For first-time visitors to Maui, it's often hard to resist the pull of beachfront resorts in Wailea and Ka'anapali and all their family-friendly amenities from multiple swimming pools, kids clubs and endless supply of mai tais. But if you're willing to forgo those resort perks for a few nights, then head to Pai'a on Maui's North shore and check in to the Inn at Mama's Fish House.
Chances are you've already heard of the restaurant, Mama's Fish House, which tops every Must-Eat spot in Maui for an indulgent night out. But there's an inn that surrounds the restaurant as well with 12 suites and cottages that give guests a genuine helping of Hawaiian hospitality.
We wrote about the inn at length for Condé Nast Traveler and you can read that review here. The room we stayed in was a luxury junior suite, a high-ceilinged room with a grand bed, giant bathroom and a sweet little enclosed terrace.
But if you're looking to stay at Mama's with the kids, the best rooms to book would be the one-bedroom cottages which have queen beds and queen-sized sofa beds in the living room, along with a fully-equipped kitchen.
Need even more space? The two bedroom cottages have two bedrooms with queen beds and queen-sized sofa beds and kitchens. Both the one and two-bedroom cottages are technically considered “garden” rooms, meaning they aren't on the beach. But since the beachfront is small, this isn't a big deal. If direct beach access is important, splurge for the two-bedroom deluxe beachfront cottage which is the closest you'll get to having an amazing Hawaiian hideaway without, you know, actually having to buy property.
All suites and cottages come with free WiFi, beach towels and beach chairs, complimentary homemade banana bread and a daily edition of Mama's News, a one-sheeter that rounds up the activities and offerings at the inn along with local events and the Hawaiian word of the day.
Best of all, the inn is on Mama's beach where generations of locals have learned to swim because of its gentle surf.
Of course, this being a small inn, there are some house rules to abide by and the lobby/check-in at Mama's closes nightly at 6pm. However, there is always a manager on duty who you can reach via cell at any time during the night. Rates start at around $395 a night for a two-bedroom cottage in early November. Expect those rates to rise in the peak seasons.
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