Paia town is just 10-minutes’ drive from Kahului airport (well outside the range of jet noise) and is a “throwback to the Plantation era” that’s been updated with shops, boutiques, restaurants for all budgets, and even a health-food store, Mana Foods. The “vibe” is mellow or “laid-back”, as is the pace, hence the attraction for so many travelers looking to “get off the beaten track” away from the hotels and large condo complexes of the southshore and westside and experience the more “local” side of the island.

The environment is more lush and tropical, due to higher rainfall, which is usually in the form of passing showers during the vast majority of the year. The accommodations options are in more rural or residential settings. Vacation rentals include romantic cottages, private homes, luxury estates, and even some upscale villas. (There’s even one wonderful beachfront “resort condo” property that is amongst our favorites!) Most prefer to be beachfront, of course, though those options are virtually non-existent except down in the upscale neighborhood of Sprecklesville, or “Sprecks” as it’s referred to, which is popular for windsurfers since the beaches there are ideal for launching into the Maui tradewinds during most of the year, but not as ideal for swimming due to either shallow reef/rocks or shorebreak during winter months.

The good news is that there are many “oceanfront” properties with spectacular views that are within an easy 2-5 minute walk of a good beach for swimming right in Paia Town or Sprecks. There are even some choices just outside Paia that are within a 2-minute drive of both Paia Bay Beach and/or Baldwin Beach Park and some are walking distance to Baby Beach. Haiku is a rural/residential area located 5-10 minutes from Paia (we limit our options to this location and drive time based on guest feedback who found that any further than that proved too inconvenient for coming/going) which offers cozy cottages as well as the estates and villas of distinction, some of which present the best value by far on the island.

The northshore is ideal as a home-base for jumping off to explore more remote parts of the island like the tropical rain forest past Haiku which extends to Hana, the upcountry area of Kula and Haleakala Crater, and the West Maui Mountains. Kahului is conveniently close by as well with supermarkets, restaurants, and the island's largest mall, which includes a multiplex movie theater. The northshore has developed a bit over the years but still offers the best of both worlds: a laid-back casual culturally-diverse atmosphere with modern amenities and conveniences.