In August 2023, Aston Kaʻanapali Shores on the west side of Maui stopped being a vacation resort and became a lifeline for those impacted by the devastating wildfire that destroyed the nearby historic town of Lahaina. Staff canceled incoming tourist bookings and welcomed neighbors who had lost everything, and Red Cross volunteers set up aid stations.
Photo: Photo: Expedia
Aston Kaʻanapali Shores Is an Affordable Family Stay With Luxurious Space and Beachfront Views
On a recent trip two years later, the resort once again looked like the subject of an only-in-Hawaiʻi postcard as I chased my two-year-old daughter, Margot, between the pool and the beach alongside my wife Heather and 1-month-old son Wally.
Photo: Nickolaus Hines
This condo resort built in the 1980s offers a luxurious amount of space, kitchens, and easy access to both the Pacific and community spots. It’s an ideal base for families looking to explore West Maui with plenty of breaks in between for relaxation (or at least as much relaxation as you can get with young ones around).
This was our first family trip to Hawaiʻi. The choice was a perfect fit for traveling with young ones: less splashy (or quiet) luxury, and more of a home-away-from-home vibe.
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The Rooms at Aston Kaʻanapali Shores
There’s no getting around the fact that a trip to Hawaiʻi is expensive no matter who you’re traveling with. Aston Kaʻanapali Shores hits a sweet spot that’s hard to find at resorts elsewhere across the islands. What really helps for families: kids under 17 stay free. Depending on the month, you can book a standard room for as low as about $250 per night before taxes, and just over $1,000 per night for top suites.
The Junior Suites are 600 square feet with a full kitchen and a private lanai (covered patio). One-Bedroom Suites expand with the option between a Garden View to look out over the verdant, palm-filled central courtyard, or Ocean View for an outlook of the beach and islands beyond. Families and groups will find space in the Two-Bedroom Suites, which have about 1,200 square feet to spread out with full kitchens, separate living and dining areas, and balconies made for lingering. At the top, the Oceanfront Aloha Suite and the Penthouse double down on space with 2,000 square feet, panoramic views, and higher-end appliances.
We stayed in a Two-Bed, Two-Bath Oceanfront Aloha Suite. Margot had to stop to take a breath before we reached the end of the hallway to our door, then did one of her signature surprised inhales as the door opened and she saw even more space to run through before reaching the sliding glass doors to the wraparound balcony.
It wasn’t long before the contents of our luggage exploded across the room (two kids under 3 may have small clothes, but they sure fill a suitcase). Even adding in two pack-and-plays, the space never felt crowded. We lightly stocked the fridge with breakfast staples from the grocery store across the street and piled fruit and snacks on the counter.
Photo: Nickolaus Hines
Throughout our stay, we rotated our preferred spot on the balcony. We ate breakfast on the courtyard side and lounged on the ocean side, watching a pod of dolphins leap past one afternoon.
We had just one complaint during our stay: though we had a two-bedroom, one of them was useful only for storing our stuff. The air conditioning runs on motion sensors in each room. My sleeping toddler didn’t trigger the unit, so the room got hot and muggy enough that we moved her in front of the sliding balcony doors after the first night.
What to do at Aston Kaʻanapali Shores
We set our sights on the ocean the minute we touched down. But after getting our luggage, picking up the rental car, making the drive from the airport, checking into the hotel and dropping our stuff, and grabbing a long-overdue meal, it was dark. Margot and I weren’t deterred.
We walked less than a minute down to the beach. The starlight and moon reflecting off the calm water were the brightest lights once we kicked off our shoes at the top of the stairs and put our feet in the sand. The waves were no bigger than the wake from a small lake boat, but still crashed louder than the sound of the cocktails being shaken at the nearby pool bar.
When you have a kid who wants to be as close to the water for as much time as possible, this proximity is worth more than any other amenity: morning light walks, afternoon swimming, nighttime sand sitting.
That said, there’s plenty more to do. Two pools — one kid-friendly with water features and a splash area for the littlest ones, one next to the bar — offer an alternative if salt water isn’t your thing. The property has a pickleball court sitting right in front by the entrance. Cultural activities like a local makers’ market, Hawaiʻian weaving, and hula and ukulele lessons are held on the main lobby floor. A spa, fitness center, sauna, shuffleboard court, and RedBox-style DVD-rental kiosks are also available.
Photos: Nickolaus Hines
On our last day, Margot and I joined a lei-making class in the lobby. The instructor, and the other guests, had some doubts as I sat my toddler at the table. Lei involve a fair amount of hand-eye coordination to open the orchids, weave through a long and sharp needle, and then thread the flowers together. We found our rhythm, Margot opening up the flowers and me handling the sharp ends, thanks to our instructor who was game to help after clarifying she wouldn’t be responsible for pricked fingers — mine or Margot’s. We ended up making two short leis just as fast as the rest of the table and Margot wore hers the next day until the flowers drooped past wearability.
Photo: Nickolaus Hines
There’s no shortage of options when you want to explore off the property. The Maui Ocean Center is worth a day trip to learn about the incredible sea life and history of the area, and beaches, blowholes, waterfalls, and mountain hikes are readily accessible by car without driving more than an hour.
Dining at Aston Kaʻanapali Shores
Many of our family’s happiest memories happen in the kitchen. Having access to a full kitchen in our room also meant cutting back on food costs. While exploring the local grocery store for snacks and something to make a meal is always a joy, seeing the surrounding food scene is one of our top activities regardless of where we go.
The pull for food, and fast, after we got our room led us to Honoapiilani Food Truck Park for dinner. We walked the long driveway and a block over, past the busker with a small amp playing Sublime and Billy Joel covers. It was immediately clear the gravel in the fenced food truck park is not designed for strollers. Kids in our arms and strollers at a table, we did some recon of the food trucks that largely focused on burgers, fish, and cuisines from across the Asian diaspora. The crowd was a mix of tourists with a just-landed look and teens on dates.
We chose the only Hawaiʻian food truck that day and ordered poke two ways and a starter. I tried not to react to the sticker shock of paying $70 for a food-truck meal for three as we sipped our POG and guava sodas. Thankfully, the food didn’t disappoint: fresh fish (tuna and local catch of the day), poi, rice, and macaroni salad. We ate until it was dark and the fruit stand at the entrance started to box up its handful of remaining papayas, pineapples, and mangos.
After putting the kids down, I walked across the street to the Times Supermarket and picked up fruit, breakfast staples, Hokkaidō butter-flavored rice crackers, and a bottle of pineapple sparkling wine for the next morning’s meal.
Aston Kaʻanapali Shores has one restaurant on the property, The Beach Club, which serves indulgent breakfasts, lunch, and island-inspired dinners. We stopped for lunch just as food service started again alongside the bar with humming blenders that clearly do not get a lunch break. Burgers, fried fish, and mac and cheese quickly hit our table, and birds flitted next to us shortly after to grab each french fry Margot dropped when she spotted a lizard sunning itself. The prices were reasonable for the island, especially considering the view, and the lunch menu straightforward. A bigger dinner with options like shrimp, barbecue ribs, and kalua pork waits anyone who wants to skip the in-suite cooking.
If you have a car, there are stand-out restaurants that welcome the full family a short drive away. Don’t miss Coco Deck in Lahaina and Merriman’s in Kapalua.
Getting to Aston Kaʻanapali Shores
Maui’s Kahului Airport is at the northern pinch point where West Maui meets East Maui, and is about an hour’s drive along the south side of the island to Aston Kaʻanapali Shores depending on traffic. There are taxi and rideshare options from the airport, but the costs add up quickly if you plan to go beyond your accommodations. Renting a car from the airport is worth it for anyone taking a longer stay and wants to explore more of the island. 