You've Heard of a Sofa Bed? How About a Shower Bed? One Man's Attempt to Save Money on a Family Trip to Maui
Deciding where to go on summer vacation is never easy, at least for our family. This year, the three of us — my wife, our toddler, and I — tried something new: Maui. Fabulous beaches, world-class hotels, and plenty of good dining options — what’s not to like? Well, the long flight made us flinch, but as the kids say: YOLO.
Where we spent our summer vacation: Maui (Photo: Jenny Gorenstein)
We spent the first three days in Maui at the Napili Kai Beach Resort in Napili Bay on the eastern shore of the island. TripAdvisor reviewers love it for its “old Hawaii” vibe. We found it dated but in a charming way. It’s the kind of place that families return to year after year, thanks to its impeccable service and large suites. Our one-bedroom suite included a kitchen, two full bathrooms, and a lanai overlooking the Pacific. The resort has several washer/dryers on the premises — a time and money saver that came in handy.
Each day, we split beach time between Napili Bay and the adjacent Kapula Bay. Both spots are perfect family beaches with relatively calm surf. Small waves, but be warned: The undertow is strong enough to knock over a child. Go to the beach in the late afternoon and stick around for the sunset. The back deck at Merriman’s in Kapalua is perfection. So too is the patio at Sea House in Napili.
(Photo: Jenny Gorenstein)
Napili has a small supermarket, which we made use of to stock the fridge — again, a time and money saver. If you’re in the mood to go out to breakfast, Sloppy Cakes near Lahaina is a good option. Kids can make their own pancakes on the tabletop grills. Our daughter got a real kick out of it.
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We decided against some of the most famous attractions on Maui, knowing that they’d be no fun for our toddler. Instead of driving the Road to Hana, we hit the Kahekili Highway and headed to the Nakalele Blowhole. The 30-minute drive along the winding coastal road is breathtaking. It’s a perfect morning road trip, with plenty of lookout points where you can snap photos. After very little complaining from the back seat and a few good photos, we were back at the hotel for breakfast. Victory!
Another Hawaii fan is created. (Photo by Peter Gorenstein)
After a round at the famed Kapula Bay Plantation Golf Course (happy birthday to me!) and an excellent lunch at Honu (the tuna bruschetta is memorable), it was off to Wailea — home to many upscale megaresorts. We selected the Andaz, the new kid on the block. Best decision of the trip. It’s a big property with the soul of a boutique hotel. It’s modern, low-key luxury at its best. By day two, most of the staff knew our name and treated us like old friends.
The modern, low-key luxury at the Andaz (Photo: Jenny Gorenstein)
The one-bedroom suites were too pricey, so this time we all bunked in the same room. Luckily, the crib fit comfortably in the bathroom (actually, the shower), allowing my wife and me time to hang out in the room without worrying about waking our toddler.
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The food at the Andaz is a highlight. Ka’ana Kitchen is one of the top restaurants on the island. They serve an excellent, if pricey, breakfast buffet (kids eat for free). The dinner menu — highlighting the locally sourced foods — is also a winner. (Our favorites: the rib-eye cap and bigeye ahi.)
In the mornings, we started at the beach for an hour or so and then headed to the family pool, which was fun for the kids without being too loud or obnoxious for the other guests. Bonus: It was closest to the outdoor bar.
Great views, plus bar proximity (Photo: Jenny Gorenstein)
On the nights when we didn’t feel like eating out, we stopped in nearby Kehei in the late afternoon and picked up freshly made poke from the supermarket — affordable and surprisingly delicious. The park across the street was a nice bonus for our daughter, who was jonesing for swings and a playground. In general, the beachfront parks in Hawaii are a fun, free way to soak in the late-day sun or settle in the shade with the locals.
Though we could have stayed on property all day every day at the Andaz, we did venture out to see some sights. We decided against a sunrise trip to Mount Haleakala — again, not kid friendly. Instead, we took two trips “upcountry” toward the North Shore. One day, we drove the 45 minutes to the North Shore, where we shopped our way through Paia before dining at Mama’s Fish House — the most famous restaurant on the island and probably the best. Is it expensive? Yes! Is it worth it? Absolutely. After lunch, we went to the even more charming old cowboy town of Makawao.
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On another upcountry adventure we visited the Ali’i Kula Lavender farm. We all loved walking the grounds and taking in the views. A short drive from there is the Surfing Goat Dairy, where we toured the grounds, fed the goats, and tasted the award-winning goat cheese. A big winner with the little one.
Do goats surf? (Photo: Jenny Gorenstein)
After another relaxing day lounging poolside, it was time to bid Maui goodbye. By some miracle, our toddler was content the entire flight home and even avoided major jet lag. It has us contemplating doing it again next year. But maybe we’ll leave the little one at home.
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