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Maui, Hawaii

Where to stay on Maui, and how to spend every day well

Researched, sourced guides to Maui hotels and resorts, the beaches and snorkel spots, Haleakala, the Road to Hana and the reservations that catch people out. 100 guides, updated November 11, 2026.

Best hotels Where to stay Best beaches Weather by month

Find a Maui stay

Maui has two main resort coasts, West Maui and South Maui, with the airport in between and Hana far out on the east side. Where you sleep decides how much of the trip you spend driving. Start with the area, then pick the hotel.

Choose your base

Four places to stay, four different trips

Compare the areas

Palm-lined beach walk along a golden West Maui beach with a lava headland

Kaanapali

The classic resort strip in West Maui, with a beach walk linking the big hotels.

Crescent beach between lava points with lawns and a coastal path in South Maui

Wailea

South Maui's polished resort area. Sunniest weather, highest prices.

Outrigger canoes on a beach park lawn with low-rise condos and mountains across the bay

Kihei

Condos, casual food and beach parks next door to Wailea, for less.

Sheltered teal cove with green slopes, pines and lava rock arms in northwest Maui

Kapalua and Napili

Quiet bays and golf at the north end of West Maui. Greener, a little wetter.

Start here

The guides most readers need first

South Maui shoreline with varied low-rise lodgings, palms, and Haleakala

Hotels and resorts

Best Maui Hotels by Area

Compare the best Maui hotels by area, budget and trip style, with clear picks for families, couples, beach access and travelers who should skip each one.

White plumeria and black lava rock with a blurred Maui coast

Where to Stay in Maui

Where to stay in Maui depends on your budget and plans. Compare Kaanapali, Napili, Kihei, Wailea, Paia and Hana, with hotel picks and tradeoffs.

Sunrise over a broad sandy Maui beach and gentle turquoise surf

Beaches and snorkeling

Maui Beaches by Coast

Compare Maui beaches by coast, with typical swimming conditions, lifeguards, parking and facilities, plus practical tips for choosing a beach each day.

Outrigger canoe crossing turquoise water beyond palm leaves

Sights and day trips

Maui activities, costs and timing

Find the best things to do in Maui with realistic time, cost and reservation notes, from Haleakala sunrise and the Road to Hana to beaches and snorkel trips.

Dusk surf and calm shallows beneath clouds along Maui’s shoreline

Weather and planning

Maui Weather by Month

Maui weather by month, with average highs, lows, rain, water temperatures and seasonal surf notes, plus the best months for beaches, whales and hiking.

Guides

Hotels and resorts

Beach resorts, luxury hotels, family pools and budget stays, compared on beach, price and fit.

All hotels and resorts

Lanai overlooking a resort pool, palm-lined beach, and West Maui Mountains

Hotels and resorts

Maui Resorts Compared

Compare Maui resorts by area, beach access, pools, price tier and listed resort fees, then find the right fit for a family, couple or quieter island stay.

Golden sand and gentle waves beside a refined resort at sunrise

Hotels and resorts

Maui Luxury Resorts Compared

Compare luxury resorts in Maui by beach, rooms, dining and sample nightly prices, with clear picks for Wailea, Kapalua, families and couples.

Turquoise water washing onto a palm-lined Maui beach with coastal lodging

Hotels and resorts

Maui Beachfront Hotels

Compare Maui hotels on the beach by true sand access, swimming setting and price tier, from South Kihei value stays to Kaanapali and Wailea resorts.

Palm-framed poolside dining terrace with tropical food and ocean beyond

Hotels and resorts

Maui All-Inclusive Options

Maui all-inclusive resorts are rare. Compare the packages that exist, learn what they include, and plan a more predictable stay without confusing hotel deals for meal plans.

Guides

Where to stay

Kaanapali, Lahaina, Napili and Kapalua, Kihei, Wailea, Paia and Hana: which base suits your trip.

All where to stay

Wailea beachfront path curves past resort gardens toward turquoise water

Wailea Hotels by Beach

Compare Wailea hotels in beach-path order, with each resort’s beach, relative price tier, and practical notes on which places are truly beachfront.

Plumeria and folded towel beside a Kihei resort pool at sunset

Kihei hotels by area

Compare Kihei hotels by neighborhood, beach access and value, from beachfront condos to full-service hotels, with practical picks for your Maui stay.

Quiet Lahaina shoreline and harbor water beneath the West Maui Mountains

Where to stay near Lahaina

Looking for Lahaina hotels? Learn what current listings can and can't confirm, compare places to stay in Kaanapali, Napili and Kapalua, and plan a respectful visit.

Unbranded surfboard beside a Paia café patio at blue-hour dusk

Paia: food, beaches and stays

Plan Paia Maui with practical parking advice, restaurant picks, nearby beaches and an honest look at whether the North Shore is a good place to stay.

Guides

Beaches and snorkeling

The beaches worth the drive, where to snorkel from shore and by boat, and what conditions to expect.

All beaches and snorkeling

Palm fronds frame the beach walk and Black Rock at dusk

Beaches and snorkeling

Kaanapali Beach Guide

Plan Kaanapali Beach with clear advice on the beach walk, Black Rock, parking, swimming conditions and which resorts line this three-mile Maui shore.

Snorkel boat beside Molokini's volcanic rim in clear water

Beaches and snorkeling

Molokini Snorkeling Guide

Plan Molokini Crater snorkeling with clear tour comparisons, departure harbors, sample prices, conditions and an honest take on whether the trip is worth it.

Clear reef cove with tiny snorkelers near a sandy Maui shore

Beaches and snorkeling

Maui Snorkeling by Coast

Find the best snorkeling in Maui by coast, with practical notes on shore entry, parking, seasonal conditions, beginner fit and when a boat trip makes sense.

Green sea turtle gliding above a sunlit Maui reef

Beaches and snorkeling

Maui Turtle-Viewing Spots

Turtle Town Maui is the Makena coast near Maluaka Beach. Find shore-entry details, other turtle-viewing spots, timing advice, and distance guidelines.

Guides

Sights and day trips

Haleakala, the Road to Hana, Iao Valley, waterfalls and hikes, with the reservations each one needs.

All sights and day trips

Rain-wet Hana road curving beside a forest waterfall

Sights and day trips

Road to Hana planning guide

Plan the Road to Hana with a mile-marker map, realistic drive times, reservation rules, top stops, safe driving tips, and a clear tour-versus-self-drive choice.

Haleakala crater and cinder cones under bright midday sunlight

Sights and day trips

Haleakala Sunrise Guide

Plan a Haleakala sunrise with clear reservation steps, current fees, summit drive details, clothing advice and the difference between self-driving and tours.

Kipahulu cliffs and ocean seen from a quiet terrace at dusk

Sights and day trips

Haleakala Park Guide

Plan Haleakala National Park with a clear guide to its Summit and Kipahulu districts, entrance fees, sunrise reservations, hikes, weather and driving.

Elevated view of ʻĪao Needle above a lush valley and winding river

Sights and day trips

Iao Valley Visitor Guide

Plan Iao Valley State Park with current reservation rules, reported fees and hours, trail details, safety advice, and a realistic estimate of visit time.

Guides

Tours and activities

Luaus, whale watching, helicopter flights, sunset sails, surf lessons and ziplines, with what each costs.

All tours and activities

Beachfront luau tables and flower-decorated stage beside palms

Tours and activities

Maui Luau Comparison

Compare the best Maui luau options by location, food, show style and price, plus practical booking advice for Old Lahaina and other popular shows.

Distant humpback whale lifting its tail beyond a Maui shoreline

Tours and activities

Maui Whale Watching Guide

Plan Maui whale watching with the season by month, best viewing odds, tour types, harbor options, sample prices and shore spots from McGregor to Wailea.

Small helicopter above Maui coastline, waterfalls, and glowing mountain ridges

Tours and activities

Maui Helicopter Tour Guide

Compare Maui helicopter tours by route, operator, price, doors-off options and weight rules, plus practical advice on timing, check-in and choosing a flight.

Two people sail across turquoise water near Maui’s green coastline

Tours and activities

Maui date ideas for couples

Find things to do in Maui for couples, from sunset sails and ocean-view dinners to quiet beaches, snorkeling and spa time, with practical planning tips.

Guides

Food and drink

Where to eat by area, the reservations to make early and the food trucks worth finding.

All food and drink

Open-air dining terrace overlooking a Maui bay at dusk

Maui Restaurants by Area

Find Maui restaurants by area, price and view, from Tin Roof lunches to Wailea oceanfront dinners, with practical reservation advice for your trip.

Fresh fish and tropical flowers on a table beside a Maui cove

Mama’s Fish House guide

Plan Mama’s Fish House with clear reservation rules, a realistic price picture, dress-code guidance, menu tips and practical directions from Maui resort areas.

Low view of unbranded food trucks, picnic tables, and a lunch plate

Maui Food Trucks by Area

Find Maui food trucks by area, including Kihei and Kahului airport stops, with listed hours, park details, menu styles and honest price guidance.

Plated fish dinner with tropical flowers on an ocean-view terrace at dusk

Wailea Restaurant Picks

Find the best restaurants in Wailea by occasion and spend, from quick resort bites to ocean-view dinners, with practical reservation and timing tips.

Guides

Weather and planning

Weather by month, when to go, the airport, rental cars, fees and itineraries.

All weather and planning

Wind-shaped coastal leaves, lava rock, turquoise surf, and rain clouds over Maui

Weather and planning

Maui Weather, Explained

Maui weather changes by coast and elevation. Learn when rain is likeliest, how trade winds affect beaches, what the ocean forecast tells you, and what to pack.

Morning lanai view over a Maui beach with a distant whale spout

Weather and planning

When to Visit Maui

The best time to visit Maui is April to May or September to November. Compare weather, whale season, crowds and prices to choose your trip dates.

Golden Maui beach with offshore volcanic island silhouette at sunset

Weather and planning

Maui vs Oahu: Which to Pick

Maui vs Oahu comes down to pace and priorities: compare beaches, hotels, costs, activities and transport, then choose the island that fits your trip.

Sunrise-lit plumeria blossom with misty Maui mountains beyond

Weather and planning

Maui or Kauai?

Maui vs Kauai comes down to resort beaches, dry weather and choice versus wild scenery, hiking and quiet. Compare hotels, costs, beaches and trip styles.

Guides

Condos and rentals

Condo resorts and vacation rentals by area, with fees and the changing rental rules.

All condos and rentals

Unbranded condo lanai framed by palms above a Maui bay

Condos and rentals

Maui Condo Rentals Guide

Compare Maui condo rentals by area, nightly price, cleaning fee and rental rules, with practical checks for choosing an oceanfront or family-friendly stay.

Kihei condo lanai overlooking a beach, palms, turquoise water, and mountains at sunset

Condos and rentals

Kihei Condo Rental Guide

Compare Kihei condo rentals by area, monthly asking price, beach access and parking. See which listings fit your budget and what to verify before booking.

How we put these guides together

Official sources first

Reservation, fee and closure details come from the National Park Service, Hawaii State Parks, the County of Maui and the hotels themselves.

Every fact linked

Each guide lists the sources we checked, so you can confirm a fee or an hour in one click.

Independent

No business pays to be included. Some links earn us a commission, and we label them.

How we research

Quick answers