Maui has accommodations to fit every kind of vacation, from deluxe oceanfront resorts to reasonably priced condos to historic bed-and-breakfasts. Be sure to reference “The Island in Brief,” earlier in this chapter, to help you settle on a location.
Remember that Hawaii’s 14.416% accommodations tax will be tacked on to your final bill. Also, if you’re staying at an upscale hotel or resort, expect to pay a daily “resort fee” ($20–$35 a day) in addition to your room rate. Parking is free unless noted and all hotels are nonsmoking.
When planning your trip to Maui, remember: The high season, when rooms fill up quickly and rates vault skyward, runs from mid-December to March. A second high season, when rates are high but reservations are somewhat easier to get, is summer (late June to early Sept). The off-seasons, with fewer tourists and cheaper rates, are April to early June and late September to mid-December.
When it comes to booking a stay outside of a traditional hotel, be aware that Airbnb, VRBO, and other home-sharing and vacation rental online platforms have changed the landscape considerably. Condo properties in resort areas, which don’t need special permits to serve short-term guests, now may be listed with one set of rates on a property management company’s website, and another on VRBO or Airbnb, or all three. In residential areas, the county now more strictly regulates home shares and vacation rentals, as well as bed-andbreakfasts (which can also no longer offer hot breakfasts cooked in house). The rules were largely designed to limit the impact on housing prices and quality of life in quiet neighborhoods, but may mean a favorite haunt from years past is no longer in business.
I’ve tried to honor that intent by including only permitted properties below; the law requires such lodgings outside designated resort areas to post their permit and tax ID numbers online. Still, some 16,000 units outside these residential zones don’t require special permits, so you should never have a problem finding a legitimate rental somewhere.
All hotel rooms are nonsmoking, but some properties may have designated outdoor areas for smokers. Unless noted in the fine print below, parking is free and rooms include air-conditioning. All pools listed below are outdoors; not all are heated. References to “cleaning fees” below are for one-time, post-checkout cleaning of condos and vacation rentals, not daily services.
Barefoot Etiquette
In Hawaii, it is traditional and customary to remove your shoes before entering anyone’s home. The same is true for most vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfast facilities. Most hosts post signs or will politely ask you to remove your shoes before entering the house or condo. Not only does this keep the place clean, but you’ll also be amazed at how relaxing it is to walk around barefoot. If this custom is unpleasant to you, this kind of stay may not be for you.
A Private Cottage
If you’d like your own private cottage, consider Peace of Maui ★, 1290 Haliimaile Rd. (just outside of Haliimaile town), Makawao (www.peaceofmaui.com; [tel] 808/572-5045). The well-built cottage offers a full kitchen, two bedrooms, a living room with two queen-sized futon sofas, a daybed, and a large deck with gas barbecue and views of the ocean and West Maui mountains. If those views grow tiresome, there’s a flatscreen TV with cable in every room. Granola, oatmeal, and tropical fruit are placed in your pantry each night. Rates are the same year-round: $250 a night, 3-night minimum, plus a $75 cleaning fee. The owners also have more basic rooms in the adjacent lodge (with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities) for $115 per night double ($95 single).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
