<p>We’re headed to Hawaii in December for the UH-Manoa graduation, and after a week on Oahu we’re looking to spend a week on Maui. I have spent countless hours on Tripadvisor, VRBO, Expedia, etc. and am no closer to finding a place. We were thinking of the Kaanapali/Lahaina area, but we’ve heard that we might be better off weather-wise in Wailea in December, so we are considering both areas.</p>
<p>The holidays are proving a very popular time in Maui and many places are either already booked or have 14 night minimums. In the Wailea area, the only available condos we’ve found are in Grand Champions unless we want to go to Kihei. The Kaanapali/Lahaina area has more choices, but nothing for 5 in the Whaler or Kaanapali Ali’i. Some that we have seen are the Mahana, Kaanapali Beach Club, Lahaina Shores, Kaanapali Shores and the Kaanapali Royal. We could also do 2 rooms at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.</p>
<p>Today H suggested maybe we should just scrap Maui and hit the big island instead. Please help before my head explodes. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.</p>
<p>We stayed at the Mahana last October and loved the location and weather, etc… It was a condo with a full kitchen and it (and every other condo in the complex) faces the beach and looks out at the ocean about 30 feet away. There were times while eating a meal at the small dining room table when it seemed we were on a cruise, that’s how close the water is. We enjoyed miles of walking, lots of swimming/snorkeling and it’s a short drive to other really great snorkeling sights.</p>
<p>I think December is an even better time to go weather-wise, but also much more crowded and probably more expensive. It could be really tough to find a condo for five. We had three in our one-bedroom (with D on the sofa bed in the living room) and we could have squeezed in four, but five would have required a two-bedroom.</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend the Mahana if you can find what you need for 5 people.</p>
<p>Have you tried [South</a> Maui Condos Owner Direct Rentals: Wailea, Kihei, Makena & Maalea Vacation Condo Rental Network 3300 Wailea Alanui 11E, Wailea, Maui, HI 96753](<a href=“http://www.mauiownercondos.com%5DSouth”>http://www.mauiownercondos.com) ? This is a website where you can rent directly from condo owners in the Wailea/Kihei area. Because they are individually owned, the condos’ amenities and decor vary, but you can look at photos on the linked individual websites. It looks like there is some availability for some December dates – click on the Group Availability Calender, then click on “find condos” and select December 2008. If there’s anything that works for your dates, click the name/unit of the condo to go to its website. We have stayed at Ekahi Village in Wailea several times and loved the lush landscaping, the beautiful beach, the quiet and the walking access to the rest of Wailea. The only weird thing is that Ekahi has this huge lush lawn and you’re not allowed to play on it (to keep things tranquil, I guess). Otherwise, Ekahi is very family friendly. The upper units (away from the beach) might be a five to seven minute walk to the beach, but some of them have especially nice views. All the units have lanais. Kihei is busier and has less of a resort feel, but the beaches are still nice and you could walk to town for dinner, or you could drive a few blocks (literally) and go to the Wailea beaches. There’s one condo, a high rise on the beach, that shares the beach with Ekahi. It’s the Mana Kai, a highrise right on the beach. It looks like one unit (?) is available through mauiownercondos.com . To find others, google Mana Kai Condo Kihei for individual links. The link for #215 comes up near the top of my page. It has a webcam that shows the current view of the ocean from the balcony. Good luck! I’m jealous.</p>
<p>We’ve been to Maui twice, and both times we stayed at the Maui Banyan in Kihei. The Maui Banyan definitely doesn’t have that lush, tropical resort feel, but the condos are nice and the complex is directly across the street from a small, sandy beach with great snorkeling.</p>
<p>If you’re not planning to spend a lot of time in your condo, then the Maui Banyan makes a great base. The prices are extremely reasonable.</p>
<p>Parents honeymooned at Napili Surf (spelling may not be perfect) on Maui back in the day–said it was a charming and somewhat inexpensive place that seemed like it may be off the beaten path. If it’s still around it could be a good option for you guys. Good luck!</p>
<p>I was at Wailea a few spring breaks ago–I believe the hotel where we stayed is currently under construction, but there were many resorts within walking distance from each other. The Grand Wailea was fabulous!</p>
<p>Oh, if you’ve got a week–go to the Big Island! I’ve been going there for years (since '92), sometimes several times a year, and I’m not bored yet. And in December the prices are probably about 25% less than in Maui.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info. I’m so glad to hear momof2inca had a great time at the Mahana as that is one that has a 2 bedroom available for our dates. We are finding that many of the rentals have a 14 day minimum at Xmas. I’m surprised that that many people want to stay in one spot for 2 weeks when there is so much to see on the different islands. I had wanted the Ekahi, but can’t find a unit available. Ditto with all the big hotels. I guess we should have booked much earlier but we weren’t sure he was going to be able to graduate in December until he was able to squeeze in the right combo of required classes this summer and fall. At least this saves us having 2 graduate 36 hours and 6000 miles apart next May!</p>
<p>I will definitely check out all the suggestions. Thanks. Has anyone stayed at Wailea Grand Champions? And does one area (Kaanapali or Wailea) have a big advantage over the other for a family with 3 boys 23, 21 and 19?</p>
<p>We had a great time in Kaanapali last year. One thing to remember about all that area is that there is just one, mostly two-lane, crowded road between there and the bigger half of the island so if it closes (accidents, grass fires, etc) you are stuck. Grass fires closed it 2 days during our trip, including the day some of the relatives were supposed to leave. (Yes, there is a high-thrill road around the other way, but the highway patrol closed that as a safety measure while the highway was closed)</p>
<p>While I like the more quiet and lush feel of Wailea, 18 year old D prefers Kaanapali, as do most of the teens we know who have vacationed on Maui. It seems that there’s more going on for teens (like congregating on the beaches) and young adults in Kaanapali – and more sheer numbers. At Wailea you see mostly adults and families with younger children. If it makes you feel any better to not be able to find a rental there, Ekahi has very few teens/young adults. Many retirees live at Ekahi and the renters tend to be couples or families with little ones. The last two times we went to Maui, D spent a chunk of the vacation up in Kaanapali.</p>
<p>I would second the vote for Kaanapali for teenagers. We have stayed several times at Kahana Village condos just north of Kaanapali about 5 minutes. Nice condos, well run, but no actual beach there.</p>
<p>Maui west side (as opposed to Kihei/Wailea)</p>
<p>Mahina Surf is a 2 story complex surrounding a garden and pool, located right on shore (rocky shore) between Napili and Kaanapali. (just down from Kahana)The upper floors have 2 story units with a loft, 2 bedrroms/2 bathrooms, fully eqipped kitchen, and lanai. All lanais have view of ocean. If you are interested, ask for a renovated unit with loft, and if available one of the corner units by the water.
I’ve stayed here many times. Rates are reasonable. Private owners but managed for short term (or long term stays) by in house manager.</p>
<p>Other options in Napili area (further west towards Kapalua area:</p>
<p>Napili Surf, right on the beach (Napili Beach is lovely, great swimming and snorkeling) stayed here too and loved it, very relaxed.
[Napili</a> Surf Beach Resort - Full Service Oceanfront Condos on Maui, on the Beach in Napili](<a href=“http://www.napilisurf.com/]Napili”>http://www.napilisurf.com/)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I found the perfect place yesterday in Kaanapali Shores. We exchanged several emails with the owners and were to fax the signed contract this morning…just recevied an email saying he received a deposit from an earlier inquiry and the dates overlap ours, sorry. AAAARRRGH…back to the drawing board.</p>