If you’re visiting Maui with a large group, such as a vacation with friends or a corporate retreat, it can be challenging to find things to do that will make everyone happy. Sometimes even grueling, considering how varied the preferences and interests can be, even among those who have things in common. If you’re responsible for organizing outings like these, you are already familiar with how much pressure there is to orchestrate a good experience for your group. This week, we’d like to make a suggestion that should help to take the pressure off.
Everyone has to eat, so getting the dining right can go a long way to making everyone happy. But it’s pretty much a guarantee that the first preference for some people in the group is the last preference for others. So, picture this: you and your group board one of our sleek limo buses, or Van Hool Motor Coaches, and we whisk you all off in style to one of Maui’s popular towns for dining, where the members of your group can all choose their own nearby restaurant. Here are our top suggestions for this kind of dining tour.
Lahaina – This historic West Maui beach town is one of Maui’s most popular destinations. Front Street features a lively night life on the weekends, and numerous restaurants to choose from, each with its own unique flavors and ambiance. In addition to all the restaurants, you’ll plenty to explore here, including countless shops, and more art galleries per capita than any other town in the United States. Front Street runs right along the sparkling blue ocean, and the evenings provide stunning sunsets of pink, red and gold over the neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai.
Kihei – Although the restaurants in this South Maui beach town are more spread out than in Lahaina, you’ll find an amazing spread of dining options, not just in terms of cuisine types, but of budget ranges as well. You can opt for exclusive upscale dining or you can eat on the cheap, with totally delicious options throughout both ends of the spectrum. On the Mainland, a lot of folks have learned that the most unassuming little hole-in-the-wall places sometimes serve the best food. That is just as true in Kihei. After you dine, you can browse the shops, or go for a walk together on one of Kihei’s expansive beaches and watch one of those famous Maui sunsets.
Paia – It’s a totally different vibe on Maui’s North Shore. Paia is another of the island’s most interesting beach towns. The collection of restaurants is just as eclectic as the people who frequent this popular area. Locals, surfers, hippies, vacationers, and all kinds of folks in between enjoy the laid-back feel of Paia, which features its own enjoyable collection of shops and art galleries to browse before or after dinner. If your group prefers an off-beat, authentic dining experience, this is your best option.
Makawao – Journey to Upcountry Maui to experience the charming historic Makawao Town. To the surprise of many visitors, it looks like an old Western town was dropped at the edge of a jungle by mistake, but don’t be fooled, Maui’s paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture has deep roots in this fascinating place. It may not boast as many restaurants as the other locations, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Each of the restaurants here is a local favorite among Maui’s residents, and each has its own charm.
You may have noticed that we haven’t suggested specific restaurants in any of these locations, but that was deliberate, as half the fun is exploring them yourself! Keep in mind that transportation and parking can be tricky at some of these locations if you have a large group of people with you. That’s where our expertise can serve you very well. We’re happy to drop you off and pick you up at locations that are most convenient for you. Not only that, but with our services, you’ll never have to worry about navigating or getting lost between your accommodations and your destination. All our group tours are custom tailored to your needs as our valued client, so give us a call if you’d like to begin talking about the details of your trip. We will do our absolute best to accommodate your unique set of Maui transportation needs. You’ll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!
