From the world-famous sunny beaches to the lush, vibrant rainforests and the small local towns in between, Maui really is everything you’ve imagined Hawaii to beand more. It’s all here, from isolated family cottages to exclusive world-class luxury resorts, and anything in between.

It can be a daunting task to find the perfect accommodation for newcomers to Maui, and this is why it’s very important to do your research! Here are some explanations and tips that might just make your search a little easier.

Maui county closed short-term rental homes
The county closed an incredible number of short-term rental establishments in the beginning of 2007; and not just the million-dollar properties, but also small B&Bs! Hundreds of such rentals went out of business, a few lucky ones are still permitted and others are in the arduous process of applying for the necessary permits.

Maui Rental Homes are still available
Most travel agencies are still offering such vacation homes, and we have high hopes that such a sad story will have a happy ending for this once vibrant alternative to the usual resort experience.

Ask any of your friends, relatives and co-workers who have visited Maui previously. Those who have been here before usually have the best advice, as they’ve had firsthand experience. You will probably hear a wide variety of thoughts and ideas that had possibly never occurred to you. Experiences of people you know will usually tell you much more than any other informational source.

Bargain hunting on expensive Maui
While Maui rentals are, as a rule, quite a bit more costly than other islands, the current little recession has kept demand reasonable on Maui, and the same stands for most Maui hotels—even 5-Star resorts like the Grand Wailea and Four Season. This means possible savings for you, especially when looking for accommodations for extended stays of two weeks or more. Be sure to enquire with your agent about any vacation rental homes or promotions that may not be currently listed, just about end, or just about to begin.

Maui activities
You might be able to save some of your budget when booking with an agency that handles more than just vacation accommodation, as they often offer special offers like promotions or even completely free activities, tours, and the like (if you book with them, of course). Again, it never hurts to ask!

Here are some accommodation tips:

  • Remote village of Hana
    Of all of Hawaii, Maui provides the richest and greatest diversity of climates and environments. If you’re looking for the lushest rainforests and the greatest number of waterfalls, you’ll want to visit Hana, a remote village on the Eastern side of Maui. From the star-swarmed luxury Hotel Hana Maui to basic campgrounds to comfy bungalows, there is also a large variety of housing!
  • The North shore for the water sport enthusiasts
    Famous for its Surf Town of Paia, the North Shore also has fantastic opportunities for fans of water sports with kite-, wind- and vanilla surfing on well-known beaches like Kanaha, Baldwin, and Ho’okipa.

    You will also find eclectic shops, wonderful eateries and accommodations ranging from small B & B’s and bungalows in Paia, Haiku and Upcountry in the island to lavish maui luxury villas in the nearby neighborhood of Spreckelsville!

  • Central Maui
    Central Maui is really primarily an industrial and shopping area with only a few, albeit, budget-friendly hotels and rooms for rent.
  • The South and West shores
    These shores of the island are primarily home to the exclusive and manicured areas of Wailea, Kapalua, Lahaina and Ka’anapali. The sugary sands of the beaches in these areas offer the perfect environment for sunbathing, relaxation and luxury at Makena (Big) Beach, Little Beach and Ka’anapali Beach, voted among the top ten beaches in Hawaii. Nearby, beautiful maui luxury oceanfront villas such as vacation villas, private estates and beachfront condos to fit any budget are available.
  • Get better deals by paying with a check
    When the time comes to pay, you get better deals when paying with checks. In general you can save an additional 5% if you simply ask for it! It’s a win-win deal as your travel agent also saves up to 4% in credit card fees.
  • Damage deposit for exclusive rentals
    For more exclusive beach and oceanfront vacation rentals, there are usually both security and damage deposits to pay, which can range from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand.

    There are two ways to avoid damage deposit charges. First, ask your travel or vacation property agency if there is a travel insurance policy available, which will cost you a fraction. As an alternative, ask to have a hold placed on your credit card, rather than a charge.

    If all goes well and no damage to property is reported, credit card hold is free of charge and released within 2 weeks of your departure.

  • Security deposit
    Security deposits are deducted from your final balance due, usually 30-90 days prior to arrival on the island.

Remember, by properly researching and examining a variety of options, you are more likely to choose the Maui vacation rental that is best for you. It’s not too hard and can build you up some nice anticipation for your holiday.

You can find most everything you need by looking at travel websites. Most provide photographs, full descriptions, guest reviews and rate information. If you need any more information you can usually contact the site or an agent by email or telephone. You may well even end up with the vacation home of your dreams!

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This entry was posted on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 6:35 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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