With over 900 hotels in Hawaiʻi , it is almost a part-time job to pick one that hits all the right notes. If you’re looking for an oceanfront resort on one of the best beaches in the world with a traditional Hawaiian ambiance, five-star service, and locally owned, then stop your search. The Royal Lahaina Resort is all you’re looking for. Plus, its room rates are below the staggering $488 average nightly hotel cost in Maui.

Located on world-famous Kā‘anapali Beach, the iconic resort unfolds across 27 acres of sun-kissed, tropical gardens and offers an island-inspired ambiance in a regal, beachy, timeless yet unstuffy setting.

It’s no wonder Royal Lahaina Resort’s award list is just as long as its beachfront. Travelers consistently vote it as one of the Best Resorts for Families, Best Value Resort, Best Resort for Romance, Best Lu’au, and Best Resort Pool.

While it is located on one of Maui’s most coveted resort areas, its large property is only lightly developed, offering a more relaxed and tranquil vacation than other resorts along Kā‘anapali Beach.

“Built in 1962, Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows is one of Maui’s first resort properties. Today, the powder-white sand and crystal-clear waters make Ka’anapali Beach one of the world’s most picturesque beaches,” said Stephen Hinck, Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows General Manager.

Set on one of the world’s best beaches, this classic oceanfront paradise has been independent and locally owned since 1962 and remains that way today.

“Operated by the Hogan family for 60 years, the Royal Lahaina Resort transferred hands to another kama‘aina family business via a partnership lead by BlackSand Capital and Kobayashi Group, two local companies carrying on the tradition of independence,” Hinck explained.

The Royal in Royal Lahaina is Real
Many don’t know that Hawaiʻi was once governed as a monarchy with its own Kings and Queens. Established by Kamehameha I in 1795, the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi was ruled by two major families, Kamehameha and Kalākaua.

That changed in 1893 when the U.S. government overthrew the monarchy. While the era of political independence is long gone, The Hawaiʻi Royal family is still revered and honored across the islands with historical sites, statues, and holidays.

As Kā‘anapali Beach was frequented by Hawaiian royalty, staying at The Royal Lahaina Resort means enjoying the exact same traditional vacation spot of Hawaiian royalty.

What Does The Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows Offer Guests?

If the hotel’s name sounds familiar, it is because it is one of Hawaiʻi original oceanfront escapes that has charmed guests for generations.

The storied beachfront property features an open-air restaurant, two oceanfront swimming pools with cabanas, beach activities center, a fitness center, a spa, tennis courts, and more.

Soak up the Hawaiian sun and enjoy an effortless beach experience with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a stocked cooler. Royal Lahaina Resort guests can reserve a private shaded cabana overlooking Ka’anapali’s famed golden shores or explore the coastline with the resort’s new stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, boogie boards, and snorkeling equipment.

Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows recently collaborated with Kiawe Outdoor for a unique communal, alfresco dining experience set under its legendary 100-year-old rubber tree with a 75-foot canopy.

This twice-weekly culinary journey supports farmers and purveyors in the surrounding area and features a fresh, locally sourced menu cooked over an open fire. The immersive culinary experience includes a celebratory sabering of champagne, appetizers, and a five-course prix-fixe dinner with wine and cocktail pairings.

The award-winning on-site Myths of Maui Lu‘au is an evening of total immersion into the spirit, culture, and passion of broader Polynesia. The oceanfront lu‘au brings the island vibes to you in a colorful array of song, dance, traditions, and cuisine.

Accommodations: Mix of Resort Rooms and Rare Short-Term Rental Beach Bungalows

One glance at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows photos, and you’ll immediately see the two accommodation types. In addition to the hotel tower, the resort has one-and two-story private bungalows that provide an intimate beach house experience complete with all the amenities and conveniences of a resort. So if you love vacationing in spacious, home-like accommodations but are over the increasing Airbnb fees and check-out cleaning requirements, their bungalows are a perfect solution.

The Lahaina Kai Tower contains well-appointed rooms and suites overlooking the ocean and the private beachfront bungalows with lanais descending to expansive lawns. The bungalows are in the process of a complete renovation and transformation that will be unveiled in 2023, featuring island-inspired retro-chic furniture and décor, renovated showers and vanity areas, new lanai decks, patio furniture, and more.

Royal Lahaina Resort rates start at $359 per night, but their current offers include:

Turn over a new leaf with a stay in any ocean-view Lahaina Kai Tower room, and receive complimentary daily breakfast for two this fall.
Hang Five Package: Get every 5th night free plus a $150 resort credit
Book The Royal Experience Package that includes five nights or more in an Ocean View room, daily breakfast for 2, Luau for 2, and a $200 resort credit.
Extended Stays are rewarded with discounts of 5 to 15% off.
Book at least 45 days in advance and get 10% off any room or suite.
Locals receive a 25% off rooms with a Kamaaina Rate that also waives resort and parking fees.
Government/Military Rates start at $269 on bookings through 12/16/2022
AAA Members receive up to 15% Royal Lahaina Resort room rates
Respecting and Honoring The Sacred Land While Visiting
Hawaiians have a deep connection and reverence for the physical earth, oceans, and all that inhabit it. The Mālama Hawaiʻi program is a heartfelt invitation to visitors to enjoy all that Hawaiʻi offers, but with Aloha Aina – a love of the land. The hope is that by making a positive impact, visitors will have a more enriching travel experience.

To inspire mindful travel, industry partners and volunteer organizations across the state have come together to make it easy for encourages visitors to give back to the destination. Tourists can sign up for volunteer projects ranging from reforestation and tree planting to self-directed beach cleanups, ocean reef preservation, and even creating Hawaiian quilts for kūpuna (elders).

“Now more than ever, visiting our beautiful home responsibly is of the utmost importance. As a visitor at The Royal Lahaina resort, we encourage guests to connect and engage with Hawaiʻi’s cultural and natural resources,” said Hinck.

“Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows is dedicated to sharing the traditions and history of the islands through cultural activities led by the resort’s onsite cultural advisor, Makalapua Kanuha, and local experts,” he added. “Guests can enjoy local cuisine, coconut demonstrations showcasing their importance in Hawaiʻi and partake in ukulele lessons, hula lessons, Polyfit classes, and more.”