condos and $55 came up immediately.

We have been to Hawaii a lot.  We went to Kona Village on the Big Island, American plan (all the food you could eat)  I think it was over $500....(I won the trip.)

It is all Hawaii..  I would call the $55 people and see what they have to offer.  There are lots of people who own condos that need their place to be filled.

Magic

Wow great ideas thanks again.

Just stay at the Grand Wailea.  A bit of a dump, but it's really cheap.



:P

Pazzo, Interesting you mentioned the Grand Wailea.  The first times we were over to Maui we drove down there.  It was untouched property.  There was land for sale across the road for $100,000........Wow, expensive.  The next year or so, it was Wailea and the Grand Wailea was the anchor.  

Like I said.........It is all Maui..........

Magic

Where to stay depends in part on when you are going to Maui.

The weather in Kihei, Wailea and Makena on the southwest coast is the most predictable...You get more sunny days than any other area of the island. Kihei is packed with hotels, condos and, tourists...but it's still beautiful on the beaches.

I do not recommend staying up at Kapalua, Kahana or Napili during the winter months (north shore)...They postponed the Hyundai Classic at Kapalua for three days in January due to wind and rain. We talked to people who had been there for a week in January and it rained every day.

Kaanapali Beach is our favorite area..The population is not as dense as down in Kihei. Lots of accomodations and restaurants..Just a couple of miles north of LaHaina.

I don't recommend staying anywhere on the windward side of the island (Kahului, Paia, etc) unless you enjoy steady winds...also you get a lot more rain.

I second this.  We stay in Ka'anapali, but we go in May.  This time of year, Kihei/Wailea is the only place to be.  Driest place on the island, and you have great beaches there, too.

Lahaina is a bit of a drive from Kihei, but if you want to spend a lot of time on the beach, you will likely only go into Lahaina for dinner - you can stay in Kihei for the rest.

Also, if you're staying in a condo, hit Costco for some steaks and drinks and such on your way out of Kahului.  Will save you a lot over buying at the local grocery stores.

duxforus wrote: Where to stay depends in part on when you are going to Maui.

The weather in Kihei, Wailea and Makena on the southwest coast is the most predictable...You get more sunny days than any other area of the island. Kihei is packed with hotels, condos and, tourists...but it's still beautiful on the beaches.

I do not recommend staying up at Kapalua, Kahana or Napili during the winter months (north shore)...They postponed the Hyundai Classic at Kapalua for three days in January due to wind and rain. We talked to people who had been there for a week in January and it rained every day.

Kaanapali Beach is our favorite area..The population is not as dense as down in Kihei. Lots of accomodations and restaurants..Just a couple of miles north of LaHaina.

I don't recommend staying anywhere on the windward side of the island (Kahului, Paia, etc) unless you enjoy steady winds...also you get a lot more rain.

If y'all are going before April,  then stay in Kihei or thereabouts. Really nice and dry and a lot to do without being quite as touristy as Lahaina.  Plus there's really good food there, too.  Da Kitchen is close and it's the best teriyaki chicken I've ever had as well as the best macaroni salad I've ever had. Not that nasty pickly tuna crap that eveyone makes up here, but real sweet Hawaiian mac salad.

Plus, there's a food truck down by the beach park in town that has the best Mahi Mahi that I've ever had in my life. And its not even expensive at all.  Also,  check out Moose McGillicutty's nearby for daily deals on food and drinks.  Realy dank food there as well.  And a guy just south of town on the way to the quieter beaches runs an amazing frozen banana cart.  Amazing stuff.

As faf as beaches, go to Po'olenalena which is just south of Wailea.  Really nice and private,  and ridiculously good snokeling.  I saw a 12 foot manta ray right next to me.  One of the best experiences of my life.  In winter, there's thousands of humbacks all over the placd just off the beach. Take a tour from the Pacific Whale Foundation where they stop and the whales are like 20 feet from the boat.  It's pretty for real when you see that they are as big as the boat you are on.

There's places near the aformentioned beach that you can hop on some easy 15+ footers, and think about also taking the boat snorkel trip out to Molokini, where you will see pretty much every single fish you can imagine as well as swim with 25 foot whale sharks.

Also, take the day trip around the east part of the island to see Charles Lindbergh's resting placs just south of Haleakala national park at a small church.  Really cool when I discovered that.

Lastly, make sure you get up early in the morning to go up to Haleakala and watch the sunrise.  Absolutely stunning.  There's so much to do.  But yeah, Kihei is your best bet.