Where to Stay in Maui for Families (By Location!)
Maui is such a bucket list destination for so many people. And it makes sense why – it is a magical place! And it’s also great for basically any group – couples, friend groups, family reunions, and of course, families.
For most of us, Hawaii isn’t the easiest place to get to. It’s a full day of traveling and getting there isn’t cheap, so if you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, you definitely want to do it right. Finding a great place to stay will help your vacation be perfect for you.
Maui has different regions that you can stay in and each region has a unique experience. I’ll break down Maui’s regions and the best Maui resorts in each so that you can make the best choice for your family.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this ultimate guide on the best places to stay for families in Maui are affiliate links (including links to Amazon) providing us with a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase – at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support! As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
West Maui
West Maui is one of the most popular regions for visitors.
It’s known for its stunning beaches, family-friendly resorts, and plenty of activities. It’s a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. The beaches are pristine and usually calm, which is great for kids. There are also plenty of dining and shopping options.
The biggest con is that there is really only one two-lane road in and out, so the traffic can get congested.
The Westin Maui Resort and Spa
The best thing about the Westin Maui Resort and Spa is its pools. It has 5 pools overlooking the beach, 2 water slides, and a dedicated kids area. For families with younger kids, there is an area for young kids and the older kids will love the waterslide.
They have an area that has arcade games, golf simulations (similar to Top Golf), bowling, and food.
It has a prime location right next to Whaler’s Shopping Village. There is a small playground there as well as good coffee and lots of shops in an open-air market. A lot of the shops are chains like LuLuLemon and Billabong but there are some locally-owned shops, too.
The resort is also on Ka’anapali Beach, which is one of the best beaches on Maui. They have an on-site luau and on site restaurants.
There is an adults only pool with a hot tub, a spa, and a fitness center on site if you happen to be in a position to take a break from the kids.
The downside of the Westin is that it is huge. And while the benefit of being so big means that there are tons of activities, this also means that it can get crowded. There are 770 rooms! However, many of the resorts in this list are huge and the Westin does feel less busy than many of them.
Book The Westin Maui Resort and Spa
Photo: Hotels.com
Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa
The Sheraton is located near Black Rock, which is a popular snorkeling spot in Maui.
The resort is well-known for its nightly cliff diving ceremony. It’s been a nightly tradition since 1963 and pays homage to Maui’s heritage. This happens every night as the sun starts to set. The legend is that the last Chief of Maui proved his spiritual strength by jumping off of Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock) into the water. It’s free to the public, but it’s nice to be right on site for it!
Most guest rooms have an ocean view (this is a pretty big deal!) and there are multiple on-site restaurants. There are several swimming areas including a lagoon-style pool, a small waterslide, a shallow area for toddlers, and a lazy river.
Like many of the other resorts, the Sheraton can get really busy, especially during peak season (typically mid-December to mid-April). And while the resort’s large size ensures tons of fun activities, a con is that it can take a long time walking through the resort.
Book Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa
Photo: Hotels.com
Honua Kai Resort
The Honua Kai Resort is a great option because it gives you the amenities that you’d find in a resort but it has more space with 1-3 bedroom suites. The rooms include full kitchens and laundry which is so nice for longer stays.
There is a pool area with a waterslide, 5 hot tubs, and an area for younger kids. They also have on-site restaurants, most noteworthy (in my opinion), Duke’s. Duke’s is one of the best restaurants in Maui!
It’s on the quieter, northern side of Ka’anapali Beach. Personally, I love this because you’re not far from the action but it feels more laid-back. But some prefer to be closer to all of the action.
One downside of the Honua Kai is that it’s kind of like a condo building in that each unit is privately owned so some things may vary from unit to unit versus a true resort/hotel where each room tends to be more standard throughout the property.
Photo: Hotels.com
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
This is a popular place to stay for families who use points to book their hotel rooms because, as you know if you read here a lot, Hyatts tend to offer the best value per point.
The popularity that the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa gets from point-users is worthy. The pool area is incredible with 6 pools and a waterslide.
But one of my favorite things about this resort is its wildlife! Yep, wildlife! They have penguins and exotic birds which is really cool. They have presentations where you can watch their feedings.
They also have an on-site lu‘au, an oceanfront golf course, a spa, and more. There is a Mermaid Academy with 3 classes depending on kids’ ages where kids can learn how to become a mermaid. They also have a Friday market in the lobby with local vendors.
They also have a stargazing program and on on-site restaurants.
Again, like the other resorts, the resort can get busy (there are 880 rooms!) Also, the beach directly in front of the Hyatt is small. Luckily, you’re just a short walk from a larger beach area.
Book the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Photo: Hotels.com
Lahaina
I didn’t want to leave Lahaina off of this list because it’s such a beloved city to many. Lahaina was seriously impacted by wildfires in August 2023. They are working hard to get back to a new sense of normal, but recovery (physical and mental) takes time.
Lahaina is known as a family-friendly historic town. It used to have good restaurants, art galleries, and shops.
This is a great article on resources to help Lahaina recover.
South Maui
South Maui is known for sunny weather (it’s the driest part of the island!), good beaches, great snorkeling, and lava fields. This area gives you impeccable views of Lānaʻi, Molokini and Kahoʻolawe.
South Maui is on the southwestern coast and includes the communities of Kihei, Wailea, and Makena (Makena is not as family friendly due to the strong waves and currents).
Kihei is more budget-friendly than Wailea while still offering access to beautiful beaches and family activities. It has several residential neighborhoods. It’s a relaxed, low-key area with plenty of dining options.
Wailea has a more luxurious atmosphere than other parts of the island. You’ll be just fine staying there with kids, though. There are still family-friendly accommodations, good restaurants for kids, and kid-friendly activities.
Makena isn’t as family friendly if you want to spend a lot of time at the beach. It has strong waves and currents that can be really dangerous.
This is at Makena Beach (“Big Beach”), which doesn’t look dangerous but there was actually no swimming advised on this day.
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
The Grand Wailea Resort is located right on the beach in Wailea and offers a good mix of luxury and adventure.
It has a great pool area (a pretty common theme in Maui!) with 9 pools connected by a lazy river. There are waterslides for the older kids and another pool area that’s perfect for toddlers. They also have a rope swing! Oh, and a swim up bar with cocktails and appetizers! It’s set up perfectly to be able to go back and forth from the beach to the pool all day, too.
The property is gorgeous, as you’d expect both from Maui and from a luxurious resort. There is a spa and great food on site.
There are several restaurants. Kids get free breakfast in the Grand Dining Room. They also get free dinner at Humuhumu.
Book Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Photo: Hotels.com
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The Four Seasons is also in Wailea and it’s one of the nicest hotels in Maui.
The pools come with complimentary cabanas, which is pretty rare! They have 3 pools. One is an adult-only pool and another is a more family-friendly pool with a slide.
They have 24-hour room service, which is really nice because a lot of restaurants in Maui can close early. Also, there is no resort fee, which I feel is almost unheard of these days.
The amenities are more luxurious than other resorts, too. The rooms have Nespresso machine and there are kids’ amenities you don’t find in other places like diaper genies, kid shampoo, bottle warmers, and rocking chairs.
The resort has spacious rooms and as you’d expect from a luxury stay, the service is wonderful. There are daily activities and there is a game room, putting green, and croquet.
They also have a complimentary kids club for ages 5-12. It’s the only complimentary kids club in Maui and is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Kids can engage in arts and crafts, activities, swimming, movies, and open play.
The downside is the price, which you might have guessed, given that this is a luxury resort.
There are restaurants on site and kids aged 5 and under eat for free at Ferraro’s and DUO.
Book the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Photo: Hotels.com
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui is a luxury resort at the southern end of Wailea with one-bedroom suites and 2-3 bedroom villas so you will have space during your stay.
The beach in this area is great for snorkeling as long as the water is calm. And speaking of calm, the resort tends to be quieter and less crowded than many of the others. The resort isn’t surrounded by other resorts which makes it a little more isolated.
There are 3 swimming pools, a 140-foot waterslide, and a toddler-friendly pool. There is on site dining and kids eat free at Ko and AMA.
The con of the Fairmont is the price. And while I personally find its location to be a positive thing, because it’s more isolated, it isn’t as close to shops and dining options.
Book the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
Photo: Hotels.com
North Shore
The North Shore is quieter and less developed, which is nice for escaping the crowds. During the winter months, they get a large swell.
Paia is really the town you’d be staying in or around on Maui’s North Shore. It’s a charming, small town with boutique shops, and some great beaches. This is also known as the start of the Road to Hana.
The downside of the North Shore is that it’s located quite a distance from most things you’ll want to do in Maui (with the exception of the Road to Hana). Personally, I prefer to take a day trip here or one night on my trip rather than staying here the entire time.
But everyone is different, so if you’d like to stay on Maui’s North Shore, here are some of the best accommodations:
Paia Inn
The Paia Inn is a boutique hotel with a laid-back feel. It’s more intimate than most of the resorts on this list.
There is direct access to a beach and it’s walkable to local shops, restaurants, and cafes.
The con is that, while it’s very convenient to the Road to Hana, it’s not very convenient to the other popular places in Maui. I would definitely stay here for a couple of nights after landing in Maui to rest before doing the Road to Hana (it’s pretty close to the airport) but I wouldn’t personally want to spend my whole vacation here.
Photo: Hotels.com
East Maui
East Maui is home to the famous Road to Hana, a must-visit for adventurous families. Staying here allows you to explore Hawaii’s natural beauty through lush rainforests, waterfalls, and secluded beaches.
Similar to upcountry Maui, you’re probably not going to want to spend your entire trip in East Maui. Most families prefer to stay here for 1-2 nights on their trip rather than spending the entire trip here.
Hana-Maui Resort
I’m going to tell you the con of this resort first because it’s important. This resort requires you to drive much of the Road to Hana in order to reach it. If you’re not familiar with the Road to Hana, it’s basically a scenic drive that stretches around 64 miles from Kahului to Hana. The whole thing isn’t a destination, but an experience. Along the way, there are endless scenic stops, gorgeous views, beaches, and hikes. But it’s very, very important to note that the roads are very windy.
There are over 600 curves and over 50 bridges and there are times that the road is only one lane. If you’re a good driver and you’re careful, the general consensus is that you’ll be fine. But I can’t recommend the Hana-Maui Resort to you without mentioning the roads you’d need to take to get there.
Another con is that if you get bad weather (which is not uncommon), you do not want to be on this road. Even in the best conditions, it’s a road that you need to take extreme caution on. If it’s bad enough, they’ll close the road, too.
Again, I’m not trying to discourage you but I just want to be realistic. The con of booking a room here is that there’s a chance you physically couldn’t get there. Or maybe you get there and get stuck an extra night or two. People book this hotel all the time with no problems, but it’s helpful to know the potential risks.
The Hana-Maui Resort is a Hyatt hotel, which has a good point ratio if you use credit card points to pay for your room.
Once you arrive, you’ll enjoy 66 pristine acres with plenty of space to explore. There is a pool and it’s close to Hamoa Beach, Wai’anapanapa State Park, and the Seven Sacred Pools. By staying here, you can take your time on the Road to Hana for two full days instead of trying to rush. And trust me, you don’t want to rush the Road to Hana because it’s truly magical.
The rooms are spacious and relaxing. The views are different from the other resorts. Instead of being in a busy resort by the beach, you’ll enjoy the green tropical landscape. It’s a very tranquil place to stay.
Photo: Hotels.com
Should You Stay in a Hotel With Kids in Maui?
There are pros and cons to staying in a hotel versus a vacation rental. We stayed in a vacation rental when my daughter was 6 months old and my son was 17 months old because we wanted a rocking chair and the convenience of a full kitchen and a washer/dryer. We loved it and it was quieter than a resort. However, I think if our kids were older, they would prefer the amenities over the quiet atmosphere.
Generally speaking, hotels tend to be more expensive than vacation rentals. However, they have undeniably better amenities such as pools, on site restaurants, waterslides, and housekeeping. In Maui, you’d never have to leave the resort to have a good time (but, in my opinion, you should – there’s so much to do in Maui!)
Final Thoughts
No matter where you choose to stay, Maui has something for the entire family. With its stunning scenery, welcoming atmosphere, and endless activities, the Hawaiian Islands really are one of the best places for a family vacation.
