Question 1

What is the best part of Maui to stay in?

Accepted Answer

South Maui and West Maui are the best parts of Maui to stay in and true hubs of activity on and off the water. The majority of beachfront hotels in Maui are located in Wailea (South Maui) and Kaanapali (West Maui). If you prefer vacation rentals, then Kihei (South Maui) and Napili (West Maui) offer affordable condos for rent.

Question 2

Which side of Maui is best for beaches?

Accepted Answer

The leeward coast, home to the West and South Maui regions, is the best side of Maui for a beach vacation. It's sheltered from the wind and features sandy beaches and relatively calm ocean waters. Swimming conditions in West Maui and South Maui are often excellent, and there are plenty of opportunities for snorkeling and water sports.

Question 3

Which part of Maui is the most beautiful?

Accepted Answer

The most beautiful parts of Maui for a beach vacation are Wailea in South Maui and Kapalua in West Maui. These are known for their scenic setting. But all beaches on the leeward side offer golden sands, excellent swimming conditions, amazing snorkeling opportunities, and fun water sports activities.

Other parts of Maui are beautiful in their own right: The windswept beaches of North Shore Maui, the natural beauty of East Maui with the Road to Hana, the rolling hills of Upcountry Maui, and the verdant valleys of Central Maui.

Question 4

Which side of Maui is the dry side?

Accepted Answer

The leeward side is the dry side of Maui. On that leeward side, especially the South Maui region (including the areas of Kihei, Wailea, and Makena) offers the sunniest and driest weather. The West Maui region is also part of the leeward side but it's rainier, especially northwards of Kaanapali. Not surprisingly, the majority of Maui beach hotels are located in Wailea and Kaanapali.

Question 5

Are there any all-inclusive beach hotels in Maui?

Accepted Answer

Despite what you may read in click-bait articles, there are no all-inclusive hotels in Maui on the beach or even off the beach. So, if you’re looking for a leave-your-wallet-at-home kind of trip, then this is not the place.

There are, however, some beautiful beach resorts in Maui that offer package deal options that come close to an all-inclusive travel experience. Some examples of package inclusions may be resort credit, cabana rental, full board, complementary activities, and private airport transfers. Do note that such exclusive packages are to be booked directly at the hotel’s website.

For other Maui accommodations, you might save money by booking one of these Maui vacation packages on Expedia.

Places to stay in South Maui

Best Maui beach hotels (+ top beachfront resorts)

Best Maui boutique hotels & resorts

14 Maui hotels with water slides (+ resorts and rentals with slides)

Unique places to stay in Maui | Coolest hidden gems

Best condo rentals in Maui on the beach

Best Wailea vacation rentals in Maui | Airbnb and VRBO condos

Best condo rentals in Kihei Maui on Airbnb & VRBO