Curator’s statement
“Maui is The Best”—that’s the slogan (but in Hawaiian)—and it lives up to it. We have stayed at the Maui Banyan four or five times, not just because it is the most inexpensive family-styled accommodations on a crazily expensive island, but because it has ALL that we want, and more. It overdelivers on paradise! Kamaole Beach #2 is directly across the street, one of the best spots in Kihei—you can walk the town of Kihei from their location for coffee and papaya boats in the morning, souvenirs, beer, convenience store, huge gourmet sandwiches to eat on the beach, and a bit further down, the bar/restaurant district is easily walkable.
The Fora Difference
Book with Andrew to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay
Unlock perks by contacting Andrew to book your trip.
Maui Banyan is across from Kamaole Two Beach
The Maui Banyan is a 250-unit complex, each building about six-stories tall, with two large pools, outdoor BBQ stations, absolutely gorgeous, manicured grounds stuffed with small waterfalls, gorgeous flowers—it all feels like a small town, as opposed to a gigantic hotel.
Daily sunsets like this! (Taken from a good view balcony at Maui Banyan)
A few blocks from Maui Banyan - another great beach!
Kihei Caffe is the papaya boat spot where I started each day with coffee and a half papaya filled with granola and yogurt, drizzled with honey. It’s about four blocks from the Maui Banyan.
You will want to rent a car, at least for a portion of your time in Maui. You COULD stay at the complex, rotating from pool to beach, from drinks on the terrace/balcony to dining at local spots—and that IS one way to go.
We spent two weeks in Maui each time, and that allows you to spread out over the island—there is a LOT to do! You can’t help but notice a volcano looming over the island, and Haleakala is a day trip—a drive up, a walk around, a lunch at the Kula Lodge, looking out over the whole island, maybe a dinner at the Haliimaile General Store—don’t ask, just GO THERE!
There is a world-famous drive named “The Road To Hana” and it is a full-day's expedition, from finding a pack lunch in Paia, to visiting black sand beaches, isolated beaches, drilling downpours, suddenly sunny. My one piece of advice: get a guide book—there are soo many out-of-the-way beaches, waterfalls, etc. that you NEED a guide, or you miss some of the best spots!
Driving maybe a half hour from the Maui Banyan takes you to Makenna Beach, with the biggest waves on Maui—shoulder separators if you are not looking, so DO NOT TURN AWAY FROM THE OCEAN!
The other direction takes you to the Aquatic Centre at Maalea, and combined with an enchanting drive, that is another day. Wailea USED to be part of this leg, but after the fires, it is being slowly rebuilt. Head right past the empty house, lots to find that the fire didn’t affect—and ten minutes away in Ka’anapoli and beyond, you will find it completely untouched.
Whalers Village for shopping is a more updated version of the 60/70s vibe of Wailea, but it will be back, eventually! Drinks, dinner, and outdoor views abound—look for Monkeypod, Hula Lounge, and more!
Lastly, there is a one track road that circles the top of the island heading to the airport the long way—honor fruit and flower stands, amazing snorkeling, and untouched fish abound here.
See? You will need a car!
Need to know
The last thing I’ll mention about the Maui Banyan is the variability—both in prices and in the units themselves. When you’re comparing rates, don’t just stick to VRBO. Try Googling “Maui vacation rentals” and check a few different sites. You never know—maybe there’s a special deal that makes The Sheraton the cheapest spot (not likely!), but some of the neighboring places are definitely competing for the same tourist bookings.
Another thing to know is that many of the Maui Banyan units are individually owned, which means there’s a lot of variation. Some still have that classic 70s or 80s vibe, while others have been nicely updated. A few look out onto hedges but offer super easy, ground-level access to the pools. Others have balconies with gorgeous sunset views—or you can just cross the street and sit on the beach—but they’re five or six floors up, which can be a bit of a haul with beach chairs, boogie boards, and everything else. The elevators are in the middle, and the best views are usually on the ends.
We’ve been very lucky and always had great units—most of them fully updated and perfect for that relaxed, family-style kind of living: barefoot to the pool or beach and back again. Definitely look at the pictures to see exactly what you’re getting. Some of our relatives have ended up with less-than-ideal units, so keep an eye out and say something if you’re not happy—management might be able to fix the problem or even move you.
At the end of the day, you’ll be spending most of your time at the pool, on the beach, or out exploring Maui’s world-class sights. You’re really just sleeping and maybe eating a few meals in your unit. Sure, you could spend another $100 or $200 a night next time—but honestly, Maui is just as jaw-dropping from the family-friendly comfort of the Maui Banyan as anywhere else I’ve seen.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Maui page.
Travel Advisor
Andrew Larder
Get in touch with Andrew
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can expect a response from Andrew within 1–2 business days. You’ll also be subscribed to our traveler newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).