There is a wide range of accommodation options available on Maui. If this is your first time on the island you may need help deciding where to stay. You might be wondering, "Where are the most popular areas on Maui for visitors? What's the difference between a hotel and a resort, or a condo and a villa? Is "oceanfront" and a "beachfront" the same thing?"
Here are some tips to help you select the perfect place to suit your personal taste based on three key questions.
1. What Region Do You Want To Stay In?
The two largest and most popular visitor destinations with the most accommodation options are South Maui and West Maui. There are also accommodation options in Central Maui, East Maui, Upcountry, and on the North Shore and a lot of visitors prefer these areas to enjoy Maui a little more "off the beaten path". Within each region there is then the choice of type of accommodation and how close to the water do you want to be. (You can learn more about the different regions of the island on our blog post about Which Side Of Maui Is The Best.)
2. What Type Of Accommodation Do You Want?
- Hotels and Resorts are the most traditional type of tourist accommodation. While everyone knows what a hotel is, a resort is really just an elaborate hotel with upgraded facilities and amenities such as restaurants, pools, golf courses, gift shops, and spas. There are numerous options on Maui for hotels and resorts ranging from small and simple hotels to extravagant luxury resorts. The primary resort areas are South Maui and West Maui.
- Condominiums and Villas: Condo rentals on Maui are extremely popular with visitors because they offer in-room kitchens — which for some is the biggest advantage to getting a condo over a hotel room (which do not generally include kitchens). A kitchen facility provides convenient, cost-saving options for dining. Villas differ from condos in that they are usually more upscale — spacious residences (with kitchens), impeccably furnished and providing a higher level of guest services and amenities. The primary condo and villa areas are South Maui and West Maui with a couple of options in Central Maui and East Maui.
- Vacation Homes and Cottages - A Maui vacation home rental can be a particularly comfortable and economical choice, particularly for longer stays (such as for a week or longer). These can be a great option for friends and families traveling together or large families who need that extra living space as a home provides multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and the option to hang out and/or dine "at home" in your own private setting. Maui vacation home rentals can range from small, charming beach cottages to exquisite, ultra-luxurious estates with private pools and hot tubs. The majority of vacation homes and cottages are in South Maui and West Maui however you will find these as options in all regions of the island.
- Bed and Breakfast (B&Bs) - Maui B&Bs are a truly unique experience for travelers who want to enjoy a more grass-roots and authentic slice of island life. Cozy B&Bs offer a personalized experience that is not possible at large resorts as they are often family-owned and operated. On Maui, the legal definition of a B&B is a property that offers short-term rental of rooms – or the entire dwelling – where the owner lives on site. At a B&B, you are renting a private room in someone's home (or even renting the entire home) or possibly staying at a very small inn. There might be other guests present when you are there, or there might not. Breakfast is sometimes included (possibly with fresh fruit picked that morning from the backyard, like their mango, banana, and/or papaya tree). The majority of B&B's are in South Maui and West Maui however you will also find these as options in all regions of the island.
Note: By law, vacation rentals and B&B's are required to have a permit from the County; however there are some illegal operations on the island, so be cautious and for your protection check they are operating legally and have legal permit numbers.
3. How Close To The Water Do You Want To Be?
In researching where to stay on Maui, you will come across the following terminology to describe properties and room categories over and over again: