Honua Kai Resort & Spa

The resort's two main buildings along the West Maui oceanfront share 38 acres of meticulously manicured grounds. A fire pit in the central courtyard outside the main lobby complements the vibe of the island artwork and low lounge furniture inside. Marble and carved wooden panels elevate the bright interiors that give way to busy pools with enclaves of quiet, near Koi ponds and tropical gardens.

Located in Lahaina on Kahekili Beach (also called Kaanapali North Beach), the resort is about a 10-minute drive from the center of town with some of Maui's best shopping, dining, and nightlife. Kaanapali Golf Courses and Whalers Village Museum are also within three miles of the resort. The surrounding area is fairly quiet, but a few restaurants and bars, as well as a grocery store, are across the street. A landmark called Black Rock separates this quieter stretch of beach from Kaanapali proper, an eroded cinder cone sacred to ancient Hawaiians that's now famous as a location for daring sunset cliff dives. 

These upscale units range from huge studios to enormous three-bedroom condos, with a decor that can vary among individual units. The general look is island contemporary, combining teak wood and travertine with a neutral palate in an open floor plan. The kitchens have Bosch stainless steel appliances, including refrigerators, microwaves, and dishwashers set in granite countertops with rich wood cabinetry. Shiny tiled walls add extra gleam, and even the studios have breakfast bars with cushioned stools. The bathrooms have glass walk-in showers in addition to separate soaking tubs. All condos have washers and dryers, and private lanais (balconies), some of which offer ocean views, though others face buildings.

This stretch of Kaanapali North Beach is known for its beautiful reefs that make for great snorkeling, and it's generally quieter than the beaches to the south, though the sheer amount of families with kids here can make the immediate area crowded and noisy. A short stroll in either direction can turn up quiet patches of sand where whale watching is a common perk. Endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles also call the beach home, and signs with guidelines are posted. Those who prefer the pool will find several options on the grounds, with an outdoor area that's part water park. Waterfalls, fountains, and hot tubs connect to three pools, a waterslide and a lazy river, designed with both adults and kids in mind. Though the latter tend to overtake the entire splashy network, there is a tucked-away quiet pool among the palms, as well as cabanas and some sun loungers with privacy/shade covers scattered around the grounds. The only guaranteed relaxation is within the sanctuary of Ho’ola Spa, where a glass entryway leads into 3,000 square feet of luxurious treatment rooms, and a Himalayan salt room that combines cutting edge spa technology with 200,000 thousand year-old mineral deposits. The spa exclusively uses Malie Organics, a Hawaiian beauty company that prides itself in indigenous organic ingredients. The 24-hour fitness center has windows along one wall and a selection of treadmills, cardio bikes, and a few weight trainers. 

Dining options outside of the condo kitchens aren't as numerous as they could be, but Duke’s Beach House gets high marks for its Hawaiian cuisine and locally sourced, sustainable ingredients while paying homage to surfer legend Duke Kahanamoku. Aina Gourmet Market has convenient grab-and-go items as well as a coffee bar and deli that operate by a similarly sustainable food sourcing policy. There's plenty of outdoor terrace seating and a few gas barbecue grills too.