Region: Kihei (North) Area

A quaint resort across the street from the ocean. Incredibly nice folks run the place, and they make you feel like visiting family here. Stand-alone cottages are scattered around homey grounds with lovingly maintained fruit trees, hammocks and a massage hale. Cottages have full kitchens. They’re not luxurious, but they’re clean.

This is an alternative to the condos in Kihei for those looking for a more quiet, ohana-style experience. The main house has the three suites (no kitchens) on the first floor. These are quaintly decorated. We liked the suite without a lanai best. No phones in the rooms. Cottages are 400 sq. ft. Suites are 335–360 sq. ft. 2- or 4-night minimum.

In north Kihei, this skinny, two-story walk-up condo building is sandwiched between two larger resorts. You’re right on the beach, but views are pretty marginal from all but the oceanfront units. The building is tucked away from the main road and is fairly quiet, with the pool away from the ocean. The overall quality is good; we didn’t see any bad units. Even ones with original kitchen cabinets were in remarkable shape and clean. The staff is warm and thoughtful. Rates are good, though the units are on the small side at 520 sq. ft. for the 1/1s, the lanais nicely extend the living space. 4- or 7-night minimum. They have “working” cats on site, they are friendly but please do not feed them.

This condo is in windy and dusty north Kihei with access to a wide, sandy beach. The building orientation affords some good views of West Maui at the expense of most full-on ocean views. The pool area doesn’t embrace the ocean like other resorts in the area. Rooms are clean and range from nicely updated (closer to ocean) to needing updating. Units ending in 09 directly face the ocean. Some units don’t have phones. There is no front desk, but they do have an on-site manager. Not a compelling place to stay, but acceptable in a pinch if you got a good rate. 1/2s are 675 sq. ft., 2/2s are 828 sq. ft. 5- or 10-night minimum, depending on season.

This large condo complex is in north Kihei. Views of the coast vary from nice to blocked. If you get an inside courtyard-facing unit, go above the first floor for better views. Most units we saw with the agent we list looked adequate. Walls are thick and deaden sounds well. There are a lot of agencies that rent at this property.

The biggest problem with Sugar Beach is the environment. This area is downwind from agricultural fields. Whenever work is being done in the fields of the Central Valley, dust get kicked up in huge plumes and covers the resort and surrounding area. This part of Maui is often windy (winds usually kick up around 11 a.m–1 p.m.). You’ll probably have a great time—when nature cooperates.

The beach it’s on is long and has okay swimming (but not snorkeling) during calm seas, but is really best for walking. Walk to the right on this beach, and you won’t see another building for 2.5 miles. There’s a putting green and a nice kitchen by the pool for guests. Rooms for 1/1s are 709 sq. ft. includes lanai, 2/2s are 1,518 sq. ft. includes lanai. 3- to 10-night minimum, depending on time of year. Discounts may be available.