Maui Advice
 

Hello everyone, I have just put together a last minute trip to Maui for the family(two boys 10 and 14) leaving 9/29 and returning on 10/08. This is our first time to an island other than the big island.

We are staying at the Grand Wailea 10/2-10/6 and currently have the rest of the trip open. I have read some of the threads and have some ideas so here is what I was looking for advice on:

1. Our flight gets in at 8:00pm and all we want is a clean room close to the airport for the night to get some sleep, any suggestions?

2. We were thinking of "exploring" for the next 2.5 days before we check into the GW. Hana and the park area looked interesting especially with the kids. Any suggestions on where to stay and what not to miss?

3. After we check out of the GW our last 2 days are open. Thought about renting a plane (husband is a private pilot) and going to one of the other close islands or is there more to see and do on Maui.

4. And finally, are both 2006 and 2007 entertainment books the same or is one better for Maui.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Get a copy of:

Maui Revealed, Doughty and Freidman, Wizard Publications.

I read this a few weeks before a 6 day trip myself, and had every day planned out with options of things to do. For me, an active single traveler, 6 days was exactly right - not much of a beach bum, but more active and have to be doing things.

Don't worry about staying near the airport - I believe most of the hotels around there are quite nasty. I loved staying in Lahaina - pricelined the Maui Islander for about $55/night. 2* Hotel wasn't the greatest and certainly no luxury resort, but was clean, comfortable, and a nice base, with a nice outdoor pool. I was up at 6am and off out, back for a shower before dinner and drinks, and then in bed by 10pm or so. So much to do, you've got to make the most of daylight, so you get up early! Just being able to walk from the hotel to downtown Lahaina made the trip - and i would think that for a few days at least that would be great for the family to be able to do also.

Lahaina is only about a 40 minute drive I think, and at that time of the evening traffic shouldn't be a problem.

For the sake of a 40 minute drive I'd not even consider staying near the airport in a nasty motel.

If i was there for more than six days, then yes I'd go visit another island. Molokai for example, and if you can rent a plane then I imagine that would be a STUNNING senic flight around the island.

I agree with hangpilot. I'd rather drive in the evening and get to the place, then wake up in the morning and enjoy where I'm at, rather than spend half the next morning checking out and getting there.

I agree with the other posts. Head over to the Kihei/Lahaina/coast area. There are far more choices and a beautiful area. After your long flight, a short drive with the windows down and the wind blowing in your hair will revive not only your weary body but your spirits too ;)

Aloha! Book a condo for the first nights in Kihei on South Kihei Road Across from one of the Kama'ole Beach Parks.

Wow, if this is an alternative, you've just got to do it. Maui and its shadow islands are just breathtaking from the air. I agree that a Molokai day trip is a great idea. Maui is still beautiful, but it's quite developed. Molokai will really be getting away from it all.

You could fly into Hana, Lanai and Molokai all within those 2 days. I think you've got more than enough to do on Maui, though. So you may just want to stay put.
This is almost impossible to get last minute, but if you can, try see if there are any cabin openings on Haleakala. Waking up to the sunrise at 10,000+ feet for those first two days, or even a day, might be well worth it.
http://www.haleakala.national-park.com/camping.htm

If you get lucky on a cabin, it is definitely worth it. Just make sure you dress appropriately. As the website warns it gets pretty cold up there!

That is my question. Since this thread is 3-1/2 yrs old, is the advice still the same? E.g., avoid the airport area motels, and drive elsewhere? We would be exhausted that evening, and would just want to sleep until the following morning when we head off to Hana (have the Hana stop booked already).

Probably head to Kihei for the arrival evening, unless we get more info about a reasonable airport-area motel. Any suggestions?

Mama's
 

If you are heading to Hana...I would recomment staying at Mama's Fish House (its also a hotel).

Great little beach...its on your way...and you get a restaurant discount if you decide to splurge!

At least go for drinks and dessert!

DO NOT STAY NEAR THE AIRPORT!

Mama's Fish House is just a short distance away, but it may be expensive. Their food is also outstanding but very expensive -- $100pp without appetizer or dessert, IIRC.

Kula Lodge is at the base of Haleakal and would be convenient to Hana. There are also a few places in Paia that you might consider.

Go to WizardPub.com, Maui for reviews and photos.

IMO.. make a vacation of it.. instead of moving around.. just check into the Grand Wailea right away.. the kids will wake up to Water Parks, and non-stop fun. You're only there for 10 days.. just payed dearly for flights, or mile points.. go and enjoy!

My Doctor friend, wife with five kids always stay at the Grand Wailea and finds ten days not enough.. hence they've been there ten times at least over the years. We personally stay at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea.. 840 sq ft suites, great grounds.. I heard its more fun with the water slides at Grand Wailea, with wall to wall people. Fairmont has great one bedroom suites, and an excellent location overlooking Molokini crater.

Ancien Maestro, you're responding to a poster from 2006. See post # 9 for the start of the 2010 discussion.

Zip, are you staying the night in Hana? If so, then I think you'll be fine staying near the airport for one night.

If you are NOT staying the night in Hana, I'd go ahead and check-in to the place I was staying the rest of the week vs. staying one night in Kihei, etc. The Road to Hana is known for roadside thieves who break into cars. So you don't want to be carrying all your belongings around if you can avoid it. If you must do this, put everything out of sight and pack a backpack so that you can take all your valuables with you on hikes.

I dont know of any nice Maui airport area hotels. Marriott was going to build an airport area CY but I dont think that will happen.There are 2 hotels in Kahalui but both are old, scruffy and noisy. As noted head for mid-priced Kihei hotels and condos.

MisterNice

Oops.. my bad. I don't have an opinion on post #9 because the Road to Hana is a long drive, and best to do the drive in daylight after a long flight to Kahului. Definitely some logistics to be done here. I think the drive to Kihei isn't a bad one from the airport..

Thanks for the fine comments above.
We have booked our arrivial night (LAX-OGG), arriving 8pm at airport, at the Maui Seaview hotel, about 4 miles away. Comments say it is well-worn, but friendly and helpful staff. It is cancellable up to 48 hrs before check-in, in case I get too many negative reviews here.

The next day we would buy our supplies (water/snacks) at the stores "across the street," then head off to Hana where we do have several nights booked. We've seen the different parts of Maui before; other times have stayed in one loction a week at a time; but we do mainly ENJOY seeing the different parts of the island. Such a beautiful island (our 2nd favorite, but there are no "unfavorable" island), we do want to see it all once again.

I don't see any questions above so I guess you're ready to go. Have fun and enjoy. We'll be there in Jan. for 3 weeks. BTW, which is your favorite island and why?

Are you certain your hotel not the Maui Seaside? The hotel you mentioned is upcountry near Haiku.

MisterNice

Mr. MN, you had me scrambling to check my reservation. Yes, it is the Maui Seaside. Phew. And we did see your "old, scruffy and noisy" comments, but we just want a place for one night (not planning on any sights), and then getting away when we can the following morning. But I am still looking at alternatives, at least until the cancellation deadline.

philemer, Kaua'i is favorite. The scenery, less touristey, great hiking. We try for a nice hilltop condo on the west side; incredable green grass against the blue sea. But as I said, I am never disappointed on any of the islands. Over 3 weeks, you can visit several of them; have you made your plans yet?

I've always wanted to do that, or stay at the Huelo Flower Farm. I'd have no issues staying in a Days Inn quality place for one night.

BTW, if you like to boogie board, I'd recommend buying some boogie boards in town before heading to Hana. Hamoa Beach, right past Hana (and used by the Hotel Hana) has some of the best surfing on the island. Not sure I'd take young kids, though, because the waves were powerful enough to knock my 5'10" 175 pound husband down.

Report back about Hana if you can. I'd love to know what you thought of it.

Hotel
 

Maui Seaside by the airport is dingy. Not exactly Hawaii "paradise."

Some of the dingy hotels are such that one needs a vacation or time off after them to recuperate. Not to mention the negative memories, instead of what's supposed to be positive memories. I recently stayed at some dingy one, not this one but some other. When I got there in the evening I thought, "I'll get up as early as possible and get out of here," with plans to get out of there by 6 or 7 am. Instead I woke up so tired in that dingy place that I barely had any energy and finally got out of there by 10:30. What's the point of such suffering.

A drive to Kihei (plenty of hotel options there) is not bad at all, very easy and won't take long. (I'd stay away from Lahaina for this because it is way further and more involved in terms of driving, especially at night. But Kihei is easy and not that far.) If it were me, I'd try priceline and spend a bit more than suffer in some dingy outlet.

I agree -- a dingy hotel near the airport is not the right way to spend time in Maui, regardless of your budget. On Priceline, you could get a decent place in Kihei for a little over $100 on Priceline. See http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/for...waii-Maui.html

The OGG area is good for pretty much just one thing: getting into and out of Maui.

Maui Seaside and Hotel Hana-Maui
 

Well, we did stay at the Maui Seaside, 4 miles from the airport, the night of our arrival. And it was good! The grounds are well maintained, pleasant and secure. The room itself is better than a Motel 6 stay (OK, that doesn’t say much for the room, but again, we just wanted a place to stay then leave, and the Seaside fit the bill). We had the lowest-cost room, and since it had AirC, it was more than satisfactory. Did not have a view of the ocean from our room, but we could hear it. Good night sleep. So I really don’t know where all the negative feelings come from (unless we were exceptionally lucky). They did have a choice of “better” rooms that mainly older couples were taking. At our level rooms, there were quite a few young couples and groups who were using this motel as their base for taking day excursions (with their snorkel and scuba gear). Breakfast at the adjoining restaurant was our best Hawaiian breakfast of the trip. The desk agents were incredibly friendly and helpful, almost beyond belief.

Now Hana. We took 5 hrs to do the normal 50-mile 2-hour trip. Poor parking near the better waterfalls, but we found that driving a bit further, we could usually find a spot to pull off, and walk back to the sights. On our return a couple days later, we had a late lunch at Mama’s. Thanks, MauiFan, for this great suggestion, terrific views and location. If you go over the normal dining hours, best to have a reservation. But well worth a wait. We made our reservation from Hana.

We stayed at the Hotel Hana-Maui. We like Hana because it is so peaceful, low-keyed, and more Hawaiian and less touristy than the rest of the island. No air in the delightful rooms, but always a nice ocean breeze. No complaints at all. Lots of visitors to the sights outside (and in) Hana, mostly day-trippers and campers. They did not distract from the Hawaiian mood. Liked the black beach and the red beach (though to get to the red, you either have to be young or part mountain goat).

Ended our stay at the Grand Wailea. In a couple days, I’ll report on that stay on the Hilton site.

I haven't seen any comments on the "Expeditions" ferry boat from Lahaina to Lanai. Anyone tried this as a day trip to Lanai? It looks relatively hassle free compared to flying.

I'm just back from a long weekend on Lana'i. I believe Expeditions sells Lana'i tour packages as part of a day-trip. My weekend was spent relaxing by the pool, a spa treatment, snorkeling, some hiking, attending the Pineapple Festival and an afternoon and dinner at Ko'ele.

Honestly, Lana'i is not a place for touring around - there are limited sights to see there, most are accessible only by 4WD which you can rent as part of an expensive day package. Snorkeling is nice, but I've seem the same fish and coral off Black Rock at Ka'anapali.

Lana'i is a place to go to relax - no chain stores, no chain restaurants, no traffic, no hustle/bustle, no stress. I'm not sure I would recommend the day trip..a couple of nights there is a much better idea, but the hotels are very expensive.

Also, if you are prone to sea-sickness, the water can be very rough and the ferry gets tossed about quite a bit - I'd recommend getting a prescription for Scopace (scopolamine tablet, not patch) and dosing up at least one hour before departure...and sitting downstairs at the rear of the center seating section.

Also, I strongly, strongly second the advise re: Pricelining a better hotel near Kihei or even Ka'anapali. Use biddingfortravel to understand the bidding process and get an idea of current bid rates.

bocastephen,

Thanks so much for the comments. I was concerned that Lanai might be too much for one night, we will make it longer on the next trip. I also appreciate the comments about seasickness, as one member of our party gets sick thinking about it! Those pills put a real damper on the day, so it's likely not worth it.

We are staying at the Wailea Beach Marriott on points, so the price is right, and I'm really looking forward to visiting Maui after a ten year absence!

Just to clarify, these are not the over-the-counter pills that make you drowsy - Scopace is prescription-only, and will have almost no drowsiness symptoms provided you don't take alcohol.

Did not know that! I will check that drug out for sure. Now, about that no alcohol requirement...