Discovering hidden beaches, gorgeous rainforests and insanely good restaurants is all well and fine, but as most people come to realize, they’re even better experiences when they’re shared with our loved ones. Whether you’re planning a family reunion, milestone birthday, bachelorette party or work off-site, we’ve done the homework for you with this list of our favorite hotels on Maui’s west side for group getaways.
Feature Photo: Sheraton Maui Facebook
TIP: Don’t waste your day! Since most hotels have check-in until 4pm, be sure to ask for an early check-in.
OUTRIGGER Ka'anapali Beach Resort
Next door to the Sheraton Maui and thus close to the underwater attractions of Pu‘u Keka‘a (Black Rock), the moderately priced OUTRIGGER Ka‘anapali Beach Resort has long had a reputation as the state’s most Hawaiian hotel. The staff not only embrace the Hawaiian cultural value of hospitality, but also made many of the heirloom-quality artifacts in its public spaces and 432 guest rooms.
In early 2021 the hotel debuted the first phase of a $75 million renovation, including upgraded room decor, new native plant gardens and a beachfront restaurant and Hawaiian voyaging academy, celebrating the achievements of the celestial navigators and outrigger sailing canoe crew members who first discovered these islands.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The 11-acre grounds, connecting guest rooms and 3-mile beach offer plenty of room for groups to spread out.
- Take advantage of the local expertise of Hale Huaka‘i, the hotel’s water activities hub, and learn the traditions of outrigger canoeing or the finer points of snorkeling from a friendly, safety- and sustainability-oriented team.
Napili Kai Beach Resort
The usually calm waters of reef-protected Napili Bay and its wide crescent of soft sand make Napili Kai Beach Resort an alluring choice for all travelers, with lodgings appropriate for groups of all sizes. The beachfront resort’s 163 accommodations include hotel rooms, studios and one- and two-bedroom suites, most with kitchen facilities, spread across 11 low-rise plantation-style buildings.
Swimming pools tend to be on the small side, but there are plenty to choose from and the beach is only steps away. Unusual in not charging in resort fees, Napili Kai also hosts a weekly slack key guitar concert, putting greens, barbecue facilities, fitness center and intimate day spa; golfers and tennis players can head across the street to the championship facilities on the Kapalua Resort.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Stand-up paddling and snorkeling in Napili Bay are first-rate, as are dining and views at the Sea House Restaurant, tucked on one end of the beach; the Kapalua Bay Trail begins nearby.
- Pick up complimentary beach gear at the poolside snack bar.
The Penthouse Maui
This luxurious 2,824-square-foot vacation rental sits directly above the golden sand and shimmering surf in the heart of sunny Kihei, Hawaii. With five bedrooms, plus wide-open common spaces and an expansive lanai, there’s plenty of room for the whole family to spread out and get comfortable. In addition to sitting right on the beach in Kihei — Maui’s most popular area for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and paddle boarding — The Penthouse Maui’s central location offers easy access to a variety of island experiences, and several popular restaurants and shops are just a short walk away. Whether you’re celebrating with family, vacationing with friends, or simply seeking a peaceful and private alternative to a high-end hotel, The Penthouse Maui is an ideal home base for your Hawaiian getaway.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Penthouse is Spacious. With 5 bedrooms and 2,824 square feet, there’s plenty of room to spread out.
A gated entrance and personal concierge means this isn’t your typical Hawaii hotel.
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
The first hotel to open on 3-mile Ka‘anapali Beach, back in 1963, Sheraton Maui claimed pride of place with a 23-acre beachfront compound that includes Pu ‘u Keka ‘a, a.k.a. Black Rock, the region’s premiere snorkeling spot and site of a nightly cliff diving ceremony. The hotel has grown to 508 rooms over the years, with 83 percent offering an ocean view. The lobby’s Sand Bar offers terrific views of sunset and the island of Lanai, with an ocean-themed game room below for kids.
A leader in eco-friendly initiatives, the resort also includes an oceanfront lagoon pool with waterslide, three tennis courts, a vast fitness center and spa, which incorporates soothing seaweed and deep ocean mud into various treatments. A boardwalk leads to the shops and restaurants of Whalers Village.
HIGHLIGHTS
- In calm conditions, snorkeling or paddling around Pu‘u Keka‘a can provide an amazing window into Maui’s marine life, from brilliantly colored reef fish to the occasional spotted eagle ray or even a rare Hawaiian monk seal; just leave the cliff diving to the experts.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
This 15-acre, LEED-certified (environmentally friendly) beachfront property made Travel + Leisure magazine’s “It List” when it opened in 2013 and has maintained its chic, modern appeal ever since. In the Hyatt family of hotels, the Andaz offers luxurious guest rooms, suites and residential villas, along with cascading infinity pools, a 14,000-square-foot, full-service spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests can also enjoy two highly acclaimed full-service restaurants, i an on-site water activity center, access to championship golf and tennis facilities and Maui experiential tours.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The three-level terrace of infinity-edge pools, ending at a fourth, lagoon-style pool just above above Mokapu Beach, offers plenty of room to spread out, with a separate “tranquility” pool for guests 18 and over on the other side of the main tower.
- Dinner at Morimoto Maui and Ka‘ana Kitchen are equally memorable.
Westin Maui Resort & Spa
Fresh from a $120 million renovation that wrapped up in late 2020, this 12-acre resort in Ka‘anaapali has embraced its Hawaiian heritage with a redesigned luxury tower, upgraded complex of six swimming pools, a new wellness spa and four new dining outlets showcasing local culture and agriculture. The 217-room Hokupa‘a Tower offers an elegant hotel-within-a-hotel with ocean-themed decor and exclusive access to the second-floor, ocean-view Lanai lounge, offering Hawaiian breakfast bites, infinity-edge “cocktail pools” and cultural activities. Parents will appreciate that the well-designed Kids Club offers day and night programs for ages 5 to 12.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Kids will enjoy the new interactive Keiki Splash Zone with spray jets, mini water slide, waterfall and kids pool, while older children and adults can zoom down the newly enhanced 270-foot water slide.
Four Seasons Resort Maui
The first full-service Four Seasons resort when it opened in 1990 towers above Wailea Beach, one of the best strands of sand in South Maui. The 383 recently renovated rooms on the 15-acre compound include 76 lavish suites with koa wood furnishings and contemporary Hawaiian motifs; you’ll pass lush gardens and fountain courtyards on the way down to the beautiful beach. Everything is top-notch, from the two pools (including the adults-only Serenity Pool), three restaurants, spa and fitness center to the nightly hula in the lobby lounge and a world-class art collection. There’s also no daily resort fee to drive up your bill, but plenty of complimentary amenities, including activities for kids, families and couples.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Lounge by the pools or on the beach and enjoy views of the uninhabited island of Kaho‘olawe and Molokini crater; staff will offer reef-safe sunscreen and bring you chilled treats throughout the day.
- You can also book a luxurious cabana for greater privacy and pampering.
Fairmont Kea Lani
Perched above secluded Polo Beach at Wailea’s southern end, the all-suite Fairmont Kea Lani embodies the genuine spirit of aloha and offers exceptional cultural, spa and dining experiences in a truly spectacular setting. Closest to the beach, two- and three-bedroom villas offer prime accomodations for families, including a private furnished courtyard with plunge pool and barbecue grill. At the top of the hillside site, roomy suites (starting at 800 square feet) can also accommodate up to four and include a mini-kitchen in the foyer and large lanai. Don’t miss the complimentary outrigger canoe ride or dinner at Ko restaurant (drawing from the island’s multi-ethnic plantation heritage.)
HIGHLIGHTS
- The complimentary Keiki Lani Kids Club provides ages 5 to 12 engaging cultural, educational and recreational activities.
- Koi feeding, ocean play and pool time are also popular with little ones here.
Inn at Mama's Fish House
A hidden sandy cove between Ho‘okipa Beach and Pa‘ia on Maui’s North Shore is home not only to the legendary seafood restaurant Mama’s Fish House but also a small cluster of cottages and suites managed by the same family. Both feature Polynesian-inspired decor, lavish flowers and warm hospitality. The deluxe two-bedroom beach cottage and one-bedroom beachfront suite boast the best views, but all of the handful of rooms (some adult-only) include high-end furnishings, gourmet kitchens and works by local artists.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The boutiques and restaurants of Paia are within walking distance, while you’re also in prime spot to start an early morning road trip to heavenly Hana.
Did we miss your favorite hotel?
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