Marriage Hawaii

having a destination wedding in Maui?

I'm planning a destination wedding in Maui; it's going to very small with only immediate family. But my budget is tight, where the best places to stay for the best price? Is it better value to stay in a condo or hotel? Please help!

Public Comments

1. Aloha and congrats on the soon to be nuptials!! I actually have the same dream, but more likely a few years away. I can however, try to help you out with your questions. I have stayed on Maui 3 springs in a row with my lady and we absolutely love it! Your best value for a tight budget is Kihei. It is on the South shore of Maui right above Wailea/Makena(great beaches, LaPerouse Bay) and right below Ma'alaea(decent restaurants, Maui Ocean Center). It is a 15-25 min drive to the airport or Kahului, about 30 min drive to West Maui (Lahaina, Ka'anapali) and only about 15 mins to Wailea and Makena. This rather central location has proven to us to be a perfect starting point to many great adventures! The great thing about Kihei is that it tends to be the best spot for condos. A condo will not only be your best value, but also the most practical for a stay of any longer than a couple of days. You save a bundle, and you will also have the choice to stay in and make meals in your own kitchenette. I have personally stayed at the Maui Sunset condos twice and have throuroughly enjoyed the experience! Try to find a condo on the beach side so you can walk out your door and on to a beach! A great site to track some deals down is www.vrbo.com. Also if you were looking to maybe share accommodations (with your wedding party) you can look at http://www.hawaiianbeachrentals.com/. There you can find great deals for detatched cottages and full size homes, as well as all the other regular condo listings. Each time we went, we spent around 900-1500 for 8-10 days. Some must do things i have to suggest: Beaches - Wailea, Makena, Ka'anapali, Baldwin, Waianapanapa(Black Sand) Activities - Snorkel - Black Rock, Molokini - Eat - Alexanders Fish House, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Hardrock Lahaina - Drive - The Northern route along West Maui up through Kahakaloa Head, Road to Hana(not as rough as everyone says), Road up Haleakala - Hike - Haleakala has some great trails, LaPersouse also is a great spot to explore, Lots of stops along the Hana Highway to waterfalls. ... as well as surfing, tanning(with lots of sunscreen!!), Maui Ocean Centre(crazy huge aquarium!), Maui Arts and Cultural Centre and soo much more!! One thing I will also STRONGLY suggest slightly more than other is the Lanai Dolphin and Landing Excursion. If you search for that exactly you can find it on the net. It was certainly a highlight of our last trip to Maui. Great snorkel adventure and really awesome beach time(Mānele Beach). Well I hope some of this info helps you in your planning and whatnot. Congrats again, and I hope you have a wonderful vacation/honeymoon/experience you will never forget. Aloha