Why Hana-Maui Resort Needs to Be Your Next Girls Trip
The scenic front lawn at the resort.
We left Kihei in the late afternoon, that sweet hour where the light starts to soften and you already feel like you’re somewhere else. On the way, we stopped at Scape Maui in Pa’ia for turmeric lattes and matcha and Flatbread Pizza for a large cheese pizza to eat in the car before the road really begins (not for the weak of stomachs). Warm cups in hand, barefoot on the dash, lots of laughs and one last slice before the curves.
By the time we arrived at Hana-Maui Resort, it was dark. Holiday lights were twinkling, the air felt fresh and balmy, and the staff welcomed us like we’d been expected all along with pretty shell lei and POG. That kind of aloha instantly drops your shoulders.
We decided to try the new restaurant on property. For the holiday spirit, a few of us sipped mulled wine. Cozy, festive, exactly right for a Hana night. Despite all our busy schedules that week, upon arrival, everything suddenly felt unhurried and gentle. Like the island was inviting us to slow down before we even got our keys.
Hana-Maui Resort by night.
Our room was spacious in the best way. The rare kind of layout that actually works for four women. A large vanity and dresser area (where we could all get ready at once without stepping on each other’s toes), a bathtub plus a separate shower, and a separate toilet room. Honestly, the most ideal room ever for a girls’ trip.
We brewed tea in the kitchenette, opened the doors to our huge ocean facing deck, and let the rain do its thing. It was the only rain of the entire trip and it felt like a lullaby. We fell asleep to the sound of it moving through the palms.
Kaihalulu Beach (walking distance from the resort).
In the morning, we woke up early and hiked over to Kaihalulu Beach, the Red Sand Beach. Swimming there felt otherworldly. Like we were a bunch of little mermaids (k we are, let’s be honest).
For lunch, we walked to the food trucks nearby and grabbed truly jungle-fresh açai bowls – exactly what our bodies wanted after the ocean. Then we spent the afternoon lounging by the pool, sharing snacks like poké nachos from the pool bar, sun on our skin, no one checking the time.
We walked back over to the trucks for dinner and picked up some Thai food that we brought back to the fire pit. We admired the dusky sky turned star-filled kaleidoscope as we told ghost stories and talked about our big dreams. Afterward, we wandered over to the yoga studio and decided to turn it into our own little movement playground.
We brought a speaker and let the music take us everywhere. Bachata to reggaeton. Traditional Romanian dancing as taught to us by our Romanian friend. Dancehall to Punjabi radio. We ended with Gaelic hymns (felt the most fitting to the scene) as the breeze moved through the open doors. It was silly, soulful and deeply restorative in the way that only unstructured joy can be – and the space was absolutely inspiring.
The fitness and yoga studio at Hana-Maui Resort.
The next morning, we watched the sunrise, ordered room service while packing up, and headed out to the Pipiwai Trail. Our last adventure before returning to the rest of the world.
Hana-Maui Resort is one of those places that lets you choose your own rhythm. You can come to unplug completely. Or you can come to play, explore, move, and create the way we did. Next time, we plan to restore even more. Less doing, more soaking.
But this time was perfect. We laughed hard, danced freely, and felt held by the beautiful stillness of the land.
We had so much fun. And you know, girls just wanna have fun.
