The Mauian - Boutique Beach Studios on Napili Bay

A tastefully updated beachfront classic, The Mauian is a throwback 1950s-style low-rise ideally situated on the crescent-shaped Napili Bay, one of Maui’s most spectacular beaches. Originally built by a family in 1959, the resort still has that low-key “old Hawaii” charm with its lush gardens, fragrant plumeria trees and unparalleled views of the ocean. Even if you snooze through the sunrise, you’ll want to be up in time for the complimentary breakfast buffet in the Ohana Room. Fresh island fruit, pastries, juices, tea and Kona-blend coffee await. Plan to spend 99.99% of your time on the gorgeous beach. Pull some complimentary loungers together and grab a few extra towels to wrap around the little ones when they come back looking for snacks. Supervise the sand castle building, and once you’ve declared it a masterpiece, see if anyone’s up for taking kayaks out. When you finally shake the sand off your things and call it a day, stop back at the Ohana Room to watch a DVD, or borrow a book or board game. If you’ve got some future marine biologists in tow, ask about the weekly talk with a local ocean expert – it’ll give them plenty of new factoids to add to their already impressive collection. The free weekly poolside Sunset Aloha Party is a can’t-miss. Just follow the sound of the ukelele tunes and you’ll find it.

Recently refurbished studios with bamboo mat ceilings give you up to 350 square feet of living space, and your choice of pool views or partial ocean views. Fully equipped kitchens inspire with gleaming stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Or keep it simple and load the kids up with condiments, burger buns and paper plates, and head for the poolside BBQs outside. TV-free rooms keep the ambiance peaceful – you won’t hear the news or a noisy shoot-‘em-up action movie blaring from the room next door while you’re out on your private lanai. Collapse on your blissfully comfy Tempur-Pedic bed after an action-packed day of watersports, or exploring the local sights.

Tucked between Kahana and Kapalua, serene Napili Bay is known for snorkeling with the Green Hawaiian Sea Turtles and views of three neighboring islands. Feast on Macadamia nut pancakes or the Big Kahuna at the open-air Gazebo Restaurant (worth the wait!). Then later and hit happy hour and sample the local beer at Maui Brewing Co. (Bikini Blonde, anyone?). Wednesday is Farmers Market day in Napili and Honokowai, perfect for picking up locally grown mangos, pineapples, papayas and coffee. Go whale watching, try a new water sport or get crazy with a helicopter tour of the island. Feel like keeping it low key? Hit the twice-weekly slack key guitar show, hosted by world-renowned local musician George Kahumoku Jr. at the Napili Kai Beach Resort Aloha Pavilion.