Aulani goers, any recommendations for Maui?

[FrancisK7]

I'm planning to rent a grand villa in Aulani for 5 or 6 nights in 2027 for a family celebration. Since we are flying from the east coast we'd like to stay longer than a week and visit Maui for 4 or 5 nights as well.

We'll be 5 adults and 4 children.

Any experienced Hawaii vacationers have recommendations for 9 people on Maui? I'm open to both Airbnb or hotel accommodations.

 

[MICKIMINI]

We just decided to take the NCL inter-island cruise next year. I was also wondering what to do at Maui so I'm watching! We plan to stay 2 nights at Aulani prior to the cruise and 3-4 nights after. DH's brother and his wife live on Kuai so we will enjoy 2 days with them at port and then they will hop to Honolulu to join us at Aulani post cruise. Can't wait!

 

[davidhr]

We used points for the Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea and it was lovely. It was recently renovated and the location is amazing. You might even get a good deal purchasing points at $0.5 p/p with the regular deals Hilton has for points. If you book 4 nights on points you get the 5th night free.

We’re definitely going back.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I'm planning to rent a grand villa in Aulani for 5 or 6 nights in 2027 for a family celebration. Since we are flying from the east coast we'd like to stay longer than a week and visit Maui for 4 or 5 nights as well.

We'll be 5 adults and 4 children.

Any experienced Hawaii vacationers have recommendations for 9 people on Maui? I'm open to both Airbnb or hotel accommodations.

You should start your day at Zippy’s if you can for breakfast, no matter what your accommodation. Well known restaurant thats largely in HI (although there is a location in NV) with tons of local breakfast staples.

 

[stormer]

We stayed at Honda Kai. We rented a 3 bedroom/3 bathroom unit with a giant kitchen. It was amazing.

 

[Ashlotte]

How fancy do you want it to be? We stayed for a week at the Westin Nanea in Kaanapali (exchanged our other timeshare) and we loved it. It wasn't Disney level fancy, but it was also a lot less busy and was overall a wonderful stay. We had a two bedroom condo.

 

[Brian Noble]

Not an Aulani goer, but a Hawaii goer. I've only been to Maui once, though, so YMMV, grain of salt, etc. etc. etc.

West Maui is still in recovery mode from the Lahaina fires, and most of the former residents are still displaced. The area needs tourism, but it's more important than ever to visit with care. For example, if I were headed to Maui, and especially the West, I'd look for a hotel or timesahre resort rather than a short-term AirBnB rental. I might even consider staying in the South Maui area--Kihei or Wailea---rather than Lahaina or Ka'anpali in the west.