Family Vacation Critic Favorite

Napili Kai Beach Resort

5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina, Maui, 96761, HI

Enter Your Trip Dates

1 Room / 2 Adults

1 rooms,
2 adults
  • Rooms:

    1
  • Adults:

    2
  • Close

TripAdvisor Rating

Editor's Rating

Overview

Situated in Napili Bay, Napili Kai is a traditional Hawaiian resort spread across 10 beachfront acres. The resort is blended into the lush Lahaina environment, with 11 low-rise plantation-style buildings housing 163 oceanview guestrooms, studios and suites, many of which have full kitchens.

Originally opened in 1960, Napili Kai decided from its start to keep things minimal and intimate. No buildings are more than two stories in height, and instead of offering clubs for families and kids to separate, the resort prides itself on providing a quiet reprieve for guests who truly want to spend time together. Four swimming pools, a long stretch of beach, and onsite dining is simply enough for the guests of Napili Kai, many of whom include the high-powered and celebrities blending in quietly with families as they play board games and enjoy rousing competitions like the Putting Party that takes place in the heart of the resort. It’s old-fashioned, good fun paired with an energetic and welcoming staff that are the reason 65 percent of guests return year after year.

Our Editor Loves

  • Old Hawaii feel in quiet cove
  • One- and two-bedroom suites
  • Kids 12 and younger stay and eat free

Family Interests

  • Beach
  • Bicycling
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Water Sports

Family Amenities

  • Children Programs
  • Cribs
  • DVD
  • Family Room 5+
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Kitchenettes
  • Laundry
  • Onsite Dining
  • Pool
  • Refrigerator

Room Information

Find the Best Price for Your Stay

Napili Kai provides 163 guestrooms in a choice of traditional hotel room, or studio or one- and two-bedroom suites. Nearly all of the accommodations feature an ocean view, and all have private lanais. Rooms feature flat-screen TV's, DVD players and complimentary Wi-Fi. Cribs are available upon request.

Standard Rooms
This choice of accommodations is a traditional hotel room with one king bed or two twins and a queen sofa bed. The room accommodates up to three people and includes a mini-fridge and coffee maker. These rooms are available with garden or ocean views.

Studios
Studios may accommodate up to three in one large room with a king or two twin beds. Suites come with a fully equipped kitchenette with a full fridge. Keaka Family Studios are available with a king or two twins with a queen sofa bed and can accommodate up to four people with children 12 and younger. Studios offer garden or ocean views, or beachfront or oceanfront options.

One-Bedroom Suites
These accommodations offer oceanview, oceanfront or beachfront locations and can accommodate up to five people. These rooms offer a king and two twin beds or a king and queen sofa bed, and may offer a second bathroom. They are also outfitted with fully equipped kitchenettes with full refrigerators.

Two-Bedroom Suites
Accommodating up to seven people, these suites provide two separate bedrooms, as well as sofa beds in the living areas, with a number of bedding configurations. Available in garden view, ocean view, or oceanfront locations, they offer two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchenette with full refrigerators, too.

Keaka Suites
These special suites are connecting rooms to create two- or three-bedroom suite options, with connecting lanais. The rooms may be booked as one for a guaranteed connection, and feature ocean views. Room configurations include king or two twin beds or one queen with a twin sofa bed. The largest three-bedroom grouping can hold 10 family members. Rooms offer mini-fridges and coffee makers.

Reviews

Just get there early for parking your car and your butt.

by jamasiangal

I absolutely love this beach. Couple things to note:
a) bring water shoes (some of the lava is under the water so it is just a nice thing to have
b) bring shade if you don't like direct sun
c) bring seating--the beach has a bit more of an incline due to erosion
d) yes, you can snorkel--saw turtles when we went in August
e) stay for the sunset--it is spectacular there

Under Construction!

by lisajones1

Stayed at Napli kai 15 years ago and a wonderful time. Went back this October and was very disappointed and left the next day to a different resort. The resort is under major construction. There is no where u can enjoy a quiet restful day due to the construction. It can be heard from the beach, main pool, other smaller pool and bar and restaurant. The room we stayed in was beautiful, but once again the construction could be heard from the patio.The front desk was very kind and let us leave without any penalty.

Family Activities

Keiki Activities
Kids' activities are provided (at no charge) from mid-June through mid-August, Christmas and Spring Break/Easter for children ages 6 to 11. The resort offers free shuffleboard, checkerboard, Ping Pong, croquet, Bocce and weekly cultural activities, such as lei-making.

Pools
The resort's main pool is situated between the Honolua and Lahaina buildings and near Napili Beach. The pool is adjacent to putting greens. The Lani Pool Deck and Hanki-Panki Whirlpool are considered quiet pools for adult use. There are also pools near Puna Point and Puna 2.

Makai Hale
This pool/beachside location provides free beach and sports equipment to guests, and also serves coffee, lattes, milkshakes, smoothies and traditional Hawaiian ice.

Tennis
The resort is located adjacent to Kapalua's tennis courts, and Napili Kai guests are welcome to play the courts for a fee.

Golf
Kapalua features two golf courses adjacent to Napili Kai, and guests are welcome to play at a special, discounted rate.

Family Dining

Sea House Restaurant
The resort's only restaurant has been a staple for more than 50 years. The restaurant provides breakfast (7 to 11 a.m.), lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), dinner (5:30 to 9 p.m.) and snacks (2 to 5 p.m.). Kids 12 and younger can dine free with an adult purchasing an adult entree. Blackout dates apply through the winter holidays. A kids' menu is available and includes dishes such as pancakes for breakfast and burgers, hot dogs, BBQ ribs and pizza for lunch and dinner. All items on the kids' menu are $7 each. High chairs are available upon request.

There are four complimentary barbeque areas on the property for guests to use.

Planning & Tips

All About the Extras
Free Amenities
Napili Kai is one of the few resorts on the island that does not charge a resort fee. Here, parking is free, Wi-Fi is free, beach gear is free, and kids 12 and younger eat free with a paying adult. When the Keiki Club program is offered (seasonally), it is also free to guests.

Laundry Facilities
Washer and dryer facilities are located on the property with complimentary laundry detergent.

Hospitality Suite
For guests arriving or departing before check-in and check-out time, a hospitality suite is available with a shower and changing area so guests can enjoy the beach and facilities.

The Art of Smart Timing
As is the case with most Maui resorts, high season is during the winter holidays, Easter and spring break and summer. The resort offers more for families during these high periods, but rates are also higher and the island becomes more crowded. However, Napili Kai's intimate resort never feels crowded, even during its high season.

Getting There
Napili Kai is located 35 miles from Kahului Airport, but travel time to the resort from the airport is about 50 minutes. Taxis will run around $120 and airport shuttles (with other hotel stops) will run around $75.

Getting Around
Guests will want to have a rental car to visit other areas of Maui. Napili Kai is an 11-acre resort with only one restaurant and snack bar and only one clothing boutique. Kapalua Resort is adjacent to the resort and offers more dining options. Kaanapali Resort, which offers more shopping, dining, golf and activities, is five miles south of Napili Kai.

For Mom and Dad
Every Monday, mom and dad can meet other new guests at the Adult Putting Party on the putting green with 50-cent drinks. Mai Tai parties are held every Wednesday night, as well.