The Mauian on Napili Bay

Want to know the nearest hotels to the Hawaiian island’s best surf breaks and beaches? Our local insider has the lowdown.
Tranquil beaches, emerald-green bamboo forests and a coastline sculpted by dramatic cliffs: the Valley Isle’s attractions are plentiful. While not a large island, choosing where to stay – west Maui for the resorts, south Maui for hush-hush beaches – will give you an entirely different Maui experience. From charming historic inns to swanky beachfront resorts and boutique abodes for you and your crew, these Hawaiian hideaways won’t disappoint.
What was once a family home has been turned into a gem of a bed and breakfast. Located on a secluded plot, Iao Valley Inn’s two rooms and standalone cottage offers a unique Maui stay. The property’s tropical decor is reflective of its lush green setting where forest bathing and napping to the sounds of Wailuku River remain the focus. Close by, visit Iao Valley State Park for 4,000 acres (1,620ha) of lush, green scenery, hiking trails and natural splendor. For horticulturists especially, there’s a walk around the Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop that showcases the tropical flora of Hawaii.
Beloved by surfers of wind and waves for its primo location between the breaks of Ho‘okipa and Kanaha, the Aloha Surf Hostel offers cool flashpacker-style accommodation in the historic town of Paia. Located within walking distance of Paia Bay – where there’s an excellent near-shore surf break – the hostel offers a bunch of freebies including free tours, breakfast and parking.