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Hana-Maui Resort Review

As a Hawaii Travel Agent, staying in Hana had never been much of a thought. Well, this Hana-Maui Resort Review will show you that we did indeed stay in Hana and why staying in Hana might be a must for you! My only regret? Not staying longer!

Staying in Hana is certainly not one-size-fits-all, but in this review of the Hana Maui Resort, I’ll share why it might be right for you! Hana-Maui Resort is also one of the best wellness resorts in Hawaii.

Prefer video versions? We have a full Hana-Maui Resort Tour on YouTube, plus tours of several bungalows and garden suites. 

Who owns the Hana-Maui Resort? 

Formerly the Travaasa Hana, the Hana-Maui Resort became part of the Hyatt hotel brand in 2020. It is currently part of “Destination by Hyatt,” which is a destination for higher-end resorts that don’t really fit into other Hyatt Brand categories, such as Grand Hyatt or Hyatt Regency. This means that the Hana-Maui Resort does not have Club Access available like some of the other higher-end Hyatt properties. 

It was rumored that the resort would go through a remodel and fall under another Hyatt brand, but I haven’t heard any updates about that, so I won’t share more until I know for sure. However, they have been slowly updating some of the bungalows so I do think a remodel or refresh will happen.

For now, I love the charming “older Hawaii” style, even if some might find it dated. I think it is dated, but in a good way!

If you want a remodeled unit, they do have some very nice remodeled bungalows available!

Do you need a rental car in Hana?

First of all, I always recommend renting a car in Maui, no matter where you’re staying. The islands in Hawaii are meant for exploring, and you truly need a car as public transportation can be hit and miss (and expensive!) I recommend Discount Hawaii Rental Cars. They offer the best rates for rental cars on the Hawaiian islands, and you don’t have to pay until you pick up your car. 

The Hana-Maui Resort is about 52 miles from Kahului Airport (OGG). However, keep in mind that you have to drive the famous Hana Highway (Road to Hana) to get to this resort! I would allow about 2 hours from the airport to Hana-Maui Resort. It took us about 1 hour and 50 minutes with no stops.

It would likely take much longer earlier in the day due to traffic. if you are driving to Hana Highway (to stay here or otherwise) please pull over and let locals pass!

We have driven the Road to Hana many times, but only as a day trip and never to stay in Maui. 

With our flight arriving in Maui (from the Big Island) around 4 PM, we knew we had to quickly get our rental car and head to Hana before it got dark. I am happy to say that we made it, but I recommend trying to arrive earlier if you can. 

How to get to the Hana-Maui Resort

Alternatively, you can fly into Hana on Mokulele Airlines, and the resort will pick you up. This does need to be set up with the resort in advance. Just remember that you won’t have a car, which you’ll need to visit some of the popular things to do near Hana.

Once you’re in Hana, you won’t need your car much as Hana is very walkable. However, you will need a car to visit Waianapanapa State Park, where the famous black sand beach is located. 

Can I just say that the beach is nice, but if you plop down on the beach (like most people do) you are missing out! The trails are the best part of the park! 

You’ll also need a car to visit Haleakala National Park to hike the Pipiwai Trail (the best hike in Maui!) Don’t forget to get reservations for the black sand beach (the state park) because they do not allow walk-ins! Check out my guide to upcountry Maui to learn more!

Check-in at the Hana Maui Resort

Reception is open 24/7 at Hana Maui Resort, and the check-in process is quick and easy. We parked in the free parking lot just across the street from reception. If you’re staying in the oceanfront bungalows, they have a separate parking area. We were in an ocean-view bungalow and parked in the main area. Parking is really not an issue as they have golf carts that will take you wherever you need to go if you don’t want to walk.

We were given some POG juice and leis, and our check-in process only took a few minutes. A driver took us to our bungalow in one of the golf carts. We like to walk, but we did utilize the golf carts for arrival and pick-up when we had our suitcases.

Almost everyone working at the Hana-Maui resort is a long-time local or born and raised in Hana, so they can tell you all about the property and the town!

Hana-Maui Resort Review

Now, let’s talk about Hana-Maui Resort. The Resort has two “sides” that are across the road from each other. The main area is located near check-in. This is part of the original hotel with the garden suites, which opened in 1947.

These are the garden villas. They still have a beautiful view!

In 1984, the other “side” across the street was added with the bungalows. The Hana-Maui Resort also has purchased the property next door to the bungalow side. An employee told me they are considering adding a “glamping” area! 

I highly recommend a bungalow over a suite, as they are larger and have better views. Bungalows also have air conditioning. Even though we barely used ours, not having A/C may be a dealbreaker for some, so make sure to get a bungalow if that is important to you. 

A standard garden suite.

The only negative reviews for Hana-Maui tend to have to do with A/C, which means that some people did not read the details before booking. To avoid this problem, book a bungalow (or book with me, a Hawaii Travel Agent!) 

An ocean view bungalow.

Both the suites and bungalows are very large, much larger than your typical hotel or resort room. The sizes vary, but the bungalows are over 800 square feet, so about double the size of an average Hawaii hotel room. Every bathroom has a separate shower and bathtub. The tubs can be nice if you want to soak after a long day of hiking or if you have young kids.

The hotel amenities are from the brand Malie (mah-lee-ay), which is a local brand based in Kauai. The Andaz Maui at Wailea also has these amenities, and we really love them! 

Where to eat at the Hana-Maui Resort 

Hana-Maui Resort has one restaurant on the property (The Restaurant) and one just down the road (Hana Ranch Restaurant). In-room dining is also available. There are food trucks just up the “road” (the golf cart road), which have plenty of options, from Thai food to hot dogs and more.

Breakfast views from “The Restaurant.”

Golf carts are available to shuttle you to/from your room, the restaurant, or the store if needed. We personally like to walk, so we only took the golf cart once to do video tours and once to get our stuff back to the front for check-out.

This resort is the largest employer in Hana, employing locals at the resort, restaurants, stores, and other locations. 

Who is the Hana-Maui Resort for?

The Hana-Maui Resort is not for everyone! If you’re looking for a more lively resort with plenty of dining options, lots of activities, and late-night activities, the Hana-Maui Resort is NOT for you.

However, if you love a laid-back vibe, enjoy the quiet, and just want to get away from the craziness of home or the craziness of traveling, Hana-Maui may be the perfect choice. 

We did see children at the Hana-Maui resort, mostly younger kids. However, they could have been due to it being in April when most kids are in school. I would bring my kids here (10, 13, and 16), but they love the outdoors. I’d really have to know more about your family in order to know if it would be a good fit. 

I always recommend working with a Travel Agent because I discuss these things with you to ensure that wherever you’re staying is the right fit for you. Plus, I’ve been to almost all of the resorts and hotels in Hawaii myself!

Resort activities at the Hana-Maui Resort

The Hana-Maui Resort may not have days packed with activities, but it does offer a lot! There is daily meditation and yoga at 7 AM and 8 AM, perfect for starting your day. Cultural activities are available and require reservations. You can check out bikes, board games, and more at the concierge. 

One thing you won’t see at Hana-Maui Resort? TVs! Yes, the resort has no in-room TVs. Do you really need one? Take a break from screen time and enjoy it. Plus, don’t we all have laptops/iPads/phones anyway if we truly need to watch something?

The Hana Maui resort has two pools, one on each side. The wellness pool is located right next to the area where yoga and meditation are offered daily. The garden pool is on the other side. The wellness pool also has a pool bar offering cocktails, juices, and some snacks. We were given drink vouchers upon check-in which we used for some POG juice and lemonade. They were both fantastic!

In the main area, there is a wonderful open-air fitness center by the garden pool. The resort also has tennis and basketball courts.

Pros and Cons of the Hana Maui Resort

Now that we’ve discussed some of the amenities at Hana-Maui Resort, restaurants at the Hana-Maui resort, and more, let’s talk about pros and cons. Here is my own personal opinion of the pros and cons of staying at the Hana-Maui Resort:

Pros:

• It is the only property in or near Hana that is not a vacation rental (I am not a fan of vacation rentals, check out why here.) As Maui and Hawaii laws could change with vacation rentals any time, this is a huge pro.
• The bungalows are very spacious; even the suites have plenty of room.
• The lanai on the bungalows is your own private oasis.
• The wellness pool is beautiful (but the garden pool would be a great quiet getaway if the larger one were busy!)
• The staff are fantastic.
• The property is spacious and won’t feel crowded even at full capacity.
• Hana is a very small town, pro for some, con for some. 
• Although the menus are limited, the Hana-Maui resort has some great gluten-free and vegetarian options. I have Celiac disease (strictly gluten-free) and I had options. 
• Hana Sunrises. You need to see it for yourself!

On our first morning, I opened the door to this kitty enjoying the sunrise on our lanai. They are semi-feral but taken care of and ear-tipped (meaning they have been spayed or neutered.) Please be kind to the kitties but do not feed them!

Cons:

• The suites do not have A/C so a bungalow is really the way to go for most and, of course, comes at a higher price.
• There is no beach on property, and the other parts of Maui are known for their beaches
• Some will find the rooms dated (not an issue for me, could be for you.)
• Hana is a very small rown, pro for some, con for some.
• No TVs. I hate to put this on the cons list as I personally find it a pro, but I think some might miss it.
• The dining options are limited. However, considering how much work it takes to get to Hana (now imagine getting food products there), this is understandable.  

Overall impression of the Hana-Maui Resort

We stayed at the Hana-Maui Resort for two days. We both agreed that we would have stayed for several more! Next time, I think we’ll do another day or two. If you want to do a split stay on Maui, you could split your time between the Hana-Maui Resort and somewhere with a very different vibe, such as the Hyatt Regency Maui. Check out our review of the Hyatt Regency Maui because we love this resort too.

If you’re staying here, it’s only about a 10-minute drive to Waianapanapa State Park!

If you’re planning an adults-only trip and want a smaller resort with a more laid-back vibe but also want to split your trip between two parts of the island, I’d recommend a split stay at Hotel Wailea! This beautiful resort in Wailea is one of the only true adults-only resorts in Maui. Check out my review of Hotel Wailea here. 

The potential downsides (a bit dated, no TV, small town) were more pros than cons for us. However, I understand that this may not be the spot for everyone. As a Travel Agent, I never take my feelings into consideration when booking your trip, I look at your wants, needs, and preferred vacation style and make recommendations based on that. 

I’d love to chat with you to see if this resort, or somewhere else in Maui or even another island, would be a good fit for you!

More things to do in Maui

Check out some of my top Maui travel blog posts and Maui resort reviews:

• The best Maui Snorkeling Guide
• 15 easy hikes in Maui
• The Ultimate Guide to Maui Whale Watching
• The 40 best places to eat in Maui
• 50 things to do in Maui
• Maui vs. Kauai
• Is it okay to visit Maui now?

Hana-Maui Resort Review

Did this Hana-Maui Resort review help you determine if this resort was right for you? If you’re planning a Maui honeymoon or Maui vacation, I’d love to help! 

Important Note: I am a Travel Agent, not an “influencer.” 99% of the time, employees do not know that we work in travel and we are treated the same as everyone else. All opinions expressed are my own, and all photos are my property. Please do not use the photos without written permission!

I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, and that is what I do. I specialize in honeymoons and romantic travel but am available for any Hawaii trip from families to group trips and more. Reach out as soon as possible for the best availability, as I only take on a select number of monthly clients. You can contact me to learn more.

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