March 2025

We spent a week on the beautiful island of Maui, and from the moment we arrived, we fell in love with the island’s laid-back lifestyle and breathtaking scenery. We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria in Wailea, where the staff couldn’t have been nicer and the views were absolutely stunning. Our room featured a spacious terrace overlooking the ocean, and it quickly became our favorite spot for morning coffee and evening wine. The only downside? Mandatory valet parking at $75 per night, something to keep in mind if you’re renting a car (which we absolutely recommend if you want to explore beyond the resort).

We kicked things off with a peaceful sunset stroll at Kalama Park, where the skies lit up in color and we had plenty of space to enjoy the view without any crowds.

Of course, no first trip to Maui is complete without experiencing the iconic Road to Hana. Rather than rushing through, we set aside a full day and loaded up our topless Jeep Wrangler for the adventure. The drive was filled with jaw dropping scenery, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic coastal cliffs. Along the way we sampled fresh produce and banana bread from local stands, and we stopped for lunch at Hana Farms, where their wood fired pizza was made with local ingredients paired perfectly with the soothing sounds of rain falling on the large elephant ear leaves and bamboo.

Our journey continued into Haleakalā National Park, where we hiked the Pipiwai Trail past Makahiku Falls, through a serene bamboo forest, and up to the majestic Waimoku Falls. We also explored the Kuloa Point Trail to the Pools of ‘Ohe’o (Seven Sacred Pools) and enjoyed spectacular coastal views along the entire trail.

After such a full day, we shifted gears with a round of golf at The Dunes at Maui Lani. It was a gorgeous course, but with its narrow fairways, hazards, and strong winds, it’s definitely a challenge (not exactly beginner-friendly!).

The following days were blissfully slower, we found a small private beach where we often had the sand to ourselves. Pure paradise!

No trip to Hawaii is complete without a luau, and after much research we chose the Old Lahaina Luau and we’re so glad we did. Unlike the flashy productions on other islands, this was an authentic evening of storytelling, hula, and culture – with a four course meal that was surprisingly excellent. Hands down, the best luau we’ve been to.

Of course, we ate our way around Maui too:

In Kihei:

• Nalu’s South Shore Grill – A local’s favorite with traditional and modern Hawaiian food. The Mai Tais were incredible, and we loved our visit from a chicken and her chicks, making their rounds for snacks!
• Surfing Monkey Hawaiian Shaved Ice – Huge portions, refreshing, and perfect after shopping on Kihei Road.
• Three’s Bar & Grill – This is a casual spot with a fantastic happy hour and a mix of Hawaiian, Southwestern, and Pacific Rim fusion dishes.
• Gather on Maui – Romantic and unforgettable. We dined on the terrace at sunset overlooking the beach. The views and food were equally amazing – we highly recommend Gather on Maui for anyone celebrating a special occasions or looking for a memorable evening.

In Lahaina:

• Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop – Fresh and locally sourced ingredients are used to make all of their sandwiches with some very chatty roosters for company. Don’t skip dessert though – we loved the coconut cream, apple, and banana cream pies so much we wished we had taken extras to go!
• MALA Ocean Tavern – Gorgeous oceanfront patio, highly suggest you sit out there and enjoy the ocean breeze. The drinks were fantastic, the food just okay, but the view made it worthwhile.

Looking back, Maui gave us the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and indulgence. From driving the Road to Hana and hiking through bamboo forests, to lounging on private beaches and savoring incredible meals, it was a week we’ll never forget.

If you’re thinking about planning your own trip to Maui, Hawaii I’d love to share more tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your visit!

Maui

Road to Hana

Old Lahaina Luau