Hawaii seems to have made its way from the darling of American vacations to somewhat of an “under the radar” destination. While plenty of people make Maui their go-to destination spot, for a lot of millennials – myself included, we think of Hawaii as a luxury destination that’s a little out of price range for a beach vacation and add it to our someday #bucketlist.
Maui has been on my list since I moved to the West Coast 7 years ago, and let me tell you, it far exceeded all of my expectations. The resorts are a different level of luxury offering everything you could ever dream of. If luxury isn’t quite what you’re going for, there are plenty of cost-friendly options that won’t break the bank. Beyond the resorts and mai tais, there is a landscape that doesn’t go unnoticed. Driving through Maui, it feels similar to a national park; untouched and breathtaking. The Polynesian culture is prevalent, and the island warmly welcomes you and makes you feel like you’ve escaped to another country. Maui is the perfect place to reset, recharge and experience a truly unique vacation.
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Where to Stay: Kaanapali
Westin Maui in Kaanapali: we started our trip at The Westin, where you immediately feel welcomed and tranquil. They are currently completing over $100m in renovations that should be completed in October 2019. Everything from the property to the rooms is stunning. Our room overlooked the ocean, which made for a perfect sunset view. We loved being able to see Molokai and Lanai from our balcony. Kaanapali feels similar to a resort, and all the amenities you could ever need are right there. We were right next to Whalers Village, a mall with a bunch of shops and restaurants, so that was super convenient. Also, Black Rock, a lava outcrop, is about half a mile down the beach and has some really great snorkeling. Read more about the Westin Maui here.
Where to Stay: Wailea
Andaz in Wailea: the Andaz is a different level of luxury. As soon as you walk into the lobby, you get the feeling that you’ve made it to some sort of paradise. They have some of the most incredible, onsite restaurants, and 3 infinity pools. They also have lots of free activities every day, which we made sure to utilize. Sunrise yoga and free bike rentals for the win! Read more about the Andaz Wailea here.
Airbnb: if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option and/or a more ‘local’ experience. I would definitely recommend looking at Airbnb’s near Wailea and Lahaina. These are two towns on Maui that seem to have it all, from fantastic public beaches to great local cuisine. If you’re new to Airbnb use this link to get $55 off your next booking.
Where to Eat in Maui
MonkeyPod: this is the first place we ate as soon as we got to the island. The first thing you hear about is their Mai Tai. I’m not much of a fruity/sweet cocktail type of person, but this Mai Tai was damn good. It’s been rated the best on the island for years. They’re also pretty strong. After drinking 2, we headed straight for the beach and went into full vacay mode to watch the sunset. Ps. they do a great happy hour from 3pm-6pm.
Island Vintage Coffee: located in Whalers Village. CJ and I were both huge fans of this place. They have incredible coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and some yummy acai bowls.
Star Noodle: this place came highly recommended by a few friends so we had to check it out. We weren’t super hungry so only tried the ramen here, but I’d recommend going hungry so you can enjoy all the things – I’ve heard the garlic noodles are BOMB!
Fish Market Maui: CJ checked this place out and was a huge fan. This place has a cheap, delicious and a very authentic version of poke. You order each ingredient/piece of fish individually by the pound.
Maui Brewing Co: I ended up visiting this spot 3 different times because it’s THAT good. I’m not a huge beer person, but Maui Brewing makes me want to be. Their food is also delicious.
Mill House: this is probably one of my favorite places we visited. It’s a full culinary experience, with craft drinks, and an innovative approach to food which honors Japanse, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese cultures. All while overlooking the Waikapū Valley.
Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread – so, I love banana bread. Plain and simple. I had no idea Banana bread was a thing on Maui. That was a really nice surprise. I *almost* wish you weren’t reading this so you too could also share in this nice surprise. Since you are reading this, you should go ahead and stop at Aunty Sandy’s. It’s on the road to Hana, next to some really nice landscape, and is the best banana bread on the island.
Ululani’s Shaved Ice – Hawaii takes shaved ice very seriously. This isn’t your standard crushed Ice with flavored syrup poured all over. It’s delicately shaved ice over ice cream with all sorts of toppings like mochi and sweetened condensed milk mixture (snow cap). It’s borderline life-changing. There are a few locations around the island so just search for one near you.
Things to do in Maui
Tour Maui Brewing: the Brewery tour + tasting at Maui Brewing is super informative and an all-around good time. They give you a variety of beers to taste at the end, and they aren’t stingy on the pours so you’re guaranteed to leave feeling a little loose.
The Road to Hana: there are entire blogs written about the road to Hana, and we’ll post our version soon. A few things here: one – make sure you block an entire day to do this, it really lives up to the hype. Two – CJ went with a tour group Aloha Echo Adventures that he absolutely loved. Highly recommend for your first time or if you’re solo.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: there are so many great spots to snorkel and scuba around Maui. We had awesome places to snorkel right next to both the Andaz and the Westin. There are also boats that come up to the beach all day long that offer tours.
Tour Maui Tropical Plantation: Maui Tropical Plantation is a great place to spend the day. Located near The Mill, there are restaurants, coffee spots, gift shops and it’s a pretty informative tour. I’m not sure how I lived without the knowledge of how to grow and harvest coconuts or that pineapples grow in the ground!
Haleakala Crater and National Park: Haleakala National park covers the summit area of the volcano that makes up 75% of Maui. The volcano is dormant and hasn’t erupted since the 1500s but the views are still alive and well. Many people go up to watch the sunrise/sunset at the crater. I’ve heard sunset is best as you can’t always guarantee sunrise will peak through the fog. There are also tours that will take you up with a bike and let your ride all the way down the mountain. We, unfortunately, we didn’t make it here during this trip but its top of the list for the next time we’re in Maui!
O’o Farm: Seed to Cup Gourment Breakfast Tour: I love food and I love learning where it comes from. If you’re a fan I would highly recommend checking out O’o farm. We arrived around 8 am to explore the grounds and have a morning coffee. They host an incredible breakfast and lunch with fresh, local ingredients.
Surfing and Bodyboarding: the waves in Hawaii are next level, they can go from a slow roll to crashing in a matter of seconds. For this reason, Surfing and bodyboarding are amazing sports to take part in while you’re there.
Iao Valley Hike – for those who want to hike but don’t necessarily want a full-day adventure to Haleakala, this hike is perfect. It’s less than a mile round trip, and it’s mostly paved. It takes you into the mountain to a lookout of one of Maui’s highest peaks. These peaks helped form the most fertile lands in Maui, and there are some plaques along the hike that will give you some great factoids about the history.
Dynamite Donut: after your morning hike at Iao Valley be sure to swing by Dynamite Donut for a morning treat. Madame Donut can sell out pretty early and it’s definitely a spot you don’t want to miss. She uses over 27 different types of brioche and makes some of the most unique and delicious flavors I’ve ever tried – some of my favorites are lilikoi, goat cheese, and the sticky bun.
Old Lahaina and Banyan Tree: after staying in Kaanapali for a few days, I was itching for more of a local vibe, with some good local restaurants. Lahaina is about 5 minutes down the road and gave me exactly what I needed. It’s home to cute little shops and restaurants, and a banyan tree the size of a city block. It’s something to see.
Stop by a Fruit Stand: Hawaii is a tropical island, and its climate is perfect for growing juicy, delicious fruit. Don’t miss this opportunity to pick up some cheap local Starfruit, Papayas, Mangos, Coconuts, Lilikoi, and more. There are plenty of stands on the side of the road you can stop by. Our favorites were the ones near the Tropical Plantation, and the one next to the Ululani’s at Sugar Beach.
Thanks for reading! xx
Leave a comment and let me know if there are any essential spots I missed in this post!
Maui Packing List:
