ʻOheʻo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)

The Andaz Maui is a relaxed and affordable changeup from the Wailea beach big-hitters. Designed by David Rockwell, we hear the open-air lobby is insanely cool: You enter on a footbridge that crosses an infinity pool to arrive at a sandpit (where you’re encouraged to remove your shoes) while checking in on an iPad. It’s super contemporary—even the apothecary-style spa, which means your therapist will custom-blend locally grown herbs, plants, and fruits for your treatment. Oh, and in addition to Ka'ana Kitchen, an onsite restaurant with a great breakfast spread, Morimoto is here, too. There are also lots of beachside activities, from boogie and paddle board rentals to snorkeling gear (which can be deployed right in front of the hotel), all of which are included in your resort fee. They book up fast, so make a reservation at the kiosk off the beach right when you check in. Friends have also told us that it's worth taking advantage of the hotel's car service for exploring Wailea, as the Uber situation is still pretty few-and-far-between.

Along with all the Four Seasonish amenities (beachside cabanas, sunglasses cleaning, poolside Evian spritzing), the resort offers an abundance of only-in-Hawaii extras, making the Maui at Wailea outpost a South Pacific dream. For one thing, Kids for All Seasons—a daily camp for littles ages five to twelve—allows parents to explore the spa, spend the day surfing (lessons and board rentals are always available), or read a book at the adults-only serenity pool, while the kids build sandcastles, craft leis, and take hula lessons, all under the watchful eye of trained staff. Thoughtful touches, from complimentary swim diapers by the pool to a lengthy roster of family activities (snorkeling, boogie boarding, putting greens), make vacationing en famille a total joy. At night, take your pick of three on-site restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck’s award-winning standby Spago. Take note that kids five and under eat free at Italian-Hawaiian fusion eatery Ferraro’s and at seafood-centric DUO. And when in Hawaii...surfing legend Dave Kalama hosts surf camp and lessons here. The most exciting activity at the hotel is what they call Fire & Wine: an excursion that starts with a private helicopter tour, includes views that will blow your mind, and culminates in cooking dinner over an open fire.

The moment you set foot on the property, you’ll be entranced. This quintessential Maui hotel is perched on the far eastern tip of the island, making it an ideal location to relax and replenish. And did we mention? It’s moments away from the black sand beaches and ocean-view hikes. Other activities include biking from your room to a yoga class that overlooks the ocean, or working for your dinner and casting a net into the water for fish. And then there’s the spa: A wide array of organic, bioenergetic treatments make it all too easy to spend an afternoon—or a day—there. The whole place conspires to quiet the mind and instill a sense of calm like you’ve never experienced before.

This tiny, incredibly lush private island (it’s easily accessible by ferry or charter plane) is close enough to Maui to justify a daytrip, though we think it’s worthy of a weekend stay. As of right now, it’s home to two Four Seasons properties—the Manele Bay beach resort is fresh off a top-to-bottom refresh and the forest lodge is in the midst of one right now. There's a great Asian-inspired restaurant called Lana’I City Grille, and little else—though the island’s new owner, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, has big plans to reimagine it as a sustainable, 100% eco-friendly tourist destination, meaning now is a good time to go if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet.

Chill out surrounded by lush, tropical gardens at this historic Maui compound and learn to live Aloha for a while. Here you can practice mindfulness, learn to meditate, take an aromatherapy class–or learn about the land through their horticulture programs. The beauty and serenity of the island attracts yogis of all disciplines and from all over the world to practice, so check the calendar for upcoming retreats and workshops. You'll leave feeling completely refreshed.

Seeing as this is a Montage and all, this lavish, 24-acre beach-front resort is splashy in the best possible way: there's a huge golf course, camps for both kids and teens, tennis, plenty of pools, hiking, snorkeling, and really good on-site restaurants. It's all suites, with many multi-bedroom options for families, meaning it's the sort of place where you can easily spend an entire holiday vacation—the fully decked-out spa (with plenty of daily fitness classes) certainly helps.

Fresh off a resort-wide renovation, this North Shore Maui hotel benefits from its relatively out-of-the-way location. Unlike the string of hotels that cluster around beaches further south, The Ritz-Carlton stands alone on a bluff overlooking the Pacific and the tiny island of Molokai. All 466 guest rooms have been updated with a neutral, subdued color scheme and hints of what’s outside—green accent pillows that echo the color of the palm trees, coral-patterned textiles, conceptual images of surfboards as artwork. Of the five restaurants on-site, our favorite is Ulana—especially for breakfast. The macadamia and banana pancakes are worth the indulgence, though the healthy smoothies (like the Green Goddess, made with spinach, kale, avocado, kiwi, apple, chia seeds, and matcha powder) are a very close second.

Bev and Joe Gannon’s story sounds more like something you’d daydream from a cubicle than reality—they were producers and managers in Los Angeles when Bev decided to go to cooking school and they both made the move to Maui to start their catering business. They opened Hali’imaile General Store in the ‘80s, and while their restaurant group has continued to grow, the store is still the local favorite. You’ll find the restaurant among the pineapple fields in a historic building that was built in the 1920s to serve camp workers—the décor is subtle and light, with big wide windows at the front. As for the food, Bev does her best to source all of her ingredients on the islands, rather than importing them from the mainland—she relies heavily on local specialties like Kalua pork, fresh island fish, and coconut.

One of our first stops after landing on Maui is always Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop on the west coast. Everything is fresh and expertly prepared, and there’s a range of lunch options, whether healthy (mixed hydroponic greens with local herbs and tomatoes) or marginally gluttonous (a silky, rich coconut cream pie). The height of lunch hour can get crushingly busy, so come on the later or earlier side to avoid crowds. If you do have to wait in line (which sometimes stretches out the door), we promise that it’ll be well worth it.

Owned by Top Chef’s Sheldon Simeon, Lineage’s cuisine is essentially a Filipino luau in a chicly unfussy space. It starts with an amazing appetizer cart that meets you as you sit down, your first indication that chef Simeon puts a premium on local produce and products. Order the chili pepper water and the garden poke bowl—or better yet, let the chef choose for you. The tasting menu is out of this world.

Sitting directly on the beach and a little more high-end than the hyper-casual joints you might find in the center of Paia town, Mama’s menu of rotating fish dishes that change according to the day’s catch (you’ll find the name of the fisherman who caught your fish right on the menu) can easily hold its own as one of the best seafood places on Maui. The restaurant’s sister B&B is a good place to get a room before hitting the road to Hana.

In search of organic almond milk or gluten-free pasta? This health-centric grocery store—open since the '80s—offers an extensive array of pantry items that you'll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere on the island, plus really beautiful produce that's been sourced from more than 400 local purveyors. What's more? They use compostable and biodegradable packaging at all their counters, including the deli and butcher shop.

Indulging in a cold one after hitting the waves is a pretty significant part of Hawaii’s surf culture. Maui Brewing Co.’s pub offshoot has a dozen or so locally brewed varieties on draft (some from its own brewery in Kihei, where you can also get your hands on Maui Cookie Lady cookies) supplemented by international brews, and a gastropub-style menu of shareable dishes like flatbreads, salads, sliders, and truffle oil-spiked "adult" mac and cheese. Keep in mind that you’re going for the booze, not the ambiance, which here skews a little sports-bar with multiple flat screens and lots of noise.

While the strip mall storefront doesn’t look like much, this local favorite is in the business of serving the best of Hawaii’s locally grown coffee. Unlike the rest of the U.S., Hawaii is uniquely hospitable to coffee farming, with each island producing countless delicious varieties. The café, in addition to brewing the perfect lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos, has a small but mighty menu of breakfast and lunch basics with a local twist (ask for a toasted bagel slathered in guava butter). We like stopping by on our way to the airport to pick up fresh-roasted souvenirs for friends back home.

Peter Merriman was one of the pioneers of the local food scene in Hawaii—he was at the forefront of efforts to grow vegetables in the local volcanic soils, so they could be eaten fresh (rather than after a lengthy journey on a boat). Today, he partners with local farmers to serve his three restaurants, and there’s one each on Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. The dining room and menu are dressed up without being overly stuffy, so it’s ideal for a nicer family or group outing. Try the upcountry salad (made with kale and butter lettuce from local farms), the fresh-caught mahi mahi, and vegetarian taro cake.

This sister restaurant to Paia Fish Market is more subdued—but no less delicious. While the space is small, the menu is mighty: Sashimi platters, excellent bowls, specialty rolls, and plenty of poke, all sourced from local purveyors wherever possible. Don't miss the Asian French Fries, served with wasabi aioli and furikake, or the Japanese fried chicken.

This laid-back, seafood-centric dive with lots of light and communal tables serves what many agree are the best fish sandwiches on the island. Everything on the menu, from the Mahi in the fish tacos to the Ahi in the sashimi, is caught locally and prepped fresh the second it’s delivered every morning by local fishermen. And if seafood isn’t your thing, the burgers and chicken dishes are all sourced from neighboring Maui farms. There's another location in Paia.

This indoor/outdoor café—which is part of the sweet and sleepy Paia Inn—serves one of the town's best brunches, with a menu that spans from cardamon french toast to a breakfast board that includes both pork belly and lox. They source ingredients from local Maui farmers, and focus on whatever is hyper-fresh, as illustrated by an exhaustive array of fresh juices.

Now three locations strong, this Paia stronghold is the place to go on the island when you not only want a really good latte, but you want it to be matcha. The menu of teas and coffees is massive—if not overwhelming—but it's all good, as are the pastries. (Get the coffee cake.) As one would expect, there's also an ample smoothie and juice offering.

Chef Seldon Simeon won a season of Top Chef, and (in addition to being an excellent chef) is a bit of a local celebrity, which helps to explain why there are such long lines at his restaurant. That said, if you can make a reservation in advance, Seldon's take on Hawaiian Asian fusion, which includes well-executed ramen, udon, Singapore noodles, pad thai, and more, is widely considered to be one of the best meals on the island. There's also a healthy selection of share plates, like tempura shrimp, Vietnamese crepes, and yakitori, plus a full-service sake bar.

Some of the best food in Maui comes from the Thai food trucks that are sprinkled all over the island. Most are run by different people, but every one we have tried is spectacular. Which is to say: When you see a Thai food truck in Maui, pull over. Then order the pad Thai and spring rolls—you won’t be sorry. Most Thai food trucks are parked on or very near the coast, and if you have time to sample a few over the course of a trip, selecting the best is one of the most delicious road trip games you could ever imagine.

If you’re anywhere near the airport, stop by Tin Roof for a fantastic lunch (take-out only). Yes, there’s a line out the door, but it moves fast and is a testament to the food inside. Tin Roof is owned by chef Sheldon Simon, who is known for his incredible poke and rice bowls, one of the most popular being the Mochiko chicken bowl. But don’t overlook the extras—like the pickled red onions or ulu mac salad. They are equally incredible. It’s the perfect place for a last taste of the island before you fly home.

Miles from the ocean and high in the hills of Maui’s pastoral Upcountry, this lavender farm is a very worthy day trip—even if it means tearing yourself away from the waves for a few hours. It’s an incredibly relaxing experience to stroll among the lavender fields. There are 55,000 lavender plants here, including forty-five different varieties of lavender (and in case you didn’t know that there even were forty-five types of lavender, well, you’re not alone), spread across thirteen well-tended acres. There are also chicken coops, a shop that sells farm-made bath products, and spectacular views everywhere you look.

For older kids and adults who are adventure-minded, this bike ride is a popular choice. There are several companies that provide all the necessary equipment to bike down Haleakala, and offer guided tours, as well as a few that run more self-guided trips, including Haleakala Bike Co., which has been in business since 1995. Here’s the idea behind this bike adventure: You’re dropped off to explore the impressive summit of Haleakala (10,000-plus feet)—if you do an early morning ride, you get to watch the sunrise from the edge of the enormous crater (about 7 miles long and 2 wide)—and then, for safety reasons, you’re taken to a starting point outside of Haleakala National Park at 6,500 feet. From there, you zoom down 23 miles of Maui switchbacks to sea level.

A 3,600-acre working ranch that hugs most of the eastern side of the island, Hana Ranch is worth a trip for the epic views alone. The sustainable ranch is home to 1,500 cattle, and it supplies much of the grass-fed meat on so many menus on the island. But even vegetarians would love Hana Ranch: It also offers world-class picnics, horseback riding, mountain biking, and personalized off-roading tours.

Pa'ia, a sugar cane village on Maui’s North Shore with roots that date all the way back to the 1870’s, serves as the kickoff point on the Road to Hana. It’s one of those quintessentially Hawaiian surf towns where the beaches are the main attraction: While Ho’okipa beach is where you want to be to watch the local surfers tackle the famously fat swells, Baldwin beach is best if you plan on getting in the water yourself as there are lifeguards on duty and the surf is mild. Après beach, hit Paia’s main drag for lunch, then spend some time exploring while making pit stops for shaved ice and Maui coffee.

The tiny town of Makawao in central Maui has one main commercial street, Baldwin Avenue, with some charming cafés, restaurants, and stores. It’s here you’ll find the island’s best women’s clothing and accessories shop, Pink by Nature. Aside from swimwear, flowy shirts, and dresses by small, independent brands like Rails, Boys + Arrows, and Indah, owner Desiree Martinez stocks fun keepsakes, like rose quartz crystals. Next door, you’ll find its brother store, Homme by Nature, run by Martinez’s partner, Marco Daniele.

Driving the road to Hana is either billed as a little touristy, or the best way to see “the real Hawaii.” (It’s actually a little of both.) It’s 50 miles from Kahului (Maui’s main airport) to Hana on Highway 36 (which turns into 370). Note: this includes some tight-hugging curves. Depending on traffic, the drive itself is only a few hours, so it makes a great day-trip (in which case it’s best to leave before sunrise). But as the old adage goes, this adventure is largely about the journey, which means taking the time to stop and enjoy everything you’re passing—e.g. Maui’s magnificent coastline, rich rainforest landscapes, waterfalls cascading into blue pools, tropical foliage galore. There are also two standout beaches near Hana: the black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park, called Pa'iloa, because it’s such a sight; and Hamoa Beach, because it’s likewise pretty and a relatively easy swimming spot.