Maui where to stay?

[romain]

I am planning on going to Maui for a few days this month.

I looked around in the forum but could not find lot of recommendations about where to stay.

Are there some places similar to La Ventana/Baja Joe's... (no car needed, friendly, not too expensive, other kiters...)?

Do I still need to rent a car?

I have a TT and a surfboard and I am mostly looking for a place at walking distance of a spot. If there is no wind I will visit the island.

[Loscocco]

Check out Justin at Sugar Ranch Maui. He has a great place right by the beach and close to the airport. PM me for more deails.
SugarRanchMaui.com

[nexus]

This is a good tip. Paia is my favorite town on Maui. 10min from the airport.

Out of curiosity how do y'all who air travel for wind transport your gear? (by air is the obvious answer, but I meant more specifically how do you deal with it)

Seems like a pretty big hassle, but I've only ever driven a car full of kite gear somewhere. I've never tried to pack it in a suitcase. Having a hard time visualizing how you fit a whole kite kit.

[Sonny]

It would be tough without a car. The sugar ranch is sweet little place but we paid very high price for that place. There is a small beach couple hundred yards from the place but not that great of a beach and there was a huge wind shadow and some people struggled and could not get out. You can find cheap places in Kiehei and it's only about 8 miles so it's not that big of a deal. Try mauirentalbyowner.com

[romain]

Thanks a lot for the info! I sent a few emails.

However, except if staying in a youth hostel (and solve the transportation problem) it is in the very high range if you travel by yourself!

[Bulldog]

Nalu Kai Lodge is in downtown Paia, you can't walk to Kite Beach though. It's very reasonable, by Maui standards. Maui is not Baja.

5 minute drive to Lanes, 15 to Kanaha.

[romain]

Nalu Kai looks good indeed, and has some more reasonable prices, thanks.

It seems that doing without a car is not possible. I will probably rent one and do a youth hostel or go with Nalu Kai.

[NCKite_Ryder]

Nalu Kai looks good indeed, and has some more reasonable prices, thanks.

It seems that doing without a car is not possible. I will probably rent one and do a youth hostel or go with Nalu Kai.

You could camp at Kite-Beach. Its not really ideal for the Mainland Tourist but if you're up to speed on the Maui attitude and culture and know what you are doing its totally possible to hit it without a car..... if you are there to kite and kite only. I would do it with a group of kiters but would be careful in small groups.

There is no kiting before 11:00am, and the days are short so its nice to venture to cool spots in the AM and then kite in the afternoon. It is MAUI. Its also nice to have somewhere to lock your gear up.

[romain]

I see. But as it will be my first time and alone I will keep it simple. Maybe next time!

[krongsak]

Hello folks,

Just returned from a 5 days trip in Maui. We stayed at the Mangolani B&B, the owner Dave Stein was quite friendly. He is a big wave surfer and an occasional kiter who moved from LA to Maui several years ago to live his dream.
His house offers several bedrooms at different rates, it is within walking distance to downtown Paia, has a large lawn and hoses to rinse kite equipment, SPA, etc.

Might be a good option.

http://internal.airbnb.com/rooms/154672