When it comes to a Maui family vacation or a romantic Hawaiian island holiday, Napili Kai Beach Resort can’t be beat. This Maui plantation-style resort is like walking into the bar at Cheers; where everybody knows your name. You’ll often hear “welcome home” at check in due to the high volume of repeat guests. In fact, the phrase Napili Kai Beach Resort Maui family vacation slides together as smooth as a Hawaiian slack key guitar.
Napili Kai Beach Resort Maui Family Vacation
My family has been coming to Napili Kai Beach Resort for a Maui family vacation since the early 1960’s. I remember playing on Napili Kai’s crescent-shaped beach on the west end of Maui and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean waters with my dad. My husband and I came to Maui on our honeymoon in the 80’s and we’ve brought our children here, as well. This resort knows how to create lasting memories.
I love Napili Kai Beach Resort for it’s laid-back vibe, location and value. Thankfully, there is no dreaded resort fee and they don’t charge hotel guests for parking, internet access, Hawaiian coffee or hula shows.
Upon check in, guests are greeted with a fresh tropical juice and given a map of the 10 acre grounds. All buildings are two stories, but be warned, there are no elevators. That being said, the staff is more than willing to help with luggage and there are several ADA accessible rooms.
Ocean front Puna Point Suite
On our recent visit my husband and I were rewarded with a one bedroom ocean front suite at Puna Point. The lanai looked out to swaying palm trees and the blue Pacific Ocean beyond. Napili Kai Beach Resort has thought of everything for a Maui family vacation.
Some things, like the Napili Bay views from most rooms, were very much the same, but other things, like the Hawaiian style coverlet bedding, were brand new.
As is often heard at Napali Kai, “we don’t like change here, we just want to improve it.”
Those improvements of a stainless steel kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator, barbecue gas grills scattered throughout the property and portable coolers for guests to use made us feel at home.
As a tea drinker, I also appreciated the use of local products, such as the Hawaiian Island Tea Company, left in our room. Mahalo!
Napili Kai Beach Resort Dining
While Hawaiian island living can be expensive, Napili Kai Beach Resort offers sea to table cuisine at affordable prices. In fact, Sea House restaurant offers Maui’s best happy hour and a fantastic early bird menu. Chef Alex Stanislaw is Napili Kai’s secret weapon when it come to dining on Maui.
We enjoyed the happy hour menu of blue crab cakes, Lani ribs, pork tacos, steamed edamame and French onion soup on multiple occasions.
Breakfast included signature items such as the Macadamia Nut Cinnamon Roll with cream cheese frosting. My husband loved the Kitchen Sink with fried rice, kimchi, shrimp, bacon, Portuguese sausage and two eggs cooked any style. The Napili Kai Benedict was filling, as well.
If this is a romantic vacation or special celebration, order the surf and turf lobster with filet mignon, island vegetables and garlic smashed potatoes. We also enjoyed the basil crusted Monchong, a new fish to us. We liked this fish so much that we purchased some at the local store and took advantage of the barbecue gas grills situated throughout the 10 acre property.
My husband said the gas grill was easy to use, including the automatic timer for the barbecue . The lights around the barbecue were on a timer, as well and who doesn’t like cooking fish while listening to the waves from the ocean below?
Napili Kai Beach Resort activities
A Napili Kai Beach Resort Maui family vacation caters to everyone’s needs from keikis (children) to adults. I played a round of golf on the 18 hole putting green with the granddaughter of one of the Napili Kai founders. She looks forward to her annual visit to West Maui with her husband every year with childlike anticipation. “Napili Kai is where CEO’s come to play.”
Like us, the Canadian couple spent their honeymoon at Napili Kai.
Napili Kai is where CEO’s come to play.
With the relaxed island vibe, hotel guests can lounge by one of 4 swimming pools, snorkel in the protected cove of the crescent-shaped Napili Beach or sit in a beach chair and watch the whales swim by.
There is so much to see and do in Maui, including daily Hawaiian cultural programs at the resort, accompanied with Hawaiian coffee and prizes for participants. There’s also a weekly mai tai party and a weekly putting party for adults with really cheap drinks! The putting green and a second putting green for children, is where Maui family vacation memories are made. The multi-generation family vacation was in full swing during our holiday.
If you like musical entertainment, make reservations to see the Hawaiian Music Slack Key show with George Kahumoku Jr. Another not to miss cultural activity is the Keiki Hula Show put on by the Napili Kai Foundation. It’s been going strong at Napili Kai Beach Resort for over 50 years.
Whether you’ve come to Hawaii for a little rest and relaxation, or you are visiting Napili Kai Beach Resort for a Maui family vacation, you’ll be treated like family. Welcome home!
Napili Kai Beach Resort need to know:
Rates start at $340 for a garden view hotel room. $465 for an ocean view studio and up to $1,325 for a two bedroom ocean front suite, depending on the time of year. Our one bedroom ocean view suite listed for $835 in January. Always check the website for package deals and family reunion specials.
Complimentary snorkel, mask and beach towels are available at the Makai hale.
Napili Kai Beach Resort is not dog-friendly, with the exception of service dogs.
In addition to complimentary WiFi there is ample on property parking.
Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Check out: 11:00 a.m
Book a room at Napili Kai Beach Resort here
Napili Kai Insider Tips:
Did you know there are 56 types of hibiscus flowers on the 10 acre grounds of Naili Kai Beach Resort? Do not miss the Horticultural Tour. There is also a weekly putting party with $.50 cocktails for adults. Additionally, Napili Kai is home to the longest running hula show in the country – complimentary to resort guests.
If you are feeling sore from hours of snorkeling, golf or horseback riding, schedule a local massage.
For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown and @Napili_Kai on Instagram.
If You Go:
Napili Kai Beach Resort (808) 669-9534
5900 Lower Honoapiliani Road
Lahina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
Napili Kai Beach Resort Maui family vacation review and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I received a media rate, as is customary while gathering material for a hotel review.
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I earn a commission on any hotels you may book through my custom links.
Very well written article that is spot on of my experience the past two years at Napili Kai. One additional tip is that Costco Travel offers a wonderful package to Napili Kai! My best friend and I have gone two years in a row and hope to go again this year. We stay in the one-bedroom ocean front room (with two bathrooms) and it is amazing!!!
Aloha Kimera,
I’m glad you enjoyed my Napili Kai Beach Resort review. I’ll have to look for that Costco Travel special.
Mahalo!
Nancy