Looking for where to stay in Maui Hawaii? Picking not only the best hotel but the area of the island is so important when planning the vacation of your dreams. From 5-star luxury resorts to secluded beach stays and budget options, we’ll give you a guide to paradise. Below we share our picks for the best hotels and areas to stay in Maui Hawaii!
Maui Travel Tips
- Travel Planning: 5 Day Maui Itinerary – Renting a Car – Planning a Trip
- Best Of Maui: 20 Fun Facts – Best Beaches – Must Try Food – 25 Things to Do
- Maui Hikes & Walk: Bamboo Forest – Waihee Ridge Trail – Wailea Beach Walk
Best Area to Stay in Maui Hawaii
Maui is unique in the sense that you can easily pick one home base and spend your days exploring the entire island. However, if you don’t mind changing accommodations there are countless hotels to pick from.
In this article, we will break down our favorite places in paradise. From luxury hotels to beachside hostels, you can choose one location or spend your days adventuring! So what is the best area to stay in Maui?
When booking your flight to Maui we recommend booking directly with Hawaiian Airlines! You can read our full Hawaiian Airlines review here!
Where to Stay in South Maui
This is our top pick for where to stay in Maui on your first visit to the island. We stayed in Kihei and love the area! This strip of epic beach towns consists of Kihei, Wailea, and Makena. It’s chalked full of luxury hotels, dozens of beaches, and amazing restaurants.
Here you can experience walking through the Maui lava fields in the morning and then stroll the coastline on the Wailea Beach Walk for sunset.
South Maui is also a strategic location on the island. Staying in Kihei we were only 20 minutes from the airport and centrally set between Lahaina and Upcountry. If you plan to do a lot of exploring this is certainly the best area to stay in Maui!
Ultra Luxury – Four Seasons Resort Maui – Wailea – Known as one of the most elite hotels on Maui, the Four Seasons has three swimming pools, 5-star service, and is just steps from the beach.
Fun Vacation – Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Wailea – This modern, upscale hotel is packed with swimming pools and ocean views.
Bed & Breakfast –Maui What a Wonderful World Bed & Breakfast – Wailea – Get all the local charm you can handle at this fantastic bed and breakfast. Awesome location that will provide a homey welcome to the island.
West Maui Hawaii Hotels
Lahaina is the main town here, but the entire coast of West Maui is full of great accommodations. In this area of the island, you can find budget-friendly options in addition to the high-end luxury resorts.
If you’re looking for a hostel this is likely where you’ll be staying. The good news is there are some surprisingly good options! This part of Maui also has some of the best snorkeling spots.
Ultra Luxury – Montage Kapalua Bay – Kapalua – Massive luxury hotel that is one of the best and most expensive on the island. Set steps from Kapalua Beach and Kapalua coastal walk.
Aparthotel – Napili Sunset Beach Front Resort – Lahaina – Great for travelers looking to have a little more space and a kitchen.
Local Inn – The Plantation Inn – Lahaina – Next to historic Front Street, this French-influenced inn is one of the most recognizable in town.
Hostel Life – Hakuna Matata Maui Hostel – Lahaina – Walking distance to the town center, this hostel is set in a gorgeous garden. Hakuna Matata also offers free bikes and is close to the beach.
Where to Stay in Upcountry
Staying in upcountry isn’t something that many travelers consider… And you won’t find any of the large Maui Hawaii hotels this island is known for.
However, it’s a great base if you plan to spend a lot of time in Haleakalā National Park. While the accommodations are sparse in Central Maui it will be an experience unlike any other.
From 3am sunrise missions to amazing day hikes all over the island, there are endless things to do for those who may not come just for the beaches. Upcountry also hosts one of the best weekly farmers markets on the island!
Upcountry Stay – Kula Lodge – Unique tropical style lodge with views over the island and amazing sunsets.
Where to Stay in East Maui
Driving the Road to Hana is known as one of the best experiences in all of Hawaii. It has even been voted one of the best drives in the entire world! Like other travelers, we drove to this part of Maui on a day trip. Make sure to check out our 10 tips for the Road to Hana if you plan to do the same.
Looking for a unique experience? Consider booking in advance and staying in Hana town! This remote area will give you more time to appreciate a part of the island that many people unfortunately rush through. Accommodations are limited here, but there are some great options if you plan ahead.
This is also a great area if you want to ditch a hotel and go camping for a few days! There are several companies that rent camping equipment on the island.
Remote Resort Hana Maui Resort A Destination by Hyatt – Hana – Located along the Road to Hana. Incredible resort by Hyatt offering seclusion and luxury.
Guest House- Heavenly Hana Paradise– Hana – Welcoming rooms and a beautiful covered terrace. You’ll feel like you’re in a tropical escape here.
Aparthotel- Kailani Suite at Hana Kai Resort– Hana – Walking distance to Hāna Beach Park, this aparthotel is a great location close to town.
Do you have a favorite bed and breakfast or Maui Hawaii hotels that you’d recommend to travelers? What about your pick for the best area to stay in Maui? Let us know in the comments!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Hawaii Travel Planning
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner. That’s how we got our flight from San Diego to Maui for under $100 USD on Hawaiian Airlines!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: Hands down the best way to explore Maui Hawaii is with a rental car! We used Discover Cars to explore the island. Just make sure to book in advance because there are limited cars on the island in the high season!
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find hundreds of Maui activities. You can book a sunset sail from Lahaina, Road to Hana full day tour, or go wild and take a rainforest helicopter tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad (if you’re traveling to Hawaii from outside the USA) without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
