Aloha, Maui.
I would very much like to return to you.
The full Hawaii travel guide will be coming to the blog soon, but I wanted to share this Perfect Day we had in Maui (cobbled together from two very good days).
Watch the sunrise from the balcony
If you go to sleep at 8:30 p.m with your toddler, you’re up early.
Like, sunrise early.
And if you request a room in the Ocean Tower at the Westin Maui, you can wrap yourself in a heavenly bathrobe and slip out to the balcony to watch the sky light up and hear the ocean lap up onto the beach.
Forget your phone. Abandon your book. And just…be.
And if you feel up to it, meditate. I certainly did.
The Westin Maui is an excellent option, especially if you have kids. The resort is massive, with its own beach and 3 pools (one being an adults-only). The breakfast buffet has a wide selection of foods, with the fried rice and the daily potato offering being my favorite. My cousin thoroughly enjoyed the gym and the fitness classes offered, and all of us appreciated the quick walk to Whaler’s Village.
The only downside? The coffee.
Breakfast at Island Vintage Coffee
…but thankfully this place is just 500 feet away.
For strong coffee and delicious açai bowls, Island Vintage Coffee is your place. Sri would pop over and be the first in line at 6 a.m, and be back at 6:15 with flat whites for us, milk for Rho, and some delicious pastry for us to share. We sipped our coffee, shared an açai bowl or bagel, and wait for Rho to wake up.
The line is out the door by 8 a.m. and the service is slow, but the coffee is certainly worth it. So was reserving our pool chairs (i.e. plopping our wet bags and beach toys) on the way to get coffee.
Maui Ocean Center
Hop in your rental car (absolutely necessary) and drive over to the Maui Ocean Center.
It’s absolutely delightful.
The Living Reef is the first exhibit, taking you from the shallow reef to the deep one with exhibits of fish, coral, and Rho’s favorite seahorses. From there, you can explore the center’s other exhibits – the turtles, the theatre featuring different shows daily.
Whatever you do, definitely stop in the open ocean center. Where else are you going to see sting rays, sharks, and hundreds of species of fish?
Spend as much time as possible inside the tunnel. Rho was absolutely transfixed – and so were we. If you’re a certified scuba diver, you can suit up and dive in this exhibit.
If I needed a reason to get over my fear of the water, that was it.
Lunch at Mama’s Fish House
After you book your flights, hotels, and car in Maui, book a reservation at Mama’s.
They go fast. And no visit to Maui is complete without a meal at their best restaurant.
Perched on their private beach, Mama’s Fish House served up the best meal of our entire trip.
There was Papa’s Three Fish Sashimi, which was beautiful and simple. Then the opakapaka, which had just been caught. Finally, there were Mama’s cookies.
And a glass of sauvignon blanc, from New Zealand.
What I loved most about Mama’s – after the food – was how family friendly they are. Our high chair was already seated at the table. The family restrooms had a large changing table (and a very clean bathroom, which I appreciate). And our waiter brought out basket after basket of freshly baked bread, which Rho happily munched on.
Take a stroll on Mama’s private beach or through the town of Paia after your meal. Paia is absolutely charming, and the main stretch is filled with boutiques, coffee shops, and little restaurants worth trying.
AKL Farms
Kula is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. It’s heaven.
It’s why Oprah has a house up there, after all.
First up – the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. Named after its founder, AKL has over 40 different lavender plants over 13 acres.
In short – it’s divine.
Plan to spend an hour here to wander the gardens (the lavender fields and the other gardens alike), slather your skin with the shop’s lotions and salves, and snack on lavender tea and scones (drizzled with lavender honey, naturally).
Kula Country Farms
From there, drive down the hill and to Kula County Farms. While the actual farms are further away, this little farm stand sells fresh produce (get the apple bananas and the lemonade), curated souvenirs, and has little signs that make it the most Instagram-friendly spot on the island.
Also, animals. Lots of little animals. Rho was obsessed.
Snap some pictures. Buy some food (and crystals). And when you’re done, turn back onto the main road and head over to Maui’s only winery, aptly named Maui Wine.
Maui Wine
You’re in for a treat.
After using the restroom (a very clean one), head into the tasting room and opt for the Reserve Tasting. Wine #1 – the Lokelani – is a delicious, crisp sparkling that I couldn’t get enough of.
Literally. I ordered a case to be shipped back to New York.
The whites and reds they served was nice, but there’s nothing nicer than sipping wine and hanging out with family. I loved my first visit to Maui Wine so much, I came back the following day – with another group of Palepus in tow.
Dinner at Star Noodle
There’s only one thing you need after a day exploring Maui.
Carbs. And there’s no better place than Star Noodle.
Tucked behind a shopping center in Lahaina, it’s an unassuming restaurant with the benches outside filled with hungry patrons. Inside, it serves up some of the best noodles you’ll ever eat.
Things to order – the Star Kim Chee, Miso Eggplant, Thai Nuoc Cham Wings, Pad Thai, Singapore Noodles and the Hot n Sour. The malasadas are definitely worth ordering if you’re craving something sweet, and the bartender’s margarita is worth asking about.
And that, my friends, is A Perfect Day in Maui. The full Hawaii travel guide will be published in two weeks, and you can find all my Hawaii recommendations on my Instagram under the ‘Hawaii’ highlight.
I’m wearing a t-shirt from Everlane, pants from Sudara, and a hat I picked up from Maui’s Beach House. My bag is from Lo & Sons, my sunglasses are Westward Leaning, and my necklaces are my MM.LaFleur and Satya.
Island Vintage Coffee image via. All other images by Hitha Palepu.
