Maui Beach Hotel

Travelers picturing a scenic beachfront and long walks along the sand will be disappointed when arriving at the Maui Beach Hotel, because -- despite the name -- there is no such beach to be found. There is a small rocky area with few feet of sand, but there’s not enough room to take a walk or even put down a towel here. Low expectations may unfortunately be the key to this property, as it is definitely a budget option. It could be a considered a value for the generally pricey Maui hotel market, though many updates are needed for this aging property. The property was built in the late '60s and the sloped, chalet-style roof has vintage look to it. The hotel’s lobby is light and airy, and the staff is very welcoming. Outside the lobby, a central lawn offers well-maintained green grass and a nice gazebo, however views over the harbor are a little commercial from this part of the coast. Although the hotel has made some upgrades since our visit, such as replacing the hallway carpeting and light wood furniture in the guest rooms, renovations are well overdue, as the older bedroom furniture is functional but definitely shows wear and tear, and carpets appear decades old. Guests may want to check out the nearby Maui Seaside Hotel at a similar price point.

The Maui Beach Hotel is one of only a few hotels in Kahului, which is a busy, commercial section of Maui centered around the airport. It is indeed only about a 10-minute drive to the airport, and the hotel offers free shuttle service to the terminal or to nearby shopping and dining (included in the resort fee.) There are a few shopping centers with several dining options within walking distance of the hotel, including a large mall and supermarket across the street. The property faces out onto Kahului Harbor, which is a popular spot for fishing, cruise ships, and other commercial uses -- so it is not very tranquil or picturesque. In front of the hotel there is a small sandy area, but there’s not much room to sit and the water isn’t the cleanest for swimming. Several lovely beaches and other sites are located within a short drive.

The Maui Beach Hotel has a total of 147 rooms, including a handful of suites. Guest rooms have been updated with new dark wood furnishings since our visit, but the decor of the rooms is rather plain and drab, with a tropical pastel color palette.All rooms do have large flat-screen TVs and are equipped with a Playstation 3, which doubles as a DVD player. They also include coffee and tea facilities and mini-fridges. The bathrooms offer shampoo and soap in cheap plastic wall dispensers. The suites are more spacious, including wet bar areas and large bathrooms with separate jetted tubs. The Oceanfront and Ocean View rooms have nice large picture windows, with great views of the sea. Some rooms include a small lanai with chairs and views of the central lawn and the harbor beyond.

The Maui Beach Hotel features a nice medium-size pool on the rooftop, surrounded by a small sundeck with several lounge chairs. The appeal of the rooftop pool is somewhat hampered however, when you notice that the views from the deck are of a busy intersection and nearby strip malls. Still, it is a better option to cool off on a hot day than the ocean, as the property sits on a harbor used by fishing boats and other ships, and the water isn’t very clear or clean. Beyond the nice grassy lawns of the hotel, the tiny, rocky beachfront is quite a disappointment, as there’s not much area to sit or even go for a stroll.The hotel has a mandatory daily “convenience fee” that covers a number of services, including the airport shuttle, Wi-Fi, use of in-room Playstations, and the fitness center. The very basic fitness center consists of a dim room with two or three old machines. There is Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel. There’s a kiosk for DVD and video game rental, as well as snack machines in the lobby. A business center with a few computers for guest use is close by.There is a small restaurant with seating on the terrace next to the rooftop pool. Breakfast is served everyday, buffet-style (not included), including hot items such as bacon, sausage, and eggs, lots of fresh fruit, and more. Dinner is only served on Saturdays. Other amenities include a coin-operated guest laundry room, a large ballroom for events, and a few meeting rooms are available. There’s an additional daily fee for self-parking.