December Hot Picks: Top Places to Stay on Maui

December is full of tropical holiday cheer on Maui. Both Santa and the whales are making their grand entrance, and the island is abuzz with energy. Celebrate a different type of white Christmas this year- a white sandy beach Christmas- and check out December’s Hot Picks for places to stay on Maui.

South Maui: Kihei/Wailea

With comfortable temperatures, a lively atmosphere, and whales splashing offshore, December is one of the sweetest times to stay in South Maui. An early December stay will yield fewer crowds and cheaper rates, while the island sees a sharp increase in visitors and prices in the few days before Christmas. However, stick around for the holidays, and you’ll delight in the Grand Wailea tree lighting ceremony, watching Santa arrive by outrigger canoe on Wailea Beach, and an extravagant fireworks show off the Wailea coast. There are many great places to stay in South Maui to choose from.

Hale Hui Kai

Situated directly on beautiful Keawakapu Beach in Kihei, bordering the Wailea Resort area, Hale Hui Kai offers two-bedroom condos in a traditional three-story island-style architectural design. The beachfront setting, spectacular sunsets, and peaceful, easygoing “old Hawaii” ambiance make Hale Hui Kai a favorite with honeymooners, families, seniors and anyone seeking a laid-back beach hideaway. Book directly with Bello Realty to skip the fees of a booking website!

Coral Gardens Estate at Makena Bay

If you’re looking for an entire estate all to yourselves check out this luxury vacation home overlooking Makena Bay! This is one of the most striking four-bedroom four-bath luxury vacation homes on Maui. Coral Gardens Estate at Makena Bay features breathtaking panoramic ocean views from its expansive open-air great room as well as from three of its four master bedroom suites (King, King, King, Queen). Offering the perfect indoor/outdoor living experience with over 4,800 interior square feet and an additional 2,000 exterior square feet of luxurious living space, Coral Gardens Estate shows the paradise that Maui truly is. Book this vacation home directly with Private Paradise Villas!

Ho’olei Wailea Beach

If you are looking for the perfect combination of a high-end home in close proximity to a luxury hotel, this is the answer to your search. This Ho’olei townhome sleeps up to 10 people with 3 gorgeous bedrooms, each complete with its own bathroom. The expansive lanai has uninterrupted views of the Pacific ocean. Seamlessly blend the kitchen, great room, and lanai by retracting the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Book this villa directly with the owners for the best deal!

West Maui: Lahaina/Ka’anapali/Kahana/Napili

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in West Maui, where there are many places to stay! West Maui surfers rejoice at the return of north swells, which turn renowned snorkeling spot Honolua Bay into a world-famous surf break. Meanwhile, visitors can look forward to a sunny holiday season marked by holiday markets and unforgettable events. Of course, the water is warm year-round, so ditch the pool and explore the countless beaches, coves, and nooks from Kapalua to Ka’anapali.

Book a whale-watching excursion from Ka’anapali Beach and viewing these massive critters up close in their natural habitat is a must. Snag a room in one of Ka’anapali condos, and you’ll undoubtedly catch views of humpbacks playing just offshore. Learn more about whale watching with these helpful whale watching tips.

***August 8, 2023, a devastating wildfire tore through the historic town of Lahaina, burning down over 2,200 homes, 86% of which were residential, and damaging 2,700 buildings. The rebuild will take years, and we’re monitoring the situation closely to keep our readers as best informed as possibly can. West Maui is open to responsible, mindful, and respectful visitors starting October 8, 2023  ***

Whaler Resort #159

This approachable condo is a convenient ground-floor unit at The Whaler Resort, an award winning oceanfront resort property located directly on Kaanapali Beach! Adjacent to Whalers Village, the largest outdoor shopping mall on the west side of Maui, you’ll appreciate the great proximity to all the fabulous restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and entertainment spots. This is a one-bedroom partial ocean-view unit just steps from the beach! Book directly with the management company to skip the commission fees of the main booking website!

Whaler Resort #1056

This beautiful one-bedroom island condo is on the 10th floor, located directly on famous Kaanapali Beach! Whaler Resort 1056 offers an exceptional view of Kaanapali Beach with its wide stretch of soft white sand. The views feature not only the beach, but miles and miles of aqua blue ocean water and spectacular views of our neighbor islands. This condo sleeps up to 4 people with the ease of a fully applianced kitchen. Book this condo directly with the management company for the best deal!

Kapalua Bay Villas 29-G4

This a newly remodeled 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo provides calming privacy as well as panoramic jaw-dropping ocean views. This resort in Kapalua offers a quiet and serene setting with close proximity to many of Maui’s top-rated beaches, championship golf courses, and award-winning restaurants. The private lanai is the perfect spot to wind down and take in those surreal Maui sunsets or watch whales breaching during whale season, and dine al fresco with stunning views and rolling waves as your backdrop. Book this condo directly with the owners for the best rate possible!

We hope you have a blast this December on the Valley Isle! There’s no better place to celebrate the holidays than under the warm Maui sun.

• Looking for great places to stay on Maui? You’ll save by BOOKING DIRECTLY with the owners/managers of these accommodations.

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Happy Travels!

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