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Where to Stay in Maui (Best Areas, Hotels & Getting Around)
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Choosing where to stay in Maui can make a big difference in your trip. While visiting the island, we stayed in several different areas and had great experiences in each one. Maui is surprisingly large and incredibly diverse, so picking a hotel based on the activities you plan to do can save you a lot of driving time. If you want a tropical rainforest experience, staying near Hana may be ideal. If you’re looking for white sand beaches, resort pools, shopping, and restaurants, areas like Wailea or Ka’anapali are great options.
During our trips to Maui, we’ve personally stayed in Wailea, Ka’anapali, and Lahaina. Each area offers beautiful beaches, restaurants, and shops within walking distance, making them convenient bases for exploring the island. Below, we’ll break down the best areas to stay in Maui, where we stayed, and tips for getting around the island.
Best Areas to Stay in Maui
Maui has several great areas to stay depending on the type of trip you’re planning. The island is fairly large, so choosing a hotel near the activities you plan to do can save you a lot of time driving back and forth. During our trips to Maui, we’ve stayed in Wailea, Ka’anapali, and Lahaina, and each location offered something different. All three areas have great beaches, restaurants, and shopping within walking distance, making them convenient places to stay while exploring the island. Here’s a closer look at each area and what you can expect when staying there.
Wailea
Why Stay in Wailea
Wailea is located on the south side of Maui and is about a 30-minute drive from Kahului Airport (OGG). This area is known for its luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. If you're looking for a relaxing resort-style vacation with incredible ocean views, Wailea is a great choice. Many of the resorts are located directly along the coastline, making it easy to spend your days lounging by the pool or walking along the beach.
One of our favorite things about this area is the Wailea Beach Path, a scenic oceanfront
walking path that connects several resorts, beaches, restaurants, and shops. This makes it easy to explore the area without needing to drive. Wailea is also conveniently located about 20 minutes from Maalaea Harbor, where many snorkeling, scuba diving, and whale watching tours depart.
Where We Stayed: Grand Wailea Resort
During our stay in Wailea, we stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea Resort. This is a large luxury resort with multiple pools, beautiful grounds, and direct beach access. The resort is definitely on the higher end price-wise, with rooms typically ranging from $600 to $1500 per night depending on the season. However, it’s a great option if you plan to spend a lot of time enjoying the resort amenities. Checkout or full Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea Resort review here!
Other Hotels in Wailea
There are several other great resorts and vacation rentals in the Wailea area as well.
One more affordable option is the Wailea Grand Champions Villas. These villas have great reviews and are often about one-third the price of the Grand Wailea per night. We haven’t stayed here yet, but it’s on our list for a future trip!
Ka’anapali
Why Stay in Ka’anapali
Ka’anapali is located on the west side of Maui and is about a 40–45 minute drive from Kahului Airport (OGG). This area is another popular resort destination and offers a great combination of beaches, resorts, restaurants, and shopping. Ka’anapali Beach is known for its long stretch of golden sand and calm, warm water, making it a great place for swimming and relaxing.
Many of the resorts are located directly along the beach, and a beachfront walking path connects several of the hotels.
Where We Stayed: The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
While visiting Ka’anapali, we stayed at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali. The resort has several pools, beautiful landscaping, and easy access to Ka’anapali Beach just steps away from the property. The Westin is typically less expensive than the Grand Wailea, but still falls into the luxury resort category. Room rates generally range from $500 to $1000 per night depending on the season.
Whalers Village Shopping & Dining
One of the highlights of staying in Ka’anapali is the easy access to Whalers Village, an open-air shopping center located right along the beach. Whalers Village has a variety of restaurants, shops, and local boutiques, and it’s within walking distance of most of the resorts in the area.
Nearby Excursions and Beaches
Ka’anapali is also a convenient place to stay if you plan on doing ocean excursions.
Most snorkeling tours, sunset cruises, and whale watching tours depart from Maalaea Harbor, which is about a 30–35 minute drive from Ka’anapali. During our stay, we had no issues arranging tour pickups or rideshare transportation, and the area was easy to navigate.
Lahaina
Why Stay in Lahaina
Lahaina has long been one of Maui’s most popular places to stay thanks to its walkable downtown, oceanfront views, and wide selection of restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Located on the west side of the island, it’s also close to several great beaches and snorkeling spots. Staying in Lahaina traditionally allowed visitors to walk to restaurants, shopping, and tour departures at Lahaina Harbor, while still being just a short drive from nearby beach areas like Ka’anapali and Napili.
Where We Stayed: Pioneer Inn
During one of our visits to Maui, we stayed at the historic Pioneer Inn, a small waterfront hotel located near Lahaina Harbor. The property had a lot of charm and was in a great location near Front Street, making it easy to explore the town on foot. Unfortunately, the Pioneer Inn was destroyed during the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.
Visiting Lahaina Today
The Lahaina community was deeply impacted by the 2023 wildfire, and rebuilding efforts are still ongoing. As recovery continues, access to parts of Lahaina may change and some areas remain closed to visitors. If you plan to visit Maui, it’s a good idea to check current local guidance and respect any closures while the community continues to rebuild.
Getting Around Maui
Before deciding how to get around Maui, it helps to think about what activities you plan to do during your trip. If you’re planning to spend most of your time relaxing at a resort, using rideshare or public transportation may be cheaper than renting a car and paying for daily parking. However, if you plan on exploring different parts of the island, visiting multiple beaches, or doing excursions in different areas, renting a car can make getting around much easier. During our trips to Maui, we’ve used both rental cars and rideshare services, and both worked well depending on what we had planned. Below are the main transportation options available on the island.
Renting a Car
If you plan on exploring multiple parts of the island, renting a car is usually the most convenient option. The rental car facility at Kahului Airport (OGG) is located very close to the arrivals area and is easy to access after landing. For a compact car with full insurance, you can generally expect to pay around $600 for a week, though prices vary depending on the season and availability. One thing to keep in mind is that many resorts charge for parking, which can range from about $30 to $80 per night depending on the hotel. Another option to consider is Turo, an app-based car rental service where locals rent out their vehicles. Prices can sometimes be lower than traditional rental companies.
Driving the Road to Hana
If you’re planning to drive the famous Road to Hana, make sure to check your rental agreement before heading out. Some rental companies restrict driving on certain roads or routes around the island. The drive itself is beautiful but can be challenging, with narrow roads, sharp turns, and multiple one-lane bridge crossings. We personally chose to take a guided tour so we didn’t have to worry about navigating the road ourselves. The drive is definitely doable on your own, but if you’re not comfortable with winding roads or tight turns, a tour can be a great alternative.
Ride-Share (Uber & Lyft)
Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are widely available across most of Maui, especially in popular tourist areas like Wailea, Ka’anapali, and near Kahului Airport.
We’ve never had issues getting a ride in these areas, although availability may be more limited in more remote parts of the island like Hana. Below is a rough price guide for common Uber routes around Maui:
Estimated Ride Costs
Kahului Airport (OGG) → Wailea: $45–$60
Wailea → Maalaea Harbor: $30–$45
Kahului Airport (OGG) → Ka’anapali: $65–$80
Ka’anapali → Maalaea Harbor: $55–$65
Kahului Airport (OGG) → Hana: $180–$250
Kahului Airport (OGG) → Maalaea Harbor: $25–$35
Prices can vary depending on demand and time of day, but this gives a general idea of what to expect.
Public Transit
Maui also has a public bus system that runs routes across many parts of the island.
A day pass costs $4, and students under the age of 24 and adults over the age of 55 can ride for free with a valid ID. The bus services Kahului Airport (OGG) at pick-up zone 3 and connects to several towns and resort areas around the island. While public transit may not be the fastest option for getting around, it can be a budget-friendly choice if you’re not in a rush and plan to stay within a few areas.
Do You Need a Car in Maui?
Whether or not you need a rental car in Maui largely depends on what you plan to do during your trip. f you’re planning a resort-focused vacation, where most of your time will be spent relaxing at the beach, enjoying the pool, or walking to nearby restaurants and shops, you may be able to get by using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. Many tours also offer transportation pickups directly from major resort areas.
However, if you want to explore more of the island, renting a car can make your trip much easier.Many of Maui’s most popular attractions are spread across different parts of the island, and having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace.
Some popular places that are easiest to reach with a rental car include:
Road to Hana
Haleakalā National Park
Upcountry Maui
Makena State Park (Big Beach)
Iao Valley State Monument
Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay
Scenic drives along the West Maui coastline
While some of these locations can be visited on guided tours, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore more beaches, viewpoints, and local spots that are harder to reach otherwise. For travelers planning to visit several different areas of the island, a rental car is often the most convenient option.
Tips for Choosing Where to Stay in Maui
When deciding where to stay in Maui, the best location often depends on what you plan to do during your trip. If you’re looking for a luxury resort experience with beautiful beaches and walkable oceanfront paths, Wailea is a great choice. The area has several upscale resorts, great restaurants, and easy access to snorkeling and whale watching tours departing from Maalaea Harbor.
If you want a lively resort area with easy beach access, shopping, and restaurants within walking distance, Ka’anapali is another excellent option. The area has several large resorts, beautiful beaches, and convenient access to shopping at Whalers Village. No matter where you stay, Maui is relatively easy to explore. Renting a car can make it easier to visit places like Haleakalā National Park, the Road to Hana, or some of the island’s more secluded beaches.
Overall, both Wailea and Ka’anapali make great home bases for exploring the island while still offering plenty of things to do nearby. No matter where you choose to stay, Maui offers incredible scenery, beautiful beaches, and unforgettable experiences throughout the island.
Looking for more Maui content? Checkout our full guide with all information we have collected along our trips
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