<p>It looks like we will be going to Maui, and maybe another island, next February. We’ve been a couple of times, but only in the summer. We would likely stay ocean front, but we don’t want to pay a fortune. Anyone know of good deals or unknown gem kinds of places to stay? It’s just my husband and me… It’s our empty nest “celebration.” We want a place with a kitchen also.</p>
<p>What is your definition of “fortune”? 
You will need to buy your tickets ASAP if you plan to travel around Presidents’ Day, because many schools on the West coast have their midwinter breaks.</p>
<p>The best place to stay on Maui is Honua Kai which is located north of Kaanapali. It is a new condo complex - NOT a timeshare. You can probably find something on VRBO. My friends also liked the place in Wailea with a semi-private beach. I will ask what the name of that condo was and let you know. </p>
<p>Thanks. I am using airline points, and I already got the flight there. I can’t book return until 330 (or some number close to that) days out.
5 of us stayed ocean front in the southernmost part of kihei for 250 a night last time we were there. To stay in the 1 bedroom part of the same place (it can be a hotel unit and a 1 br or a two br, which we had in the summer) will cost us 385 per night. I’m hoping for less than that. I have considered doing a timeshare deal, where you save money by spending 90 minutes in a sales pitch, but I haven’t decided yet. </p>
<p>Try Maalaea Surf- have stayed there three times- very reasonable condos in North Kihei!! On the ocean!!</p>
<p>Wailea and VRBO. The traffic going back and forth to Kaanapali is a pain. Try Wailea Ekahi Village. Very nice complex!</p>
<p>The Hale Mahina in Honokawai. Beach front, steps to the beach, largely owner occupied ( read quiet, not at all touristy, yet 10 minutes from touristy stuff, like Lahaina.) Loved swimming with the turtles that frequent the beach in front of the complex. My profile pic was taken while snorkeling on our beach in Aug 2013. Good luck!</p>
<p>I will second the Honua Kai - lovely place! We rented through VRBO but you could go through the resort, too.</p>
<p>One Honua Kai tip: all of their studios face the ocean and come with full size kitchen and washer and dryer. </p>
<p>haha 1214mom, I just read about that timeshare sales presentation thing in a Hawaii guidebook! Interesting business tool.
We’re doing a similar empty nest trip too!</p>
<p>Hanaviolet, what did the Hawaii guidebook say? Are you going to Maui?
Thanks all for the recommendations. Honua Kai has been recommended by others also.
I’m not a fan of North Kihei, but really like S. kihei and Wailea. We want to try up by Kaanapali again, or maybe Lahaina. But we may try another island instead. We liked Kauaiwhen we went with our kids, but are thinking we may go there and do more hiking. Or we may visit the big island. But we will definitely be in Maui for at least a week.</p>
<p>Best hotels in Maui:</p>
<p>Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea</p>
<p>The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua</p>
<p>Best “hidden gem” resort in Maui:</p>
<p>Travaasa Hana</p>
<p>is anyone familiar with Lahaina Shores? It’s sort of centrally located and it’s ocean front. You can walk to the town from there, so it seems pretty good. The places we stayed in South kihei are the Mana Kai and Hale Hui Kai, and we liked them both. We stayed at the Embassy Suites near Kaanapali, but when we were there it was so windy on the beach it was basically unusable. </p>
<p>I second Ekahi Village condos down at the Wailea end of the island. The weather will be better in the south at that time of year.</p>