Pros

  • Large condos have full kitchens and private lanais
  • Great location on Kaanapali North Beach
  • Water sports and excellent snorkeling
  • Outdoor aquatic area with multiple pools, waterslides, and hot tubs
  • Ho’ola Spa for organic treatments and Himalayan salt room
  • Restaurant and cafe use locally sourced ingredients
  • Bars with outdoor terraces
  • 24-hour fitness center
  • Wi-Fi (covered in resort fee)
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Cons

  • Resort fee (covers Wi-Fi and valet parking); high prices overall
  • Decor and cleanliness can vary among condos
  • Pools get noisy and crowded with kids
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Bottom Line

Honua Kai Resort & Spa, made up of individually owned units, combines hotel amenities in an upscale condominium complex. The rooms are huge, with full modern kitchens and private lanais, though not all have the best ocean views, and different owners provide different decor and amenities. The expansive beachfront grounds have multiple connecting pools and hot tubs that can get overrun with kids making the most of the waterslide. Couples can find solace in the adults-only pool, but the laid-back vibe may be lacking. Eco-conscious travelers will likely appreciate the restaurant and cafe's focus on local produce -- even the spa features an organic Hawaiian product line whose ingredients are sourced from the islands. The steep prices and the daily resort fee might trigger a bit of sticker shock, but as family-friendly Maui destinations go, this one is highly recommended. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Scene

Condo living on Kaanapali North Beach

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.

See More Scene

Location

On the beach north of town

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. 

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Rooms

Large with full modern kitchens and private lanais

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.

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Features

Great beach for snorkeling, outdoor pools and waterslides, luxurious spa, Duke's Beach House

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. 

See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Duke's Beach House and Gourmet Market

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.

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Oyster Hotel Review

Honua Kai Resort & Spa

Scene

Condo living on Kaanapali North Beach

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.

See More Scene

Location

On the beach north of town

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. 

See More Location

Rooms

Large with full modern kitchens and private lanais

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.

See More Rooms

Features

Great beach for snorkeling, outdoor pools and waterslides, luxurious spa, Duke's Beach House

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. 

See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

Duke's Beach House and Gourmet Market

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.

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.