11 Best Oceanfront Hotels in Maui

No one does it like Maui when it comes to outdoor adventures mixed with the sun, sand, and the sea. The “Valley Isle,” a.k.a. Hawaii’s second-largest island, is a veritable playground of adventure, fun, and luxury. Add to that the fact that it’s home to some of the world’s best beaches, and you’ve got yourself one amazing destination. After all, you probably flew this long to minimize travel time to the water, didn’t you? The best options for an oceanfront hotel in Maui lie directly on the beach, so you’re in luck! Picking a Maui resort is like choosing your own adventure story. Whether you spend days lazing at a spa or outdoor pool or want to stay on beaches with a crock of water, Maui’s beach resorts have them all.

What’s more, they range from boutique romantic stays to lavish and sprawling luxurious resorts that have every amenity under the sun. Thus, no matter what you’re looking for on a Maui vacation, the island has you covered. To that end, here are the 11 best oceanfront beach hotels in Maui.

Wailea Beach Villas Resort

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The Wailea Beach Villas Resort is one of the best oceanfront beach hotels in Maui. It’s especially popular with gay couples as it’s one of Maui’s top gay-friendly hotels too. Everything about this Wailea Beach resort is utterly chilled-out, right from the fabulous beach area to the private villas, each with lanais and ocean views. Choose from two/three-bedroom ones, all of which sport a Polynesian look with oversized furniture, luxe bathrooms, and mod-cons. The garden villas are particularly amazing, as they come with their own lava-rock outdoor showers and plunge pools. This resort scores on the outdoors, too, especially the beach, which sits right across the lush landscaped lawns. Besides a Tesla shuttle service and a fitness center, the place also has a concierge team, aside from being close to the coastal path. So, everything in Wailea is within walking distance.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

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One of Maui’s best beachfront hotels is also one of Maui’s best luxury hotels, the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. This Wailea Beach resort feels more like a rich person’s cool beach house, with a vibe that says less Aloha and more Zen. What’s more, it boasts an unusual layout, with the check-in happening at the top of the complex, winding down the hill to the beach. Walkways and elevators make it easy to get around, whether it’s the beach or the massive pool complex with four oceanfront pools. Since it sits at the end of the coastal path, there’s certain tranquility here that you won’t find at other Maui resorts.

You’ll also love the modern rooms and suites, with teak furniture, white shutters, and swish lava-stone bathrooms. The best bit? All rooms have private lanais, with the ocean villas even offering direct access to the pool and beach. Finally, the all-day Ka’ana Kitchen, fine-dining Morimoto, and a beach bar take care of all hunger cravings, serving epic meals and drinks.

Fairmont Kea Lani

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The Fairmont Kea Lani is one of the best oceanfront beach hotels in Maui. If romance is what you’re looking for, then you’ve come to the right place, as it’s one of Maui’s most romantic hotels. “Kea Lani” means heavenly white, and the resort really does look like an all-white royal palace. Since it sits on Polo Beach, surrounded by lava rock walls on both sides, the resort has a secluded feel that also lends it its romantic air. What’s more, there are also three main swimming pools, including an adults-only one for couples.

When you want to relax, a health club, a spa, and two restaurants source all their ingredients locally. When you want to add an extra dash of romance to your vacation, curl up on the private cabanas near the tranquility pool and order poolside cocktails and food. And the digs at this all-suite hotel? They’re some of the largest on the island, especially the beach-facing villas that have private plunge pools.

Montage Kapalua Bay

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Montage Kapalua Bay on Maui’s West Shore feels like a truly secluded escape. This fantastic resort incorporates Hawaiian seafaring traditions and culture into its public spaces. The vibe continues to the rooms, which are the largest on the island – the 1,250-square-feet ones are the smallest! Additionally, the rooms and suites feature plush bathrooms with deep-soaking bathtubs, powder rooms, sitting areas, and lanais fronting the ocean. Downstairs, the small but lovely Kapalua Bay beach sits just beyond the resort grounds and is prime ground for snorkeling. If you don’t want to head to the beach, the tiered pool scene is amazing here, complete with tons of daybeds. In fact, it’s one of the best hotel pools in Maui. A fitness center, a spa, and a kids club wrap up amenities here.

Napili Kai Beach Resort

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Are you looking for the best budget oceanfront beach hotels in Maui? Look no further than Napili Kai Beach Resort, a plantation-style resort with lots of verdant spaces, including an actual putting green! Since it fronts Napili Bay, it practically feels like a private sandy beach. What’s more, the Kapalua Coastal Trail practically begins at the property itself. After you’re done lounging at the beach, head to one of the four amazing swimming pools, one of which is kids-driven and another is adults-only. Afternoons are best spent at the spa, while the four large BBQ areas are where you should be spending your evenings.

When the hunger pangs come calling, the beach restaurant serving Hawaiian seafood is the perfect spot for digging in. Or, you could grab snacks and drinks from the pool bar. Besides Tuesday’s free Keiki hula shows, the resort also hosts weekly parties with themes ranging from putting to Mai Tais. Coming to the rooms and suites, all of them have kitchenettes and private lanais with gorgeous sea views.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

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If you want to splurge on your Maui vacation, we suggest doing so at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Tucked at the southern end of Wailea Beach, this resort is all about those Instagram-perfect views. Since it sits right on Wailea Beach, the lovely Pacific waters are never too far away. Add to that, cabanas, daybeds, and poolside service allow you to spend hours at the beach. Back at the hotel, you can find a perfect spot by the pool to do just the same. Couples will especially love the adults-only Serenity pool with two Missoni cabanas. A poolside restaurant, an Italian one, and a Wolfgang Puck restaurant take care of all hunger cravings. Meanwhile, rooms and suites are like luxury dens, with Hawaiian textiles and artwork, marble bathrooms, and on-point tech. The best are the ocean-view rooms, complete with sweeping views of the ocean.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

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Have you heard of Maui’s famous “airport beach” hotels? The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is one of the best oceanfront beach hotels near Kona airport in Hawaii. The sprawling resort sits on a sandy beach and jagged promontory on the North Pacific Ocean at the northern end of Kaanapali. The sandy beach sits just beyond the lush, landscaped lawns, where you can lounge on the daybeds or indulge in water activities. Back at the hotel, there’s the pool, of course, as well as two restaurants serving all meals. Don’t miss the evening cliff-diving and nightly torch-lighting ceremonies, accompanied by a mai tai, naturally. You’ll love the sleek guest rooms here, with all-white bathrooms and choices of the garden or ocean-facing views.

Westin Maui Resort & Spa

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There’s so much to love about the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, which sits right on the sandy stretches of Ka‘anapali beach. This 12-acre resort is home to the swanky Ka‘anapali Surf Club, which offers stand-up paddleboarding and surfing lessons and even has oceanfront cabanas for endless lounging. Back at the complex, there are as many as six swimming pools where you can swim and lounge to your heart’s content. Afternoons are best spent at the spa, relaxing and unwinding with Hawaiian massages and treatments. Hunger and thirst pangs are best-taken care of by the four restaurants and bars, which also serve some of the most delicious Hawaiian food on the island. While all rooms and suites are amazing, the Hokupa‘a Tower offers a hotel-within-a-hotel experience. Imagine ocean-themed decor, picturesque oceanfront views, and exclusive access to the second-floor, ocean-view Lanai lounge.

Hana-Maui Resort

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One of the best oceanfront beach hotels in Maui is the Hana-Maui Resort. This resort, which boasts a 10-seat Cessna that ferries guests, is a peaceful and secluded luxury oasis. It sits in Hana on the quiet east coast of Kapueokai Bay and has all the trappings of a luxurious Hyatt property. While you have two swimming pools to choose from, a famous red sand beach is right out front across the lush lawns. After you’re done with water time, unwind at the hot tub or the indoor and outdoor spas. If you’d like some activity, then the fitness center and the yoga pavilion are perfect for you. Choose from 75 spacious rooms, suites, and studios, all of which have mod-cons and private lanais. The oceanfront bungalows, with sweeping ocean views, are undoubtedly the best and the most splurge-worthy residences.

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

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You can’t go wrong with the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, which sits right on a quiet stretch of the marvelous Kaanapali beach. In fact, it’s also one of the best cheap Maui hotels for those on a budget, and yet has all the trappings of a luxury resort. For one, rooms and suites boast luxe bathrooms, swish mod-cons, and gorgeous views from the lanais. The best digs are, undoubtedly, the oceanfront ones, whose lanais directly face the sandy beach. Three restaurants, including a poolside and a beachfront one, ensure that you’re well-fed with all Hawaiian delicacies. But what sets the resort truly apart is its unique program of activities, including learning how to hula or lei making. Besides these and other outdoor activities, they even have a traditional Hawaiian luau called Drums of the Pacific.

Kaanapali Alii

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If you’re looking for exclusive living, then the Kaanapali Alii is one of the best oceanfront beach hotels in Maui. These beachfront condos on Kaanapali beach are exceptionally luxurious while featuring a fabulous range of amenities. For one, the large condos all feature state-of-the-art mod-cons, along with fabulous views of either the landscaped grounds or the ocean itself. Thanks to the guest services team, you can enjoy tee time at the golf course, dig into amazing Hawaiian fare at restaurants, and even enjoy surfing lessons. Since there’s a spa on the property, you can even spend afternoons indulging in a relaxing treatment or service. And while the swimming pool area is great, it’s the beach area out front that you’ll really love. It not only has umbrellas and daybeds but also cabanas for rent, allowing you to relax here the entire day.

Recommended Beach Bars/Restaurants in Maui

• Gazebo Restaurant: This place is exactly what it sounds like; it’s an outdoor poolside perch at Napili Shores Condos with spectacular views over Napili Bay. Must-eats here include burgers, salads, omelets, breakfast fried rice, and macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup.
• Mama’s Fish House: This is a name that pops up on every ‘best restaurant in Maui’ list – and for good measure. This beachside restaurant is studded with palms and boasts gorgeous views of the ocean. Long-perfected dishes include bouillabaisse, a crispy whole fish, and seasonal dishes garnished with avocados, Onaga, mango, and more.

Recommended Things To Do in Maui

• Lahaina Turtle Town Snorkel and Whale Watching Cruise: There’s no better way to see Maui’s stunning marine life than a snorkel cruise like this one. Cruise to Lahaina Turtle Town and spot scores of brightly colored tropical fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles. And if you’re visiting during whale season, then you might even be able to view humpback whales in their natural habitat.
• Kaanapali Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise With Drinks: What’s a great way to end a day in Maui with your beloved? Watching the sunset from the waters! Hop onboard this catamaran for a sunset dinner cruise with your beloved and soak in the views of Maui. Dig into a delicious dinner of local food while enjoying drinks from a full open bar.

Best Beach Areas in Maui

The beach resort scene is centered around two main spots, Wailea and Kā‘anapali. They’re home to boutique and lavish oceanfront resorts that lie on Maui’s golden stretches of sand. First, there’s Wailea in South Maui, which is home to four popular white-sand beaches connected by a coastal path. At the southern end is Polo Beach, after which there’s the famous Wailea Beach and, finally, the home of snorkeling and scuba diving, Ulua Beach. Driving north from Wailea brings you to Kīhei, Keawakapu, Kam I, and Kam II beaches and their rows of beachfront condos. Next, there’s Lahaina in West Maui, which has dining and shopping options, and beachfront resorts at its southern end.

If you’re interested in beach volleyball, surfing, jet skiing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, then head north to Kā‘anapali Beach. It not only has fabulous beach resorts all along but also shops, restaurants, and beach bars. While most of the action is centered around Kā‘anapali Beach, there are many resorts also lining the next beach further north, namely Kahekili, or “airport beach.” Next, there’s northwestern Napili Bay, another enclave of oceanfront resorts and condos and an excellent snorkeling destination. Finally, there’s Kapalua, a pine-lined sanctuary of sandy beaches and golf courses on Maui’s northwestern coast.