Travel Guide: Maui, Hawaii
The Wailea Marriott Beach Resort we stayed at (and loved!)
I’m writing this on the plane from Maui to my home in San Francisco — so here’s my fresh-off-the-balcony travel guide to exploring Maui, Hawaii (with all the salt-water, sun and chill you crave).
After whirlwind stops in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, I traded skyscrapers for palm trees, paddleboards and balmy winds. And if you’re reading this and you do writing for a living (or dream of it), you might want to check out my subscription community for writers, ✍️ Make Writing Your Job, where we have a writing job board so you can also write for a living and take your laptop wherever you go — so scroll through it while you’re sipping coconut water by the sea and plotting your next story.
Here’s everything you need for a week (or more) in Maui: where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and my overall thoughts on Hawaii as a travel destination.
Where to Stay in Maui, Hawaii
We stayed at Wailea Beach Resort ‑ Marriott, Maui (3700 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea). It’s a classic Hawaii resort, and it hasn’t changed much since I stayed here when I was young. It’s all open-air spaces with nice rooms and lovely pools.
Here’s why I loved it and what I’d note:
Our ocean-view room had a spacious balcony with a sweeping view of the Pacific. I spent more than one afternoon out there just existing.
The resort spans 22 oceanfront acres between two lovely beaches.
Amenities were top-tier: multiple outdoor pools, including infinity pool options and the Adventure Pool with two waterslides.
Located in the Wailea area, which has the benefit of being resort-rich, relatively serene and easy beach access.
What you’ll want to know/plan for:
Resort life is a part of the experience. If you want total off-the-grid, Maui has other pockets, but for families or mixed groups this is perfect.
The resort is a great pick if you’re after beach, swim, pool-hang, spa/rest mode rather than hardcore adventure every minute.
Wailea itself is lovely, but outside the resort you’ll find fewer dense “town center” options — there are some issues (homelessness, tents) in certain areas near the retail strip by Wailea-Alanui that reminded me we were “back in America” in a way (unfortunately). Parts of Maui are not very scenic due to the sad fires that have happened and some of the drier planes and less-than-pretty areas.
What to Do in Maui, Hawaii
Exploring the Īao Valley State Monument in Maui with Kyle and my family on a rainy day
When thinking about what to “do” in Maui, my list is mostly “hang out at the beach and read/write/chill.” Hawaii is a great place to just… be. The waves wash away all your problems, and this is one of the best places on earth to just surrender to the slow-paced lifestyle and enjoy the warm weather and equally warm water.
But in terms of activities, here are some of my recommendations:
Beach yoga, snorkeling & paddleboarding in Wailea
By the water near the beach by our resort at sunset
The beach right outside the resort is quiet, swim-friendly, snorkel-friendly, and ideal for stand-up paddleboarding due to the lack of waves. We hopped on a board while the trade winds blew gently and caught the late morning glow.
In the resort we also did a beachside yoga session (book ahead) and spent sunsets in the infinity pool. If you just want a restful, gorgeous beach week, this is it.
Drive the Road to Hana
We did the first part of the Road to Hana, which is a major attraction here in Maui.
Tips:
Leave early in the day (to avoid crowds and ensure daylight for stops as its a long drive — and be sure to fill up on gas before you depart).
Many of the narrow roads require care (4-wheel drive helps if you go deeper). We didn’t go the full way, but the drive itself is scenic.
If you haven’t eaten anything before you start, stop at a great brick-oven pizzaspot on the side of the road (a fun casual local stop which is right next to the Jaws-themed country store).
Other Things Worth Knowing
Some attractions (especially resort-side yoga, spa sessions, special dinners, even some hiking spots!) require reservations ahead — spontaneity is limited here.
The Īao Valley State Monument was a nice little walk surrounded by lush greenery and a small river, but you need timed reservations ahead, so plan accordingly.
We went to Twin Falls which was part of the first stop on the Road to Hana — it was underwhelming because the water flow was low and the pool looked a bit brown. If you’re expecting full waterfall magic, check recent conditions. (To be honest, I was more impressed with the hikes and waterfalls on the island of Madeira, which we visited back on our world travels when we were in Europe!)
Renting a car was seamless via Sixt at the Maui airport — I booked through Capital One’s travel portal with points, which made it very affordable. Just as a heads up, know that gas will be higher than mainland.
For families (or groups of friends) resort + pool + beach combo is gold. Our family (all too old to be considered “kids”) all went on the waterslide in the “adventure pool” too, so don’t assume it’s just for kids.
Where to Eat in Maui, Hawaii
Here’s a curated list of standout meals from our stay:
Nobu Grand Wailea (3850 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea)
This is a fairly new Nobu, and if you’re wanting a higher-end meal, this place is stunning with open-air balcony seating and ocean views.
Signature dishes: Black Cod Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeño, great sushi according to the meat eaters.
Even as a vegetarian I found creative vegetarian options, which is nice.
High-end, so plan dress/ambience accordingly. Reservation recommended.
Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (“Humu Humu”) (also at Grand Wailea)
Set amid beachfront lagoon with beautiful views, this place had a cool aquarium built into the bar, so if you can get here early for a drink at the bar to admire the fish!
Fresh seafood and steakhouse options, great sunset setting.
If you’re vegetarian or non-seafood, there was a great jackfruit curry here.
Reservation strongly recommended.
Resort pool-bar meals & casual spots
At the Marriott resort the poolside bar and casual dining was a relaxed win. There were some different food options sprinkled throughout and I liked the beachside cafe for acai bowls and coffee for breakfast while watching the waves.
Tip: for larger groups make reservations even for the casual dining spots.
Overall Thoughts of Maui, Hawaii
Making time to workout at the resort gym in-between beach hangouts!
Maui still holds its quiet magic for me — that rare kind of calm that lives somewhere between the salt in the air and the hush of the ocean at dusk. After a month and a half of traversing China — from neon cityscapes to bullet trains and endless sensory overload — landing in Maui felt like a full-body exhale. I’d sit on the balcony each afternoon, enjoying the breeze, or taking a dip into the infinity pool watching the horizon dissolve into light over the ocean. The air itself seemed to insist: slow down.
In November, the island is warm enough to swim but never oppressive. The ocean feels alive yet gentle — the kind of water that coaxes you in rather than dares you. Wailea, in particular, has a softness to it. The beaches are clean and calm, the horizon unhurried. Resort life here is its own rhythm: long poolside afternoons, dinners timed with the sunset, a kind of orchestrated serenity that’s easy to sink into.
That curated peace is both Maui’s gift and its limitation. It’s not a wild island — not in the way Madeira’s volcanic cliffs or the Greek islands’ glassy coves are. There are pockets of grit, of course — reminders that paradise and reality coexist, especially when you leave the manicured resort zones. The island’s struggles with homelessness are visible, and the contrast between resort luxury and everyday life can be jarring. But I think that tension, too, is part of Hawaii’s truth: beauty and hardship braided together, inseparable.
If you come to Maui looking for nightlife or spontaneity, you might find the pace too measured. This isn’t a “let’s see where the day takes us” kind of destination — most activities require reservations, and serendipity moves at a slower pace here. But if you arrive wanting rest — real, restorative rest — Maui offers it in abundance. It’s a place that asks nothing of you except presence.
I’d come back here with friends, or maybe someday with kids. The pools and beaches make it ideal for families, but it’s just as fitting for anyone in need of stillness after too much motion. Renting a car was seamless, the airport pickup quick, and the drive to Wailea easy — all small luxuries that smooth the edges of travel.
If you’re craving an island escape that balances ocean views with quiet luxury, Maui is that gentle middle ground between adventure and ease. It may not demand your adrenaline, but it will ask for your attention — and reward it with calm.
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