MAUI, HAWAII – With long flights to get there even from the West Coast, and an average daily room rate of $350*, Maui may be one of the last places a budget-minded traveler would think of spending vacation time. And it may seem an especially daunting destination to the frugal traveler with a family in tow.

But while it may feel effortless (though painful) to plan an expensive Maui family vacation, planning one that would cost only half as much–or less–may be easier than you think. Here are a few tips to help your family get the most Maui for the least moolah.

Take advantage of spring airfare sales to Maui.

When you’re buying tickets to Maui for four or more people, a difference in $100, $200, $300 or more per ticket makes a huge dent in your travel budget’s bottom line. Just consider the difference in total airfare between a family of four that travels over their President’s Week school vacation (AKA ski week) or spring break, and the family of four that waits until summer vacation:

Summer vacation for 4:       

RT San Francisco/Maui @ $700   = $2800 total airfare

Spring vacation for 4:            

RT San Francisco/Maui @ $350   = $1400 total airfare

By taking advantage of Alaska Airline’s spring fare sales, we were twice able to fly round trip to Maui from the Bay Area for less than $350 per person (including taxes). In fact, the savings of $1400 illustrated here may actually pay for a 1-week stay in a 1-bedroom Maui vacation rental!

As I update this in early May 2023, Hawaiian Airlines is still promoting spring fares through end of May/early June, including one-way fares from San Francisco OR Oakland to Maui from $129 each way. Click here to check Hawaiian Airlines’ latest special offers.

Tip: Use www.Fly.com to find out which airlines serve Maui from your nearest airport and sign up for their promotional emails. You’ll be the first to know when they offer a fare sale to Maui—which is important when the number of sale seats per flight are limited and you’ll be buying four or more of them. By subscribing, you may also get special offers, promotional codes, or perks others don’t.

Bypass the resorts and book a Maui condo instead.

It goes without saying that a family equipped to cook at least some of its meals during a Maui vacation will save money over the family stuck with eating out in restaurants the entire time. But having a kitchen, which may be included in many resort rooms as well, is really just the beginning of the financial advantages you’ll have by renting a fully-equipped Maui vacation rental.

Privately owned Maui condos and vacation rentals often come stocked with extras you’d have to pay additional fees for at a resort—like boogie boards and beach chairs—or conveniences you’d pay resort fees for such as beach towels to use during your stay.

Maui vacation condos and rentals usually provide more square feet per dollar than resort rooms, too, and with a 1-, 2-, or 3+ bedroom vacation rental, large families and those vacationing with grandparents or extended family can more affordably accommodate the group without the financial burden of having to pay for a second hotel room for extra children or additional hotel rooms for extended family.

And in a best case scenario, your vacation rental will even include a washer and dryer in your unit, which can not only save you over exorbitant resort laundry fees (or trips back and forth from a coin-op shared laundry) but it may even save you on checked baggage fees when you can get away with packing fewer outfits (x 4 or more people!).

Shelly’s pro tip: Search family-friendly and budget-friendly maui vacation rentals through VRBO

Or… consider camping on Maui!

Yes, you can fly your camping gear over to Maui, but for a family of four, you might really want to consider a campervan rental instead. A VW Westfalia campervan rental from Maui Westy Campers for a van sleeping 4 runs $140-$160 per night in mid season or $160-200 per night in high season —and that covers both your car rental and lodgings!

Note: That doesn’t include additional insurance (optional) of $15 a day, or campground fees—which range from $5 per adult (and $2 to $3 for children) at some camp sites up to $35 per night for a family. But what else does it include? All of the bedding and towels you’ll need, a kitchen kit, French coffee press, ice chest, flashlight, and other helpful items (www.alohacampers.com).

Having a campervan also gives you great advantages on Maui. You can continue exploring the island without constantly back-tracking, and every time you go to the beach you’ll have everything you might possibly need, including all of your food, a stocked ice chest, and mobile changing room!

Rent your snorkel gear or paddle board by the day or week (not by the hour).

Even if you’re staying at a resort, renting snorkel equipment on your own by the day or week will save you money over renting it from a beachfront resort. For example, you can pay around $35 an hour to rent a snorkel set at most Maui beachfront resorts, or stop by Snorkel Bob’s dive and snorkel gear rentals to get fitted for you complete “Ultimate Truth” premium snorkel & fin set for the week at $45 for adults—and lower-priced packages for kids. And you’ll be able to snorkel wherever and whenever you want during your stay.

Paddle boards rented from beachfront resorts may cost you from $55 an hour and up (they usually include a quick lesson with that). But if you pick up a rental board en route to the beach instead, you’ll get the board for the entire day for around the same price. If you’re wondering how to get a paddle board from a rental shop in town to the beach of your choice, it looks something like this (yes, those are foam noodles on the roof–and they’ll show you how).

Or if you prefer, some board shops in Maui like 808 Boards offer affordable day rates of around $50/day or $200/week WITH free delivery and pick up in the west end included.

Skip the spendy luau and get your Hawaiian entertainment for free.

It’s not to say that an evening of feasting, fire dancers, and world class hula performances is anything to sneeze at. But the family on a budget doesn’t have to spend the $80 to $100 per adult (and child over 12 years) or $30 to $50 per child 6 to 12 years, to enjoy Hawaiian culture and entertainment. Especially when there are plenty of opportunities around Maui to enjoy it for free. Here are some places to start.

Free family fun in the Kihei, Makena, and Wailea area:

Check the schedule of free entertainment and activities including Polynesian dance performances, Papa Hula dance and ukulele lessons, lei making, and more. You can view upcoming events at The Shops at Wailea website.

Free family fun in the Ka’anapali area:

Take a look at the current schedule of events at Whaler’s Village, where you may find hula lessons, lei-making classes, ukulele lessons, and even a free movie night.

Free Friday town parties all around Maui:

Plus, each week Maui has a rotating “Friday Town Party” with free live entertainment, food trucks and vendors, and local arts and crafts on display. Here’s the schedule:

• First Friday of the month – Wailuku
• Second Friday – Lahaina
• Third Friday – Makawao
• Fourth Friday – Kihei
• Fifth Friday – Lana‘i

Kihei’s Friday town parties, which happen every 4^th Friday of the month at the Azeka Shopping Center, are known to be particularly family friendly, with face painting, animal rides, and now “human hamster balls” on water. You can visit the Maui Fridays site to see which parties are coming up next.

Plan ahead—or plan last minute for Maui.

Planning your budget-friendly Maui vacation well in advance will enable you to jump on those best airfare specials when they surface, and also to reserve one of the best-value vacation rentals before someone else gets it for the dates that you want.

Destination Residences, for example, will even reward you for booking from at least 60 days up to 120 days in advance with discounts up to 40%. That can bring the cost of a 1-bedroom garden view condo at Grand Champions Villas in Wailea down as low as $143 per night, or a 1-bedroom ocean view at Wailea Ekahi Village down as low as $269 per night (prices will vary by season, date, and individual unit). Click here for more about these offers from Destination Residences.

But if you’re too late to be early, there’s no reason to despair. Many vacation rental owners will drop prices on certain dates if there is a cancellation or an odd number of days to fill between other stays (keep checking Vrbo).

Save like a local on groceries.

Yes, there is a Costco near Maui’s main airport, and you and 100 of your closest friends from your flight may all be headed there as soon as you pick up your rental cars. But before you load up on more short ribs or cheese doodles and jumbo-size condiments than you may be able to consume during your stay, consider whether or not this is the most cost-effective way to go about grocery shopping for your vacation.

You might fare much better overall by shopping at a grocery store nearer your accommodations on an as-needed bases. Safeway has multiple locations on Maui, including Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, and if you already have a Safeway Club Card, you can use it to get the sale prices when shopping at any of these.

Foodland, which also has locations in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, is rumored to have better prices than Safeway, especially when you take advantage of their Maika’i Card savings program (similar to the Safeway Club Card). You don’t have to be a local to join; just ask a cashier for the quick form to fill in on your first visit and the “instant savings” prices will apply to you at checkout.

Better still, Maui has farmer’s markets all around the island and all through the week. In fact, central Maui and south Maui (Kihei) have farmer’s market three days a week, making it easy to buy the freshest, local produce you could hope to get your hands on (unless you want to go pick your own…). Click here to see the full list of Maui’s farmer market locations and dates.

You might also like these other Maui family vacation features:

My Six Picks: Great Maui Vacation Rentals for Multi-Gen Family Vacations

Of Pirate Ships and Paddle boards: A review of Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas

East Maui Escape: My Review of Travaasa Hana for Families

Inspired yet? For more tips, ideas, and inspiration for your Maui family vacation, see my “Maui with Kids” board on Pinterest. And if you get a great budget-friendly Maui tip, please share with the rest of us it in a comment below. Mahalo!

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This article was first published September 25, 2015. It has since been revised and updated.

The post How to Build a Budget-Friendly Maui Family Vacation appeared first on Family Travel 411.

This week, I’m taking a look at family-friendly Maui vacation rentals in particular. Here are six of my hand-picked recommendations that are ideal for family vacations with grandparents, aunties and uncles, and various combinations of friends and families. These rentals sleep from six people up to sixteen, as noted. This sponsored post contains affiliate links.

1. Kapalua – Ocean Breeze (value pick)

Sleeps 6 / 3 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms

If the family that golfs together stays together, they’d likely like to stay here. Ocean Breeze is within the Kapalua Golf Residences, located just off of one of the two courses here. It’s a great option for the family of four plus grandparents, with two king bedrooms and one bedroom with two twins.

Each bedroom has its own en suite bathroom. Guests have four swimming pools to choose from at the resort, and Kapalua Beach is just a 5- to 10-minute free shuttle ride away. Tennis enthusiasts can also be on the Kapalua courts with just a 5-minute walk.

2. Puunoa Beach Estates – Condominium 104

Sleeps 6 / 3 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms

Aside from each of its three bedrooms featuring its own bathroom (hooray!), this ground-level condo may be ideal for many families because it is just that: ground level. There’s no worry of stairs or wait for elevators here, and grandparents can step out onto the terrace for fresh air, ocean views, and lounge chairs with ease.

Two bedrooms feature king-size beds, and a third offers up two queen-size beds. Better still? It’s only a 5-minute walk to Baby Beach (Puunoa Beach), so pack your stroller and soft-side cooler and leave the car where it is.

3. Wailea Beach Villas Resort – Sandcastles Suite

Sleeps 8 / 4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms

Sure, this penthouse villa offers sweeping views from a prestigious Maui address. But it also comes loaded with en suite entertainment “goodies” like Xbox, DVD/Blue ray/CD player, Netflix, Pandora downloads, and then some. And yes, you can feel like a rock star with your own private elevator entrance to this Maui vacation rental.

The spacious kitchen and dining area were designed with a group in mind and include a breakfast bar plus a dining table that can seat all eight of you. The resort offers two swimming pools–one for those with children (including a shallower area for smaller swimmers) and one for those without and is just a 5-minute walk to Wailea Beach and also to the Shops at Wailea.

Extra perks are available for extra fees, including butler service, private chef, or access to the neighboring Grand Wailea pool & water slides. (You can read about our stay in a similar villa at Wailea Beach Villas in “Postcards from the Penthouse” at our sister site.)

4. Ka’anapali – Rainbow Hale Estate

Sleeps 8 / 4 Bedrooms / 3.5 Bathrooms / Private Pool

Want plenty of space to yourselves? Sit pretty in this 3,600 square-foot private estate with its own infinity swimming pool and hot tub perched within a working coffee plantation. There’s also plenty of room for extended family to enjoy the breeze outdoors and ocean views from 2,400 square feet of lanais and lounging areas.

Though you’ll be driving to get to the beach (1.1 miles to Kahekili Beach Park, 2.1 miles to Ka’anapali Beach), it is still within easy reach of great snorkeling, shopping, and dining.

5. Kihei – Shambala Estate (bucket list pick)

Sleeps 12 / 6 Bedrooms / 9 Bathrooms / Private Pools

For the ultimate family reunion, consider this 2-acre gated estate with three grotto-esque swimming pools, water falls, water slide, and hot tub. There’s also an open-air pool bar with billiards, volley ball, and private putting green complete with sand traps. Inside, enjoy a snorkel-free view of the underwater world with the sizable salt water reef aquarium.

And if your family holds fast to the adage that “many hands make light work,” meal prep will be a breeze in the commodious gourmet kitchen with two islands–and for variety, there’s an outdoor kitchen with its own dining area as well. Two of the six bedrooms offer two twin-size beds for family-style flexibility. And yes, it really has nine bathrooms.

6. Lanai – Maui Oasis Estate and Lahaina Oasis (big family pick)

Sleeps 18 / 8 Bedrooms / 8 Bathrooms / Private Pool

Extended family can extend throughout three separate buildings on this private property: the five-bedroom Maui Oasis and the three-bedroom Lahaina Oasis with its detached third bedroom. The architecture maximizes views of the Pacific and island of Lanai on one side, and verdant West Maui Mountain views on the other.

A swimming pool and hot tub invite all to step out beyond a covered lanai that’s more like an outdoor living room. There are also plenty of ways for your group to get its game on here with foosbol and ping-pong tables, badminton, and croquet sets at this Maui vacation rental.

You might also like:

How to Build a Budget-Friendly Maui Family Vacation

East Maui Escape: My Review of Travaasa Hana for Families

Of Pirate Ships and Paddleboards: My Review of Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas

Kauai with Kids Hawaii Family Vacation Guide

Ten Things You Should Always Do Before Booking a Family Vacation Rental

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The post My Six Picks: Great Maui Vacation Rentals for Multi-Gen Family Vacations appeared first on Family Travel 411.

From the first moments we stuck our masked and goggled faces into the waters lapping at Kaanapali beach, it was clear that the resort’s beachfront is located smack dab against a reef.

This post contains affiliate links.

Beachfront Bliss

Hooray for Ka’anapali Beach! Voted #1 in U.S. Beaches in TripAdvisor’s 2023 Traveler’s Choice Best of The Best awards! 

In this particular case, great snorkeling wasn’t something we needed to swim out to at all, but something we could wade into and carefully launch ourselves above, with an instant array of yellow tang, parrot fish, coronet fish, and humuhumunukunukuapua’a below us on a planet of living coral.

We could simply tow our 4-year-old around by his swim vest, giving him full views through his goggles of this underwater world, including an enormous green sea turtle passing by.

What you see above the water here, particularly during the winter months, is not too shabby either. As I took my first stroll around the property, I heard a crowd of “OOOOHs” coming from the beach. As soon as I could see water there was a humpback whale breaching not far beyond the paddle boards.

Each afternoon of our stay, the “Ka’anapali Whale Show” continued, with whale backs, whale tales, and occasional whale breaches within a thrilling distance from our patch in the sand.

Our Family-Size Villa in Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North

Suffice to say, the prime beach location is ideal for families visiting Maui with kids, and we found the accommodations here to be nothing less. Although you should know up front that the units called “villas” are not stand-alone properties or duplexes, but are actually generously sized vacation apartments in 5-story buildings.

Our 1-bedroom mountain view villa (AKA street side) was spacious enough to accommodate a 6-seat dining table, queen-size sofabed, full kitchen, washer and dryer, and large bathroom with separate shower and Jacuzzi bathtub, the latter of which could be shuttered of to either bathroom or master bedroom side. The covered lanai stretched alongside the master bedroom and living room with patio doors providing access from each.

When it comes to stocking your kitchen, there is a Safeway grocery store in Lahaina, just 7 minutes from the resort by car. However, there are two small markets at the resort where you’ll find plenty of basic groceries, snacks, and sundries as well. The market in the north side of the resort (Kai Ala Market or “general store”) is the biggest of the two and has the best selection.

The resort also offers a shop-ahead grocery service, so you can arrive to a kitchen already stocked with the groceries you need to get started–especially brilliant if you’ll be arriving late or already jet-lagged from a change of too many time zones.

Pssst! Shelly recommends searching for your Westin Kaanapali vacation rental with VRBO

To the Pools – and Pirate Ship!

For families visiting the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas with kids under 5 (and older siblings who play nicely), the Pirate Ship pool—equipped with quick-escape kid-friendly water slides and surrounded by an 18” splash pool—awaits. Lounges, shade umbrellas, a playground off to the side make this side of the resort a favorite among families with young children.

For the school-age set, the South Pool with its water slide is the place to be. Staff monitor the water-sliders from above to make sure everyone stays safe. And yes, grown-ups can use the slide, too!

The Westin Maui Kaanapali Kids’ Club

If you need supervised “fun care” for the kids while you enjoy an adult outing or afternoon at the spa, the Westin Kaanapali Kids Club offers half-day and full-day programs (including lunch and/or dinner). But do be aware that this Kids’ Club is strictly for kids 5 years to 12 years.

You can take a look at the Westin Kaanapali Kids Club schedule for upcoming special activities–including keiki night camps certain times of the year. During peak family vacation times, be sure to book well in advance–and if needed, to cancel at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a stiff penalty ($55 at time of writing).

The (Oh-So) Heavenly Spa Helani

One of my great regrets about our stay was that I did not get to enjoy the spa, which I did take a private tour of during our visit. This was by choice, however, because there was simply too much other fun stuff to do with the kids during our time here. Did I mention the snorkeling? The water slide (yes, it’s really fun for grown ups, too)? Or the Jacuzzi bath tub in our villa? Did I mention the luau–oh, that’s next.

Nevertheless, the sprawling Spa Helani was fun to explore behind-the-scenes. And if a couples massage is on your Maui bucket list, do not miss your chance to book the “Tree House” couples treatment room. Kids as young as 4 years can enjoy getting pampered with keiki nail services here. But for regular spa services kids must be at least 12 years. If you’re sitting on a pile of Starwood Preferred Guest member points, take a look at the Spa Helani menu to see how you would most enjoy cashing them in…

Family-Friendly Luau Made Easy

There are many luau options on Maui. But there are three good reasons you would want to choose the luau at the Maui Sheraton. Aside from the very talented performers you’ll find there:

1) it’s very close to your Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villa.

2) You can hop on the complimentary shuttle that goes between the two sister resorts if you’d rather not drive (and wait for the very busy valet parkers both before and after the popular feast).

3) At this luau, kids 5 years and younger eat FREE. Your Westin “KORV” concierge can set you up with the tickets and let you know exactly what time you’ll want to catch the shuttle over.

Also Good to Know:

Parking tip:

Valet parking is free for your first 24 hours. Plan to move your car out when you get a chance. There is free ground-level parking around the resort and a parking garage below if needed.

Playing tip:

If you’ll be arriving well before your check in or well after your check out times, don’t fret. Ask the front desk about gaining access to the guest lounge (air conditioned with large screen TV and movies) and the spa locker rooms during your limbo time. Keep your beach bag ready with swimsuits and sunscreen and you’ll be able to enjoy the pool, beach, and kid-friendly snorkeling here as long as possible.

Snorkeling tip:

The Westin KORV rents snorkel gear and paddle boards, but if you’ll be staying 5 days or more here–or are picky about your snorkel gear, consider renting snorkel gear from Snorkel Bob’s at Lahaina, just 6 minutes away from the resort by car. Premium sets with fins start at  $35/week for adults and $22/week for kids 12 years and younger. Prescription masks for the nearsighted are also available.

Thanks for reading our Review of Review of Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas | Of Pirate Ships and Paddle Boards at FamilyTravel411.com! Use our buttons above or below to share with others who may like this post.

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Review of Travaasa Hana Experiential Resort at Hana, Maui.

But for the lucky—especially those who can opt for a midday drive when traffic lightens and the road unfolds like a souvenir book of postcards—their scenic drive to Hana will be just the start of a memorable stay on Maui’s quieter side. And for the very lucky, that stay will be at the haven of unplugged wellness and repose: Travaasa Hana.

Big Sky Country: One-story Garden View Suites are generously spaced around the grounds, leaving great views of mountains and sky, and plenty of room to breathe.

Though Travaasa Hana was recently voted the #1 Best Hotel/Resort for a Romantic Getaway by readers of Hawaii Magazine, families should know there is space set aside just for them on this sprawling acreage too.

In fact, one thing that sets the resort far apart from most others on Maui is the wide open green space you’ll find throughout, like the soft grass slope rolling down from our lanai that just begged the kids to cart-wheel and roll down it unfettered (the perfect release after enduring both the flight from the mainland and the road to Hana in one very long morning).

Arriving in style: The kids are delighted to catch a ride with our luggage.

And although you may have a few fleeting pangs of, “Why didn’t we come here before we had kids?” when you take a solo stroll through the gated Sea Ranch Cottages section of the resort (for guests 16 years and older only), we found that staying at Travaasa Hana with kids is a rewarding vacation in itself.

An exquisite banyan tree shades a platform that’s perfect for outdoor yoga sessions or, in this case, quietly stringing your own lei as your parents unpack in your Garden View Suite.

The setting alone lends itself to quality family time, with nary an in-room television set competing for attention and no shortage of on-site activities to help you make the most of your time in Maui’s east.

Whether you opt to join a lesson on making leis, playing easy ukulele, or mastering traditional Hawaiian pole fishing, the complimentary daily activities connect families with each other as much as the culture. In fact, one of my daughters’ favorite memories from our trip is the evening we spent learning to dance the Hukilau beside the family pool (many laughs and a good work out, I assure you).

To the pool…

The small but tranquil pool near the Garden View Suites.

From our Garden View Suite and private lanai, we overlooked the family swimming pool with views of palm trees and the ocean beyond.  Even as faithful door-lockers at home, we felt perfectly comfortable coming and going from the pool using our back patio door without need of locking it–very helpful when you’re one of those families that always leaves something back at the room.

With the exception of the select dates when children are allowed in the Sea Ranch Cottages, guests younger than 16 may only use this  swimming pool and facilities on the Garden View/Waikoloa Family Suites side of the property–not the Wellness Pool overlooking the ocean that you most often see representing Travaasa Hana.

To the beach… Hamoa Beach to be precise

Guests of Travaasa Hana enjoying the afternoon at Hamoa Beach.

One of the great perks of staying at Travaasa Hana is the complimentary shuttle service to Hamoa Beach, one of Maui’s loveliest–and least crowded–beaches. Hamoa Beach is almost exclusively frequented by guests of Travaasa because only service vehicles can park anywhere near it and it’s a long walk from town. At the beach, Travaasa provides its guests with a private lounge, changing facilities, beach umbrellas, and lounge chairs.

Before catching the shuttle to Hamoa Beach, check out your complimentary boogie boards, snorkel gear, and beach towels to take along with you. And if you like, pre-order picnic box lunches to be delivered while you’re there. Also good to know: Travaasa Hana Maui guests may use the beach and shuttle service beyond their checkout time on the day of their departure.

Families with smaller swimmers and beginning snorkelers may also want to catch the resort’s complimentary shuttle to the beach at Hana Bay, where they’ll find calmer water, restrooms, and a snack shop.

Around the Travaasa Hana resort…

Joggers up their their early morning chi while striding below the open-air Ka’uiki Dining Room.

While I expected to find a fair amount of fitness and wellness activities at Travaasa Hana, I was stunned by the daily activity schedule. The resort had offerings for nearly each hour or half hour of the day from 7:30 in the morning to 8:30 in the evening.

No matter what your family has on its agenda, you’re sure to find a way to slip in a yoga, core, or aqua aerobics session, if not a smoothie-making or juicing class, or a group coastal walk & stretch. And if you’re up for a family bike ride, you can also borrow the resort’s colorful cruiser bikes. Yes, they do have kid-size bikes and for up to 2 hours at a time. Ask the concierge in advance if you’d like to arrange to have a baby bicycle seat during your visit.

Borrow Travaasa’s complimentary bikes for up to 2 hours at a time.

Off-site adventures…

Don’t miss your chance to see Hana on horseback (guests 9 years and older).

In addition to numerous daily activities just a short walk from your suite, Travaasa Hana offers activities and adventures off site, including 1-hour horseback rides (9 years+), glider airplane adventures (9 years+), fruit tasting tours at Ono Farms, and stand-up paddle boarding (16 years+). Be sure to check for age restrictions and sign up early wherever required–especially if there are many of your own tribe to fill the spaces for an activity.

Additional fees apply for most off-site activities, though guests staying on the all-inclusive plan can apply their resort credit to some activities (see note on all-inclusive “Total Travaasa” for adults below).

Slipping away to the spa…

Paddle boarding, croquet, and juicing aside, no mom should miss her chance to slip off to the spa at Travaasa Hana during her stay. It offers plenty for dads, too, but priority in our family goes to the one who conquers the hairpin curves of the Road to Hana.

If you have ever wanted to try Hawaiian Lomilomi massage with its broad, deep strokes, rest assured this is an excellent place to do it. Note: Having tried any number of massage therapy techniques, this is now a favorite!

The tiny outdoor cold plunge pool, just steps from the ladies’ steam room, is the hidden jewel of Travaasa Hana’s spa.

Whether you go in for hot stone or aquatic renewal therapy, a scrub or body wrap, be sure to show up plenty early to enjoy the spa facilities before your spa treatments. And do bring your bathing suit to enjoy the coed outdoor lava rock spa overlooking the sea.

In the ladies’ spa, a steam room awaits, with a lovely little jewel of a plunge pool waiting just outside. And cleverly hidden outdoor showers brim with Made in Maui bath products. Enjoying a good book? Bring it along and spend some time in the courtyard or quiet room before returning to your brood.

Inside the suites at Travaasa Hana…

One half of our Garden View Suite at Travaasa Hana–too spacious to fit in my frame!

Before booking your reservation at Travaasa Hana, make sure you understand what will be included in your stay.

Garden View Suites

Accommodations for families begin with the most modestly priced Garden View Suites (starting at $350/night). These sleep up to 4 in beds or 5 with a complimentary rollaway bed or Pack ‘n Play, and include a mini refrigerator, coffeemaker, and electric kettle (no microwave).

Waikoloa Family Suites

The Waikoloa Family Suites sleep from 6 to 8 in beds. Plus, they include a full gourmet kitchen and living room area that’s ideal for big family gatherings or small family reunions (from $725/night).

Sear Ranch Cottages – 16 yrs +

As mentioned earlier, the luxury Sea Ranch Cottages are only for guests 16 years and older, except during select dates each year (from $450/night, see upcoming family weeks at http://www.travaasa.com/hana/).

Our Garden View Suite dining area was equipped with seating and wine glasses and champagne flutes for four, coffee mugs for two, and spoons for one. Be sure to ask for additional kid-appropriate glasses or mugs if needed.

Dining at & around Travaasa Hana…

Travaasa’s Ka’uiki Dining Room specializes in “Hana Fusion” cuisine, which is not to to be missed by appreciative adults (eg. charred wild New Zealand salmon). But do know that there is no kids’ menu in the evening. There are, however, some usual stand-bys like pasta marinara (around $12) as well.

In the mornings, however, there is a brief keiki breakfast menu for kids under 12 years ($7 to $9). Dinner reservations are strongly recommended.

The family-friendly Hana Ranch Restaurant, just a few minutes’ walk from Travaasa Hana.

A few minutes’ walk down the road, you’ll find the Hana Ranch Restaurant, a steakhouse also owned by Travaasa. With a more casual evening atmosphere, it may be a better fit for many families with young children. Dinner prices are also less expensive than at the Ka’uiki Dining Room.

Also just a short walk away, a Thai restaurant awaits. Other driveable options may include beachside barbecue dinners (and sometimes lunches) at the nearby Koki Beach. Plus “clay oven wood-fire” pizzas on Friday and Saturday nights. Just look for the colorful signs posted by the main road as you drive past Travaasa Hana.

Extra tips for your family’s travels to Hana…

Flying to Hana

Do you long to experience Maui’s east side, but would rather steer clear of the long, curvy drive? Look to Mokulele Airlines. They offer 20-minute flights from Maui’s main Kahului airport to the Hana Airport three times daily.

The planes are small and seats often sell out, so don’t delay in making your reservation if this option appeals!
 Occasionally, Travaasa Hana offers a fly-to-Hana-free bonus when you book three or more all-inclusive “Total Travaasa” nights. Note: this is not available for kids under 16, so your mileage with this offer may vary. Call reservations for details at 1-888-820-1043.

Banana bread and snacks

While the room descriptions promise banana bread and welcome snacks in all room types, we didn’t see any on our arrival and they never materialized during our stay. Though, complimentary bottled water and cream for our morning coffee awaited in our mini refrigerator. Fortunately, the Hasegawa General Store, with ice cream and snacks aplenty, is just a short walk from Travaasa.

If you need help finding a qualified babysitter or vacation nanny in Maui, be sure to see the directory of Hotel Babysitter and Vacation Nanny Agencies at TravelswithBaby.com.

For baby gear rentals in Maui, see the Hawaii Baby Gear Rental Agencies in the Worldwide Directory of Baby Gear Rentals.

Enjoying your mornings in Maui’s east

There’s no question that those overnighting at Travaasa have significant lead time over all the day-trippers in reaching the most beautiful and popular sites on Maui’s east shore.

Take full advantage by using your mornings to visit the east Maui attractions that make the journey so worthwhile. Then relax and spend your afternoons and evenings enjoying Travaasa Hana.

Thanks for reading our Review of Travaasa Hana for Families | East Maui Escape at FamilyTravel411.com! Use our buttons above or below to share with others who may like this post.

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The post Review of Travaasa Hana for Families | East Maui Resort appeared first on Family Travel 411.

To strike the just-right balance for your crew, here are 4 family-friendly experiences I’d encourage you to venture out and do on your family vacation in Kauai. I’ve also included recommendations for 1 great place to stay and 1 great place to eat during your vacation on Kauai with kids. (Follow this link to view these on a map.)

Activity 1: Snorkel and splash at Tunnels Beach

Can you see why Tunnels Beach should top your list for “Kauai with Kids”?

If the Kauai of your imagination includes crystal clear waters, foot-soft-sand, and a backdrop of green velvet jagging against Hawaiian skies, pack up your family and beach gear for a day at Tunnels Beach on Kauai’s North Shore (aka Ha’ena State Park).

While the wave action nearest the parking lot is popular with accomplished surfers, the beach extending east from here follows a sheltering reef, creating a gentle shore break thick with tropical fish for about 2 miles. Just know in advance you’ll have to carry your provisions with you (small ice chest, sun umbrella, and snorkel gear to make the most of your visit as there is little shade and no guarantee that the food truck will be ).


Nevertheless, this is arguably one of Kauai’s most beautiful beaches, not to mention one of its best locations for snorkeling with kids. For more tips on planning your family’s day trip to Tunnels Beach, see my post on Kauai’s Best North Shore Beaches for Kids.

Activity 2: Swim at Lydgate Park and Play at Kalamani Playground

Just one small section of the sprawling Kalamani Playground at Lydgate Park in Kauai.

One parking space, two great family activities, and only 10 minutes from Lihue Airport in case you are looking for a convenient place to pass the time until you can check in to your accommodations (more in my post Kauai’s Best Playground–and Off-airport Waiting Area for Families).

The sprawling, mostly wooden Kalamani Playground offers outlets for kids of all ages, from baby swings and toddler ride-ons up to a two-story volcano slide. Just across the parking area, you’ll find Lydgate Beach with its kid-friendly sheltered swimming lagoon, showers, and restrooms.

Activity 3: Start the day at Salt Pond Park

A quiet morning at Salt Pond Park on Kauai’s south side.

Since your time of arrival may have everything to do with how much enjoyment you get from your visit to Salt Pond Park, I recommend checking the tide charts in advance of your visit to see which mornings may have the most manageable low-tide times during your vacation (see Kauai’s upcoming tide levels here).

This beach on Kauai’s south side is very popular with local families on weekends and after work hours. Yet it is not on the main tourist track for most families visiting this island. Even a Sunday morning found us on this nearly deserted beach–save for one sleeping camper and one sleeping monk seal we spotted on the sand.

With the tide slowly coming in, we explored the temporarily exposed world of coral shrimp, anemone, sea cucumbers, and tropical fish in the pockets of the rocky outcropping that blocked any waves.

Gradually, small waterfalls began to trickle over the rocks (as shown in lead photo), and a sheltered saltwater swimming pool filled in where the kids swam with ease.  What a beach to have yourselves on a quiet morning in Kauai! See more photos and read all about our visit to Kauai’s Salt Pond Park in this post.

Activity 4: Ride the Kauai Plantation Railway

Tour the Kilohana Plantation in a historic passenger rail car.

Round out your visit to Hawaii’s “Garden Isle” with a visit to the historic Kilohana Plantation, where more than 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables are still grown today.

Whether you opt for the popular narrated 40-minute Kauai Plantation Railway tour, with a pit stop to feed the farm animals–the definite highlight for young kids (bread is provided); or opt for a longer tour including a rainforest hike, orchard tour, and possibly a gourmet picnic lunch; your visit to the Kilohana Plantation is bound to be be both fun- and fact-filled.

The 40-minute rail tour is $18/adults, $14 children 3-12, kids under 3 ride free. Tip: Call ahead to ask which days the cruise ships will be visiting to help avoid peak crowds here (1-808-254-RAIL).  To see current schedules, visit their site at www.kauaiplantationrailway.com.

1 Great Place to Stay: The Condos at Castle Kaha Lani Resort

The view from our living room lanai at Castle Kaha Lani. The visiting doves, cardinals, and other birds were also a highlight here!

Kauai has a great mix of upscale family-friendly resorts (with water slides!), vacation rental homes, and condos to choose from. For this post, I’m going to recommend the Castle Kaha Lani Resort condos, where we (and other friends of ours) have stayed. They are centrally located for reaching all of the activities I’ve recommended in this post, from north to south.

A one-bedroom condo here will also give your family the convenience of a kitchen and more space to sprawl. And if you’re like us, you’ll especially enjoy carrying your coffee cups down to the small beach in the mornings while your jet-lagged kids make driftwood sculptures.

The location, just north of Lihue (near Kapaa), is also helpful when the weather may be better on some parts of the island than others–it may be just a short drive from here to a sunnier or less windy day trip destination. You can see more photos from our stay and read the full review of Castle Kaha Lani  here.

Shelly’s Tip: Search for your Kauai vacation rental condo with VRBO

1 Great Place to Eat: Gaylord’s (for lunch)

Forget Frommer’s. You do not need a babysitter to enjoy an outdoor lunch at Gaylord’s.

Tired of missing out on gourmet dining during vacations because you have energetic kids along for the ride?  Then treat yourself to lunch at Gaylord’s during your Kauai family vacation.

You can dine al fresco at the historic Kilohana Plantation house; oh, yes, you can. Enjoy your choice of savory crepes (roast chicken, brie, porcini mushrooms…). Or try beer-battered fish tacos, a Hawaiian-style grilled fresh catch, delectable salads and sandwiches….  All the while, your children practice galloping like horses back and forth, back and forth, across the sweeping lawn below the patio–while bothering no one.


Lunch options range from the $5/$8 soup du jour to $18 entrées. Of course, there is also a children’s menu ($5 to $7 options) when they have worked up an appetite. What’s more, we appreciated the covered cups with straws and custom fruit plate created for our keiki. See the current menu and dining hours here on Gaylord’s official site.

You can view these recommendations on my Google map of the 411 on Kauai with Kids. For more family-friendly Kauai recommendations, see my Kauai with Kids board on Pinterest.

Some things you might want to bring:

Six Great Travel Toys and Games for Tots through Teens

Tips for Buying Sunglasses for Kids

Anatomy of a Great Travel Hat for Kids

Review of Lumix TW25 Waterproof Digital Camera

You might also like:

Kauai with Kids: Tips for a good family day trip to Waimea Canyon–even with a toddler in tow

The Best Kauai North Shore Beaches for Families with Young Children

Kauai’s Best Beach for Babies and Toddlers

How to Build a Budget-Friendly Family Vacation in Maui

California with Kids: Ten Unforgettable Family Vacation Ideas

Nine Amazing Family Vacations Abroad

The post Kauai with Kids | Hawaii Family Vacation Guide appeared first on Family Travel 411.