South Maui is a narrow strip of sunny Maui coast running south from Kihei down to Makena and the Puu Olai cindercone between South Kihei Road and the Piilani Highway. South Maui is small, only about seven or eight miles long, and makai to mauka is less than a mile. If you get lost between Kihei and Wailea, you're probably not in South Maui anymore.

From the northern edge, South Maui starts at the Kihei beaches, well known for its many vacation condos and seaside hotels, and though South Kihei Road dead ends in Wailea, this paradise strip continues south on Wailea Alanui (later name changing to Makena Alanui) through Wailea and Makena.

Wailea is luxury. Here, destination resorts sprawl under the sun surrounded by luscious green golk links, tennis courts, gardens, and pools. Any amenity can be had for the money.

South Maui: Then and Now

The waters off South Maui are calm, in the lee of Haleakala, and protected on the south by the islands of Lanai and Kahoolawe. And because the coast from Kihei to Wailea sits in the lee of the island's highest summit, South Maui is perfectly suited to host the many world class resorts and hotels that bask in Maui's perfect sun.

Before hedonists and sun worshippers discovered South Maui, the area was sparsely settled because of its dry climate, but the area boomed after the resorts came in the '70s and '80s.

South Maui Destination Resorts

South Maui's luxury resorts include the Maui Prince (more) sits at the end of the road in Makena, where each evening a chamber group performs. The Fairmont Kea Lani (more) is as opulent as anyone would want. They offer different bedroom suites and private villas, if you're so inclined.

The Grand Wailea Resort and Spa (more) is magnificent. They have a quality art collection, pools, facilities, and accomodations for every whim, while the Outrigger Wailea Resort (more) prides itself on being Hawaiian at heart. It was the first big hotel in Wailea and tries to give guests a better understanding of what Hawaii really is.

No matter what, each one of these South Maui destination resorts offers impecable quality of service and accomodation and sublime delights.

South Maui's more affordable places to stay are generally found north of the Wailea resorts and golf courses up to Kihei. If you're planning an active activity and exploration sort of vacation on Maui, a Kihei hotel is the right choice for location and price, figuring you'd like to be closer to the rest of the island and spend whatever you save on your room on your tours, activities, and further explorations around Maui.

Among the many options here are hotels such as the Aston's Maui Lu (more) was actually the first hotel in the area. It has about 120 rooms on 28 acres, and some rooms have their own private coves.

In Kihei, you'll find a lot of vacation condos for rent. These are great accomodations, usually with some sort of kitchen, bedrooms, and living rooms. Most have coin-op laundries on the premises and other services to keep you looking and feeling great.

The Kamaole Sands (more), and Aston's Maui Hill (more) all fall into this large category.

But there are many other fine hotels in South Maui, and you can browse through the rest here (in Kihei or in Wailea).

South Maui Tour

South Maui, itself, isn't filled with reminders of Maui's past. It's modern, but if you poke about, you'll find some reminders of the past. Over on the beach near the Maui Lu hotel is a monument to Captain Vancouver who visited Maui. Later the captain went to British Columbia.

Because South Maui's long stretch of calm water and sandy beaches, the US Army built tank traps and pillboxes along the coast during WW II. If you really want to hunt them out, ask the folks at your hotel. More about Kihei and Wailea, and the beaches of South Maui