Maui: Our Six-Night Family Stay in Lahaina

We took far too many photos during our six-night stay in Maui and narrowed them down for this post. This installment covers where we stayed, where we ate, the neighborhood around our condo, and how we saved money. A second post will describe the activities and adventures we did with a toddler, the souvenir we bought for the house, and a vacation tradition we continued in Hawaii.

We also shared tips about flying with a toddler and adjusting to the time difference over on Young House Life.

Where we stayed: we booked a two-bedroom condo at Aina Nalu in Lahaina through HomeAway. Booking directly with the owner saved us money compared with the resort’s listed rates, and the unit offered two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a washer and dryer—great value for Maui, especially because the condo was within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, and shops.

The owners made the condo very family-friendly: they provided a pack ’n play, a stroller, plenty of beach toys, and safety items such as outlet covers and cabinet latches. We chose the two-bedroom so our toddler, Clara, could sleep separately from us, which made nights much easier. The unit felt like a private home rather than a hotel room—no daily housekeeping, which we actually appreciated. Having a washer and dryer meant we could do a mid-trip load of laundry, which was a lifesaver for sandy, ice-cream-covered clothes.

Here’s the resort lobby.

And the main bedroom with en-suite shower.

The grounds are arranged with pathways to the various buildings, lobby, and two pools on the property, so it felt like a small, walkable community.

Some days the pool area was busy, and other days we practically had it to ourselves. The resort provided comfortable seating and shaded cabanas that felt like poolside beds—perfect for relaxing after a day at the beach.

Clara loved the trip—and we each took home a small keepsake: John got a blue Hawaii shirt, I bought a soft Maui tee, and Clara chose pink Crocs she calls her “rocks.” Those waterproof shoes were incredibly useful for sandy beaches and tide pools.

About Lahaina: it’s a charming walkable area on Maui’s west coast with shops, restaurants, and several nearby beaches. From our condo we could walk to multiple beach access points—some sandy, some rocky—and we particularly enjoyed a spot known locally as “Baby Beach.” The reef there calms the waves and creates a shallow, kid-friendly area for splashing and playing.

Clara spent hours playing where the water met the sand, pouring buckets of water, splashing to waist height, and occasionally covering herself with wet sand—classic toddler beach behavior.

We took sun protection seriously—lots of SPF—and mostly unplugged for the week. Phones stayed off, we checked email or the blog for short bursts, and I skipped makeup most days. It felt liberating.

We also kept an eye on the reef line for whale sightings. While we didn’t spot whales from every beach, a few locations delivered incredible views of whales breaching and diving.

Clara’s favorite beach moment was spotting a kayak with a little girl and a dog. She shouted with delight and waved at the passing boat—toddler joy in its purest form.

Food highlights: Maui offered a wide range of delicious options. One photo collage captures favorites like the fried rice breakfast from Lahaina Coolers, Loco Moco from Aloha Mixed Plate, burgers from Cool Cat Cafe, and a giant slice of Hula Pie from Kimo’s. Many restaurants serve large portions, so splitting entrees cut costs and reduced waste.

Lahaina Pizza Company had great pizza and an upstairs balcony with views of the street and ocean—perfect for watching cruise ships and whale-watching boats come and go.

One memorable meal was hibachi—Clara was terrified by the first big fireball and cried, repeating “fire is hot!” We took the meal to-go and ate by the pool cabana. It was both chaotic and funny, and definitely a story we’ll remember.

Overall, Clara enjoyed local treats like shave ice, ice cream, bagels, and fries. We kept a steady stock of crackers, fruit, and veggies for when she wasn’t into the restaurant options. At one lunch she proudly spelled out “A-L-O-H-A,” and a waitress rewarded her with a flower—Clara was delighted and very proud.

We were lucky to see whales from shore at one meal—the splash and the sight of a whale diving are incredible to witness. Every sighting felt exciting, whether it was the first or the fifteenth.

Other eateries we tried (no photos): Take Home Maui for fresh pineapple and deli fare; Sunrise Cafe for budget-friendly breakfasts; Bradda Hutt for amazing BBQ outside Hana; Auntie Sandy’s banana bread at Ke’anae Peninsula; Sure Thing Burgers in Lahaina; Moose McGillycuddy’s (mixed feelings); Cheeseburger in Paradise on the water; and Fred’s in Kihei.

Ululani’s shave ice deserves a special note: Hawaiian shave ice is finely shaved—almost like snow—and a real treat. They’ll add extra syrup if you want it more flavorful as you go, which is a nice touch.

How we saved money on this trip:

• We had several years to save up since our last big trip, which made this one easier to finance.
• We booked flights at the right time—avoiding weekend bookings—and found better prices about 2.5–3 months in advance.
• We used HomeAway to find a two-bedroom condo with amenities (washer/dryer, full kitchen, pack ’n play) for a nightly rate that was cheaper than booking through the resort.
• We carried on our luggage instead of checking bags, avoiding fees and the risk of lost luggage.
• We bought groceries for breakfasts and snacks and cooked simple meals in the condo to offset restaurant costs.
• We frequently split entrees and saved leftovers for lunch the next day.
• We booked excursions and tours through discount vendors or online deals, taking advantage of on-site agents with special rates.

This is Part 1 of our Maui story. Part 2 will cover the activities and excursions we did with a toddler, the home-related souvenir we bought, and our vacation tradition continued in Hawaii. If you have favorite restaurants, activities, or tips for Maui, please share—we’d love this to be a useful resource for other travelers heading to the island.