When I told my friends and family that I was going to Maui—which requires a half-day of travel from Miami—for a mere four days, they all thought I was nuts. My philosophy was: "Why not? I have the opportunity, and I’m going to make the most of it." I’m a girl who knows how to pack a lot in, and I had every intention of doing so on my first visit to Hawaii.
Another confusing factor? I already live near a beach. I can cross the street, put my phone on DND and find that R&R in my own backyard. Which is why, growing up in Miami, my family avoided relaxing, tropical vacations at all costs. Why spend time and money traveling from one beach destination to another? We scoffed at the idea of lying poolside on a trip.
Yet here I was, doing the exact thing that was ingrained in my head never to do—in one of the furthest destinations possible.
TL;DR: Hawaii is worth the trek—even if you live in a beach destination, and especially if you have limited time.
It’s more beautiful than you might have imagined
We’re admittedly starting on a shallow note, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t express just how much of a stunner Maui is. She’s got views for days—the ocean, the mountains, the lush greenery, the flowers galore—all simply dreamy. I found myself snapping pictures nearly the whole ride from the airport to the resort, to the amusement of my driver, who likely thought I was from middle America and had never seen a palm tree. No sir. This Miami girl is no stranger to sunny settings, but this one hit different. It’s no surprise everyone seems so happy all of the time when they’re drinking in this backdrop daily.
Wellness is a way of life
At Wailea Beach Resort, where I stayed, wellness is an underlying theme that naturally wove into the entire experience—from the fresh, green juice that awaits you upon check-in to the complimentary fitness classes offered daily. Workouts ran the gamut too—think sunrise yoga, pilates, nature walks and guided meditations. Plus, when you’re doing these classes with Maui’s insane backdrop, it provides the ultimate Zen.
Wailea Beach sits at the ocean’s edge and you’ll find people up and at ‘em nice and early, walking or jogging on the beach path, kayaking along the coastline or snorkeling with the turtles just offshore. Nature is at your fingertips and with movement baked into the DNA of the resort, I felt fully restored.
Fun is also meaningful
Maui is rich in beautiful traditions and amazing people who are excited to share those traditions with others. To that end, leisure and entertainment felt intentional and were chock-full of culture; there’s nothing quite like it.
You’ve likely seen or heard of the traditional Hawaiian lei, the decorative floral necklace that one typically receives upon touching down in Hawaii. But aside from the cute photo op, this act holds significance. It’s a symbol of the ‘Aloha’ spirit, or a way to express love, respect or to celebrate life’s milestones. This is just one example of the deep-rooted Hawaiian culture you’ll experience at every turn. Wailea Beach Resort offers a range of activities for guests seeking to learn about the local culture. From floral lei making to poi pounding to hula and ukulele lessons, there are many ways to immerse yourself and still have a good time.
It wouldn’t be a proper trip to Hawaii without attending a traditional luau. This was every bit as captivating as I imagined—with a serious smorgasburg of food offerings, a pig roast (think: caja china, but make it Hawaiian), temporary tattoos (but make it elevated) and a thrilling performance—singing, chanting, hula dancing, fire dancing, hip shaking and more. Beyond it being a serious spectacle, it also represented the Hawaiian spirit in a way that needs to be experienced to be understood.
The food is fresh, no-frills—and next-level
Similar to Miami, some of the most sought-after restaurants in Maui are nearly impossible to get into. Take the iconic Mama’s Fish House, for example, which suggests you make a reservation up to 18 months in advance. The main difference? If you’re lucky enough to snag a table, you can expect super lowkey, charming vibes somewhat reminiscent of the quirky charm of Key West versus the see-and-be-seen nature of some of Miami’s hotspots I’m used to. The decor is kitschy, the staff is warm and the food is downright delicious.
The other meal from Maui that will live rent-free in my mind is a poke bowl I had from a food truck. Absolutely legendary and, like I said, no frills.
Hospitality is No. 1 and everyone gets treated like royalty
I’ve traveled far and wide, experiencing some exceptional hospitality along the way. Still, I have to say that Maui is right up there with the best in the biz. Everyone from my Uber driver to the pool attendant to our server at dinner made me feel like their personal guest. They addressed me by name, asked questions, took a genuine interest in my stay, and aimed to please. Every interaction felt genuine.
Many people I encountered during my brief stint in Maui shared that they visited the island, fell in love with it, promptly moved there, and have been living there ever since. This completely tracks.
So if you’re craving a beach getaway that’s more than piña coladas and passive-aggressive servers, Maui might just have that thing you're looking for. If you can get past the half-day travel hump, just know something magical awaits on the other side. And if you can stay for more than four days? Do it. I know I will next time.