The best hotels in Maui cater to solo travelers, couples, and families coming to relax and enjoy the gorgeous white-sand beaches under the famous Hawaii sunshine.
But, they’re also searching for local cuisine prepared by critically acclaimed chefs, incomparable views of the Pacific Ocean, water sports, and authentic cultural experiences. Maui is one of my top booked destinations, so I know how to match travelers with the best hotels and resorts for their Hawaii vacation.
The main struggle for those planning a vacation is whether to stay in Wailea in the south and Kapalua, Kaanapali, or Lahaina on the island’s west side. Both are excellent choices, and some travelers who can spend a week or longer split time between the two areas. In most cases, though, the resort tends to drive the decision of where to stay on Maui. As a travel advisor, I have perks at most of the properties on this list.
These Maui hotels and resorts are currently open with enhanced health and safety measures in place. In this quickly changing environment, check before you book and check right before departure to see what activities and services are operational during your stay.
1. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Top Pick)
Location: Wailea
This award-winning beachfront resort is part of the exclusive Four Seasons family of properties. It’s my top pick for best Maui hotels primarily because readers I book in here regularly write in to say how glad they were to have chosen this property. Our family stays here as well and you should read my long list of insider tips including how to choose the best room (there is a lot to know) in my Four Seasons Maui review.
The Maui resort’s spacious guest rooms and suites with private lanais have stunning ocean, garden, or mountain views. Recently refreshed and luxuriously appointed accommodations offer customizable mattresses and bedding, modern furnishings and décor, and deep soaking tubs in oversized marble bathrooms.
A selection of thoughtful amenities includes high-definition televisions, Nespresso machines, bathrobes and slippers, and daily housekeeping and turndown service. Parents appreciate that the king bed rooms have sofa beds for the kids.
The family-friendly resort offers a selection of on-site activities for guests of all ages. Daycare services can be arranged for babies and toddlers, and the Kids for All Season day camp provides supervised entertainment and cultural experiences for children from five to 12 years of age. Teens will appreciate having the freedom to explore the property on their own, visit the game room, and soak up the sun on the beach or from a poolside lounge chair.
Solo travelers and couples can customize their stay at Four Seasons Maui by choosing from a variety of spa treatments and wellness offerings, recreational opportunities, and destination restaurants. There is also the gorgeous adults-only pool with delicious cocktails and a panoramic ocean view. The resort’s expert concierge team is at your service to help book unique adventures like the Kona Coffee Helicopter Tour, a culinary tour of the island, or a photography trek.
Complimentary transportation into the town of Wailea, Maui with its world-class restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues, is available for all guests of the resort. Golfers can take the resort shuttle or arrange for a private car to take them to one of three championship golf courses in the area. You can also play tennis on one of the two sand-filled synthetic grass Nova’Pro tennis courts. The beach in front of the resort is situated so that most of its occupants are guests of the hotel.
NO RESORT FEE
Rates might price higher than nearby resorts, but Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea does not charge a resort fee. And they also provide a long list of complimentary extras that you might pay for at other resorts. Also, choose a Garden-View room or higher as some Mountain-View rooms can overlook the parking lot.
Reservations: The best way to book in is with Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits that include VIP status, daily breakfast for two, $100 food and beverage credit, and more.
2. Fairmont Kea Lani
Location: Wailea
The Fairmont Kea Lani is an all-suite tropical retreat on Maui’s Wailea coast where guests can choose from one- and two-bedroom suites with furnished lanais or one of the resort’s luxury villas with a plunge pool set in a private courtyard.
Separate bedrooms and living space in all accommodations, as well as generously sized marble bathrooms and upscale amenities, make this Maui resort especially appealing to families.
Curated activities such as self-guided scavenger hunts, a torch lighting ceremony, Mermaid University, and ukulele lessons introduce guests to Hawaiian culture. Active guests can participate in the resort’s integrated wellness program or rent sports equipment from Wailea scuba, Surf & Paddle at Polo Beach. During the winter, you might see a humpback whale rise from the water as you stroll along the sandy shores (a common sighting at other Wailea beach resorts, too).
When the sun is at its peak, guests will enjoy taking a dip in one of the hotel’s swimming pools. Families can keep their young children cool in the Keiki pool or head to one of two lagoon-style pools connected by a waterslide. A third, more secluded pool is reserved for adults only.
POOLSIDE SUITES
Poolside suites are popular with families because they have direct access from the ground-floor lanai to the Upper Lagoon Pool.
Guests can make a reservation at the Willow Stream Spa for a relaxing massage or book an express treatment in a poolside cabana. Salon services are available to help you look your best for date night or an upcoming business or social event.
Casual and fine dining options range from the relaxed atmosphere of the AMA Bar & Grill to the elevated ambience of both Kō and Nick’s Fishmarket.
Reservations: I book this hotel a lot because it prices well compared to other nearby hotels. Book the Virtuoso rate with extra benefits that include an upgrade on arrival subject to availability, daily breakfast for two, a $100 food and beverage credit, and more.
*If on a mobile device, scroll down to the black footer and click “Full Site” to access online rates and booking. Search with the number of adults traveling as kids may be priced as adults. I’ll add traveling kids on when I check your booking.
3. Montage Kapalua Bay
Location: Kapalua
A sanctuary on the shores of Kapalua Bay, Montage offers luxury residential-style lodgings with spectacular garden and ocean views. One- to four-bedroom residences with gourmet kitchens, communal living spaces, bathrooms with walk-in showers and deep soaking tubs, and outdoor gathering spaces can accommodate up to ten guests. This is where the ultra-high-end client typically stays.
Perfect for family gatherings, social events, or business retreats, this premier Maui resort has a staff that makes every guest feel welcome and well cared for. They have thoughtfully planned a year-round schedule of activities that immerse participants in the island’s culture. Guests can take a hula lesson, craft their own lei, or try their hand at coconut husking or frond weaving. Special ongoing events such as wine and Champagne tastings, meditation sessions, and trunk shows pack the calendar as well.
For additional recreational opportunities, guests can ask the concierge to book a tee time at one of two world-class golf courses, charter a boat for sport fishing, arrange a private snorkeling tour, or schedule a horseback ride through the pineapple fields.
Guests can dine in their residence or enjoy locally-sourced cuisine at the resort’s contemporary restaurants. Creative cocktails and light island fare are available at the poolside bar.
Reservations: Virtuoso guests receive a daily $60 breakfast credit, $150 spa credit, upgrade at check-in subject to availability and more.
*If on a mobile device, scroll down to the black footer and click “Full Site” to access online rates and booking.
4. Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
Location: Wailea
The Grand Wailea is a Waldorf Astoria resort with breathtaking views of Wailea Beach. Luxurious guest rooms, suites, and villas can accommodate up to six guests comfortably with private lanais, spacious living areas, and separate bedrooms.
You’ll be welcomed with a traditional lei greeting and invited to participate in a variety of activities included in your resort fee, such as a private photography session, beach yoga classes, SCUBA clinics, and guided art tours. Your resort fee also includes complimentary use of bikes and beach umbrellas, as well as standard amenities like Wi-Fi and unlimited local calls.
This family-friendly property has a teen center, gaming lounges, and day camp facilities for its young guests, and the recently upgraded Wailea Canyon Activity Pool (with its Tarzan rope swing and world’s first pool elevator) that will appeal to guests of all ages. A mosaic-tiled adult pool with two Jacuzzis is available for guests who want to swim in a more relaxed environment or lounge by the water in private cabana.
Boutique shops add to the beach resort atmosphere with their selection of handcrafted goods, one-of-a-kind gifts, beachwear, skincare products, and accessories. Shoppers can ship their purchases home at the Akami Business Center, which also gives guests access to self-service copy and fax machines.
From the most casual swim-up bar to Table 70 in Humuhumu, the Grand Wailea offers excellent dining options. You’ll find a la carte menus, as well as buffet-style dining at the Grand Dining Room Maui. In-room service is also offered from 5:30 in the morning until midnight. The resort is big and busy. You’ll need to pick up a new wristband daily to identify yourself as a hotel guest at the pools.
Reservations: I can book you in with Hilton Impresario benefits that include daily breakfast for two people, a $100 hotel credit, double Hilton Honors points, and more. I’ve also included a link to Hilton because I know that some members prefer to go direct.
5. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
Location: Kapalua
Part of The Ritz-Carlton brand of luxury hotels, this AAA Five-Diamond oceanfront resort is located on the grounds of the Kapalua Resort, home to the Kapalua Tennis Garden, two championship golf courses, and six dining facilities.
Registered guests can follow designated hiking trails through the rainforest, schedule a lesson with a pro at the Kapalua Golf Academy, take part in an underwater photography session, or join the Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. A spa that specializes in native treatments and traditions and a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and classes led by trained professionals are open daily.
With so many on-site activities to choose from you may not be spending a lot of time in your room, but when you’re there, you’ll be surrounded by the nature-inspired décor, stunning views, and high-end amenities.
Whether you’re in town on business or spending time together as a family, you’ll appreciate the attentive service of the hotel’s staff. A team of in-house specialists can assist you with all of your personal and professional needs and requests. Indoor and outdoor event venues can be reserved for everything from an intimate wedding to a full-scale corporate retreat.
Club level rooms enjoy the traditional five food and beverage presentations per day that The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts are famous for. It is worth the upgrade.
Tip: One thing to note is that this five-star resort is set back a little further from the beach than most others on this list though the Maui resort runs a shuttle to it. It’s a quieter and smaller beach that can have choppier water than other famous Maui beaches (guests report that it closes during winter because of high surf). Guests looking to spend the majority of their time on the sand should consider other properties on this list of best hotels in Maui. Guests who want a secluded location, pool time and a beautiful resort with club level will be thrilled here.
Reservations: Virtuoso guests receive daily breakfast at Ulana Restaurant, a $100 resort credit, an upgrade at check-in subject to availability, and more at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.
*If on a mobile device, scroll down to the black footer and click “Full Site” to access online rates and booking.
6. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Location: Wailea
This Hyatt property on Mokapu Beach has a relaxing island aesthetic. Its guest rooms, suites, and villas are minimally decorated with island-inspired themes and patterns, while its neutral color palette and wood furnishings allow the natural environment to be the star of the show.
Standard rooms include queen or king beds, rain showers, complimentary minibars, and private lanais. Suites include these amenities, plus a separate living area and a kitchenette. Guests in the villas will enjoy additional upscale amenities, such as a gourmet kitchen with Miele appliances, outdoor features that include a Viking grill and a private plunge pool, complimentary valet parking or Kahului airport transfers, a private standup paddleboard lesson, daily breakfast, resort credit, and personal concierge services.
On-site meeting and event venues make the Andaz Maui one of the best hotels in Maui for business gatherings and destination weddings. The hotel’s executive chef can put together a menu to suit any gathering, and dedicated staff will be on hand to make sure every detail is executed to perfection.
Other opportunities to sample the executive chef’s farm-to-table fare include the Chef’s Table Tasting at the Ka’ana Kitchen and The Feast at Mokapu Luau. For another take on locally sourced cuisine, guests can reserve a table for lunch or dinner at Morimoto Maui. Celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef fame creates fusion dishes with a modern twist.
Reservations: Virtuoso guests receive daily breakfast for two at Ka’ana Kitchen, a $100 spa credit, upgrade on arrival subject to availability, and more.
*If on a mobile device, scroll down to the black footer and click “Full Site” to access online rates and booking. Search with the number of adults traveling as kids may be priced as adults. I’ll add traveling kids on when I check your booking.
7. Kaanapali Alii
Location: Kaanapali
When you reserve one of the beachfront condos at Kaanapali Alii, you’ll be treated to an exceptional range of amenities with no additional resort fees. The family-friendly condos, which appeal to luxury travelers, have fully equipped modern kitchens, laundry services, central air conditioning, and free on-site parking.
Kaanapali Alii offers activities and recreational opportunities for people of all ages and interests. Whether your traveling companions want to shop, snorkel, sunbathe, or sip on a handcrafted cocktail, there’s something for everyone at the resort or in nearby Lahaina. Whaler’s Village in Kaanapali, with its restaurant and shops, is also an easy walk from the beachfront Maui resort.
The guest services team can connect you with local experts to teach you and your crew how to surf, make reservations at local restaurants, or book a tee time at a local golf course. Other services they provide include arranging for childcare, scheduling a massage at the spa, or calling for a taxi or Kahului airport shuttle.
This is one of the hotels in Maui that we’ve stayed at. The Kaanapali beach is lovely (and quieter compared to beaches in front of the larger hotels and resorts) and it’s possible to stay in the ocean for hours on end. The swimming pool area is quite small and often crowded. You’ll also want to rent or buy an umbrella for the beach area because you may want the shade. Or, there are small beach cabanas that you can rent.
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8. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Location: Kaanapali
This luxury Maui resort and spa has a selection of guest rooms and suites with ocean, mountain, and garden views. Natural materials, contemporary décor, and private lanais create a relaxed atmosphere for guests. Each room and suite has been outfitted with mattresses from the Hyatt Grand Bed collection and guests are provided with a robe and slippers, and Kamaha’o Spa toiletries for their comfort. Standard amenities like an in-room safe, coffee maker, and mini-fridge are included as well.
Start your morning with a cup of Honolulu Coffee and a fruit-filled açaí bowl or head to Swan Court for a full buffet breakfast. Try local favorites and inventive dishes at the beachfront restaurant and sushi bar, Japengo; the poolside eatery, ‘Ūmalu; or Son’z Steakhouse, which serves surf and turf paired with award-winning wines.
What sets Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa apart is its unique program of activities. Guests can learn about culture in the Hawaiian Islands by making a lei or learning how to hula. Active visitors can explore the island on a trek to the Haleakala Crater, take a wildlife tour, or even go stargazing on the roof.
And let’s not forget the resident swans, penguins, and other wildlife that make this one of the best hotels in Maui for families. You can also take part in their traditional Hawaiian luau called Drums of the Pacific. And, a quieter but smaller stretch of Kaanapali beach is in front of the resort.
Reservations: I can book you in with Hyatt Prive benefits that include a room upgrade confirmed within 24 hours (if available), a $100 resort credit, daily full breakfast for two, and more.
9. Wailea Beach Villas
Location: Wailea
This is a luxury beachfront villa resort where guests can enjoy the comforts of home and Wailea’s pretty sand beach. You can book two- or three-bedroom penthouse condos with full kitchens, living rooms, and garden or ocean views. Or, opt for one of the 3100-square-foot three-bedroom villas — some of which come with private plunge pools.
On the property, guests enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness center, cascading waterfalls and tropical pathways, two swimming pools, room service, babysitting, beach and pool attendants, and much more.
The resort offers gated security, which adds to its exclusivity. It’s also conveniently located right next to the Shops at Wailea. You can also arrange a private cooking class with some of Maui’s best chefs from around the island or special rates at nearby championship golf courses and tennis clubs.
Reservations: I can book you in with Hyatt Prive benefits that add value and include a daily $50 breakfast credit, a $100 Gift Card for any outlet which accepts American Express and Visa worldwide, and more.
Best Hotels in Maui on a Map
Get a feel for where these hotels and resorts are located.
Feel free to contact me if you’re unsure where to stay in Maui or have questions about any of these places!
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