Planning on spending your next Maui vacation in Kaanapali, Maui? Then this comprehensive overview of Kaanapali Beach hotels and resorts is a perfect place to start.
Kaanapali Beach recently won the title of 10th best beach in the world and was named the number 1 beach in the United States. What better place to unwind than this beautiful coastal oasis that’s home to some of Maui’s most renowned beach resorts?
Once a playground of Hawaiian royalty, Kaanapali is synonymous with a carefree resort experience. Think of soft golden sands, a warm breeze, a calm ocean, waving palms, water activities, family fun, blissful relaxation, delightful dining, casual shopping, championship golf courses, exciting entertainment, and spectacular sunset views.
My custom Kaanapali Beach map will help you find the best place to stay along this gorgeous stretch of coastline.
Are you ready to discover the amazing condo resorts and hotels in Kaanapali Beach? Then let’s dive in!
In a nutshell
This article offers an overview of all Kaanapali Beach hotels and condo resorts. It comes with a handy map of Kaanapali Beach and concludes with a FAQ section about Kaanapali Beach.
Affiliate links are sprinkled throughout the site content. Clicking on such a hyperlink and making a booking on the accommodation platform it refers to may result in a commission for PlacesToStayMaui.com at no additional cost to you. For more information, visit the Disclaimer page.
Short on time? Here’s a quick list of Kaanapali Beach hotels and resorts:
(South) Kaanapali Beach hotels:
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort | The Westin Maui Resort | Sheraton Maui Resort | Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort
Top (South) Kaanapali Beach condo resorts:
Hyatt Vacation Club Maui | Kaanapali Alii Resort
North Kaanapali Beach hotel:
Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows
Top North Kaanapali Beach condo resorts:
Kaanapali Maui at the Eldorado | The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas | Outrigger Honua Kai Resort
A quick note on Kaanapali Beach hotels and resorts
Like all other Hawaiian beaches, Kaanapali Beach is a public beach. This means that the shoreline up to the upper reaches of the wash of the waves is accessible to everyone, no matter which Kaanapali Beach hotel or resort is located behind.
The only lifeguard station is located adjacent to the southernmost stretch of Kaanapali Beach, near the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort.
Kaanapali Beach Resort became a top beach destination in 1962 when it was developed as a master-planned resort. It’s part of the Lahaina CDP and is located a few miles north of Lahaina town. Depending on the exact location of your Kaanapali accommodation, it’s only a 5 to 10-minute drive. All Kaanapali Beach hotels and resorts remained untouched by the blazing wildfires that destroyed Lahaina town in 2023.
Kaanapali Beach is a 3-mile stretch of coastline that’s split into two sections by Black Rock or Puu Kekaa. This natural landmark is of great cultural significance since it was the literal jumping-off point for Kahekili, Maui’s last ruling chief. Other warriors were scared to dive from what they believed was the portal between the physical and spiritual world. However, Kahekili demonstrated his bravery and strength by fearlessly leaping off this very rock.
Every evening at sunset, the torches on Black Rock are lit and a cliff-diving ceremony pays tribute to the courageous Kahekili by recreating his journey between the realms of the physical and the spiritual.
Depending on the source you research, you’ll find Kaanapali Beach being described as a 1 or a 3-mile long beach. That’s because some sources only focus on the part of Kaanapali Beach south of Black Rock, while others include North Kaanapali Beach. I’ll be including both in this article.
The Kaanapali Beach Walk is a coastal path that runs over the entire length of its coastline, interconnecting all Kaanapali hotels and Kaanapali condo resorts from Hanakaoo Beach Park in the South to the Outrigger Honua Kai Resort in the north. During winter, you have a good chance of spotting whales along the way.
Do note that, in order to cross over Black Rock, you’ll need to walk past the tennis courts around the back of the Sheraton Maui Resort.
South Kaanapali Beach
During the Hawaiian reign and up to World War I, this area used to be a very popular racehorse track. Now, the section of Kaanapali Beach south of Black Rock is a typical resort-style area with waving palms, water sports kiosks, and access to the resorts and hotels on Kaanapali Beach.
At the center of South Kaanapali Beach is Whalers Village, an open-air beachfront mall with shops, galleries, restaurants, and local entertainment options. It’s also home to the Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center.
In the morning, the water in front of the Kaanapali Beach resorts is relatively calm and perfect for swimming. In the afternoon, when the swells pick up, it’s a great boogie-boarding spot. The best snorkeling site is alongside Black Rock.
South Kaanapali Beach hotels and resorts
South Kaanapali Beach is home to four hotels and four condo resorts.
For every listing, I have added the classification, the number of rooms, and resort fees.
Every Kaanapali Beach hotel and resort in this list links out to the corresponding listing on Booking.com or VRBO. Simply read through the details, check the reviews, and set your preferred dates to get an exact breakdown of the costs. If you still like what you see, you can go ahead and make your online booking.
Now, without further ado, here’s an overview of all condo resorts and hotels in Kaanapali Beach Maui. At the end of the list, you’ll find a detailed map of Kaanapali Beach resorts south of Black Rock.
1. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
The southernmost of all Kaanapali Beach resorts is among the best family hotels in Maui.
The Hyatt Regency provides opportunities for children to engage with their furry and feathery residents such as parrots, penguins, swans, and koi. It also features a beautiful free-form swimming pool with waterfall features, a rope bridge, a whirlpool, and a tube slide. A rooftop stargazing program …
The stretch of beach in front of the Hyatt Regency suffers from erosion. For a wider and lifeguarded beach, head south to Hanakaoo Beach Park.
2. Hyatt Vacation Club Maui
The Hyatt Vacation Club, formerly known as the Hyatt Residence Club Maui, is situated adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Most condos at this resort are 2-bedroom residences, others are 1 and 3-bedroom units. Almost all condos feature ocean views.
Note that, even on VRBO, you do not get to book a specific unit. Instead, you reserve a floating unit. It’s just like booking a hotel room. You can choose if you want to stay on the upper, middle, or lower floors.
Note that the pool area of the Hyatt Vacation Club will undergo extensive renovations from August 18, 2024, through October 31, 2024. But that shouldn’t be a problem, since guests of the Hyatt Vacation Club get full access to all amenities of the Hyatt Regency Maui, including the beautiful pool.
3. Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club
Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club is a vast resort comprising five towers that are placed in a vast landscaped garden. The three older buildings consist of condos with a kitchenette while the condos in the newer buildings are more spacious and come with a full kitchen.
In front of the original towers lies the Lagoon pool, which serves as the activity hub. It features several interconnected freeform pools with waterfalls, a grotto, and a small water slide, as well as a volleyball net. Two smaller, tranquil pools with a poolside bar are located in front of the newer resort towers.
Note that the resort’s older Molokai, Maui, and Lanai towers will be undergoing renovations from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
4. Kaanapali Alii Resort
The Kaanapali Alii Resort offers premium accommodation within walking distance of Whalers Village. Take your pick from a collection of one and two-bedroom condos with garden, mountain or ocean views.
This beautiful resort features two freshwater swimming pools with a waterfall, whirlpool spas, and a kids’ pool as well as tennis courts and a fitness center. Golf lovers will appreciate the fact that the resort fee includes discounted golf rounds at Royal Kaanapali and Kaanapali Kai Golf Courses.
Note that the Kaanapali Beach Walk section in front of the Kaanapali Alii Resort collapsed due to erosion. A detour that goes around Kaanapali Alii is well-signposted. Rest assured that only guests and owners are allowed on the grounds of the Kaanapali Alii and that non-guests have no right of passage.
5. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
The Westin in Maui is a fantastic family-friendly Kaanapali resort that offers accommodations in two different towers. The recent Hokupaa Tower is especially luxurious and even has its own infinity edge pool.
It boasts the best pool area on Kaanapali Beach. The amazing Kawaiola Aquatic Playground features a 270-ft water slide and two pools connected by swim-through waterfalls. Little ones have their own splash zone. If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Kaanapali with your family, The Westin is definitely worth considering.
This beachfront Kaanapali hotel is located in the center of the action, steps from Whalers Village and near the Black Rock snorkeling site.