Mind-Blowing Maui Resorts for an Idyllic Slice of Pacific Paradise

If you’re most at ease among lush greenery, check out Ka’anapali Beach Hotel. Surrounded by a bounty of tropical flora, this beachside beauty is archetypically Hawaiian.

You’ll find island traditions in everything from the décor and cuisine to the warm and friendly staff. You can soak up the spirit of Maui in a garden-facing room, where carved wooden furnishings add to the authentic ambiance. Spend sun-drenched mornings on your private balcony, then migrate to the outdoor pool when you’re ready to cool off.

A packed calendar of activities will ensure you’re always entertained – learn to hula, pick up a few words of Hawaiian in a language class or join a ukulele workshop. For something more energetic, join a waʻa (canoe) paddle tour and glide across the ocean like a local. At the end of each day, Tiki Terrace will welcome you in for platters of jumbo grilled shrimp and a satisfyingly colorful cocktail.

With lofty palms, tropical flowers and winding turquoise lagoon pools, the landscape at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort is something special. Stretching across 40 acres, this four-star hotel boasts lavish ocean-facing rooms, each featuring a private lanai (balcony or veranda) to make the most of panoramic views.

Join a sunrise Yoga Flow class to start your day off right, calling afterward at Honolulu Coffee to refuel with flaky pastries and rich espresso. Head to the Atrium Lobby at 9.30 a.m. if you want to see the resident penguins being fed, or seek out one of the hotel’s six swimming pools to work up an appetite for lunch.

Oceanfront cabanas offer sumptuous comfort and hand-delivered cocktails, though you might prefer the on-site Marilyn Monroe Spa for a gemstone massage. After dark, join a guided Tour of the Stars for something truly memorable beneath the Pacific sky.

Those with a penchant for swimming will be in their element at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali. Set along the oceanfront, this vast Maui hotel features a spectacular water complex that covers 87,000 square feet. Dive into one of five glimmering pools or simply nap in a beachfront cabana, lulled to sleep by the soothing sounds of the sea.

Rooms here are swathed in neutral tones to instill a sense of calm. Decadently plush beds ensure quality sleep, while generous private balconies allow you to drink in views of the shimmering Pacific.

If you’re up for trying a slightly different mode of relaxation, head to the spa for an innovative Pohaku massage. Your expert masseuse will use warm, black lava rocks to improve circulation. Afterward, take time out in the sauna before joining a lively Polynesian Luau for music, Mai Tais and a traditional buffet.

For five-star glitz on the southwest coast, head to Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Arrive to a traditional lei greeting and breathe in the delicate fragrance of tropical plumeria as you ease into a decadent stay. Trade your luggage for golf clubs and spend an afternoon on the green, grab a beach cabana or recline beside the turquoise pool.

Make the most of the paradisiacal location by reserving an Oceanfront Prime Suite. While the gleaming marble ensuite and authentic Hawaiian artwork are impressive, this room is particularly notable for its vast furnished balcony. Gaze out to the sparkling bay as you sip something special from the private bar service.

You can take things easy with a Lana Malie spa treatment, or fill your memory bank with a thrilling whale-watching experience. Drop by the three on-site boutiques to pick up a new outfit, then don your purchase for a night of fine wines and handmade pasta at Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante.

Hawaiian spa dreams come to life at Honua Kai Resort & Spa. Hugging Maui’s northwest coast, this wellness hotel is a heady blend of high-end amenities, intoxicatingly tropical grounds and world-class hospitality. Snag yourself a Studio Suite for open-plan luxury, where you’ll find a gourmet kitchen, a spacious lanai, and soul-stirring sea views.

The onsite Ho’ola Spa is your premier port-of-call for all things relaxing. Breath deeply in the Himalayan Salt Room to cleanse your body of any negative ions, then indulge with a Pohaku Warm Stone Ritual to rebalance and restore your inner zen.

Duke’s Beach House will welcome you in afterward for a satisfying lunch of blackened sashimi and poke tacos. Wander down to the beach while your food settles, then join one of the resort’s exhilarating excursions for an afternoon of thrills. Rainforest hike, anyone?

Escape to an island sanctuary at Hotel Montage Kapalua Bay. Set amid 24 tropical acres on a glistening cerulean bay, this hotel has everything you’d hope for from a five-star resort – including an award-winning spa. Start your stay with a Maui Maluhia wellness journey, then lie back like royalty in the cedar wood sauna.

For a taste of local culture, you can join a lei-making workshop or rock your hips as you learn to hula dance. Prefer to spend your time in the water? Don a pair of flippers and see how much tropical fish you can spot on a guided snorkeling tour.

Rooms here are conveniently equipped with full kitchens, so you can easily try your hand at island cooking yourself. That is if the onsite Cane & Canoe restaurant doesn’t lure you in for satiating bites. You’ll feast on locally sourced produce and authentic Hawaiian flavors with dishes such as keahole lobster pot pie and big eye ahi poke.

Migrate to Maui’s east coast for a tranquil stay at Travaasa Hana. This hotel’s location makes it one of the first to catch each rosy sunrise, so why not start your day with some outdoor yoga? Once suitably stretched, you’ll need to refuel – grab a nourishing papaya bowl at Preserve Kitchen and Bar for a fresh, healthy boost.

If you opt for the Ocean Bungalow, you can savor even more perks. Enjoy complimentary meals and drinks plus indulgent spa treatments – or simply recline on your huge, ocean-facing private lanai with a platter of freshly baked banana bread.

With staggering nature at your doorstep, you’ll want to join one of the coastal walks that embark from the hotel. Trace the striking shoreline and see if you can spot some of the canoe plants that were introduced by ancient Polynesian settlers. Afterward, the hotel’s spa will await to soothe any tired muscles with a Hohonu Nui deep tissue massage.

Flanked by dazzlingly clear waters, Napili Kai Beach Resort is a paradise-like oasis. Book an Oceanfront View room for unbeatable views of the glittering Pacific and spend blissed-out days on your peacefully private lanai. A fully-equipped kitchenette allows you to self-cater, though the Sea House Restaurant is a delightful option for brunches of sweet potato frittatas, custard-drenched French toast, and homemade cinnamon buns.

The complimentary kids club makes this one of the best Maui resorts for families. Send the younger ones off for sandcastle competitions and hula dancing while you take to one of two 18-hole putting greens.

After your round, seek out the onsite spa for a deep cleansing facial and rejuvenating coconut sugar scrub. As for culture, a program of weekly activities will have you swaying to the island beat. Spend mornings weaving lauhala or learning about the history of lei, then slip on your dancing shoes for a lively evening Mai Tai party.