Wife and I are planning a trip to Maui in late May. I was looking for opinions on both resorts/hotels versus condos? Also any suggestions on either would be appreciated

Hotel prices are crazy right now in HI but giving a budget would help out here..
That being said I would stay at a hotel 100% of the time unless it was a big group.

Stay up country in Kula. Maybe not as pricey as beach front. If you get the right property; the views are crazy. I even have to wear a jacket up there in the mornings.

https://www.halekianabnb.com/

For a nice laid back condo with a nice pool and a beach on either side - look at the Royal Mauian in Kihei. there should be several VRBO's here.

Wife and I have done three trips here and it is perfect for the laid back experience.

We have no kids and like it nice and quiet!

Watchlisted.

First part we stayed at the Grand Wailea and snorkeled with tons of huge sea turtles. Great beach shared with the Four Seasons next door. Ate at Monkeypod nearby. Then we rented a VRBO on the north side at Napili Point. Two great beaches nearby at Napili Bay and Kapalua beach. Both were small crescent beaches great for swimming, snorkeling, and drinking. Ate at Merriman's nearby. Had friends that stayed at the Westin in Kaanapali and liked it. Someone mentioned Kihei earlier if you are there hit up the 808 deli for good sandwiches.

First, I would say that you should go to Kaui first.

I enjoyed the Westin at Kaanapali a few years back and we'll be heading back in June. It's a somewhat busy area, if that is what you are looking for. I recommend eating at the Kaapula Plantation restaurant if possible and Maui Brewing company as well.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. Will give them a look. Did notice the Fairmont Kea Lani, any thoughts on this property? Appreciate it

Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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First, I would say that you should go to Kaui first.

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Kauai is going to be a pain in the ass to get into through the summer.

a.froman said:

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Thanks so much for all the suggestions. Will give them a look. Did notice the Fairmont Kea Lani, any thoughts on this property? Appreciate it

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Stayed at Fairmont Kea Lani over Thanksgiving with my wife and three kids. Huge property but amazing resort and excellent restaurants. This place is setup well for families but has an adults-only section too.

First day there we spent the morning at the beach and came across three sea turtles in the surf.

Kihei is well positioned on the island for day trips to Haleakala, road to Hana, etc.

In any case if you rent a car/jeep.. I highly recommend downloading the Shaka Guide App for Maui. It's well worth the cost.

Thanks so much for all of the info.

Was snorkeling booked through hotel or a company?

And what VRBO did you stay at on north side?

Mustang1 said:

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Was snorkeling booked through hotel or a company?

And what VRBO did you stay at on north side?

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The Grand Wailea and Four Seasons share a large beach. We just walked down to the end at the Four Seasons and there are rocks going out into the ocean. We snorkeled there and the large turtles came in to feed on the algae around 9-10 in the morning. I did see a snorkel tour boat a little further out but we didn't need to go out there to see them or fish. We rented a place at Napili Point Resort that is a bunch of condos on a neat looking cove. Was a good home base for a few days on the North Side.

Sorry, HI newb here, but why do you say Kauai is going to be such a pain through the summer? You mean covid restrictions?

I believe they still have a 10 day mandatory quarantine whether you have a negative test or not. I also read they're making you download a Hawaii app thats basically a contact tracker while you're there. Don't think you can opt out either. That may have been mentioned above or another thread.

We just decided this weekend to push our Maui/Kauai trip from May to this fall. Hoping that the prevalence of the vaccine will make it easier to get there and move between islands.

We have been to Maui several times. We like to stay on north Kaanapali beach. North of Black Rock. We can get a ocean front condo w/free parking for a lot less than a hotel room. Easy in/out & fewer people.

TitanAGGIE09 said:

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I believe they still have a 10 day mandatory quarantine whether you have a negative test or not. I also read they're making you download a Hawaii app thats basically a contact tracker while you're there. Don't think you can opt out either. That may have been mentioned above or another thread.

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False and False

farmer95 said:

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TitanAGGIE09 said:

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I believe they still have a 10 day mandatory quarantine whether you have a negative test or not. I also read they're making you download a Hawaii app thats basically a contact tracker while you're there. Don't think you can opt out either. That may have been mentioned above or another thread.

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False and False

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Hanua Kai... You wont be sorry!!!! Massive pools and Dukes is next to the pool, you can snorkel if you want right there. Better places to snorkel, but not terrible, I am not the laying out type so I can stay busy while the wife is good.

If your going to Maui...

• You have to get a covid test inside 72 hours of departure.
• You must upload the test and register on 2 websites in Hawaii
• YOU MUST ALSO DOWNLOAD A TRACKING APP BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STATES!!!!!!!!!! Do not download that app and turn it on until the night before you leave. It is bad juju, it is 100% a tracking app. It tracks every single cell phone you come into contact with. The last thing you want to do is have months of data on there for them to look at, the longer its on, the more people that will have covid will be on your list.
• You must download this tracking software before you leave, if you download it when you hit the ground your going to quarantine

In short, register, get your test, download app, take copy of test, exit plane, they will look you up, check you off and your good to go.

Go register now, and you will get updates on any changes.

Our Hawaiian cruise was cancelled for May, so we decided to still just go to Hawaii anyways. Flying to Maui for five nights and then flying to Oahu for another five. Hopefully, things go smoothly with the testing requirements.

farmer95 said:

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TitanAGGIE09 said:

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I believe they still have a 10 day mandatory quarantine whether you have a negative test or not. I also read they're making you download a Hawaii app thats basically a contact tracker while you're there. Don't think you can opt out either. That may have been mentioned above or another thread.

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False and False

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Why respond like this without offering any more information. There is a mandatory 3 day quarantine when you arrive (regardless of whether you have tested negative) and it has to be at a sanctioned resort bubble. It's the most restrictive of all of the islands as no others require a quarantine when you arrive (from what I've read). I believe the main issue is there is only one hospital on the island.

That said - I read recently that the state is working quickly to make a vaccine passport that would allow you to avoid many of the restrictions. I doubt that's up and running by May, but worth pointing out.

Question can not be answered adequately without a conversation, but I always do a condo because it fits my travel style. Where I stay is just a place to lay my head. I do not have any interest in hanging out at a resort or pool. There are a lot of really nice pools right here in Texas and I don't have to get on a 7 hour flight to get to them. Maui is full of places to explore, so I want to minimize my time in any resort and maximize my time exploring. I also like to cook a few of my own meals and not eat out for everything. So for me, a resort or hotel is a waste of money because I'm not going to use a lot of the amenities I'm paying for. Of much greater importance is proximity to the best parts of the islands and things I want to do, and price. I put my money towards activities and adventures.

We are on Maui right now and did VRBO condo in Kapalua. Very reasonably priced.

schwabbin said:

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We are on Maui right now and did VRBO condo in Kapalua. Very reasonably priced.

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Leaving next Friday doing same thing (Kapalua condo - excellent deals). How was the airport Covid screening process? Take long?

I like Kapalua. look at Ritz or Montage for nice hotel. Condo if you don't want resort amenities/expense.

Recommended activities:
Golf at the two courses
Sunrise/Bike ride Haleakala (long haul = early morning)
Scuba cruise.
Surf lesson
Road to hana
Helicopter tour
Eat spam
Burger shack at ritz
Luau
Merrimans
Maui brewing

Kauai is dope too, more rustic and rainforest like vs Maui which is generally nicer. You could do both depending on what covid restrictions are (Island hopper on HA or SWA)

Coolest part of Hawaii is that the beaches are all pretty much state parks. The airports kinda suck.

What are the 2 websites? I am registered on safe travels Hawaii already and I know I have to upload test results there. What is the second site? We are traveling to Kona over Spring Break. Thanks.

It's just the one website Safe Travels Hawaii.
And the airport screening once we arrived in Maui was about a 30 min wait. But ours may have been longer because the flight the day before out of dfw was cancelled so I think they were making exceptions for folks whose tests lapsed the 72 hour mark.

Any updates on Maui requirements - quarantine, testing, tracking app? If you prove vaccination are you allowed to not have to mess with that stuff?

We got back earlier this month. Just had to show proof through the HI state website that we tested negative within 72 hr of arrival flight. Condo we stayed at was relatively vacant and laid back as a result. The resort we also visited for a week was more strict and everybody was wearing masks, even outdoors unfortunately. Condo was the way to go. There are some great deals right now.

Big Al 1992 said:

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Any updates on Maui requirements - quarantine, testing, tracking app? If you prove vaccination are you allowed to not have to mess with that stuff?

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Vaccination doesn't matter. I just returned from Big Island. You still need a negative test no sooner than 72 hours before your flight that heads to Hawaii. If you have access to Walgreens, go to their site now and sign up for an account. 2.5 days before you need the appointment for the test, you go online and schedule their "ID NOW" test. Everyone in my group got their test results back within about 3 hours of testing (and I went on a Sunday). You also have to register for the Hawaii "Safe Travels" site. https://travel.hawaii.gov/#/ 24 hours before you leave, you need to fill out the questionnaire and upload a copy of your negative results.

You then need to print out the QR Code (and your negative result just in case) because they will check it right after you get off the plane. It's just like going through COVID customs. Show your QR code, then go to the testing area and get tested again, then they let you go. I had to show my Safe Travels page to get on the rental car bus and at the hotel at check-in (because they update it with your latest test). After that, you shouldn't have to show it again. I think Maui makes you download an app prior to leaving for Hawaii because they want to contact trace you if needed.

It's not as big of a pain as it sounds, especially since the test results come back quickly.

Bluecat_Aggie94 said:

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Question can not be answered adequately without a conversation, but I always do a condo because it fits my travel style. Where I stay is just a place to lay my head. I do not have any interest in hanging out at a resort or pool. There are a lot of really nice pools right here in Texas and I don't have to get on a 7 hour flight to get to them. Maui is full of places to explore, so I want to minimize my time in any resort and maximize my time exploring. I also like to cook a few of my own meals and not eat out for everything. So for me, a resort or hotel is a waste of money because I'm not going to use a lot of the amenities I'm paying for. Of much greater importance is proximity to the best parts of the islands and things I want to do, and price. I put my money towards activities and adventures.

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I used to feel this way, then I started staying at nice resorts.

Airfare is going way up with the price of fuel increasing in the last 60 days.

So what are suggestions on activities on Maui - been to Kauai, Oahu, Big Island
Hikes?
Beaches?
Snorkel?
Restaurants?

Rent a Jeep...explore outside your lodging. Highly recommend the Shaka Guide mobile app. Its worth the $...trust me.

Check out sunrise at Haleakala (get parking reservation well in advance)

Drive the road to Hana..and continue around the South side for a little white knuckle adventure.

Snorkeling, Whale watching via Catamaran, Luau, many great restaurants

I have reserved Jeep Wranglers for our 3 days in Kauai (and one as a backup for the Camaro convertible through Turo on Maui).

Question since I've never rented a Jeep before... are you able to take the top off? Do they take it off for you when you pick it up? I've tried calling the rental places at the airport and cannot get a hold of anyone and the customer service chat was very unhelpful