Outside of the name recognition of Waikiki, it’s Maui that’s arguably the best known — and most beloved — island in America’s tropical paradise.
There are soft, picture-perfect beaches, absurdly clear waters populated with kaleidoscopic marine life, remarkable windsurfing and otherworldly waterfall hikes. Also, of course, the best time to visit Hawaii is during whale season, from November to May.
From many of Maui’s resorts, it’s hard to miss the thousands of humpback whales (called kohola in the Hawaiian language) breaching and spouting offshore. Take out a boat, and you might even see them nursing their new calves. Maui’s sunsets and sunrises are also beyond epic and best savored oceanside with a tropical cocktail in hand.
From Wailea to Kapalua and beyond, the variety of resorts on Maui — including some excellent points options — make it a special place for every occasion.
Here are TPG’s 17 favorite resorts on Maui.
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Not every vacation has the power to be transformative, but escapes to this serene Kapalua Bay resort most definitely can be. The vibe is all about slowing down to appreciate the pace dictated by the sun and moon — but amid the most incredible luxury one could imagine.
The spa is a great place to start. It’s the ultimate place to unwind with a treatment that incorporates herbs grown on property or that harnesses artisan-crafted CBD for extra healing.
For more adventurous types, this west Maui location is perfect for trying surfing, parasailing and fishing. Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, which comprises coastal hikes and tide pool exploration as well as naturalist-guided snorkeling trips, connects younger guests with this singular landscape.
Four hundred and sixty six recently refreshed guest rooms and suites in a soothing tropical palette are appointed with local artworks, deep soaking tubs and new Ritz-Carlton signature mattresses. Wintertime guests might even spot a whale from their lanai.
Related: TPG readers reveal their favorite points hotels in Hawaii
Fitting of a luxurious resort, there’s a fun array of dining experiences, in addition to a recently added Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge serving Maui’s best bites and sips. The sustainable organic garden fuels the resort’s kitchens and roots all meals in their tropical location. The Banyan Tree restaurant is a shouldn’t miss for the way its dishes celebrate unique ingredients grown on the islands.
Rates at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, start at $812 per night or 80,000 points per night.
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So many resorts struggle to respectfully toe the line between old Hawaii and the islands of today. That’s not a problem for Andaz Maui, a LEED Silver resort that pays tribute to the island’s history while offering 466 gorgeous, contemporary guest rooms, suites and two- to four-bedroom villas that are a holiday dream come true for larger groups.
Sitting alongside Mokapu Beach, with direct access to its sugary sands and crystalline water, this resort feels farther than you’d think possible at a Wailea Resort, which provides all the necessary conveniences plus shopping and golf. Other pursuits include ukulele lessons, outrigger canoeing and Artist in Residence workshops.
With a 14,000-square-foot spa that offers apothecary and bespoke treatments, it’s hard to imagine a stay that doesn’t include at least one stress-melting session or, at the very least, a stint spent at the wellbeing complex’s quiet adults-only pool.
Otherwise, six food and beverage options keep guests both fed and entertained, since the hotel boasts a super-luxe luau dubbed The Feast at Mokapu. The offerings go from quite casual — acai from the 24-hour market — to put-on-your-favorite-outfit at the exclusive Chef’s Table, with everything in between. Even diners who are not zealous sushi fanatics should make an advance booking at Morimoto Maui where chef Masaharu Morimoto’s magic touch will make return guests of them.
Rates at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort start at $1,019 or 35,000 points per night.
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If you want to hear “no,” go somewhere else for vacation, because it’s hardly ever uttered at this beachfront resort where the satirically bleak The White Lotus season one was filmed. The experience for real life guests couldn’t be more different, though, save for the flawless natural environment.
Above and beyond is the style of service at this brand-true Four Season’s outpost where the staff includes Hawaiian Aunty Wendy Tuivaioge, who provides guests with authentic peeks into local culture, including the art of hula.
Guests can engage with their surroundings in countless ways: on a helicopter tour; private yacht; outrigger canoe or kayak; or even on a guided diving experience. For downtime, the oceanfront sanctuaries — essentially upgraded cabanas — are worth the splurge, as is a massage in an open-air thatched-roof treatment hut beside the waves.
Not that the private terraces or lanais on the roomy accommodations are shabby at all, but the place to be as the sun sets and the whales get active is Ferraro’s Bar E Ristorante, for lobster with burrata and catch-of-the-day atop mushroom cacciatore. Wolfgang Puck’s Spago and DUO are additional options for dining the way it should be done in Hawaii: outside.
Rates at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea currently start at $990 per night.
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One of the best things about a resort is the chance to spend a few nights in digs much more deluxe than your own. Montage does that oh so well in its immaculate oceanfront suites that go from one bedroom up to four. It’s guaranteed to be a major upgrade from home, considering the spacious private lanais, big living rooms, gourmet kitchens (including a dishwasher) and deep soaking tubs.
Though it’s luxurious in a spare-no-expense sense, the vibe across the 24-acre resort is utterly relaxed. The spa is a true highlight, and while treatments don’t come cheap, it’s safe to say you’ll leave totally blissed out after a Maui Maluhia dry brushing, algae body mask, exfoliation and customized massage.
Enjoy the cooling Kona breeze wafting sweet scents of plumeria across the interconnected pools, hot tubs and loungers, where food and cocktails are served from Hana Hou Bar, or go to the beach club where the ocean and yet another pool glisten. Paintbox children’s programs engage little guests and free up adults for either outdoor activities with Adventure IO or true downtime.
By night, come together over locally sourced meals at Cane & Canoe or the more casual The Hideaway, or have a private chef or even luau at your very own residence.
Rates at Montage Kapalua Bay currently start at $1,110 per night.
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On an island that wows without lifting a finger, this resort takes it to the next level with the help of one of the most attentive, personable and genuine teams around.
Whether it’s a romantic trip, a friends’ getaway or a multi-generational togetherness extravaganza, it’s almost guaranteed to be a dream at this standout 22-acre Marriott property with residential-style accommodations.
For anyone traveling with small children, a new parents package includes a crib, Artipoppe carrier, Coterie diapers and much more. Those with kids ages 5 and up can relax easily in the spa, knowing they’re taken care of at the Kolohe Keiko Club.
The five pools are a true highlight, with the state’s longest waterslide, a family pool where a DJ spins upbeat tunes, and an adults-only infinity pool where the floating cabanas are a hot ticket. Of course, two beaches provide ocean lovers with plenty of space to play, and a long path along the coast is the place for walks with a side of whales.
The something-for-everyone theme extends to dining, too. There’s a poolside food truck slinging Hawaii faves like shaved ice and poke bowls and also Humble Market Kitchin by Roy Yamaguchi, which riffs off the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Five nights a week, the luau show gets attendees dancing along after a craft cocktail or two.
Rates at Wailea Beach Resort — Marriott, Maui, currently start at $807 or 88,000 points per night.
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Return guests of this Waldorf Astoria Resort will find something a little different, a little fresher, when they next check in. As of February 2023, the entire property has been reimagined to inject a sense of natural beauty into contemporary and luxurious updates.
The 776 rooms and suites plus truly massive luxury villas are sophisticated above all but also deeply comfortable and spacious, both indoors and out.
This lush landscape of 40 acres has ample space for every type of guest to roam and explore. Couples can find secluded hideaways to snuggle or stare into each other’s eyes under the stars, while families can get wild on rope swings at the jungle-y river pool.
Art lovers will be in heaven. The resort is one big alfresco museum, with more than 900 pieces on display, elevating the experience of just strolling to lunch or heading out to surf in world-class waves.
The award-winning restaurant named after Hawaii’s state fish, Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (reef triggerfish), is a coveted source of seafood caught daily and served against prime panoramas combining lagoon and endless sky. The common thread between the other diverse — and delicious —options is that they are all open-air.
The finale of the renovation is the softly scented new Mōhalu by Spa Grande, where one could easily spend a half day getting healed the Hawaiian way.
Rates at Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, currently start at $924 or 110,000 points per night.
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As much as Maui can be about romance, it’s truly an epic place for families. This Lahaina resort, spread across 23 acres and built around iconic Puu Kekaha (Black Rock), is a top pick for all-ages fun.
The dreamy location is as big a selling point as the diversity of accommodations with beautiful bathrooms and, for the most part, lovely views. In the winter calving season, it’s essential to book an oceanfront room or suite from where it’s very common to see whales frolicking.
Guests have lots of space to play themselves. The resort has a nightly cliff diving (lele kata) ritual, and impeccable snorkeling at Black Rock, standup paddle boards, tennis courts and a large lagoon pool with a waterslide and lazy river.
The extravagant breakfast buffet is the best way to start each day, and a handful of other dining outlets ensure even the pickiest guests are well-fed. A thrice-weekly luau is the best place to try Hawaiian cuisine, but even the Japanese teppanyaki restaurant showcases local ingredients.
Rates at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa currently start at $588 or 54,000 points per night.
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If white-sand beaches are your kind of paradise, this all suite and villa resort on Polo Beach should be your happy place. Add to that newly transformed — and super spacious — accommodations, including villas from 1,800 to 2,200 square feet plus private plunge pools, and it’s an easy sell, especially for multi-generational trips.
The Fairmont is easily one of the most sumptuous stays on Maui, and the prices reflect that. Still, it exceeds expectations across the board, from the trio of perfectly maintained swimming pools to the responsive, tailored guest service and the quality of cuisine.
There are four proper restaurants, including Kō (meaning sugarcane), which offers modern interpretations of passed-down family recipes, and AMA Bar & Grill; kids age 5 and under eat free as part of the Keiki Dining Program. It’s safe to expect children enjoying all the amenities on property, but there are opportunities to avoid them, namely with a private romantic Hoku Lani dinner surrounded by tiki torches.
Willow Stream Spa is another serene zone, with therapies that combine Hawaiian traditions such as a ti-leaf energy clearing and lomilomi massage with state-of-the-art healing modalities like infrared light therapy. The resort also encourages its guests to participate in voluntourism and culturally immersive programming, including lessons that range from hula to ukulele in a forthcoming cultural center.
Rates at Fairmont Kea Lani currently start at $1,009 per night.
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When an adults-only pool is simply not enough there’s Hotel Wailea, a divine resort set on 15 acres that is adults-only from top to bottom. Quietly gorgeous and couple-y, the uber-romantic property of 72 beach-chic suites boasts idyllic panoramas thanks to its lush hillside perch studded with waterfalls.
The experience is essentially one big sunset walk, with Zen-inspired grounds laced with paths and easy access to the perfect beach 300 feet below in Maui’s exclusive Wailea community. There, a beach valet service offers complimentary chairs, towels, umbrellas and water, plus rentable water sports equipment.
The concierge is always on hand to book more involved aquamarine ocean activities — such as sunset cruises, outrigger canoeing and surf lessons —as well as excursions like cruising in a replica vintage 1957 Porsche Speedster. There’s even aerial yoga. Couples can come down from the thrills with a soothing, traditional lomi lomi massage.
As a Relais & Châteaux property, the culinary offerings take pride in place. While there are dozens of restaurants in the vicinity — reachable via complimentary luxury shuttle — the resort’s gourmet cuisine provides a very good reason to stay put.
The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea is a seductive spot to dine after a sunset cocktail. Prix-fixe menus are prepared to highlight seasonal ingredients from the island as well as the resort’s own orchard.
Rates at Hotel Wailea, Maui currently start at $999 per night.
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From 1946 to today, this remote resort in the small north Maui town of Hana has undergone plenty of changes, the most recent of which was becoming one of Hyatt’s Destination Hotels in 2020.
Related: The 23 best Hyatt hotels in the world
Also, considering its prized location along the island’s legendary 64-mile Road to Hana, it is indeed a true destination unto itself. The rare 66-acre setting is especially appealing to road-trippers, outdoor adventurers and waterfall chasers.
This is a place for disconnecting, though there is Wi-Fi. Still, across its 74 rooms, bungalows and cottages, which radiate old Hawaii flair, there are zero TVs, clocks or even air conditioning. Each accommodation’s private lanai seems to be equipped with nature’s climate control: a sweet sea breeze that complements the vivid sunrises.
When it comes to fueling up for the adventures that lie ahead — or even just a day of yoga, pina coladas and sunbathing by one of two pools — there is Hana Ranch. The restaurant has special connections with the area’s farmers and showcases their finest produce at lunch and dinner daily. Hana Dry Goods is the perfect place to stock up before a hike or day on the beach.
Don’t forget a trip or two to the spa, where there are nine treatment rooms plus a cold plunge and jetted tub with Instagrammable views. A local pohaku wela massage with heated lava rocks is just one of the treats on the menu that features Maui botanicals.
Rates at Hāna-Maui Resort currently start at $699 or 25,000 points per night.
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When you can’t decide between a beach house rental and a resort, do both. This 390-key vacation ownership property right off the beach is truly the best of both worlds, offering luxurious service and amenities — including those signature dreamy Westin beds — plus all the spaciousness of a flawlessly equipped villa. There is a restaurant, a pool bar and even a market with pastries and groceries. Better yet, there are no resort fees.
The location is utter perfection, whether you’re traveling with just adults or have younger members of the family in tow, since there is so much to do in the vicinity. Nearby, you’ll find thundering waterfalls, hiking trails that meander through verdant rainforests, technicolor coral reefs, impressive volcano craters, plus museums for a culture fix or those indoor days nursing a sunburn.
On property, there’s plenty to do, too, such as ukulele lessons, fitness classes and a zero-entry beach pool with a splash pad and waterslide for the kiddos. Guest ages 5 to 12 are eligible to hang, create and play at the Westin Family Kids Club, while adults can use that time to visit Pu’uhonua O Nana Cultural Center or just relax in their oceanfront cabana.
Rates at The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, Ka’anapali currently start at $889 per night.
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Maui on your own terms is what this resort is selling, and many guests are buying it over and over again. That’s thanks in part to its friendly, welcoming staff and pristine positioning on Kaanapali North Beach but also due to the 628 deluxe condo accommodations outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances and fixtures.
It’s easy to get groceries delivered from Foodland Farms Lahaina to prepare in the well-equipped kitchen or, if you spring for one of the Luana Gardens Villas, your balcony barbecue grill. However, Duke’s Beach House, which offers three island-y meals a day — including sustainably sourced seafood —backdropped by live music and turquoise vistas, is a no-brainer option, too.
Although the ocean couldn’t be closer, the aquatic park is irresistible with its boulder-bordered pools, handful of hot tubs, caves and waterfalls. The very family-friendly property boasts a children’s area and waterslide, too. In fact, kids 17 and under stay free.
Hawaii’s premium Malie Organics is the skincare of choice in Ho’ola Spa, where soothing rituals involve indigenous ingredients and take inspiration from the earth and sea.
Rates at Outrigger Honua Kai Resort & Spa currently start at $434 per night.
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A $120 million dollar renovation completed in 2021 makes a compelling argument for checking into this 12-acre resort with 770 rooms.
Despite its high room count, the property feels spacious in that beautiful Hawaiian indoor-outdoor way, with an array of places to lounge in addition to the pretty and contemporary rooms and suites.
For guests of the new luxury tower Hokupaa, an exclusive lanai offers even more relaxation, plus cultural experiences, games, cocktails, breakfast and an infinity-edge cocktail pool. Beyond that elevated escape, there are six — all accessible — outdoor pools, including one dedicated to families and another less raucous one for adults.
Great emphasis is placed on authentic storytelling and immersion into Hawaiian traditions, from the nightly torch-lighting ceremony to teaching skills such as wayfinding, taro pounding and coconut weaving. The resort is within walking distance of Whalers Village, a championship golf course and also the launch point for snorkeling tours and sunset cruises.
Respect for Hawaii’s multicultural past also comes through in the cuisine served at Waicoco, the open-air oceanfront restaurant, as well as the offerings at Hale Mo’olelo, where an innovative concept pairs seven craft cocktails with a particular Maui story and local bite. There is a luau dinner show on-site as well, complete with fire and hula.
Rates at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali currently start at $597 or 67,000 points per night.
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If you love a big resort and the profusion of amenities that come with it then this award-winning resort is for you.
The Hyatt Regency sidles up to Ka’anapali Beach and sits on 40 lush acres, as far as the eye can see. Freshly reimagined, it features 779 rooms and 31 suites with thoughtful touches such as glass balconies to better savor the sought-after views. Opt for a Club Access room to gain perks, including nearly constant refreshments, snacks and nibbles, and a personal concierge service to help arrange wildlife tours and rooftop stargazing.
There may be even more pool than there is ocean. The resort has six organically shaped pools flanked by lounge chairs and palm trees, plus a 150-foot lava tube waterslide. When it’s sand you’re craving, borrow complimentary backpack beach chairs from the Pool Desk to streamline the move. For a more elevated experience, there are oceanfront cabanas for rent where cocktails come in a fresh pineapple shell.
The bigger-is-better motto means Kamaha’o Spa always has a bed available for a body treatment, lomi lomi massage or pedicure while gazing out into the island-studded seascape. Dining outlets are extra, too. There’s a steakhouse, an Asian restaurant, an award-winning luau with an open bar, and island-tinged American cuisine, including wood-fired pizza. Just in case none of those fit the mood, there’s Grotto Bar, in a cave between waterfalls, for frozen cocktails and pub food.
Rates at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa currently start at $709 or 30,000 points per night.
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There’s luxury and then there’s Luxury with a capital L. This upscale resort falls in the latter category, enjoying frequent awards and No. 1 rankings, and at one time, the title of “the Beverly Hills of Maui.”
A lei greeting starts the boutique-feeling experience of checking into a villa so exclusive it has its own private elevator. The smallest of the accommodations still sprawls over 2,500 square feet, with mesmerizing panoramas of islands and the Pacific Ocean, as well as two primary bedroom suites and two refrigerators, which staff can stock ahead of time through the pre-arrival grocery shopping service.
A Viking barbecue accessorizes the lanai and can be used by guests or personal chefs hired to cook elaborate private meals — ditto the panini grills and waffle makers. It’s one of those they-thought-of-everything situations. Spa treatments are done in-villa, too. Also, guests get dining and spa credits valid at the surrounding resorts.
Location-wise, it’s hard to beat the 12-acre property’s position alongside famous Wailea Beach, but it gets better. There’s an adults-only infinity pool just beyond the sand’s edge where cabanas are complimentary, and servers are at sunbathers’ beckon call. The family pool is equally attractive, too, with partial ocean views plus a waterfall and Jacuzzi.
Rates at Wailea Beach Villas, a Destination by Hyatt Residence currently start at $1,499 per night.
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Heavenly is an apt way to describe this perfectly secluded resort on one of Maui’s most virginal bays. Fans of going a tad off-the-beaten-path will find a low-rise, flora-filled paradise known as Napili Bay on the northwest shore of Maui.
There, veteran staff have been genuinely caring for guests for decades and ensuring the comforts of home are close at hand. (Think coolers, games, reusable shopping bags and beach chairs to take the approximately one-minute walk to the sand). However, the four resort pools, plus an adults-only hot tub, are a luxury specific to this destination.
Studios and suites all have kitchenettes, and most claim ocean views, too, at a more approachable price point than many Maui resorts. The private lanais are an excellent place to spot humpback whales from November to May before enjoying pink sunsets or joining evening activities such as lei making and Napili Kai Foundation children’s hula shows.
Enjoy breakfast, happy hour and multi-course dinners at Sea House, the property’s award-winning eatery with a laid-back atmosphere that feels right for special occasions, too. Fusion dishes such as poke nachos and crispy crab crusted monchong populate the mouthwatering menu. A snack bar next to the main pool is great for a quick bite before hitting the putting green.
Rates at Napili Kai Beach Resort currently start at $535 per night.
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Old Hawaii meets new, stylistically speaking, in this 11-acre resort inside the idyllic Kaanapali development. Families are quite welcome, and there’s a children’s wading pool with fun features that ensure the littlest guests love every minute. The 3-mile Kaanapali Beach also caters to all ages.
In addition to two swimming pools and a hot tub, the 260 condo-style property has barbecue grills, shuffleboard and both water aerobics and yoga classes for guests who enjoy staying active on their holidays. However, the paradisiacal beach — an epic place to snorkel or potentially swim with sea turtles — just might be all you need.
There’s an on-site gym and La Mer Spa for energizing or calming Maui-inspired treatments. Castaway Cafe is the property’s casual morning-to-evening alfresco venue for island-inflected meals featuring a nightly fresh fish selection. Trolley shuttle transfers to Kaanapali Resort are complimentary for additional dining and shopping excursions, while staff can recommend waterfall and volcano hikes, too.
Rates at Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas currently start at $359 per night.
Related reading:
- 6 versions of paradise: How to choose the right Hawaiian island for you
- The best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler
- The best way to get to Hawaii using points and miles
- I had sworn off Hawaii during the pandemic — here’s why I went back (and plan to again)
- The 26 best Marriott hotels in the world
