Luxurious Maui hotels
Classic hotels are being renovated and spruced up across the Hawaiian islands. Here are two options for Maui visitors, one a retro classic and the other a luxury retreat.
Honua Kai Resort & Spa, Lahaina
This expansive property sits on 38 beautiful, beachfront acres of Kaanapali’s North Beach, about 50 minutes from Kahului Airport. Together, the resort’s two buildings include 600 studios and suites, some with two or three bedrooms, all designed with open floor plans and contemporary Hawaiian decor. There’s a full-service concierge and two restaurants, Duke’s Beach House and Aina Gourmet Market Cafe, as well. We found Aina particularly useful, with its lineup of breakfast sandwiches, to-go treats and fresh coffee, made with beans grown within a few miles of the resort.
Zzz’s: Our studio had a plush kingsized bed with fine linens and several pillows, which we melted into after long, sunny days spent whale-watching and exploring. The room included a nicely stocked kitchen with granite countertops, a washer and dryer, and a generous lanai for enjoying that morning coffee.
Splashes: Updated bathrooms have granite countertops, a spacious walk-in shower, deep tub and Olive Branch Botanicals bath products. Outdoors, you’ll find recently renovated heated pools, which include a water playground for families, a luxury (and very quiet) infinity pool and a lazy river pool plus five hot tubs, a water slide and hidden caves and
waterfalls at every turn.
DETAILS » Rooms start at $310 per night plus taxes, resort fee. 130 Kai Malina Parkway, Lahaina; www.honuakai.com.
Aston at The Whaler, Kaanapali Beach
Hello, convenience. Located in the heart of Kaanapali Beach, Aston at The Whaler sits directly across from championship golf courses and adjacent to Whalers Village, with its shops and beachfront restaurants. And downtown
Lahaina is 3 miles south.
The resort recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation to its lobby and streamlined its check-in process with the use of iPads. The luxury hotel’s two 12-story towers offer 360 condominium-style suites and studios, with decor that exudes a vintage 1970s island vibe. The property has just one swimming pool, which can get a bit crowded, but the property’s lush gardens and koi ponds provide extra respite and the beach is a few steps away.
Zzzs: Our studio included a super-cozy king bed, perfectly situated to enjoy the
views of our private garden lanai, plus a kitchen, sofa bed and large flat-screen TV.
Splashes: Bathrooms here have the basics — shower, tub, small vanity with sink and mirror — but no bling.
Extras: Complimentary gift for children upon check-in and fresh pineapple in room upon arrival. Both nice touches. Also: The Whaler offers grocery order and delivery through Island Grocery Service.
DETAILS » Rooms start at $235. 2481 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina; www. whalerkaanapali.com