Where to Stay in Maui: South Maui (Kihei & Wailea) vs West Maui (Ka'anapali & Kapalua)

When choosing where to stay in Maui, 95 percent of visitors decide between two sunny, dry leeward resort coasts located 45 minutes apart: South Maui (Kihei and Wailea) and West Maui (Ka'anapali, Honokowai, Napili and Kapalua). Here is how they compare.

1. South Maui: 'Kihei' vs 'Wailea' (Sunniest Weather & Closest to Haleakala / Road to Hana)

Because South Maui sits 25 to 30 minutes from Kahului Airport (OGG), staying here saves you 1.5 hours of round-trip driving on both your Haleakala day and your Road to Hana day compared to West Maui. South Maui is split into two neighbour areas side-by-side:

• Kihei (Best Overall Value, Families & Walkable Local Vibe): stretching for 6 miles along South Kihei Road opposite Kamaole Beaches I, II and III. Kihei is known for low-rise oceanfront one- and two-bedroom holiday condos with full kitchens, washer/dryers and free parking (such as Mana Kai Maui on Keawakapu Beach, Kamaole Sands, Maui Kamaole or Maui Coast Hotel), within walking distance of food trucks, Ululani's Shave Ice and surfboard rentals.
• Wailea (Immediately South of Kihei, Best for 5-Star Luxury, Couples & Morning Snorkelling): manicured, peaceful and home to Maui's grandest oceanfront resorts along the Wailea Beach Path: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Grand Wailea (Waldorf Astoria, with its nine-pool Canyon Activity Pool and waterslides), Andaz Maui at Wailea, Wailea Beach Resort (Marriott) and all-suite Fairmont Kea Lani.

2. West Maui: 'Ka'anapali', 'Napili' & 'Kapalua' (Best for 3-Mile Beach Walks & Island Views)

• Ka'anapali Beach (Best for Classic Hawaiian Resort Energy & Whalers Village): a continuous 3-mile golden beach where you can walk out of your lobby to catamarans, beach bars and Black Rock. Top resorts include Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa (on Black Rock), The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, Outrigger Ka'anapali Beach Resort and family condo resorts in Honokowai (Honua Kai Resort & Spa and Aston Kaanapali Shores).
• Napili Bay & Kapalua (10 Mins North, Best for Low-Rise Cove Charm & Golf): sleep steps from the calm cove at low-rise Napili Kai Beach Resort, or opt for cliffside luxury at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Montage Kapalua Bay.