10 Best Hotels & Lodging on Maui

By virtue of its location alone, in the heart of the sleepy, sugar plantation town of Paia on the north shore of Maui, this hotel stands out among the smorgasbord of lodging options available on the Island. Guests can walk to ten restaurants and a number of boutiques and galleries on the main strip. Paia Inn Hotel also grants direct access to a very quiet, underused beach. The owner, a local award-winning architect and designer known for building inspired ocean front villas throughout the Island, has created a chic boutique hotel with European intimacy, Asian aesthetics, and Hawaiian geniality. Cosmopolitan yet laid back, this place reflects the overall feel of Paia town. It is also convenient for guests wanting to explore the Hana Highway and Haleakala Crater.

If you are looking into a long-term stay, Kapalua Villas at Kapalua Resort might be the answer for you. Located in communities throughout the Kapalua Resort grounds, these spacious and luxurious condominiums are available with one, two, or three bedrooms, with ocean, mountain, or golf course views. Containing multiple baths, washers and dryers, cable, air conditioning, an in-room safe, and a full kitchen, each villa gives you the luxury of conducting your vacation at your own pace and on your own terms. Villa communities are fully equipped with multiple pools, including barbecue areas.

It had me at "superpool." This luxurious, beachfront resort in Ka'anapali features a 3.5-acre pool, complete with slides, waterfalls, grottos, spas and a shipwreck play area--perfect for the family. Golf, tennis, and watersports are also available here. Choose from one- and two-bedroom suites, all of which feature separate living and dining areas, mini-fridge, and sink. Enjoy lunch at one of the casual eateries located at the resort, and catch the gorgeous Maui sunset from your private balcony in the evening. Its proximity to Whalers Village, Front Street and Cannery Shopping Center seals the deal for those looking to check out the local nightlife.

In 2009, the dream of Honua Kai's creators--to combine the independence afforded by a fully equipped condominium and the luxuries of a modern resort with the ancient Hawaiian notion of ahupuaʻa (system of land division that promotes communal spirit)--came true. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Ka'anapali, it encourages owners, guests, associates, partners and the community to relax, unwind, have fun and reconnect with families, friends and themselves. It offers 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom suites, as well as luxury 2000 sq/ft + 3 bedroom suites. Aside from the usual condo amenities, Honua Kai's commitment to the environment is noteworthy. It is 1 of only 2 hotels to run a trash compactor off of solar power and soy oil, and it utilizes recycled water for landscaping, saving millions of gallons of fresh water each year that can be redirected to homes.

Comprised of all-oceanfront condos complete with full kitchens, washers and dryers, and flat screen TVs, this resort offers guests all the comforts of home. Enjoy your view of Ka'anapali Beach, as well as Neighbor Islands Lanai and Molokai, from your private lanai. Whale watching from the floor-to-ceiling windows found in each unit is possible from November to April. World-class snorkeling and golfing are located nearby, while the cities of Whalers Village and Lahaina feature options for shopping and find dining. For even more fun, check out the oceanfront swimming pool, as well as the tennis court, shuffleboard, and outdoor barbecues.

Opened in 1964 and offering 432 oceanfront rooms situated on eleven miles of sand beach on Maui's western coast, this was one of the first resorts on the Island. Preservation of the Hawaiian culture is the foundation for the entire hotel. Through the auxiliary staff training, or Po'okela (excellence) program, the hotel continually educates its staff by offering classes on topics like Hawaiian language, geography, religion, and mythology. This way, they can in turn enrich the guest experience through acting as Hawaiian cultural advisors. From the artifacts on display throughout the hotel to the many complimentary cultural activities, guests can learn how to dance, play a ukulele, and weave like a Hawaiian. Cultural classes also give guests (children included) the opportunity to learn the history of the Islands. With its sunset hula show, nightly live Hawaiian entertainment, lau (lea) printing, and other activities, it strives to uphold the title of "Most Hawaiian Hotel" bestowed upon it by the Wahiawa Foundation.

Nestled on the gorgeous Wailea Beach, in the center of the Wailea resort area, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea gives guests easy access to top restaurants, golf, and shops--all within a short walk or a quick shuttle from the Resort's courtesy car service. This four-star resort is known for impeccable service, and it is no wonder. The staff of approximately 1,000 services the 380 guest rooms, constituting an extremely high ratio of staff to guests and ensuring your stay is as comfortable as possible. Some of the amenities which make this resort experience truly unique are Kindle reading devices for loan at the concierge desk and introductory SCUBA clinics offered twice daily. Additionally, guests can enjoy three pools on the property: a 40' x 80' heated saline pool; a free-form lagoon pool with waterfall and slide, as well as an adjacent shallow children's pool; and the adults-only, 120'-long Serenity Pool with four bubble loungers and an underwater music system.

Located on 40 acres between the stately slopes of Haleakala Crater and the sandy Wailea shore, the Grand Wailea is surrounded by unrelenting geographic beauty. With 780 rooms and suites, as well as 70 luxury villas at Ho'olei, the Grand Wailea can accommodate whatever you are looking for. The Spa Grande offers guests an unforgettable pampering experience with its Term Hydrotherapy Circuit, a collection of water therapies not offered anywhere else. The award-winning seaside chapel might be of interest to couples looking to get married on the Valley Isle. If you are looking for an active outing, you need look no further than just outside your door. The expansive grounds contain three championship golf courses and five restaurants open to guests. Pools are abundant and facilitate frequent dips and sunbathing. Hosting frequent luaus and musical performances, as well as cultural celebrations, the Grand Wailea makes sure your family is never bored.

In order to fully appreciate the majesty surrounding the grounds of this resort, you must not only look at their location on the Black Rock of Ka'anapali, you must also realize the significance of this point. Dividing the beach in half, this large lava rock is the spot from which ancient Hawaiians believed souls of warriors jumped to go meet their ancestors in the afterlife. Now almost completely covered in coral, the water around the Black Rock offers spectacular snorkeling. You are bound to see fish and sea turtles aplenty. With Sheraton's 500+ rooms that face the ocean, there's little chance you'll get a bad view from up in your room either.

Situated along Ka'anapali Beach, perhaps the most sought-after stretch of shoreline on Maui, Westin Maui Resort and Spa delivers to honeymooners and families the Hawaiian vacation they've always dreamed of. Choose from a range of room types, from cozy mountain view rooms to sweeping oceanfront suites. All include the Westin's trademark Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Baths, which include luxurious linens and top-of-the-line amenities. Westin takes pride in its consideration of the environment and emphasizes your option as a guest to make "The Green Choice." As a guest of the resort, you will have the opportunity to make "The Green Choice," which means you can opt to keep your towels and sheets for a few days between washes.