Courtyard by Marriott Maui Kahului Airport

While its location less than a mile from the airport makes it a bustling spot for guests in transit, with a high turnover, the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott Maui is a calm, contemporary respite with space to hang out. The hotel opened in 2012 and the furnishings all look modern and fresh. The lobby features dark wood furniture with lime green accents, and includes a nice cafe and bar called The Bistro, a popular spot for happy hour. Like the overall vibe of the hotel, the lobby marries convenience and contemporary style, with details like a small market offering drinks and snacks next to the front desk, where the friendly staff is always ready to answer any questions. The meeting rooms and business facilities also make this a good choice for business travelers or conferences, which often make up a good part of the guests.

You can’t get much closer to the airport. The Courtyard is a little more than a half-mile away from the terminal, which is less than a five-minute ride by shuttle. Some rooms even have views overlooking the runway and can watch planes taking off and landing. That might not be appealing to some, but guests come here for the convenience, not for the views.

The hotel is located in the middle of Kahului, which is one of the busier and denser areas of the island. The surrounding neighborhood is rather commercial, full of big-box stores and shopping centers, including a Costco and a K-Mart, both right next door to the hotel. There are a handful of restaurants and fast-food joints in walking distance, but to experience any local culture or to reach some of Maui’s best beaches, travelers will need to rent a car. The free shuttle will take guests anywhere within three miles of the hotel upon request, which does include a nearby beach, though options are limited.

The 138 rooms at the Courtyard include 10 suites, a few of which feature a small kitchenette. All of the rooms are updated and decorated with a modern, contemporary American style. The medium-wood furniture looks fresh and clean. While most of the decor is reminiscent of a standard chain-hotel style, the one thing that does stand out is the artwork, which depicts colorful images of surfers, kiteboarders, and Hawaiian beach scenes

All rooms include the latest technology, such as large flat-screen LCD TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets for charging your gear. A mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and fresh, comfortable bedding also come standard. The bathrooms are a bit small, but modern, with a walk-in shower and updated sinks and fixtures. The Paul Mitchell bath products are a nice touch. Some rooms include nice large picture windows overlooking the nearby mountains -- however the airport, runways, and a Costco are also in the view. Some guests might experience noise from the nearby airport, which comes with the territory.

The hotel has a nice, gated pool area with a small hot tub and several comfortable lounge chairs. Some lounge chairs are even arranged under lovely gazebos for shade. Next to the pool, there is a courtyard with a large fire pit, a good hangout spot for the evenings. Overlooking the pool, a large fitness center with new machines is open 24 hours.

There is a small, friendly cafe and bar in the lobby called The Bistro, serving light fare such as flatbreads and sandwiches. The bistro offers some excellent healthy breakfast options in the morning, as well as Starbucks coffee. Happy hour in the evenings includes drink and appetizer specials.

Meeting rooms are available and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There is a small business center in the lobby with a few computers and a convenient boarding pass printing area. There is self-parking for a daily fee. One great feature is the free shuttle, which will take guests anywhere within three miles of the hotel upon request, available during our visit from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.