Last week on Travel Tuesday, we took you to Kauai, this week we hop over to Maui. It definitely has a different vibe than Kauai, I found it to be much more commercial and built up, but that could have been because we stayed in a more touristy area. Our honeymoon was funded by Starwood Points, so we stayed on the west shore in Kanapali and the Sheraton Kauai. There are a ton of resorts on Kanapali beach, but the Sheraton has the best snorkeling, unfortunately, it is a well known fact that it has the best snorkeling, so it can be a bit crowded.
A very common activity (for tourists) in Maui is to rent a car and drive the road to Hana. For some, the appeal of driving along the ocean in a convertible , is incredible; For us, waking up early, sitting in traffic all day, on narrow windy roads, sounded like the road to divorce. We passed on this popular excursion, and spent the day laying on the beach enjoying drinks with umbrellas. I think we made the right choice.
A must see during your stay in Maui, is Warren and Annabelle’s Magic Show, it is highly entertaining! Make sure to call and make
reservations as it books up 2-3 weeks in advance. If you have friends traveling to Maui for their honeymoon, tickets to the magic show make an excellent gift. It sounds cheesy, and well.. it was, but we had a really good time.
I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Maui Revealed, before your trip. We followed their advice pretty closely during our stay, and we were never disappointed. We choose to avoid the Luaus during out trip to Hawaii. They seemed like tourist traps in the worst way, super expensive with really bad food is what we heard over and over again. I tried to put in context, if this was in DC would I pay $120 for this? No. Skip the Luau’s and spend your money at the restaurants below.
Eat & Drink:
Gazebos – 5315 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina, HI 96761-9005
- This restaurant is in the back of the Napili Shores Condo development. The restaurant a small gazebo on the beach with beautiful views. You will even locals lining up for their breakfast.
- Phenomenal white chocolate macadamia nut pancakes. They are simply amazing, a must try on your visit.
- There are only about 15 tables, so there will likely be a long wait, but the line moves quickly.
Mama’s Fish House - 799 Poho Place, Paia, HI 96779-9708
- Great restaurant, great drinks, great view.
- This was hands down the best meal we had in Maui.
- We went straight from the airport to Mama’s Fish House, which I suggest you do too, if you are staying on Kanapali. If that works for your schedule it is kind of on the way.
- Definitely make reservations in advance.
Hula Grill – 2435 Kaanapali Parkway, Bldg P, Lahaina, HI 96761
- Good restaurant people watching and enjoying the sunset
Leilanis – 2435 Kaanapali Parkway, Kaanapali Maui, HI 96761
- Good food, good view. Check out their fish tacos.
David Paul’s Lahaina Grill – 127 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI 96761-1502
- Fine dining located in downtown Lahaina. Rated as Maui’s best restaurant for 17 years straight!
- The food is pricey (what isn’t in Hawaii?), but very good.
- Definitely take a cab into Lahaina, parking is very difficult.
