Hey Guys,

My wife and I will be headng to Maui this September staying at the Ritz or Kapalua Villas. I am planning on playing twice on the plantation and once on the Bay course.

The advice I need from poeple that have been to Kapalua, is it worth to have a rental car the whole length of the trip? I heard that they have rental car services at the Villas? What about Shuttle services? How did you get from the main airport to the hotel?

I was in Maui last October (see my signature pic from Wailea Gold) and we had a car the entire time and thought it was a good idea. We used it to do some sightseeing and check out some restaurants.

One suggestion would be to make sure you call Alamo car rental to get their price. I called 3 or 4 of the major rental businesses and Alamo was almost $200 cheaper for the week. We rented a convertible (they have Sebrings and Mustangs) and had lots of fun.

Good luck.

I took the family to Maui last June. We only had a car for two days. We had a "cab" to and from the airport (we stayed at the Grand Wailea). Played Wailea Gold and loved it. I found that we really didn't need the car for more than a couple of days since there was so much to do at the resort.

If you do get a cal, I would recommend taking a drive to Twin Falls. My kids and I love the falls and the rope swings and it really is a beautiful place.

Have a great trip.

We rented a Jeep. Took a taxi from the airport to the rental place. It was great. We took our life in our hands and drove the entire Hana Highway (around the lower half of the island). Just amazing.

I highly recommend renting a car. So easy to just hop in the car and check out different places. If you don't rent a car, then you'll likely not go half the places you would with the freedom of a vehicle. Just do it!

/< / /2 /<

1st time I went to Maui (1996) I rented a convertible Mustang. For us, it was well worth it. There is a lot to see, even just driving from Kapalua up and down that main road that goes by Kanapali to LaHania, ect. IMO if your in Mauil more than 4 to 5 days, you need a rental car, or atleast have good transportation set up. Or atleast have a car part of the trip if you want to get around, shop, sightsee, ect. But if your just going to golf, beach, you might be able to get away without one.

Just got back from Maui on Saturday. The rental car rates are ridiculously cheap right now. We paid $120 total for the week for a mid-size. Tourism is down significantly right now, so there are deals to be had. If you are staying up at Kapalua, you probably want a car to see the sights and get to some restaurants off property. Taking a cab a few times will probably run you more than a car for the week.

Thanks for the replies guys!!!

Does the Villas have a rental car place there?

Stayed at the Ritz a few years ago. Played The Plantation course, aka mercedes championships. Great course! From what I recall, we got a discount for booking the round through the hotel.

Like someone else, we took the road to hanna. decided to go north Scariest ride of my life (at least the first part was). Driving on shear cliffs, one lane mind you, is not something i will ever do again. Luckly no other cars were coming from the other direction.

http://ask.metafilter.com/79216/How-easy-o...ad-to-Hana-Maui

I've been to Maui twice and you absolutely have to a rent a car! So many sights to see, so many beaches to visit. If you go all that way, you might as well see the island. You won't be dissapointed, it's one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

BTW, contray to the previous poster, I HIGHLY recommend the road to Hana. Absolutely the hightlight of my trip the first time I visited. It's a drive unlike you will find anywhere else...a must do! If you want anymore advice, just ask. Have a great time!

I've been to Kapalua a few times, and was just there two months ago. I've stayed at the Ritz Carlton, the villas through Kapalua, and a Villa through an owner. If you're staying in any of these there is a complimentary shuttle to take you anywhere on the resort you want to go to. Restaurants, golf courses, pools...
However, when you leave the resort you're on your own. Kapalua is beautiful, but one of the reasons is that it's secluded. It's not at all like Wailea which has all the shopping and everything close to the resorts. To go to Lahaina / Kaanipali, you'll need a car. My suggestion, if it's a budget thing, stay in the Kapalua villas and save some money. You still have full use of the Ritz Pool and restaurants...just saves about $150 per night. I know of a couple of owners, and have been in the condos they rent, and one of them is about $205 per night peak season, and beautiful.

Feel free to PM me with questions, but my obvious answer is yes...it would be difficult to see the things you want to see without a car.

HAVE FUN!

Don't count out the Dunes at Maui Lani ($99 Green Fee closer to the airport) (Picture 1)

How can you not have a good time with Whales flopping around everywhere (Picture 2)

Picture of the Ritz pool from the upper Lobby area. (Picture 3)

P.S. Your Home course looks like one of the better $50 and less courses I've seen....I hope it looks like the pictures!!

No, but you can probably arrange a rental company to drop off a car for you. I recommending getting a car when you land as this is more convenient. My wife likes it as she can drop me off at the course and she can do her own thing. About Kapalua, play in the mornings as the trade winds come in the afternoon. The courses down Wailea don't get as windy.

rent the car. the resort area is fun, but there's lots of really fun things outside of it too. It's incredible to drive around in a convertible in that warm sweet air.

I just looked back from a couple months ago. We rented a convertible, upgraded to the Saab (for the trunk space for my wife's crap) and it was only $323.44 for 8 days + late return. Absolutely worth it.