Fabulous Getaways: Maui, Here I Come!

Jul 17th, 2008 | By Travel Snob | Category: Better Travel

Rating 4.00 out of 5

maui4 Fabulous Getaways: Maui, Here I Come! If you’re looking for a warm, summer destination away from the rush of the city then Maui is definitely one place you should consider. Consistently ranked as one of the best islands in the world to visit by Conde Nast Traveler, Maui boasts of breathe-taking views so magnificent that visiting just once is not nearly enough. Perfect for both the lounger and the adventurer, the island has activities that meets the needs of everyone in the family. Here are some of our favorite places and best suggestions for a memorable stay on this beautiful island.

Ka’anapali in West Maui is an empyrean retreat for the beach-goer. Here you’ll find clear blue beaches footsteps away from some of the best hotels and resorts on the island. One of our personal favorites is the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas where the rooms are equipped with a full kitchen and an in-unit washer and dryer. Having the option to cook a home-cooked meal away from home or washing dirty laundry immediately after an eventful day is wonderful to have on a vacation!

Just a bit southward is downtown Lahaina, where the bars and tourists traps are lined along sides the harbor (and, if you pay attention, what looks looks like an old, half-sunken ship). Something you must enjoy when you’re in Lahaina is an evening at Warren and Annabelle’s - where you’ll find a piano-playing ghost and one of the island’s best magic shows. Warren, the magician, puts on an incredibly humorous show with close-up magic tricks that will make your jaw drop (not just once, but twice).

The Road to Hana is another well-known must, but what we’ve discovered is that it’s not the road itself that’s attractive — but rather the hidden trails and off-roads that make the entire trip such a delightful adventure. In fact, one of our favorite parts of the trip was hiking to the Na’ili’ili-haele Falls on a trail that was completely hidden from the main highway. The only indication that the trail even existed was a worn, old t-shirt hung loosely upon a wooden post besides the road! To our surprise, the trail took us through a lush bamboo forest and eventually opened up to a series of four beautiful waterfalls, all of which would have been missed had we just casually driven by. Other equally lovely stops are the Ke’anae Peninsula, where you’ll find find breathtaking views of the ocean and the best banana bread in town, and the beautiful Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach. At the end of the (long, long) road is the Seven Sacred Pools, complete with other adventurous tourists diving and swimming in the freshwater pools.

Last, but not least, what’s a vacation without spa treatment? Our absolute favorite is the Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Resort in South Maui. As a part of your spa treatment, you’re treated to a full body exfoliation and invited to use a wide range of complimentary spa amenities which include saunas, mineral baths and various bathing facilities. Be sure to try out the Puhaku hot stone massage while you’re there… the experience is absolutely divine!

If you’re interested in finding out more about Maui and all that there’s to do there, a great resource is Andrew Doughty’s Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook. The guidebook’s written from a local perspective and includes a lot of otherwise hidden adventures not included in free tour maps. Doughty also has quite a sense of humor and includes everything from local banana bread stands to solutions to pesky bugs and sea urchins. He also has similar guidebooks for several other Hawaiian islands if you’re thinking about exploring beyond the grandeur of Maui. Aloha!

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