<p>I’m trying to decide between a long list of choices for lodging in either the Kihei area or Lahaina/Napili area. There are quite a few units within our budget, but I’m having trouble figuring out which beach area will be best in December. We’re hoping to do a lot of snorkeling–so West Maui looks like it might be best for that. But some comments suggest that swimming is not so great in West Maui in the winter. Is that right? Would we be better off in Kihei area for swimming? Any beaches where we could do both comfortably?</p>
<p>Wailea Beach is my favorite. There are many nice resorts to stay at in that area. We renewed our vows there 12/13/12 on the beach in front of the Four Season. We honeymooned there way back when…</p>
<p>Thanks. Unfortunately everything I can find in that area is over our budget. It looks beautiful there though!</p>
<p>I chose the Sheraton for the Black Rock and swimming. Others have been there many times and will add their wise knowledge.</p>
<p>Kihei will have better weather.</p>
<p>^Dstark–that’s what I’ve figured out this afternoon. But I DETEST the idea of walking across a street to get to the water and almost everything in Kihei appears to be “behind” the road. </p>
<p>bookworm…i’ll check out the Sheraton. Thanks</p>
<p>Yeah…scubasue, that is the downside…</p>
<p>Honua Kai. The best vacation rental place on Maui.</p>
<p>I hope teriwtt will post her recommendations - her entire family vacationed in Maui in December a few years ago.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner…that place looks incredible.</p>
<p>However…scubasue does not have to stay at a place like that to have a great time.</p>
<p>I have never stayed here…but this place is more reasonable in price…</p>
<p>And it is on the beach…</p>
<p>[Kihei</a> Beach Resort - About South Maui](<a href=“http://kiheibeachresorts.com/aboutmaui.html]Kihei”>http://kiheibeachresorts.com/aboutmaui.html)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60632-d252914-Reviews-Kihei_Beach-Kihei_Maui_Hawaii.html[/url]”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60632-d252914-Reviews-Kihei_Beach-Kihei_Maui_Hawaii.html</a></p>
<p>Wow…thanks for the help. dstark, have you ever stayed in that North Kihei area? Everything I’ve read says to avoid the Maalaea Bay area because the swimming and snorkeling there is horrible. But, I keep seeing these great places to stay there–all very reasonably priced. </p>
<p>Bunsen…that place does look great. I’ve bookmarked it for a time when we aren’t paying two tuitions and when my DH and I are on a couple trip. </p>
<p>I’m looking at three different 2 bedroom places, all under $250/night (which now I understand is reasonable for Maui) all beachfront and all in small complexes (50ish units–more my style than a large resort). But they are all in Lahaina area. </p>
<p>Having said that, I just looked at some weather data and what I found in 2 different places says it rains a 1/2 inch more in December in Lahaina than in Kihei. Do you think that’s true? Do you think it’ll be noticely clousider, windier or rainier? </p>
<p>I keep coming back to that area–not just because of the places I found but also because we’ll be doing a LOT of snorkeling and some diving and it looks like both of those are better on that end of the island.</p>
<p>The Mahana is our favorite December destination. It is just feet from the beach, so you can hear the waves if you leave the lanai doors open. There are restaurants within walking distance (for example, Duke’s is the next complex over) or you can use the condo kitchen or outdoor grills. Paradise.</p>
<p>We stayed in a condo in Kihei on two different occasions. The unit was nice and serviceable, but it’s definitely not luxurious like the resorts of Wailea or western Maui. The beach was directly across the street from our unit (the water’s edge is just a few steps from the road) and the snorkeling is great there. When we wanted something different, we drove to the public beach area in Wailea for snorkeling or Big Beach for waves.</p>
<p>If you decide to stay in Kihei, be sure to choose a condo that’s directly across the street from the beach. Some of the complexes aren’t as beach accessible as others.</p>
<p>IMHO, Kihei is the place to stay in Maui if you’re on a budget. Otherwise, I’d choose Wailea over Lahaina or Kaanapali because afternoon tradewinds can be strong on the western side of the island.</p>
<p>I have never stayed there. I would get other opinions. </p>
<p>I agree that Kihei is not as luxurious as other places.</p>
<p>I would choose Kihei over Lahaina. Is there anything available at the Mana Kai in your budget? I haven’t stayed there but it’s on the same beach as the north end of Wailea. We’ve stayed at Ekahi condos but I’m guessing availability and cost would rule Ekahi out.</p>
<p>Honua Kai can be rented via VRBO. My hairstylist did it for under $200/1 bedroom garden view. We usually get a partial ocean view studio - this is an almost guarantee that we get nice view of the water, because all studios in those 2 towers face the ocean and are located on floors 4 and higher. 
In the off season, these condos go for $200-$250/night even via the hotel. </p>
<p>As someone said, Mahana is next to Honua Kai, and there is an older condo complex on the other side of Mahana… I forgot what it is called, but a coworker owns a 2-week timeshare there and actually uses it every year!</p>
<p>Maalaea would be extremely rough. Kihei is nice–it’s Hawaii and plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. December will have some whale watching perhaps. Kikei
over lahaina for sure. I agree if you can’t stay in wailea then I would go to kihei. They are not that far apart. All the boats for ocean tours leave just 20 minutes from there. It is not so ritzy but it is still very nice. Beaches are public you can walk on any beach and for my family even though we stated in wailea we went to moose’s for burgers in kihei and did some shopping there.</p>
<p>Kihei is very close to Wailea, so you can get a lot of the benefits of being in Wailea for a much lower price in Kihei. You also get much more of a native feel, which can be a plus since the inhabitants are generally really nice people.</p>
<p>Agree that many of us stay in Kihei and drive the 15 or less minutes to Wailea, to save on lodging. There are many reasonably priced lodging options in Kihei, which is where I’ve stayed over Lahaina or Wailea.</p>
<p>Just remembered the name of the place we stayed in Kihei: Maui Banyan. It’s a typical low-rise condo complex that’s directly across the road from Kamaole II beach, which has great swimming and snorkeling. Although many of the rooms at Maui Banyan are dated, you can request a deluxe condo that’s been refurbished. The condo we rented for both our trips was spacious, clean, well-equipped, and affordable. </p>
<p>It’s an easy walk from Maui Banyan to restaurants and shops. If you don’t plan on spending lots of time in your room, it’s a great place to stay.</p>
<p>This is the nice not so pricey condo place just north of Honua Kai and Mahana tower that I was talking about:</p>
<p>[Special</a> Offers at the Aston at Papakea Resort Hawaii](<a href=“Maui Condos and Resorts | Aston at Papakea Resort | Aqua-Aston Hotels”>Lahaina, Maui Resort Deals & Offers | Aston at Papakea Resort)</p>