Royal Lahaina Resort Kaanapali Beach, Maui – on the golf course & beach, more mellow area but still very convenient.
Long beach, less people, with activities available, killer sunsets.

Napili Bay, West Maui by Kapalua ~ rooms on a beautiful bay, incredible sunsets
There are 100′s of condos w/kitchens also available, look at “Condos Maui” or “vacation rentals Maui”, book as early as possible. ~ Lahaina Oceanfront, homie/clean

A hotel on a beach with a great ocean view and great amenities is not going to be at a “reasonable and affordable” price.

The place for a young couple to stay on Maui is definitely on Kaanapali Beach. That is where all the fun and action is. The luxurious hotels on that beach are the Hyatt, Westin and Sheraton. But a less expensive hotel on that beach, and more of a homie feel that you asked for, is the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. It is cheaper because it is older and less fancy, but it is at the same ideal location, so in easy walking distance of the big resort hotels, restaurants, shopping center, and all beach activities.

More info, with photos, of all the above hotels is on the Hotels-Condos tab of

Like Racy, we also rented an efficiency condo, but it was in the southeast area of Maui. It was a gardenview private residence and the beach was just a short walk from there. The beach was only used by the people living in the apartment complex, wasn’t crowded, and was convenient to the main road that loops around the island. Lahaina was only about 20 minutes away. And it is much more econmical as Racy said. We rented a vehicle and drove the entire road to Hana, starting east of where we stayed and making a circle of the island. Maui is the best island to stay on in my opinion.

When we went in 2005, we stayed at a condo in Lahaina – Puamana. Many of the units are ocean front, with a small beach (there would be fewer people to contend with, but it’s definitely no Ka’anapali). Just a thought! You can save a lot of money by staying in a condo because you can cook meals at “home”. We made lunch our daily meal out, and cooked breakfast and dinner at the condo almost every day.

Enjoy your trip!

I recommend 1 of 3 places.
Hyatt, Westin or Sheraton.
Hyatt is at the end of the bay and my least favorite and furthest in walking distance from the core restaurants.
Weston is highest end feeling and closest to rest. and shops.
Sheraton is more “family” oriented and closest to snorkeling.
My money is on Westin as the best based on my criteria, but you have the rest to eval based on your preferences.