Which area would make the best "home"
while you are here?
This is a map showing the areas where the lodging is. Depending on the type of activities you enjoy, as well as the type of accommodations you are partial to, you should find the area that suits your family best. To simplify things we have broken them all down into 3 categories: West Side, South Side, and Other Side. Click on each area for a brief description of what to expect.
While visitors will want to travel all over this beautiful island, most of the accommodations are in the West Side and South Side. A rental car is very important for really seeing the wide variety of climates and atmospheres Maui has to offer. A click on a town name in the descriptions below, will take you to the accomodations available there.
West Side
On the West Side, accommodations stretch from Kapalua in the North to Lahaina.

Kapalua and Napili are known for relative remoteness and some great beaches - Kapalua Beach has been voted as one of the best beaches in the world. During the winter months, surfers will enjoy world class surf right up the road at Honolua Bay, the Summer brings calm water and maybe the best snorkeling and diving on the island. From the elegant Ritz Carlton to the secluded Mauian hideaway, there are a wide variety of rooms from which to choose. And of course there is a local Boss Frogs shop!

South from Napili, is a long line of small, pretty beaches lined with condos, hotels and local residential neighborhoods. This area is known as Kahana and Honokowai. This is a nice central location of the West Side, close to the secluded beaches near Kapalua and Napili, the famous Ka'anapali Beach, as well as the shopping and nightlife of Lahaina. Probably the reason many locals that work in the tourist industry have made their homes here .And of course there is a local Boss Frogs shop!

At the south end of the West Side, you'll find the large, big name hotels like the Sheraton and the Hyatt all grouped around Beautiful Ka'anapali Beach. This area is logically known as Ka'anapali. This is one of the few beaches you can do water activities like parasailing, and small boat sailing right on the beach. You will also find many wonderful restaurants and shops within walking distance of your hotel, including the famous Whalers Village - a shopping area with some of the finest stores on the island.

Just below Ka'anapali is historical Lahaina. This may be the most interesting town on Maui. Once capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom and hangout for the rough and tumble Whalers, there is no shortage of stories and museums belonging to Lahaina. Besides the history and beautiful harbor, you will find shopping to suit anyone. From typical "tourist trap" stores full of souvenirs and tee shirts, to fine art and jewelry, to restaurants like Bubba Gumps, Hard Rock Cafe, and Cheeseburger in Paradise, a walk down Front Street should be on the itinerary for everyone. And of course there is a local Boss Frogs shop!

Go to the West Side Accommodations
South Side
The South Side is the area from Ma'alaea to Makena.

Nearly all of the boats that take visitors to Molokini call this centrally located harbor town of Ma'alaea home. If your plans include a few trips out on boats to Molokini, sunset sails and dinner cruises, you may want to stay here just for the convenience of saving the drive to the harbor. Ma'alaea is also home of the Maui Ocean Center, a world class aquarium where you can view all of the wonderful creatures of the ocean without even getting wet.

"Beach Town" is probably the simplest description of Kihei. Long stretches of uninterrupted beaches, plenty of "eat-outside" restaurants and lots of surf shops. Many mid-priced hotels and condos line the beach road. This is a family oriented town with the Kamaole Beach parks, lifeguards, and sidewalks. Away from the shoreline, Kihei is a neighborhood of local residents. And of course there is a local Boss Frogs shop!

A little further south a transformation from bustling suburb gives way to the lush resort community of Wailea. Made up of four and five star resorts, Wailea is a desert turned tropics. Beautiful landscaping and colorful bougainvillea blend the rich architecture and golf courses into the area. The resorts here are often attractions themselves as many people visit them just to admire the archetecture and and artwork.

As the resorts grow south the once barren desert of lava and scrub area of Makena is fast becoming an extention to Wailea. For now, this is the end of the "civilized" road. Closest to the best Winter snorkeling areas like Ahihi Keanau Reverve and LaPerouse Bay.

Go to the South Side Accommodations
Other Side
For the purpose of this hotel guide, The Frog has lumped what would normally be a few regions into one. This is because the are few places for the visitor to stay on this side of the island. That isn't to say there is not plenty of fanastic things to see on this side - just not many places to stay.

Kahului is central to commerce on the island as well as the geogrphical center. This is where you will probably fly in, pick up your car, and if you like stop at Costco for condo groceries. If you are looking for a place most central to the entire island this would be it.

Hana, on the other hand, is the most remote place you could stay on the island. Deep in the rainforest, on the easternmost end of the island, Hana is the most authentically "Hawaiian" town on Maui. If you are interested in spending most of your vacation soaking up local culture and hiking to waterfalls, the Hana Hotel may be for you. Many people that would like to do most of the activities only found on the West and South Side, will drive to Hana for the day. Or even better, set up a room for one night.

Wherever you decide to stay, you will be driving distance to anywhere on Maui. One of the nice things about being on a small island.

Go to the Other Side Accommodations