We took far too many photos during our six-night stay in Maui, so we narrowed them down into two posts. We wanted to share everything we loved, starting here with practical details: where we stayed, where we ate, what our neighborhood was like, and how we saved money. The next post will cover the activities and adventures we tried (with a toddler), a small home-related purchase we made to remember the trip, and a vacation tradition we continued in Hawaii.
We also wrote about flying with a toddler and adjusting to the time change on Young House Life.
Where we stayed: we booked a two-bedroom condo at Aina Nalu in Lahaina, on the west coast of Maui, through HomeAway. Booking directly through HomeAway and communicating with the owner saved us money compared to the resort’s posted rates. For the price we paid we had a two-bedroom, two-bath unit with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and easy walking access to beaches, shops and restaurants — a great value compared with typical hotel rates back home.
The owners made the condo especially kid-friendly. They supplied a pack-and-play, stroller, lots of beach toys, and child safety features like outlet covers and cabinet latches. We chose the two-bedroom layout so our toddler, Clara, could sleep separately, and that decision made the trip much more relaxed for everyone.
Our unit felt like a private condo rather than a hotel room. There was no daily housekeeping, and we used a standard key. That privacy was a bonus, and having a washer and dryer meant we could do a load of laundry mid-trip—perfect for rinsing sand and ice-cream stains out of kid clothes.
The resort grounds are connected by pathways with two pools and a comfortable lobby area. Some days the pool area was busy, other days we had it to ourselves. There were shaded cabana-style lounge beds near the pool that felt luxurious and made lazy afternoons even better.
Neighborhood and beaches: Lahaina is a compact, walkable town with nice shops and a variety of restaurants. Several beaches are within walking distance of the resort. One favorite was “Baby Beach,” a shallow protected area behind a reef that blocks the waves and makes swimming and splashing safe and easy for toddlers. Although there were rocky patches of coral in places, staying close to shore kept things simple. Clara loved playing at the waterline, splashing and burying herself in wet sand, and she was fascinated by passing kayaks and boats.
We spent many hours without responsibilities: phones mostly off, minimal makeup, and a relaxed schedule. When hot we dunked into the ocean or the pool, and we kept an eye on distant whale activity beyond the reef. At other beaches we were lucky enough to spot whales breaching and diving — unforgettable moments that made meals and strolls extra special.
Where we ate: Maui’s food scene in Lahaina offered a wide range of options. Highlights included fried rice breakfasts at Lahaina Coolers, Loco Moco and egg-topped plates at Aloha Mixed Plate (great views if you snag a beachside table), burgers at Cool Cat Cafe (highly recommended), and a massive Hula Pie at Kimo’s. Lahaina Pizza Company served tasty pies with a balcony view of the ocean and passing whale-watching boats.
We also had a memorable hibachi experience that went sideways when Clara was startled by a giant flame. It was one of those chaotic-but-funny family memories: we took the meal back to the condo and ate near a pool cabana. Aside from that, most restaurants were toddler-friendly. Many offered crayons and simple dishes kids enjoy; we also kept snacks and fruit on hand to supplement meals when needed.
Other food stops we enjoyed, without photos, included Take Home Maui (great deli with fresh pineapple), Sunrise Cafe (local breakfast spot), Bradda Hutts (BBQ near Hana), Auntie Sandy’s banana bread at Ke’anae Peninsula, Sure Thing Burgers in Lahaina, Cheeseburger in Paradise on the water, and Fred’s in Kihei. A must-mention is Ululani’s shave ice—fine, snowy ice and generous syrup make it a local favorite.
How we saved money on this trip:
- We had several years to save since our last big trip, so the budget was manageable.
- We booked flights during less expensive days (weekday evenings or midweek) and avoided last-minute prices; for our route, about 2–3 months ahead was a good window.
- We rented a fully equipped two-bedroom condo through HomeAway for a better nightly value than many hotels and avoided resort meal prices by cooking some breakfasts and simple dinners.
- Carrying on luggage saved checked-bag fees and reduced the risk of lost baggage, helped by the condo washer and dryer.
- We split many restaurant entrees and saved leftovers for lunch the next day.
- We booked excursions and tours through onsite vendors or online deals to get discounts on activities like whale watching and aquarium visits.
That’s Part 1 of our Maui recap: accommodations, neighborhood beaches, meals, and money-saving tips. We’ll post Part 2 soon with the adventures we did with a toddler in tow, the small home-related purchase we made to remember the trip, and the vacation tradition we continued in Hawaii. If you have favorite Maui restaurants, family-friendly activities, or tips to share, please chime in — we’d love this to be a helpful resource for future travelers to Maui.