Going to Maui
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Places to Go >
Hawaii > Maui
All-Inclusive trip to Hawaii?
July 2010
My husband and I went to Hawaii for the first time a couple
of years ago, sans kids. We had to go to Maui for a
friend's wedding, so I don't know anything about Kauai,
except that I'd like to go there someday. Anyhow, I
accidentally found Maui treehouses when I was looking up
places for us to go before our trip. It's in the remote
area of the Hana side of the island. We stopped at a
grocery store in the town of Paia and bought food (fresh
fish, veggies, fruit, etc.). I can't remember if we bought
a cheapy cooler to take with us or if they wrapped the fish
in ice for us. It's a long drive from there to the
treehouses, but totally worth it! There's two propane
burners and a barbeque on the lanai, along with a hammock
and tiki torches. We actually stayed in the Tree Pavillion.
It was gorgeous and so romantic! The Ritz Carlton it is
not, but if you're looking for a secluded place to relax and
unwind and enjoy paradise in a natural setting, then you
will not be sorry. I noticed on the website it says they're
not renting due to the permit process, but if you're
interested, I would call David the owner anyway to inquire
about whether or not you can stay there. (808) 248-7241
http://hanalani.maui.net/
There's tons of places to go exploring on the Hana side of
the island if you like beaches and mountains and hiking.
Just make sure you bring plenty of food. When we went there
was a Thai woman who set up shop until she ran out of food
around lunch time. We were able to eat there twice and it
was fabulous! We even saw Weird Al there. If you're
familiar with him, you'll know that he is totally
recognizable, there's no hiding the fact that he's Weird Al.
Once he started making Wookie noises to his daughter, I had
no doubt it was him. Since he was with his wife and
daughter, and we were in a remote part of paradise, and not
a red carpet event in LA, I didn't feel it appropriate to
approach him, even though I wanted to snap a picture of him
for my brother who is a huge fan. Anyway besides the Thai
food tent, there is a tiny grocery store with slim pickins.
There a couple of hotel-ish type places that serve food, but
the hours didn't fit in with our schedule. We cringed when
it was time to go. It was a lovely experience. We look
forward to going again someday. Feel free to email me if
you want to know more or see any of our pictures. Marjie
marji
Place to stay in Maui
Jan 2010
Hi everybody,
my husband, our (then) 13 months old son and I are planning
our trip to Maui this june and were wondering if anybody can
suggest a nice place to stay. Here is my wishlist :-)
- apartment or condo
- kitchen with dishwasher
- one bedroom with large livingroom or 2 bedrooms
- washer/dryer
- pool, a baby pool would be perfect
- close to beaches, shops and restaurants
- 150$-200$ per night
I know I'm asking for a lot, but we desperatly need this
vacation and we want it to be just perfect!
Thanks so much!
Try Vacation Rentals By Owner - VRBO.com. We have had great luck with them
for family vacations. They have many listings in Maui, and I'll bet you'll find
just
what you're looking for! Also look at the BPN archives - sometimes BPN
members will respond with websites for their condos/homes in Hawaii. Have a
great trip!
Kim
Vacation Rental by Owner, vrbo.com, is a great way to
connect with a homeowner who could rent you exactly what
you're looking for. Their listings are searchable. I've
used them to arrange a place for my relatives to stay during
my wedding, and am considering using them to find a place
for our Hawaii honeymoon.
Enjoy your trip!
Megumi
http://www.crhmaui.com/maui-condo-mana-kai.html -- click on ''view
slideshow''.
Mana Kai Maui fits your description, except for the lack of a separate baby
pool. It's centrally located in South Kihei, on one of the best beaches in
Hawaii (town has shops, restaurants, etc). It's a calm, sandy beach with a
coral reef right next to it, so the kids can play in the sand; the adults can
snorkel with tons of fantastic fish, all steps from the condo. It's a large (8
story?) condo (separate bedroom areas, full kitchens) but is run like a hotel -
daily maid service, nice lobby setting, and has a fantastic (kid-friendly)
oceanfront restaurant downstairs, along with a few shops, including a
convenience store with everything from ice cream to groceries to flip flops
and towels and sand toys. Every unit is privately owned, so the decor varies
but it's all decently maintained and all typical tropical style. We
like to
request carpet so the kids don't slip on wet tiles after a day at the pool or
beach. There is a very nice pool too - not huge but well-maintained, with a
little water feature-waterfall. We've stayed there several times over the last
15 years, before kids, and with kids, and had a great time every time. Close
to Wailea--very fancy houses, more great beaches, golf, shopping, etc.
heidi
Maui for Under 150 night?
May 2009
Hello. I am thinking of going to Maui with my husband and baby in August. I am
looking for a preferably beachfront (or anyway walkable to beach) condo rental.
I don't care too much about resort-y stuff, though access to a pool would be
nice. I am looking on eBay and stuff, but am a bit overwhelmed. Can under
$150/night be done?
I checked the archives but was hoping that in this economy, maybe there are some
good deals to be had.
Try vrbo.com . I've gotten a couple places through there that worked
out very well. I definitely think you can do some bargaining in this
economy.
j
Check out www.cyberrentals.com It is a site where you can rent
houses, apartments and condos directly from the owner. They have
several listings that might fit your needs. Good luck-Maui is a
beautiful island.
Patty
West Maui with small children
April 2009
My family would like to visit West Maui with our 6y/o and
infant. We are looking for a less touristy place, and would like
to stay in a condo on or relatively close to the beach with a
full size kitchen. Any recommendations would be greatly
appreciated.
Check out Napili. The town law prohibits buildings taller than a palm tree.
Heaven. Condos and resorts are available.
Napili fan
West Maui rains more than South Maui, but it's also cheaper.
Kaanapali area rains a little less than Napili, but Napili is
cheaper. (though Kaanapali can be more expensive than South
Maui). With little kids, I'd probably go to Kaanapali rather
than Napili, although the resorts in Napili usually have a good
pool and lots of kids running around too. The beach in Napili
is a little steeper (therefore less kid-friendly) than
Kaanapali, which is flat and very kid friendly. South Maui has
plenty of good kid-friendly beaches. You can also drive around,
of course.
Janet
Maui in December
April 2009
We would like to go to Maui in December. Our ideal situation would be a condo
or house either on the beach or a across the street from the beach with good
outdoor space for kids (3 of mine and 3 of my sisters ranging in age from 3 to
10) to run around. A pool would be super too! We don't need anything too
fancy though. Any suggestions?
Rachel
Kahana Village in Kahana (just north of Kaanapali). We are
staying here now! Each unit is either 2 or 3 bedrooms, there is
a big round 3 foot deep pool, and it is on the water. Nice
landscaped grounds/grass for running around. Best yet, the
pricing is exceptional for what you get.
kahanavillage.com
Tell them I sent you!
Ellen
Marriott in Hawaii with 2 kids
Jan 2009
We have points to use at a Marriott, one kid age 4, one 10 mths. I
want warm air and a direct (not too long) flight. Any Marriott's
stand out in particular? We love the beach and the pool but kid
friendly a must. Arizona? Southern California? Mexico? Hawaii? Anyone
been to Ko Olina on Hawaii? Feb or March travel.
want to be warm!
Hi,
We just came back from Maui, HI and stayed at the Wailea Marriott
Beach Resort & Spa. We brought our 1 yr old daughter and she had a
great time. There were many other kids there as well. They have a
kid's pool with slides and lots of water hoses. You will also
enjoy this really nice hotel, which is right off the beach. I
highly recommend this place and going to Maui with your kids.
Mary
Maui Condo recommendation?
August 2008
We're hoping to head to Maui this September with our 2 year old before the
arrival of #2 (and the inevitable chaos) in the new year. The archives
are quite dated, so we are looking for some recent recommendations for a
great condo.
We rarely manage a vacation that isn't in a tent (!) so we're hoping for
something a little special. We don't want to spend a heap of cash and
come away disappointed, but are happy to spend what is necessary to be
sure of a pleasant place to stay! Generally we are happier away from the
crowds, but not so far that we have to get in a car to do everything......
Anyone have a glowing recommendation for a condo or vacation rental that
might suit us?
Excited for a REAL vacation!
We've stayed at the maui eldorado 2x. it's just up from lahaina. I think
the town is kaanapali. it is on a golf course. there are pools adjacent
to most buildings. we had a one bedroom condo with a bedroom that had an
accordian divider, effectively making a 2 br condo--and a pool out the
back and front doors. they will carry you to the beach on golf carts or
it's a short walk (long for little legs). at the beach they are the only
beach front with cabana with showers, towels, restrooms, and a KITCHEN
witha FRIDGE. the beach is pretty gentle and you can do some okay
snorkeling against the rocks. you can walk to the sheraton where they do
the evening torch light ceremony. it is expensive, but you are
comfortable.
Jessica
My daughter and I stayed at the Two Mermaids bed and breakfast a few
years ago and had a great time. I believe there were 2 or 3 rooms so it
worked for a couple or for a large family. Very nice swimming pool and a
short drive from the southern beaches and Kihei.
heidi
Planning trip to Maui
April 2008
I've checked the archives but didn't find anything that really
helped. We're thinking about a trip to Maui in September and would
love some recommendations. It will be my husband and I, our 2 kids
(ages 1.5 and 4.5) and 2 or 3 active grandparents. A 2-3 bedroom
condo with a full kitchen and very close to a (preferably calm) beach
are a must. We would also love to avoid renting a car (is this even
possible?) so somewhere within walking distance of a grocery store
and a couple of restaurants would be great. Oh yeah, and my dad
doesn't really like crowds, so if he decides to join us, somewhere
more secluded and less touristy would be ideal (although if there
were a golf course nearby, we could just send him there). However, if
we don't have a car, how limited will we be in our excursions? I'm
guessing we would like to go to a luau and maybe on a snorkeling
tour. Anything else a must and doable with kids?
We took our boys (ages 2 and 4 1/2 at time of travel) to Maui
a couple of years ago for a two week stay and loved it. We
rented a condo advertised in the SF Chron and it worked well
for us, although it would be too small for your group. If
you are looking for quiet and no crowds I recommend the
Wailea area. It's a bit more expensive, but absolutely
beautiful. There is a great beach just past Wailea called
Makena which was incredible. We went almost everyday! Most
of the resorts and condo complexes have their own private
beaches and there are a couple of golf courses nearby.
Kanaapali is a very popular area, however it's very crowded.
You really do need a car just about anywhere in Hawaii
(except maybe Waikiki!). Maui has great beaches and some nice
small towns to go exploring. It also has a terrific
Acquarium that is right on the coast. In the same location
there is a very good whale watching company called the
Pacific Whale Foundation that was very family friendly. I
purchased a Maui guidebook at Amazon and found it very
helpful. When we arrived in Maui, we drove right to Safeway
and bought them cheap beach toys and towels that we could
leave behind. The food at the grocery stores can be pricey,
so we bbq'd a lot and kept it simple. Just about every
restaurant is family friendly and we had no problem having
meals out. We thought Maui was wonderful for our family. I
hope you enjoy it too!
Angela
We've always stayed at Mana Kai Maui, before kids and with
our kids--wonderful sandy beach with a reef for snorkeling.
We've always rented the hotel room or the kitchen suite, but
you can rent them all together and that would give you a
separate bedroom with a queen bed + bathroom, and a suite
with bedroom (queen bed--separated by living area by a
folding curtain-thing), bathroom, full kitchen, and living
area with fold-out bed. That would be perfect for your
family plus 2 grandparents, and you could add one more hotel
room or a rollaway bed for the 3rd grandparent. These condos
all come with a car. I wouldn't go to Maui and not get a car
unless you're staying at a full-service resort and don't want
to explore. There are famous golf courses just south of the
Mana Kai, in Wailea. I'd stay in this area for its calm
beaches, as opposed to up north, but in September it should
be nice no matter where you are. The Mana Kai is about 7
stories high, and is a condo complex (each unit is privately owned), but it's run just like a hotel,
with a front office and daily maid service. The kitchens
have silverware, pots, pans, dishes, etc. There is a very
good restaurant on the first floor, right next to the beach.
There are also a few little shops, including a sundry shop
where you can get groceries, beach toys, ice cream, etc.
Here's a link--
http://www.crhmaui.com/maui-condo-mana-kai.html
Have fun!
heidi
Napili would be perfect for you. Away from the bustle of
Lahaina and Kaanapali. We stayed in the Napili Shores
condos. I don't know if they have anything bigger than a 1
bedroom though (with sleeper sofas in the living room for
kids). Napili Point is another condo complex right there as
well.
Erin
Maui Ocean Center is great for kids (AAA discount for
one-time ticket, or you can buy a one-week ticket). Pricey
but lots of things for kids to see/do, and it's great for a
rainy day or if you need a break from sun. Good beaches for
little kids are Kaanapali (probably the flattest), Wailea,
Kihei. Napili is not a great beach: small, steep, and if it
rains anywhere, it rains in Napili. Kaanapali rains a bit
more than Kihei/Wailea.
All the ''regular'' shops can be
found in Kihei, but you still need a car, and Kihei can be a
bit crowded. Wailea is very nice but pricey, and one of the
best things about it is the pathway that goes about 2 miles
along the beaches. Keawakapu beach so. end has some nice
tidepools too. You can google ''rentals'' and Kihei, Wailea,
Kaanapali and you'll come up with lots of options. (I'd
advise not staying north of the Kam I-III beaches-those
beaches aren't lovely! And don't stay in Maalea or North
Shore, unless you like wind, and are dying to windsu!
rf.) You might want to try to be on the ocean side of so.
Kihei road if you end up in Kihei though it's not a huge deal
to cross the street (it's a little noisier too w/
20-somethings).
Plenty of people seem to like Lahaina, but I
don't understand what the appeal is. Kaanapali is also pricey
kind of like Wailea. You really don't need to ''do'' much
with kids other than go to the beach or pool (with lots of
sunscreen, and possibly with a bucket and shovel). And bring
some games, books, videos for rainy days. If you go to a
place with a pool or flat beach you'll probably find other
kids to play with too. There's a guidebook called ''Maui
Revealed'' that you can buy at Costco in Maui (near the
airport) or order online - and they have some online
recommendations too. With little kids you might want to skip
things like going to Haleakala, which, in my cranky opinion,
is not so special, and is a long drive, and it's COLD up top.
(also means you have to pack warm clothes). (though if you have $ to burn, you could do a helicopter ride).
The ''road to Hana'' might not be so interesting to kids, and it's a
bloody long drive, though the pools on the east side are
interesting. Kids enjoy going to a place like Longs, which
has all the Hawaiian gifts you could possibly want (coloring
book? tote bags? purses? magnets?), and you could also check
out the ABC stores, and the Maui Ocean Center gift store
(there's a discount coupon for it in the local phone book).
Call the concierges at the various big hotels in Wailea and
Kaanapali for things like hula shows, hula lessons, music,
lei making, etc. And the luau can be fun if expensive, if you
think you can keep your kid awake until 7 or 8 pm (they are 3
hrs behind us during the DST period, otherwise 2 hrs). Oh,
and one thing my daughter liked was the submarine, which goes
out of Lahaina (also pricey). She liked it even though on
that trip we didn't see much. There also was a ''turtle
project'' out of Lahaina that we didn't do but which sounded
interesting. They'll take kids (and
grownups) out on a snorkel--and various ways to help kids
who don't swim, like a boogie board and snorkel mask--and go
look at the turtles and learn about them. But it was $150 min
and $50 for each snorkeler. Did I mention ''pricey''? Even
expect to pay a LOT at the grocery store. But it's a great
place for kids!
janet
Things to do in Maui
March 2008
We will be visiting Maui for the first time in May this year
with a 2 year old and 3.5 year old. Do you have suggestions on
things to do in Maui? We will be hiring a car so are open to
places that are a reasonable drive away from our condo in
Lahaina.
Heading to Maui
In December we went to Maui with our 2 year. He spent most of his
time at the beach and at the hotel pool, but a couple outings that he
really enjoyed were:
-The Sugar Cane Train. The train goes through Lahaina and then a bit
north. Open-air train with friendly conductors. We rode it for a
round-trip and he loved it. It's been several months and he still
talks about this!
http://www.sugarcanetrain.com/
-The Maui Ocean Center. A great aquarium. Just a short drive from
Lahaina.
http://www.mauioceancenter.com/
have fun!
Can I Come Too?
My seven year old has this advice:
''My grandma lives in Maui. When I go to visit her I like to go to the
Aquarium. The Sugar Cane Train is good but very long. There are trains
to climb on at the station.''
My two cents from travelling to Maui a total of ten times with my
kids: The Sugar Cane Train is in Lahaina. I believe the Aquarium is in
Ma'alea Harbor on the way to Kihei. it's a small one with indoor (air
conditioning)/outdoors. If you happen over to the other side of the
island, say for the drive over to Hana, the best(read only)park on
Maui is in Haiku at Giggle Hill. Ask your hotel or a local for
directions. It's designed by the Frog Park designers. Worth a stop on
a long day's drive to let toddlers run off some steam. In general
you'll find most of the restaurants and local places are incredibly
kid friendly.
My Mama's in Maui
I'm sure you'll hear about the Marine Center from others, but I want
to tell you about a fantastic beach. It's in South Kihei (you'll go
through Kihei--pronounced 'KEE-Hay'-- as you drive down from Lahaina
to Wailea on the west side of the island). Turn into the condo
complex called Mana Kai Maui on the beach side of the road, and look
for the public parking lot on your left. Walk through the lawn and
trees to the beach. It's a public beach, and has both a fantastic,
smooth sandy area for the kids, as well as a great reef with tons of
fish (and sometimes turtles) for snorkeling. Very mellow and easy to
get to. Inside the Mana Kai Maui resort, there are a couple of
stores--a clothing shop, as well as a ''5 & 10'' that sells a little
bit of everything--food & drinks, ice cream, sunscreen, toys, etc.
heidi
Family resorts for a vacation in Maui?
Jan 2008
We are considering a last-minute trip to Maui in Feb. and would
appreciate recommendations for places to stay w/ kids -- we have a 2 yr
old and a 2 month old. We are not familiar w/ the island so we're open
to location suggestions. The high-end resorts in areas like Weilea look
great, but they're $5-600/night during the peak season and that's not
exactly in our budget. We're mostly interested in resorts or condos on
a nice beach, with a pool and a casual restaurant, that are extremely
family-friendly. Thanks for any suggestions or advice you may have.
pamela
Try The Mauian, at Napili Beach (up the road from the more pricey
Kaanapali). The Mauian is an old-fashioned motel-style place on its
own lovely beach (right next to several fancy resorts which share the
same coast and have excellent restaurants). We first stayed at The
Mauian in 1970 when our kids were very young, and stopped by again last
year to find that it is still there and is still as lovely (and
reasonable) as it was.
The place has a kids-oriented library and a TV/game area but no
restaurant of its own. You will appreciate a rental car, since it is a
little ''out of the tourist area''.
It is listed in the AAA book.
Robert
Maui crib rental
Jan 2008
We are taking our two year old to Maui soon. He's just about outgrown his pak'n'play
and we'd prefer to rent a crib for our Maui condo. Any recommendations?
Dad with big kid
We've used http://www.nanaenterprises.com/ for all of our baby stuff in
Maui. The man on the phone can be a little gruff but the stuff is good
and clean and delivered and picked up on time.
aloha
Maui - Napili or Wailea?
Oct 2007
We are planning a trip to Maui with our then 2 year old in
mid January or early February 2008. We are trying to decide
between Napili and Wailea (we picked these two because they
have been recommended and to narrow down our research scope).
Any preferences? And any specific lodging recommendations? We
prefer a condo so that we can have a kitchen, but access to a
nice pool would be great too. Thanks!
Maui Bound
I'd strongly recommend Wailea over Napili in ''winter'' simply because the
water is much calmer down south than up north. We were there over
Christmas with our 1 year old, 6 years ago, and we ended up driving down
to Kihei (just north of Wailea) every day to use the beaches--they were
too choppy in Napili for the baby. We LOVE Kihei. It's cheaper than
Wailea (though not as beautiful), but Kihei does have some of the best
beaches in Hawaii-known as Kam 1, 2 and 3. Our favorite place to stay is
Mana Kai Maui, right on the beach (Kam 2, I think)--it's condos, but with
daily maid service, amenities (small shops, a restaurant, pool...), and is
on a GREAT beach--sandy, clean and calm for the kiddies, but with a reef
for snorkeling, for the parents. Have fun!
heidi
We've stayed in both Napili and Wailea several times and love both.
However, I do find that the weather is better in Wailea -much more
consistently dry. We like the Elua condo complex which is on the ocean
and has a nice pool near the beach. We have also stayed (and enjoyed) the
Grand Champions condos which are a short drive from the beach. We were
just in Wailea this summer and stayed at the Grand Champions for 4 nights
and the Fairmont Kea Lani for the last 5 nights. The Fairmont is an ''all
suites'' hotel and it's beautiful. A pretty good set up if you have kids
as it has a good sized fridge, microwave, and wetbar. It was great to be
pampered the last half of the trip! Have fun!
Laurie
We stayed in Lahaina with our 16 month old at the end of August and had a
great experience at the Outrigger Aina Nalu. I normally wouldn't think of
staying in Lahaina (since it's more of a tourist spot), but the Aina Nalu
is in a quiet and residential area, walking distance to Foodland (grocery
store), the wharf. The rooms are spacious (I recommend the 2 BR for the
additional space for kids), very clean and have all the amenities you need
for your family. The accomodations in Napili/Wailea are more of the
resort-style. Lahaina is also an easy drive to either Napili/Wailea and
is also a short drive to the Maui Ocean Center.
gemma
Day Activities in Hawaii
July 2007
My husband and I are going on a Hawaiian cruise in a few weeks,
generously paid for by my grandparents, and are looking for things
to do on the islands. We'll spend the nights on the ship, but have
time during the day to go out and explore.
I'll be pretty far along in my pregnancy, so will probably be
interested in more low-key things (like gentle walks or staying on
the beach with my family), while my husband is active and would
like to snorkel and hike and whatever else is available!
It's also kind of a ''babymoon'' for us since this will be the
last trip before the baby (our first) comes.
We'll be docking in and out of at these places and have at least a
day in each one:
Honolulu, O'ahu
Nawiliwili, Kaua'i
Hilo, Hawai'i
Kona, Hawai'i
Kahului, Maui
I've never been to Hawaii and have no idea how to best spend our
time there. We've love any recommendations and details you can
share!
Thank you!
Hello,
Our family has vacationed in Maui every winter since I can remember. We typically focus
on the beaches, mai-tais, and incredible restaurants, but one 'activity' that was really
fun was ''biking the volcano''. Sounds intense, but there are several companies that
will drive you up to the top of Haleakala, and you ride many miles from the cold
(sometimes snowy) mountaintop through various forests and fields, see incredible views,
and witness the repidly changing microclimates and you decend to the hot, sunny beach.
Best of all- it's ALL downhill! No need for pedals, only brakes! Super easy, gorgeous,
and fun. Enjoy!
dreaming of maui
we also go to Maui a lot -- once or twice a year, and have found a bunch of fun stuff for times
when the beach is not happening (because of wind, weather, over-exposure, whatever). the absolute
best thing -- tho expensive -- is the Maui Ocean Center in Ma'alea, a port that is situated right
in the middle of the leeward (or ''kona'') side of the island, between Lahaina and Kihei. it is
an aquarium, sort of on the model of the Monterey Bay place, but smaller ... and full of the most
amazing (local) tropical fishes, turtles, sharks and other sea life, all wonderfully displayed.
another nice thing to do is to visit the I'ao Needle, up in Wailuku (not too far from where the
airport is) ... its a short (2 miles?) walk through a rain forest, with incredible vegetation and
bridges over canyons, etc. nearby is a park with structures in the style of each of the waves of
immigrants (polynesian, filipino, chinese, amer-euopean, japanese, etc).
aloha jim
Going to Maui without kids!
March 2007
I'm surprising my husband for his 40th bday with a trip to Maui
(or maybe the Big Island)for 4 days without the kids. Any
suggestions on where to stay and what to do? I'd prefer a rental
so we can cook but other than that I'm open to all ideas since
I've never been to either island. He's also mentioned he used to
love snorkeling as a kid.
Thanks!
anon
I've been to Maui twice - once on our honeymoon and the other, very recently, with our
two very young kids. Both times, my husband and I stayed at the Napili Kai (on the
northwest side of Maui - near Kapalua. Their website: http://www.napilikai.com/ ) The
place was perfect for us - both as a young married couple and then again as a family.
We, too, like to cook - and enjoyed the convenience of having a kitchen. We also used
one of the many bbq grills scattered about the resort to cook fresh fish from the local
fish market. The Napili Kai has an unbelievable beach - fabulous for bodysurfing,
boogeyboarding and swimming - and snorkeling. It's an hour's drive from the airport -
but once you're there, you'll not want to leave the resort.
wish i were there right now
I can highly recommend the Bamboo Inn in Hana, Maui. Hana is a
tiny town without nightlife, shopping, or anything really besides
hiking and beach going. It's in the lush rainforest so the
weather is a bit unpredictable, but the rainy days there can be
wonderful, too. It is a long, windy (but beautiful) drive to get
there, so you want to spend more than just one night there (maybe
all 4 if this sounds like your kind of vacation). The Bamboo Inn
has kitchens in all the units, It's a real honeymoon kind of
place without services so bring a good book and plan to relax.
http://bambooinn.com/
daughter of the innkeeper
Family of three in Maui - suites that have it all?
Feb 2007
Hi-
We (hubby, self and 3.5 year old son) are thinking about heading to Maui for a vacation. I
have been there several times before, but this will be our first Maui trip with our son. We
have always been keen to large resorts with amentities galore like room service, pools,
restaurants, etc. -- we usually stay at the Hyatt in Kaanapali.
This time though, we need more space than a standard room since we don't want to have to tip
toe around at 8pm when our son heads to bed. But the thought of paying for a suite at the
Hyatt has me seeing stars.
Are there any other family friendly resorts that have it all, including suites, but that
won't cause us to have sticker shock? I remember seeing info about the Kaanapali Alii, but it
was very mixed reviews and also expensive. We tend to like Kaanapali more than the Wailea
side.
I checked the archives but it had more info on condos and I think we want a little more
pampering than a condo generally provides. But I am open to ideas.
Thanks for any help! This will be our first substantial trip and we want to make sure we all
have fun.
d
We just booked a trip to Maui for Easter week. We were also looking for condos w/ more room for our family
of 5. We ended up booking ResortQuest at Kaanapali Shores.
These are condos that have all the ammenities of a hotel room including a full kitchen, washer and dryer,
housekeeping and room service. We booked through AAA and used a package deal which I thought was very
affordable but from pricing things out, you could also book direct and get a very good price. They have a
few different suite types to choose from. Go directly to their web site for info.
Aloha!
Try the condos at Outrigger Napili Shores! Perfect place for a
family: right on the beach, quiet side of the island, reasonable prices. Love it! Can't say enough good
things. Been there 3 times with our little one and can't wait to go back :) Aloha
Travel to Maui with a 6 year old
Aug 2006
We are traveling to Maui in September and I would love any suggestions of places to
visit and things to do with a six year old.
We've been to Maui a number of times. The last time our son was
6 or 7. We took him on a submarine ride where you could look
out the glass windows at the ocean life. We took him to the
Ocean center and on a train ride through a sugar plantation. He
loved them all. Check out the website
http://www.hawaiiactivities.com
But nothing was better than a kick/boogie board and playing on
the beach. We never bothered to go up to the crater. We felt
the ride was too long and there wasn't enough to interest him.
We did drive to Hana once, but it is long and windy. IF you
plan to stop along the way, it might be okay, but I don't think
I would do it again.
If you are staying near Kihea or Wailea, there is a nice
playground right at the beach in Kihea. The tree is great for
climbing. You can then have the best fish and chips ever at
Alexander's (across the street from the park) and get Azeka
Korean ribs at the take out place in Kihei's Azeka Plaza to
grill at your condo (if you can). I don't remember the
babysitting services we used, but we used them for many trips
and evenings out or mornings when we went scuba diving. They
were quite wonderful. Have fun
linda
Oh, there are so many wonderful things to do in Maui with a six-
year-old! Of course, the beaches are wonderful, but bear in mind
that the currents become stronger as the day wears on, so we
always go first thing in the morning, which is also before the
sun gets very strong. You can rent a boogie board with a window
in it and tow your son over the reefs to see the fish. Or put a
mask on him, tow him out on a regular board and let him stick
his head in the water to see. We had pretty good success doing
that with our six-year-old. The last time we went to Maui we
bought a week-long pass for the Maui Ocean Center and spent many
of the hot hours of the day there out of the sun.
www.mauioceancenter.com/
In Lahaina you can see the largest banyan tree in the U.S. and
take a trip on the Reef Dancer, one of those boats with a glass
bottom. Both my toddler and my older son really enjoyed that.
You can also check out the sugar plantation.
Have fun!
Maui Lover
Place to stay with babies in Kihei, on Maui
March 2006
In early May our family (me, my husband, our 10-month-old twins,
and my in-laws) will be traveling to Hawaii for a wedding in
Kihei, just north of Wailea, on the south side of Maui, and
we're looking for a place to stay. We have heard that there
aren't really any hotels there, just condos for rent, and we've
also heard that some of them are pretty yucky - bugs, non-
working AC, etc. We'll have our 10-month-old twins with us, and
have discovered that at least one of the nicer places to stay
won't allow kids! Any suggestions? Also, has anyone rented baby
equipment from any of the companies that will deliver it to your
hotel, etc.?
Thanks!
Lisa
We just got back from a trip to Maui with our 17 month old son a
few weeks ago. We stayed at the Kamaole Sands and rented a one
bedroom condo that was very nice. It had two bathrooms, a nicely
stocked kitchen with new appliances and a granite counter, and a
washer/dryer. We couldn't have asked for a nicer home-base for
our trip. Most of the condos in the complex are privately owned,
so I understand that it's partly the luck of the draw on which
unit you get. I called ahead and asked for an updated unit and my
request was accomodated although they told me they couldn't
promise anything. The condo is right across from the Kamaole III
beach and the easiest access to the beach let's out in a
semi-protected inlet. This made for smaller waves and a good
place for my son to play in the sand and wade.
We rented a crib and a backpack from Baby's Away and found their
service to be excellent and very convenient. I highly recommend
going with them -- it will make your trip much easier.
Have fun! We didn't want to leave Maui...
Wendy
Yes, most of the places are called condos, but they're rented out daily or weekly, like
hotel rooms. Usually the owners live on the mainland, and stay at the condo only a few
weeks a year, and the rooms are rented out and managed by a separate company.
I highly recommend Mana Kai Maui, in South Kihei. From Fodor's a few years back: ''This
lodging is a real find in Kihei, partly because of the property itself and partly because
of its location on the end of one of the nicest beaches in the state, just down the strip
from the Renaissance Wailea. Here you can get a studio without a kitchen (air
conditioned), or a one or two bedroom unit (with ceiling fans) with a kitchen.
The decor is modest--what people in the Islands might call typical tropical--but the view
of the ocean right beyond the lanai steals your attention anyway. The Mana Kai has a very
good beachfront restaurant, open for all meals. There's daily maid service and no minimum
stay requirement.''
It's well run, clean, and right on the beach--every room has an ocean view.
We stayed there several years ago (before kids), and again in 2003 (with a 3 yr. old and
1 yr. old). It has a mellow atmosphere and terrific, calm, kid-friendly beach (with a
reef and some of the best snorkeling on the island, right there at your feet). Note: the
picture of the pool on the website is a bit dated; it now has a very nice safety fence
around it, to keep kids from wandering in or out.)
http://www.crhmaui.com/maui-condo-mana-kai.html Aloha! Heidi
We've been taking our daughter to Kihei every February for the past 4 years. For the
past 3 years, we stayed at a condo called Menehune Shores. We got nice, clean units and
we were very happy with them. You have to remember that units in condos are individually
owned and you never really know what you are going to get. (The first year we took our
daughter to Maui, we stayed at Sugar Beach which came highly recommended from
Hawaii-4-less. We got a unit that was very old and not very clean. We were so
disappointed that we did not go back to Sugar Beach again, even though we know people who
had stayed in great units at Sugar Beach.) For Menehune Shores, we reserve our unit
through Menehune Reservations which offer a reasonable price. We talked to Sam who is a
fantastic person. (We already booked our Feb 07 stay with Sam!!) If you are interested,
you can go to their website www.menehunereservations.com and call Sam at the phone number
on the website. Good luck!
Anonymous
It's not true that there are no good condos in Kihei and no one will allow children
(though SOME places won't allow kids). However, I'd probably focus on south Kihei and
Wailea, where the beaches are nicer. And ask for pictures of the condos (which will be
really helpful with kids, as opposed to a hotel where you have to go out for every meal).
There are also plenty of places in Wailea with pools and easy beach access that will
allow kids. You can start out by googling Kihei Wailea condo rental etc. and just start
checking them out. Get ''Maui Revealed'' from a travel store and you can get a good
sense of where to start also. It may take you a while if you have specific needs, but
there really is no shortage of places to stay. Start right away, though, as places start
to book up.
We stayed in the Kamaole Sands (condo) in Kihei which was walking distance to the Kamaole
beach with a 3month old baby last July. Our 2 nieces+nephew ages 2-5 stayed there as well
and there seemed to be lots of kids around the pool, etc. We found the condos to be well
stocked, well cared for, clean and we fealt very welcome with all the children. Our only
complaint was that the unit on the upper floor was quite warm even with the
airconditioning running day and night. Have a great trip!
Sandra
Some years ago, my girlfriend was married in Kihei. We stayed
with a bunch of close friends at Kai's Bed and Breakfast, 80 E.
Welakahao Road, Kihei, HI 96753 (800) 905-8424 x 24 or direct
808-874-6431, http://www.mauibb.com. It's not terribly fancy but
inexpensive, very clean, the people are nice, and would be
relaxing for a group of you especially with children. Have fun!
Erika
Looking for a babysitter in Maui
Jan 2006
We are traveling to Maui in March with our toddler and would like to know how to go
about finding a babysitter there. We'd rather not go with a total stranger via Craigslist.
Can anyone recommend a babysitting service or group that is trustworthy and
established? Are there other families that have hired babysitters on Maui before? Thank
you in advance!
lynn
We went to Maui last September with our then-11-month old
daughter and used Nanny Connection. We stayed in a condo in
Napili but I think they are all over the island. I was very
comfortable with the babysitter they sent (we used her twice)
but unfortunately I can't remember her name. I should mention,
however, that both times my daughter had already been put to
bed, so they never actually met each other! However, I would
have had no problems with leaving her awake with the babysitter
we used. I had received a couple of positive recommendations
for Nanny Connection from members in this network, which I can
forward to you if you want (don't know if they're archived - if
you save old newsletters, they were in the August 28 edition of
Recommendations Given (P-Z)). I think that some of the major
hotels (Kapalua Bay for one) use them as their babysitting
service, too.
We found a great babysitter on Maui through our hotel. We were
staying at the Fairmont, but all the nice hotels use the same
service, The Nanny Connection (808) 875-4777 or
thenannyconnection.com. Our sitter (Julia) was sweet and a lot
of fun for my then-2 year old... she ate lunch with him and then
sat in the room while he napped in the afternoons. My husband
and I were so happy to get some time together and our little guy
really loved his new friend. Have a great trip!
Jen
My friend who lives on Maui recommends the Nanny Connection and
the number is 808-875-4777.
MDW
Maui Babysitters
Aug 2005
We will be taking a vacation in September in Maui with our
daughter, who will then be 11 months old. We are planning to
rent a condo on the west coast (Napili or Kapalua) and I was
wondering if anybody has any experience with babysitting
services in the area? I believe that the Kapalua Bay Hotel uses
a company called the Maui Nanny Connection for their
babysitting.. has anybody used them? We were thinking it would
be nice to be able to get away for a few hours for some
snorkeling or maybe a dinner one night without the baby, but I'm
a little nervous about leaving her.
Linda
We were just in Maui and used the Nanny Connection. We were
staying in a condo, so I arranged the babysitting directly with
the company and found them to be very accommodating and
proactive about any concerns I had about leaving my two kids
with a stranger. For example, they gave me the name of the
sitter well in advance with lots of information on her
background. I had to change our plans a couple of days before
and they handled that perfectly. The sitter was very
professional and had forms to fill out on how to reach us,
medical care direction, etc. She played with the kids for a
couple of hours and put them to bed just fine. She was young
(about 23) and my kids felt really comfortable with her right
away. It is always a little scary leaving your kids but I felt
this experience was great and I would do it again. If you have
any other questions feel free to email me.
jac
I checked with one of my best friends who's worked as both a
nanny and a Maui concierge for some advice. She said, ''Tell
them Nanny Connection is the way to go. They screen all the
girls and my landlord's daughter is the office administrator.
All the hotels use them and even hire them away for their own
hotel kids camps.''
Hope that helps!
Dari
When I went in March we used Happy Kids Maui
(www.happykidsmaui.com) and loved the services. They were
recommended by the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua and the sitter we had,
Julie, was great with our daughter. I think it was a 3 hr.
minimum and was $14/hour. They can hang out in your room, take
them for walks around the hotel or condo properties, etc.
Wendy
Maui with a 2 1/2 year old
Feb 2005
We would like to go to Maui this spring with our 2 1/2 year old
and are looking for some family friendly hotel recommendations.
We would like something on the beach that has a very kid
friendly pool with a kid's beach, water slides etc... We read
the recommendations for the Grand Wailia (sp?) but was wondering
if there is anything else cheaper but just as kid friendly.
Thanks in advance!
Maui Bound Family
Do NOT go to the ''grand wailea''!!!!!!
It is more crowded than manhattan and WAY too much for a 2.5 yr
old in terms of the giant pool...
Try Four seasons...just next door but surprise!!! FREE childcare
program, as well as free this and that...where as at GWR you will
be charged DAILY for parking, pool use, childcare, towels,
fridge, this and that....ALL this AND fighting for a chair near
the pool.
Hmm....WAY overrated.
Also, just south of there, the Fairmont Kea Lani is Beautiful,
near the end of the road kind of thing...nice slide and pool,
kids stuff also...
Just STAY AWAY from GWR unless you are from jersey and love that
sort of thing.
Just my opinion, of course.
love maui, hate crowds.....
Re; Maui with a 2 1/2 year old
We stayed and HIGHLY recommend the Fairmont Kea Lani on the Wailea side
of Maui, a few hotels down from the Grand Wailea. We've been
there both
as a couple and with our then 11-month-old last year. The advantages to
this hotel over the Grand Wailea are many. First of all, the
rooms are
ALL suites, so you have the option to put your child to sleep in one
room and then hang out in the other. Second, its very family
friendly
for little kids - and I've heard mixed reviews on this about the Grand
Wailea, which seems better for older kids. The very shallow
kiddie pool
is great for the little ones and they rent out nice cabanas to minimize
sun exposure. There's a nice beach and lawn area, and the
staff is
friendly and accomodating to the whole family. We've had family and
friends stay at the Grand Wailea and they've complained about
the size
of the rooms, the snobbiness of the staff, and the many extra charges
added to ! your bill (like for the daily cleaning service!).
We found
the Kea Lani to be a really great place in about the same price range.
Also, they are building a new resort directly next door to
the Grand
Wailea and it was creating a ton of construction noise last
year for
guests there. I doubt they're done with it now, given the
huge scope
of
the project, so if you do decide to go to the Grand Wailea,
be sure
to
check out that situation.
We'd be going back to the Kea Lani this spring if I weren't
on
bedrest
with our second baby!
Have Fun!
Sharon
Last year we took our 3yr old to Maui. We stayed at the Maui
Westin in Kaanapali with our friends who had a 4 yr & 18mos
old. The hotel is very kid friendly, waterfalls, waterslides.
There is a beach right next to the hotel. Resturants and shops
a short walking distance away. We used their ''nanny'' service
and had a wonderful woman watch the kids one night and we had an
adult dinner out and wine on the beach. We would go back again.
Aloha
A
Well, it isn't much cheaper than the Grand Wailea, but with a 2
1/2 yr old I would highly recommend the Fairmont Kea Lani. All
the rooms are suites, so you can stay up past the little one's
bedtime if you want. The water slides, etc. at the Grand Wailea
are too big for a toddler to go on. I much preferred the low-key
toddler pool and larger pool at the Kea Lani. There were quite a
few other toddlers to play with each day as well.
The prices on the website are pretty outrageous, we got our best
price through Luxurylink.com at about $300 per night. We really
spent too much, but ended up having a fabulous time and stayed
at the resort most of the time and it was mostly worth it. If we
can afford it, we will definitely stay there again.
Want to go back to Maui!
Maui is a wonderful place, but if you really want kid friendly,
you'll probably have to drop the bucks and stay at the Grand
Wailea or any of the other Lahaina resorts. Otherwise, you're not
going to find the waterslides and other kiddie stuff you're
looking for. The ocean is very rough on Maui (although calmer in
Spring), but the ocean is really too rough for small kids, except
on the calmest days. Unfortunately, if you limit yourself to
Lahaina, you're going to miss out on the much more interesting
and beautiful parts of Maui. On the upside, your kids will have a
great time. I personally dislike resorts, but if I had a small
child and wanted to entertain them, I'd probably opt for one, too.
Anon
I highly recommend Mana Kai Maui
http://goto.hawaii-connections.com/16.htm,
in South Kihei. From Fodor's a few years back: ''This lodging
is a real find in Kihei, partly because of the property itself
and partly because of its location on the end of one of the
nicest beaches in the state, just down the strip from the
Renaissance Wailea. Here you can get a studio (air conditioned)
without a kitchen, or a one or two bedroom unit (with fans) with
a kitchen. The decor is modest--what people in the Islands might
call typical tropical--but the view of the ocean right beyond the
lanai steals your attention anyway. The Mana Kai has a very good
beachfront restaurant, open for all meals. There's daily maid
service and no minimum stay requirement.''
We stayed there several years ago, and in 2003, and MUCH
preferred the mellow atmosphere and terrific, calm, kid-friendly
beach (with a reef and some of the best snorkeling on the island,
right there at your feet) to the north shore, where we stayed in
2000.
The pool isn't huge and doesn't have waterslides, but it's
well-kept, clean, and there is a pretty rock waterfall (only to
look at), with a shallow step the length of one side, where the
waterfall water flows into the pool. 2 years ago, my
then-18-month-old LOVED sitting on that step, splashing in the
''waterfall''. I highly recommend those swimming suits with the
floatation foam sewn in--my 2 & 4 year olds were all over the
pool in theirs last summer. The kids are now 5, 3, & 2 months,
and we're planning a trip back to the Mana Kai this fall.
Have fun...Aloha!
Heidi
We took our two-year old son to Maui last year and very much
enjoyed staying at the Castle Kamaole Sands in Kihei. Before
this trip I was a confirmed hotel traveler and looked down on
the condo experience, but travelling with a young child changed
my mind! The condo is across the street from a family-friendly
beach and a big grassy area for kids to run around & where
locals gathered to watch the sunset.
The convenience of having a washer/dryer, a sep. bedroom, and a
full kitchen made the trip so much easier for us. We could make
dinner or eat out, have breakfast in our jammies and relax
before heading out for the day, and enjoy our balcony. There is
a big pool and kiddie pool, places to BBQ and other great
amenities.
Don't forget to visit the Maui Ocean Aquarium and Sugar Cane
Train!
Have a great trip!!
Constance
I saw the previous recommendations and thought I'd add my thoughts. If
you want an ''in-between'' resort, I would go with the Sheraton
Kaanapali. We stayed there several years ago. The Sheraton is on the
best stretch of beach in Kaanapali. Snorkeling is great near Black Rock,
right in front of the resort. It also has a great pool for little ones. There is
a kiddie wading pool attached to a larger 3' deep pool. (Kind of like how
some hot tubs are ''attached'' to pools). It meant I could sit with my
younger one in the wading pool, and my husband and older one could
swim around in the larger pool. And it was easy to go back and forth
between the two pools. The Sheraton is a ''sister'' resort with the Westin
so you can use their pools also (you show your room key to the
attendants at the Westin to get a wristband). The Westin has the
waterfalls and slides. We tried out the Westin, and although my kids
preferred the Sheraton, older kids and adults might prefer the Westin.
The two resorts are a short walking distance apart. And both are within
walking distance of the Whaler's Village for fast food and shopping.
Holly
Family-friendly condos/hotels in Maui
Nov 2004
Hi. We are thinking of a vacation in Maui for Feb. when my
kids' daycare closes for a week. My boys are 3 1/2 years and 18
months old. Would a hotel/resort or a condo be better for this
age group? Can anyone recommend places you've stayed that
worked with younger kids. Thanks so much; it's the first
vacation we're all going on together (besides visiting family
out of state). Has anyone used Costco Travel?
Hello,
My husband and I went to Maui many times when there were just
the two of us and we would stay around the Lahaina/Kanapali
area. Now that we have our daughter, the waves around the
Kanapali area no longer look attractive to us... We are paranoid
parents and we prefer calmer waves for her. We like the Kamaole
Beach in Kihei since the water is pretty calm and there is
always a lifeguard there. (Having lifeguards at the beach is
very important to me now because we ended up in the Maui
Hospital Emergency Room last year when my husband had an
accident on the beach. I'd rather not repeat this experience
without lifeguards!!) Because of the Kamaole Beach location, we
decided to stay around the Kihei area when we took our daughter
along. We stayed at the Sugar Beach the first year and found
the beach to be pretty nice for walking and playing on the
beach. The condo wasn't that great -- it was old and not as
clean as I'd like. (I'm sure that there are great unit; our
unit just wasn't great.) We drove to Kamaole Beach for playing
in the water. The following year, we tried Menehune Shores
which is a condo kinda between Sugar Beach and Kamaole Beach.
It was cheaper for us to stay at Menehune Shores than Sugar
Beach and we were working with a very nice agent who sent us
pictures of the condo via e-mail. We decided to try Menehune
mainly for the financial reason. It turned out to be great --
nice, clean unit that is very convenient to shopping. The
beach, however, was not great. There were a lot of seaweeds and
they were pretty smelly in the morning. We solved this problem
by driving to Sugar Beach for our morning walk. We continued to
drive to Kamaole Beach for swimming and playing in the water.
It worked out well for us.
Next year, we will be staying at Menehune Shores again. By the
way, we have been going in February when the school closes for
one week.
One last point, we booked a condo at Menehune for February 2005
during May 2004 through Menehune Reservations and all one bed-
room oceanfront units were already taken. We chose to book a
two-bedroom oceanfront unit at Menehune instead of looking
someplace else for 2005. There are a few oceanfront condos
actualy on Kamaole Beach that I'd love to stay at. However, the
price is over our budget and so we never try them.
Hope this helps you some.
Anonymous
We just stayed in a condo at the Kamaole Sands. It's across the street
from the Kamaole Beach 3, which is a relatively calm beach with
lifeguards (though I still felt the need to watch my 5 year old carefully as
the waves were still more than capable of knocking him down). There
was a kiddie pool as well as a big pool, and a ''kid-friendly'' hot tub (not
so hot) as well as an adult-only one. It was definitely nice staying in a
condo so we could have some meals ''at home'', on the lanai. The unit
we stayed in was a 2-bedroom and was very nice--nicely decorated,
spotless, newish kitchen--though I don't know if we just got lucky. (We
went through a travel agent, who went through Hawaii World; before we
booked we expressed concern about the quality of the unit--this trip
included my mother-in-law and I wanted her to feel like we were in a
nice place--and he more or less said that Hawaii World makes sure that
the individual condos they book are ''good ones''. Would we have gotten
a good unit going through Expedia--where I saw rates of $130ish per
night, with the 5th night free? I don't know. ) Other benefits of staying in
the condo included beach toys we could use, a washer and dryer right
in the unit, and daily maid service.
Judy
Timeshares in Maui
Oct 2004
We are planning to use our timeshare this year in Maui. Any
recommendations on timeshares you have enjoyed in Maui? We are
looking for kid friendly places (1 and 3 year old), ideally
close to the beach. Or general info on the best area to stay in
Maui is helpful too.
Thanks!
Marjorie
We own a brand new timeshare at the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean
Resort Villas. It's north of the main hotel strip area, so a
little removed from all the crowds. We stayed there in April
and really enjoyed it. It's definitely VERY family oriented (we
have a 1 year old). They have lots of things that they'll loan
you free of charge such as cribs and hi-chairs. All the rooms
have the most comfortable hotel beds you will ever sleep in,
whirlpool tubs and lanais. It's nice that the beach is right
there (the resort is beach front) with great calm swimming and
snorkeling. Of course the pools are terrific too. For those
such as myself who are addicted to the internet, they have a
computer room with free internet access. And if you feel like a
change of scenery they have a free shuttle van (with built-in
child seats) that will take you to the near-by Sheraton or
Westin hotels where you can use their resort facilities as if
you were a hotel guest (they're all Starwood owned).
Valerie
June 2004
For our very first trip to the islands are looking for one
discounted airline ticket S.F. to Maui (8/4 to 8/11) for up to
$450. Does anyone out there have or know a source to obtain
such a ticket. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
leeor
We just purchased our roundtrip tickets non stop from SF to Maui
thru Pleasant Holidays for $399, plus tax. I believe you have
to leave on a Mon, Tues or Thurs. It was the best deal we could
find. I saw their ad in the Travel Section of the SF Chronicle.
Aloha
Ali
Try Suntrips @ http://www.suntrips.com/
Enjoy!
EP
May 2004
My son's 7th birthday falls during our vacation to Maui . I'd
like to get some ideas on places to take him to celebrate.
I'm not looking for a Chuck E. Cheese type experience, just
a kid-friendly place that's fun and interesting.
jim
We just did a trip to Maui and went the Aquarium there. It was great. We
saw lots of cool fish, rays, tons of sharks, and two special tanks outside
with hammerhead sharks and turtles. Have fun!
In addition to the aquarium, just across the parking lot from
there is a miniature golf facility. It's new and is really cute
and best of all has bumper boats with squirt cannons. My son had
a blast when we stopped there on a lark. It's kind of hidden so
you have to look for it. Fun for the whole family.
woodbury
April 2004
Re: Hawaii rental
Doesn't Kapalua Bay on Maui have condo rentals or
something similar to what you're looking for? You can't beat
the site in terms of beauty and calm.
From: Toby
Maui - I used to live on Maui. You didn't state the ages of your kids, but
the crater is an incredible place and you should check it out. Go up there
for sunrise. It is an experience that will stay with you always, it's so
incredible. Visit Huelo and Hanavana, Makena Beach (the smaller beach over
the hill) is great for boogie boarding and swimming. And certainly, visit
Hana. If you have a 4-wheel drive you might be able to visit the dry side
of the island. It is quite erie, but very interesting. We're going to
Maui in August as well.
From: Ed
About Maui:
We just finished a week with a 20-month old there and can recommend the
Hana excursion (assuming your kids can survive 2-3 hour trip each way) with
a visit to the "Seven Pools" for some swimming and hiking. The hike up to
the upper falls is worth the effort and the pools are a great place for a
swim. Also in Kihei, there is a good beach for beginning surfers called
Cove Park, where i took my son to explore the tide pools and notice small
kids surfing as well as older beginners. The Sugar Cane Train in Lahaina
was also a big hit with our son, but kinda expensive compared to the Tilden
Train. The new acquarium is nice, but very expensive $17.50 for an adult
and is only worth an hour or so of exploration, we wouldn't do it again.
The best beach we found for kids was "Baby Beach" in Paia where the locals
take kids on the weekends. It has a nice reef protected pool where kids can
wade and swim with waves only effecting it at high tide. You'll have to ask
locals how to get there, but its easy to find if you ask someone. Finally
for some good relatively cheap eats, try Maui Tacos the only place we went
back to.
I have taken my 2 boys, now ages 7 and 10, to Maui for several years. There
are many fun things for kids to do there. If you enjoy nature, don't miss the
walk down to the Nakalele Blowhole north of Kapalua, a coastline walk about a
mile long in a dramatic landscape of lava fretwork and towers (fun to climb!)
ending with a thirty foot high geyser-like blowhole. You'll have the place to
yourself, but be sure to wear closed toe shoes because the lava can be tricky to
walk on. Another great, short walk is up to Twin Falls on the road to Hana, where
you can go swimming in a lovely mountain pool under a waterfall in a jungle-like
setting. Water shoes are a good idea because the bottom is rocky. Look for
both hikes in one of the Maui hiking books. The best, easy access snorkeling on
Maui is at Honolua Bay, just past Kapalua before the Nakalele blowhole. Go in
the morning when the water is calm. My kids also enjoyed the Maui Ocean Center,
a small aquarium at Maalea Harbor, and the Sugar Cane Train, which takes you
through the sugar cane fields between Lahaina and Kaanapali in open air cars with
a guide who sings Hawaiian songs and tells stories. Have fun!
I used to live on Maui. Go to Makena Beach. There is a big beach and
to the right a small hill. When you get near the hill you will see a
pathyway which goes over the top. On the other side is a beautiful,
smaller beach. You can hear the whales under the water. Go to the top
of Haleakala (the main mountain) for sunrise. This is not to be
missed! Drive to Hana. It takes about 2 hours along a very windy road,
but you go through wonderful, lush jungle. It's incredible. Try to
find some local waterfalls. They are everywhere, but you will probably
need to ask a local where to find some. Have a great time. It's loads
of fun.
Paragon sailing's catamaran snorkeling trip to Molekini - Awesome!! Look
for ads in the tourist brochures.
Enjoy yourselves.
-- Roger
March 2004
Husband, 8-month old, and I would love to stay around Hana on
Maui for 2-3 days. We're not sure we can afford the Hana-Maui
Ranch. Any tips for getting a lower rate? We'd also like to
hear alternate suggestions in Hana.
Erin
The latest issue of Via Magazine (for members of AAA) has an
article on Hana and lists a few places to stay. Between friends
and the library, you probably can find a copy easy enough.
Bob
Jan 2004
We'd like to take our family on vacation to the Grand Wailea in
Maui. I was wondering if anyone had been there with kids. I
called the conceirge, but that was a waste of a phone call. No
advice and she knew little about negotiating the resort with
kids. For example, they have what appears to be a fabulous pool
with multiple slides to take you from one level to another, but
the web-site says there's a minimum height requirement of 46'',
so my son won't make it by 4''. My questions are: is the pool
still fun for kids who can't do all the slides? Can kids under
2 go to all levels of the pool with a lifevest and parent or are
they stuck in the kiddie pool? Any other comments are also
appreciated.
Thanks! Sharon
Grand Wailea pool is great for kids of all ages. We stayed at
the Fairmont but since their pool was under construction we were
allowed to go to the Grand Wailea, which we ended up doing
almost every day. Our toddler did not like the slides but there
is a ''baby beach'' and a ''lazy river'' that are perfect for little
ones, plus she loved the swim up bar. There are also rapids, a
tire swing, and smaller slides that do not have the height
restriction.
michael
We took our 15 month old to the Grand Wailea last year and had a
wonderful time. Except for the water slide, the water elevator
and the rapids, which would be too rough for a little one, they
can go with you everywhere else in the pool, down the gentle
waterslides, and in all of the pools. The best part with a
little one is the sand pool which is next to the big pool and
designed to be a beach for really little kids. It's perfect. The
hardest part at the hotel with a child under 3 is that you can't
prepare any meals, so you have to eat out. Our best bet ended up
being room service, but it gets very expensive. If you don't
mind that, I would vote for the Grand Wailea, it's a very
special place for adults and children.
We have stayed at the Grand Wailea and thought it was wonderful
for children. The grounds are incredibly beautiful with easy
access to the beach if you want to head there for the day as
well as lots of space to run around. While a very elegant
resort, the place was completely set up for kids and the staff
was very gracious and accomodating. The pools are set up for all
levels so even if your child can't go on the slides because of
size, there are many other areas of the pools that are fun. They
even have a pool with a sandy beach so that the kids can play in
the sand at the waters edge. The resort also has a kids camp
that allows you to have your kids go to an organized program if
you want to head off and do something more adult for a while.
Great resort, highly recommend it.
Arquelle
Maui in March, West Vs. South
August 2003
hi, we are planning to be in Maui in March (2004) i've read the
postings under the Maui section. Someone briefly mentioned that
the SOuth Maui/Kihei area tends to be windy/rainy in the late
morning/afternoons. Is this true throughout the year? in
March/April? And is the West Shore then not as windy/rainy?
Would the west shore/Kannapali area be better for staying then?
Paulina
I think the south/Kihei area tends to be much calmer during
''winter'' months than the north (west) side. We stayed at the
Mana Kai Maui (in S. Kihei) one October, which has an extremely
calm, long beach, with both a reef for excellent snorkeling, and
pristine, perfect sand for swimming/kids. (With public access &
parking). When we stayed up north a couple years later in
December, we ended up driving to Kihei to snorkel and let our
then 1 year old play in the calm waves. The water up north was
much too choppy and had large swells.
Happy travels, and Aloha!
Heidi
We stayed in kahana last Februaury and had a wonderful time. It
was not as crowded as Kaanapali but close enough to everything.
We drove to Kihei for the day and I didn't notice much
difference except that it seemed drier. I also read about the
wind and would recommend that you get Maui Revealed- it may
help you make a decision. Then go to VRBO.com and you will be
able to find a condo if you don't want to stay in one of the
resorts. Have fun- we had a blast!
Juliette
Maui beaches for kids
July 2003
Can anyone recommend good beaches, parks and activities for
little ones on Maui? My kids are 3 y.o. and 9 mos. We will
staying in Makena.
elle
Aloha! We went to Maui in feb with our then 10 month old. We
had a blast. I would recommend buying Maui Revealed: The
Ultimate Guidebook, Second Edition -- by Andrew Doughty,
Harriett Friedman; Paperback. It tells you all about the
beaches and different activties, places to eat etc. It was our
guide for our trip and was very helpful. Have a great time.
Juliette
We were in Maui a few months ago with our almost-2 yr old and we
stayed in Kihei. There are great family friendly beaches in
Kihei called Kamaole I, II and III. We really enjoyed the
grassy area betw. the beach and the road for our little guy to
run around on, there is shade in various places because of the
trees and grass. Lots of folks come at the end of the day to
sit on the grass and watch the sunset, so that was another
opportunity to let him run around. (Several nights we grabbed
food at Maui Taco and had a picnic; our son was happy to have a
place to roam and we could relax and eat!)
There is also a swing set on Kam II or III. You can drive along
the main drag and check out the amenities. There are life
guards, shower heads to rinse off, and toilets spread out along
these three beaches, plus smaller coves that make it cozier with
kids. We bought a beach umbrella at Long's in Kihei, which was
great for beach shade. Just be aware, it gets windy in the
afternoons so mornings are best for beach outings.
Some fun things on Maui (which you may already know) are the
Maui Ocean Center, a very family friendly aquarium with a nice
outdoor cafe, and the Sugar Cane Train, which runs from
Kaanapali to Lahaina (see http://www.sugarcanetrain.com). After
the ride, we ate at Cheeseburger in Paradise on the water in
Lahaina, which was great fun and inexpensive. More info that
you probably want, but we had a great time!
constance
May 2003
My parents are going to Maui for their 50th anniversary. Can
someone recommend a really nice restaurant. Thanks.
A MUST is Mama's Fishhouse (www.mamasfishhouse.com). It is
WONDERFUL!!! The fish is caught daily and their meal
preparation is fabulous! It has a wonderful ''Hawaiian''
atmosphere. You can make the event what you want it to be.
There are people dressed up and others that come in their shorts
and Hawaiian shirts. We have spent alot of time in Maui and
this is always a MUST for us. It is a bit of a drive,depending
on where you are staying, but well worth it. Try and time your
reservation so you can arrive 1/2 hour early to see the sun
set. It is BEAUTIFUL and makes a nice picture.
ENJOY!!!!
Glenda
We really enjoyed Mama's Fish House when we visited Maui about
1.5 years ago. It was recommended as one of the best fish
restaurants on the island.
Susan
''Roy's'' is very good. Roy Yamaguchi is a very famous chef in
the islands, and this is one of his restaurants. If I remember
correctly, there are 2 Roy's restaurants right near each other.
One is more casual, and one is pretty fancy.
Pacific-O in Kaanapali is fantastic. A beautiful ocean side
restaurant with many original and fantastic fish dishes. We ate
there our last night during our wedding-moon at sunset. It was
romantic and very delicious.
Also good, Mama's Fish Shack. The name sound awful, but the
restuarant is renowned for its fish entrees. Very classy place.
This is a bit out of the way--on the road to Hana. Also
beachside.
Also delicious: Swan Court at the Hyatt Regency in Kaanapali.
Beautiful open air restaurant, dim romantic lighting, excellent
service and wonderful food.
Four Seasons is great too...you almost can't go wrong eating in
Maui.
Deniene
Depends on what part of Maui and what type of food, I guess.
I'm only familiar with the Northwest part of the island. If
they like sushi/Japanese food, I highly recommend Sansei in
Kapalua. If not, then Roy's in Kahana.
Tiffany
We had some great dining experiences while on our honeymoon on
Maui. The best two were Roy's and David Paul's. Roy's makes a
chocolate souffle that was out of this world! Your parents
won't be disappointed with either restaurant. David Paul's is
in downtown Lahina and Roy's was just a short drive north of
Kanapali.
Top picks for me are:
I'O
Pacific 'O
Roys
Mamas Fish House
check them out on http://www.mauimenusonline.com
Enjoy, A Maui Gourmet
Congratulations to your parents! If they are near Kihei or
Wailea, we recommend the Waterfront restaurant near Maalaea
Harbor, north of Kihei maybe 5-10 miles. I would even drive
down from Lahaina for it. We haven't been to Maui in 3 years,
but went to it for our ''night out without the kids romantic''
dinner every year for about 4 years. It was recommended to us
by a local, is off the beaten track and is definitely worth it.
In an apartment complex on the bay, it serves some of the best
fish we've ever had and has great service. Make a reservation
for a table outside. Definitely worthy of a golden anniversary.
The website is www.waterfrontrestaurant.net
Aloha
Linda
We used to live on Maui, and we revisit frequently. Our
favourite restaurant for a spectacular dinner is Mama's Fish
House tucked along the coast, just east of Kahului heading
towards Hana, in Kaua. The setting is beautiful- in a converted
beach house with gorgeous views and ambience, and the food is
divine- exotic but homey. Traditional Polynesian cooking
featuring very fresh seafood and incorporating local tropical
fruits and vegetables. Its a Maui institution. Their website is
http://www.maui.net/~mama. Its expensive but worth it.
fontana
We just returned from Maui and had a great dinner at Pacific'O,
located at 505 Front Street, in Lahaina. It was definitely the
most adult restaurant we ate at, even though we had our toddler
with us. It's absolutely beautiful at sunset, and they have a
patio right on the beach. The food and service were both
terrific. In fact, there was wedding party there at the time,
so it seems to be one of the best ''celebration'' restaurants in
West Maui.
Alison
Try Mama's Fish House. I've traveled extensively and have to say
that my meal at Mama's ranks among my top five. Have the home
made sorbet if they still serve it. Enjoy the taro root. Eat,
eat, eat. Everything is wonderful. I hope your folks have a
great trip!
Chris
David Paul's in Lahaina is fabulous! It's a classy, little
place but not uptight. They will definitely need reservations.
anon
at the risk of spoiling the party, I gotta say that Mama's Fish
House is overrated (though the sunset from the beach next to it
certainly is not). we go to Maui at least once a year, and
have for many years. we used to go to Mama's, but got tired of
them overcooking perfectly lovely fresh fish and then throwing
some goopy sauce on top. the ambience is sort of mid-period
Trader Vic's; going there is like being a tourist at
Fisherman's Wharf in SF.
on a more positive note -- the Waterfront (mentioned in a
previous post) is a lovely, very adult place, right on the
harbor. I spent one of those big birthdays there, and was
really happy I did. they made a delicious Caeser salad from
scratch at the table (a little showy, but it was good). the
only downside is that it is bizarrely located in the basement
of a modern, ticky-tacky apartment complex ... though you
forget that once you're inside, or out on their patio ....
another delightful place -- though something of a drive from
most anywhere on the island -- is the Hailemaile General Store,
which indeed used to be a store in the middle of a plantation
at the foot of Haleakula (the big volcano). the cuisine is
more eclectic than gourmet, but everything is delish, and the
atmosphere is ... fun.
please enjoy ... after all, how bad can it get in paradise?
the old grouch
just wanted to put one more vote in for Mama's Fish House. I
haven't been there since 10 years ago and their sumptuous food
is still ingrained in my memory.
Christine
For an unforgettable, delicious meal, Nick's FishMarket at the
Kea Lani Resort in Wailea is fantastic. The food is superb, and
the service is unbelievable. You have to try their Maui onion
salad, which I still drool at the thought of. The fish is
wonderfully prepared. The wait staff is unlike anything I've
ever seen; each table is handled by a team, so you are always
taken care of but no one hovers. Even though the restuarant is
in a resort, the prices are very comparable to other nice
restuarants on the island ($22 - 40 entree). We dined at
several restaurants during our stay; we returned to Nick's
because it was so great. The Kea Lani Resort is gorgeous, worth
a trip to check out anyway. They also have a great aquarium
outside the restaurant, which is fun for the younger adults in
your group. Enjoy.
Cindy
May 2003
I've read through the archive recommendations on the website but
am looking for recent information on south Maui condos suitable
for 4 adults + 2 toddlers. We want a condo that is spacious,
comfortable and light with a good pool area and walking distance
to the beach.
The Royal Mauian and Kamaole Sands look great on-line but I've
had bad past experiences with internet photos v. reality when
dealing with vacation rentals. I would appreciate feedback from
anyone who has stayed at either property recently.
A friend has recommended Elua Village in Wailea but it is on the
high end of our price range and I'm wondering if it is worth the
added expense. Also any nanny or babysitter ideas whould be
appreciated.
Lauren
I highly recommend Mana Kai Maui, in South Kihei.
>From Fodor's: ''This lodging is a real find in Kihei, partly
because of the property itself and partly because of its location
on the end of one of the nicest beaches in the state, just down
the strip from the Renaissance Wailea. Here you can get a studio
without a kitchen, or a one or two bedroom unit with a kitchen.
The decor is modest--what people in the Islands might call
typical tropical--but the view of the ocean right beyond the
lanai steals your attention anyway. The Mana Kai has a very good
beachfront restaurant, open for all meals. There's daily maid
service and no minimum stay requirement.''
We stayed there several years ago, and MUCH preferred the mellow
atmosphere and terrific, calm, kid-friendly beach (with a reef
and some of the best snorkeling on the island, right there at
your feet) to the north shore, where we stayed more recently. I
think the condos are about $150-$175, but I'm not sure. We paid
@ $100 for a hotel room, and it came with a car and continental
breakfast.
They have a website (type in Mana Kai Maui on Yahoo), and their
phone # is 808-879-1561. Have fun! Aloha!
Heidi
October 2002
My husband and son (who will be 9 months) are going to Maui in
February. We'd like to know the must sees and dos for baby and
adults. We are staying in Kahana. Looking for info on:good
restaurants that are family friendly; activities that won't bust
our wallet; a good dive company (in case we find a babysitter);
best beaches, things only the locals know about and anything
else you can think of. Thanks!
Juliette
Hello, we just got back from a week on Maui w/ our 15
month old daughter, so I have a few recommendations.
We stayed in a condo in Kihei and found Ulua Beach in
Wailea to be calm for taking the baby in AND there's a very
alive reef for snorkelling. At 9am there's a free reef tour by
the Pacific Whale Foundation. We tended to go to the beach
early, go home for lunch and nap, then venture out again
once the sun was less strong.
A cheap (a rarity) and very good restaurant in Kihei was
Alexander's for grilled or fried fish (take-out).
Another protected beach is near Paia called Baby Beach. It
has a wall that the waves break against, creating a calm
pool. The beach is not signposted, but is exactly 2 turns
before Baldwin Beach going towards Paia from Kahului,.
After you turn, follow the road to the right and park
overlooking the beach after abt 1/2 a mile. If you're hungry,
Mana Foods in Paia has an incredible spread of take-out
foods that start coming out at about 11 am I think, including
delicious vegetarian salads, hot dishes, organic salad bar.
It was a good resource for baby-approved foods.
We did a lovely hike with Renate Gassmann-Duvall, PhD
from Paths in Paradise. Renate is a family friend who leads
bird, plant and cultural hikes on Maui (in German and
English). She's lived on the island for almost 20 years and
knows A LOT about all aspects of Maui. If you're interested
in plant and animal life and Hawaiian culture this would be
a great way to see the REAL Maui. We took our backpack
carrier with us and our daughter did very well, napping twice
(we supported her head on a travel neck-pillow), enjoying
the sights, and running around during frequent pit-stops.
Her info: phone 808-878-4030; cell 808-264-4827;
email: hikes@MauiBirdHikes.com website:
www.MauiBirdHikes.com
Fiinally, we didn't get to go, but there's supposed to be a
Keiki (kid) Hula Show at Lahaina Corner Sat & Sun at 1:00.
Kristine
September 2002
We are a couple with a 4 year old girl, planning a trip to Maui
for the end of December 02 into the first week of January 03. We
are close to booking flights w/Aloha airlines since they offer
direct service from Oakland to Maui. Although the vacation
includes visiting an old friend, we would like to stay someplace
with easy snorkeling access and possibly kids activities that our
daughter could get involved in. Any specific recommendations of
places? Or about packages that include a room and car rental?
(I have looked at the site and info on Maui seems not quite what
I'm looking for).
Many thanks!
Carol.
You might try the Napili Kai Beach Club. It is a wonderful
family resort and I think they have children's activities though
you may have to be 5. It's family owned and has been a favorite
of many people for years. I know that they have a web site
kristi
Sorry, I can't address the part about hotels/places geared
towards children since we didn't have children at the time,
however I can tell you about a package we had to Maui. Twice we
used Sun Trips, staying at the Maui Coast hotel, including car
rental and airplace flight. Sun Trips is a so-so airline, and I
don't really recommend them, however if you are very cost
conscious, then it might work for you. We paid about $700 per
person, the 2 times we visited Maui. The Maui Coast hotel is
one I would recommend. It was very clean, comfortable, and the
staff was nice. The car rental was convenient since it came
with the package. If you by chance do signup with this kind of
package, after arriving in Maui, have someone go get the rental
car while the other person waits for the luggage. The line for
car rentals was very long. The Maui Coast is about 2 blocks
away from a very clean quiet beach that wasn't populated with a
lot of tourists, at least that was how it was in 1998 and 1996.
Hana
We highly recommend the Mana Kai Maui in S. Kihei. It's right
on the beach (one of the best beaches in Maui--CALM, even in
winter, perfectly sandy, with a reef and spectacular
snorkeling.) It's a multi-story (5 or 6 I think) hotel (though
it's managed by a condo company), with regular hotel rooms or
one or two bedroom ''condos'' with kitchens.
There's a great restaurant downstairs--delicious but casual,
indoor/outdoor dining. There's also a little store with
everything from clothes to sunscreen to soda & ice cream.
There's a small pool, but I must admit we never used it, as the
beach was steps away and so user-friendly. We stayed there 6
years ago, and a hotel room + a car was right about $100 a
night.
I checked the prices again last year and they're still about the
same. It's in a central location--easy to get to Hana or Wailea
or head north. They have a website--just type in Mana Kai Maui
on Yahoo or similar...
A note of warning: the surf is rough in the north during winter-
-if you decide to stay up there, you can still go south for the
beach!
Aloha, Heidi
September 2002
We've never been to the Hawaiian Islands, and this year I'm
determined to plan a trip over spring break in April. I've
decided to limit our trip to Maui, and the northwest shore
around Kapalua and Napili looks most suitable for our
family's interests (we have two kids, age 4 and 11). I got
some good tips from the UCB Parents archives on places to
stay and things to do, but I'd like to see if I can get any further
recommendations on planning the trip to get a good price
on airfare and accommodations. We would like to stay in a
condo right on the beach (or very close), and we prefer
low-rise (5 stories or less) in an area that's not densely
populated with higher rise hotels and condos. I've found lots
of interesting properties online and in the Chronicle. But at
this point, the airfares for that time period are outrageous.
Most of the ''package'' deals with airfare included seem to
be offered only for the bigger hotel and high-rise condo
properties, which don't interest us. Has anyone recently
planned a similar trip to Maui, and can you recommend an
agent who put together a package or some online service
you used? Am I starting too early? When is the optimal time
to get a good price for airfare if I want to book a condo on my
own and make the airline reservations separately?
Maria
An agent that has twice been great in assisting us in planning
trips to Hawaii exactly the way we want them is Laurie Radovan at
Pacific Harbor Travel (yes, it's in Santa Cruz, but a couple of
long distance phone calls have ended up being VERY worth it).
She's listened to what we want, found places to stay that were
exactly what we asked for, and even pointed out things that we
hadn't thought of but that were very important.
Her email is lcr@wspan.com, and her phone numbers are:
Work: (800) 435-9463
Home office: (831) 427-9100
Have a great trip!
Karen
The Maui Kai condominiums are great. It is higher than five
stories but is right on the beach and all have ocean views
and at a more affordable rate than other nearby places. They
have a webiste also but the address/tel is below;
Maui Kai
106 Kaanapali Shores Place
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
808.667.3500 - phone
808.667.3660 - fax
reservation@mauikai.com
1.800.367.5635 - Toll Free
David
The Ridge @ Kapalua is a great deal ~130/night. We have stayed
twice. Townhouse on a golf course overlooking the trees and
ocean. Not densely populated and a few minutes to the beach.
You call the Kapalua shuttle to take you anywhere in Kapalua.
You can go back and forth to any hotel or beach. My favorites
are the ''Club at Kapalua'' and the ''Ritz''. Waiters bring you
drinks at the beach, pool or the grassy point area. Very
relaxing family setting. It reminds me I need to plan a trip.
Stephen
We just planned a trip to Maui for this Thanksgiving. Found
super cheap ($300) airfares on Travelocity and also had good
luck with a travel agent we found on the internet -- More Hawaii
for Less. We really liked the guy who helped us -- Joe. We are
staying in a mid-scale condo in South Kihei and it comes with 2
rental cars. The travel agent also sells wholesale airfare but
they couldn't beat our surprisingly low Travelocity fare. Good
luck and have fun!
- candace
I would recommend the book Maui Revealed, by Andrew
Doughty and Harriet Friedman, as a great place to start
planning your trip. They have a website with detailed
recommendations on where to stay (accessible by
password once you buy the book). It is very helpful in terms
of finding the best beaches, restaurants, etc. once you're
there, too.
Sima
We went to Maui in June and had a fabulous time. We stayed on
Kaanapali Beach. The beaches north of there are rockier and not
as nice. We stayed at the Whaler Condo's. Although it is
directly next to the Whaler's village it did have a nice pool
and the walk way was lovely. It is easier to go to resturants
because they are right there. We used AAA to help plan our trip,
which included, airfare, car rental and condo. I am sure you
could put it all together yourself online for a bit less money,
but I didn't have the time. I would also recommend going to a
Luau with your kids there are many to chose from, we went to the
Old Lahania Luau. YOu need to book those reservation in advance
as well. Depending on the time of year you want to go, you might
look into some of the hotel offers on Kaanapali beach. The
hotels offer kid camps, which would offer you some adult time.
Maui is a great place to take the entire family. We would also
recommend going to the Maui Ocean Center. It is as good if not
better than the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Have fun!
adina
August 2002
We will be traveling to Maui with our 15 month old son for a
friend's wedding in early December. We are considering staying
at the Maui Hill resort (we definitely want to stay at a condo)
but are concerned because it is not on the beach. Has anyone
stayed there? Any good or bad experiences you can share? Is
the pool area set-up well for toddlers? Any opinions as to
whether staying a 10-15 minute walk from the beach is going to
be a total pain with a toddler? Any other recommendations for
lodging near Wailea?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Monica
I've never stayed at the Maui Hill Condo Resort, however I have
stayed at the Maui Coast hotel twice and liked our
accomodations. I believe the Maui Coast is in the Wailea area.
About 3 to 5 stories tall. A couple blocks from the beach. For
us, 2 adults, we actually found it a bit difficult walking in
the heat in the early morning. Too hot for us, so we would walk
very slow. Sometimes we even drove the 2 blocks. The Maui
Coast room we stayed in didn't include a kitchenette but it did
include a little refrigerator. If you were interested in a
kitchenette, you could probably call them to see if they have
them. We had a couch in our room though. There is a restaurant
and swimming pool and bar at the hotel.
hana
This is almost next to the place we always stay which is Kamaole
Sands. M Hill looks nice and is the newest development, but it
is another 200 yrds from the beach and thats just a bit
incovenient. Kamaole Sands condo complex is across the road
from the eastern most end of the last of the Kihei public
beaches and is lovely. This end of Kihei is quite nice and not
junky, and you cross over the Wailea line right past it. KS has
big lawns to romp on, two hot tubs including one not so hot for
kids, and a real kiddie depth pool. Good, basic 80s condos,
correctly priced. Units differ widely so ask about features upon
arrival and look for opportunities to take something that is
better after seeing the map. Most overlook central garden
complex with lots of bird sounds and peace. Wailea is gorgeous -
- an upscale fake town for movie stars on vacation -- but feels
a bit precious and pristine for diapers and spills, though
perhaps your toddlers very neat. Another vote for Kihei:
sidewalks for strollering throughout, a fabulous play structure,
and kihei cove beach with the old (unused) boat launch...with
perfect 8 inch curls and a 25 yard ride in foot deep warm water,
its the dreamy place all the local toddlers (and adult
beginners) stand up on the board for the first time! Enjoy.
Deebie
July 2002
I have read the recommendations on the web site about travelling
to Hawaii with children. I wanted to know if anyone has stayed
at the Sugar Beach Resort in the Kihei area of Maui and what
they thought of it?
My husband and I and our (will be then) 2 year old have reserved
a 1 bedroom condo there for over Christmas vacation.
Sherri
I've been to Maui about 5 times and we have *only* stayed at
Sugar Beach since my in-laws own a condo there. I have
nothing to compare it to, but I will say it's ideal for families
with children.
We were there when our son was a toddler a few times up
until he was 7 and had great times every time. The one
bedrooms are a decent size, with a sofa bed, or plenty of
room to put a portable crib. The pool is fantastic, having a
kiddie pool built right in. The beach access is right there.
The resort was built in the '70s meaning the zoning allowed
for the building to be much closer to the water than it is
today. So you literally walk right out onto the beach.
The only downside is that it does tend to get windy in the
late morning afternoon. But we would go to the beach early,
have lunch/nap and then hang out at the pool or go on
excursions. There are grills outside so that cuts down on
money and time spent in restaurants, too.
The resort is very kid friendly, and there's a little
supermarket right on the premises as well as the Sand
Witch restaurant. The office is very helpful in planning
excursions or renting equipment.
I think you'll have a great time. Please email me directly if
you have any more questions.
Mollie
2001
Maui accomodations requested. We are traveling with our 9 month old to Maui
in the 2nd week of May. We'd like to stay in a somewhat not-croweded area that
feels like we're not in a city. Does anyone have any suggestions for a 2 bdrm,
under $170/night house or cottage in Maui they'd recommend we stay with our
baby and another couple? We like a serene environment (we'd consider a very
nice condo), clean and safe for a baby. Thank you for your help! If we take
anyone's suggestion, I promise we'll send you a thank you gift!
Susan
It's been several years, but we stayed at a great condo at Kihei, the narrow part
of the island where the two larger halves meet. It was in a smallish building,
right on the beach. I THINK this was called Kihei Beach Resort. I loved that it
was right on the water and that it was away from the really big commercial developments
in Lahaina, Kaanapali, etc. (of course, that could have changed in the intervening
years). At any rate, the Kihei location was a good one, and a travel agent should
be able to help find a place around there. Linda
I have been a fairly frequent visitor to Maui over the years and I don't believe
you will find many 2 bedroom house or cottages in the $170/night price range,
certainly not near a beach. There are many, many more condos available for rent
on Maui than private homes. Unfortunately, I really think your price range is
a bit low even for a two bedroom "very nice condo". The area that I like best
in Maui is called Napili Bay. It is located on west Maui about 20 minutes north
of Kaanapali . Napili is pretty quiet and laid-back. There is a beautiful crescent
shaped beach, excellent snorkeling and has groceries and restaurants nearby. I
have stayed at several properties there. The one I like best, Napili Surf Beach
Resort, does not have 2 bedroom units, but it has studios that rent for about
$110/nite (I think), and you could get two. Napili Surf is a family run business,
is not super luxurious, but is right on the beach! Next door to Napili Surf is
a large condo property called Napili Shores. It is about 100 steps to the beach.
They may have some two bedroom units, but I think they are mostly one bedroom.
It's been a couple of years since I have stayed at Napili Shores, but I think
it was around $150/night for a one bedroom. There are some condo properties behind
the beachfront ones that are probably cheaper. My feeling, after having been to
Hawaii quite a few times, is that beachfront is worth it, especially if you like
to snorkel, and especially if you have to schlep a lot of baby equipment. Good
luck and have a great time. Nancy
I recommend the Hale Hio Kai condos in Kihei. All of them are 2 BDR, 2 bath, very
modern, clean and right on a beach. If you're going the 2nd week in May you will
hit their low season so prices are more reasonable. Two years ago their low season
rates went from $95 to $170/nt depending whether you had garden or ocean view.
I think there is an additional charge for extra adults. I liked the location of
the condo. It was away from the shopping area - a long strip of stores, restaurants
and dive shops. Honestly once you were in the condo and on the beach you really
felt secluded. No high rises or resorts on this beach. You are still close enough
though to walk to shopping. We went when I was 6 months pregnant but we are definitely
planning to return with our kids. Mostly families seemed to be staying at the
condo and the kids seemed to enjoy the pool and beach. The snorkeling is pretty
good by the condo. We enjoyed swimming at "our" beach as well as at some of the
other beaches. You can contact the Hale Hui Kai condo at (800) 809-6284. Feel
free to email with any questions. It's a great vacation spot! Robert
April 1999
On Maui, it probably is illegal to camp on the beach, yes, but we noticed the
same tents day after day from the highway south of Lahaina (not quite to Mile
Marker 14). They were on the beach under the trees, but NOT at any official
beach park with amenities -- perhaps that's how they managed to avoid arrest?
At any rate, I wouldn't try that with children -- the beach is much too close to
the only, and heavily trafficked, highway. Good snorkeling at mile marker 14,
however! We also noticed that there are cabins at Haleakala, which is an
amazing old volcano, 10,023 feet in height. The cabins are below the 10K ft
line, of course. Excellent hiking around there, albeit weird in the crater
itself. Not at all beachy, though. Dry forest and then rainforest farther
down, arid colorful crater with silversword plants higher up. We stayed with
our 6-month-old at one of the condos at Kahana, and that was a perfect solution
for us. The Kahana beach was just across the street (NOT a highway), and the
place also had a pool and hot tub. Our main issue right now is having a place
sufficiently DARK that the baby can sleep -- he seems to be very
light-sensitive, especially in his night sleeping.
Heather
Hawaii with Teens
I'm a single mom who's going to Maui with my teenage girls (13 and 15)
this summer. I've never been there. Any recommendations for neat stuff
to do, places to go?
This is a recommendation for the woman taking her two teenagers to
Maui..My 13 year old's high point was learning to dive with the Kapalua
Dive Company..they do a two hour swimming pool orientation then take you
for an hour or two dive..you then have certification to dive with one of
their instructors for the rest of the month..The cost wasn't that high
(I think about $65) and was a unique experience..he saw eels and sea
turtles..hte instructor he had Naomi Fagley turned out to be a graduate
of King Middle School and had had Mr. Ball, my son's current PE
intructor . Their number is 808 669-3448..if you can get Naomi, she is
great with teenagers..Also take a boat to Molokini for amazing snorkling
and diving and go to Kapalua beach, my personal favorite for safe easy
and wonderful snorkling..The Nature Conservancy leads a walk through a
cloud forest on Haleakela..Call them. The rangers at the top tot Mt.
Haleakela do a night time program that was awesome..the stars and
galaxies visible were amazing..take binoculars and warm lothes..it is
about 40 dgrees there at night..Paia is the big windsurfing area..there
may be lessons available..though it is pretty intense..have fun!
On Maui vacation suggestions - Our most fun was going on the road to
Hana (SP?) and stopping in Paia at the Lunch Box for delicious picnic
food. Stopping for a swim at the falls, called The Awakening in English
( something more complicated in Hawaiian), and finding a private black
sand beach. On the tip of the Southwest side of the island, where the
road turns into dirt, there is a wonderful beach called the "cornmeal"
beach, because the sand is the consistency of cornmeal. Bring a snorkel
and a mask and you are in for a treat at any quiet lagoon.
this page was last updated: Sep 13, 2011
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network