Reenergize with a Quick Trip to Maui
David and I decided to head to Hawaii, taking a quick flight from Seattle and transforming to island time instantly! We had such a great experience, so I wanted to share some fun places and activities if you are also thinking of heading to Maui.
Let me start by saying that it was so refreshing to get back to traveling again. Hawaii is the perfect place to relax and reenergize – beautiful beaches, great dining, fun resorts, and lots of island ventures that keep you moving.
Where We Stayed
We changed it up this year and spent our time between Kaanapali and Wailea. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Kaanapali and thought it was an excellent option for families with kids but less relaxing and luxurious for a couple. Thankfully, their sister property next door, the Hyatt Regency Residences, definitely saved the day for us with a more mellow vibe and great adult pool.
We then spent the rest of our trip at the Wailea Beach Resort – definitely our favorite! This resort felt like three hotels in one. It has the main resort area, adult resort area, and family-friendly resort area. We had fun in all three, from water slides and their onsite food truck in the family area to relaxing in a cabana and soaking up the sun at the adult pool to dining and sunning in the main resort. We loved the modern vibe of this hotel and were super happy with the excellent service and comfortable rooms. I would also recommend the Four Seasons, Grand Wailea, Honua Kai Resort & Spa, Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort & Spa, and Napili Kai Beach Resort.
Where to Eat in Maui
Maui has a lot of great restaurants! Here are our favs from this trip:
Mama’s Fish House, of course, is located on the North Shore of Maui. Known for its incredible fresh fish and beautiful location., everything about it was perfect! Be sure to take some time to stop and shop in the charming little town of Paia on your way to Mama’s. I scored some great clothes at a cute store called Imrie.
Another one of my favorite restaurants was Matteo’s Osteria, a beautiful restaurant that serves Italian soul food. Although you don’t think of Italian when on the islands, it is worth departing from seafood for the night.
We also liked Monkeypod Kitchen, a Merriman restaurant specializing in fresh-caught seafood and serving wood-fired pizzas and lots of local beers. No reservations here, so go early or drop in for lunch.
Another fun destination restaurant was Hali’imaile General Store. It has a great story and fantastic food. Grab their cookbook while you’re there. So good!
Another highly recommended spot that we tried was Lineage. We had a fun evening. I ordered the fried chicken, and it was crazy good!
Finally, we LOVED Miso Phat Sushi. It is located in an unassuming strip mall, and you would likely not get there unless you got the recommendation, but the line starts early, and the sushi is unbelievable! If you want, you can grab your saki at the convenience store next door, and they will set you up. We sat at the sushi bar, and we were completely entertained watching them prepare the sushi and sashimi all night.
Island Activities on Maui
We had so much fun relaxing at the resorts and dining out each night, but we had several outings that I highly recommend. One of our favorite island activities was the Hoapili Trail, also known as the King’s Trail. Located in South Maui, this trail was beautiful, with stunning views of the ocean and Hawaiian landscape, a must-do for anyone that loves a good hike!
The Wailea Beach Path was another favorite for me. It is a three-mile beach path that features incredible ocean views, and I would suggest this trail to anyone looking to go on a run or energizing walk while traveling.
David and I also had a blast exploring Mākena State Park, with its beautiful white sandy beaches, perfect for sunning and surfing.
If you are looking for a lovely evening on the beach, head to Napili Beach for the sunset. Grab a picnic dinner and settle in for a free evening that will top even the finest dining experience. But, get there early enough to be settled in to park and find your spot on the beach because Mother Nature will not disappoint!
Other great adventures are the Jungle Zipline, Hana Waterfalls, Outrageous Surf School in Lahaina, and Snorkeling at Molokini.
Eating shave ice is a MUST in Hawaii, and my favorite spot was Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice. We tried a few, and none of them measured up to this spot! Go for the most popular item on their menu – you will thank me!
If you’re a shopper, definitely visit Whaler’s Village in Kaanapali and the Shops at Wailea for good mid-priced and upscale shopping. The fun tip I found was that the designer bags were 15-25% off every day. Are you kidding me? I scored a timeless Gucci cross-body bag for 25% off. Winning!
I hope you have as great a time as David and I... or more!
Happy travels!
