Sitting along the northern stretch of Maui’s Kaanapali Beach, a coastline known for sunset views and a laidback Hawaiian rhythm. Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows has long been a mainstay of the island’s hospitality scene, with facilities that include two beachfront pools, a signature restaurant and casual dining options, a poolside bar, fitness and wellness spaces and direct access to a wide golden beachfront. Recent updates have introduced a new redesigned oceanfront wellness space and a full refresh of its bungalow accommodation, prompting The Luxury Editor to check in and experience the resort’s latest refurbishment. Read on to see why Royal Lahaina remains one of Maui’s most quietly rewarding stays.
Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina
Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows
(4 stars)Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows was one of the first resorts to be built on Maui back in 1962, where it played an early role in shaping the island’s now burgeoning resort landscape. 330 guest rooms lie within its 12-story tower, along with 127 low-rise private bungalows and suites, spread out across the 27-acre, oceanfront property estate. Its appeal lies in its scale, smaller than many of Maui’s sprawling resorts; the atmosphere feels calmer and less crowded, with no daily race for sunbeds and a level of service that benefits from fewer guests. It also delivers a more agreeable room rate than many other luxury properties on the island. Added value comes through inclusions such as wellness and cultural classes, nightly live music beneath the rubber tree at The Branches, tennis and pickleball privileges, fitness centre access, complimentary Kona coffee in room and a free shuttle to Whalers Village.
2021 saw ownership change, and since then $35 million has been spent on an exhaustive list of improvements, including a full renovation to all the private bungalows, a complete overhaul of the resort’s spa and enhancements to the property’s public spaces, pools, as well as the addition of new dining outlets, Lahaina Noon and Pineapple Noon.
Forty minutes from Kahului Airport by car, the area offers an easy mix of coastal relaxation and water activities, along with golfing at neighbouring Kaanapali Golf Courses, tennis at Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch, which can be combined with dining and premium shopping at nearby Whalers Village.
Lahaina Town continues its path to recovery following the devastating 2023 wildfires, with many local businesses continuing to reopen, and every visitor to the area plays a meaningful role in supporting the community and sustaining Lahaina’s long-term rebuilding efforts.
Rooms, Suites & Bungalows
Accommodation is split between the Lahaina Kai Tower and garden bungalows.
Tower Rooms and Suites
Rooms and suites within the Lahaina Kai Tower follow a classic hotel room format with additional private lanais and a wide range of outlooks across the ocean, gardens and West Maui Mountains. Tower rooms begin at around 350 sq ft, while upper category oceanview and oceanfront rooms maximise sunset-facing views over Kaanapali Beach.
The tower’s most spacious options include one and two-bedroom Lanai and Molokai Suites, which range up to 1,370 sq ft and feature separate living areas and expansive dual format panoramas from twin balconies.
Garden Bungalows
The resort’s private bungalows are dotted throughout tropical, manicured gardens and along the beachfront. Residential in format and secluded, bungalow rooms begin at around 350 sq ft with private lanais facing gardens or the ocean.
We stayed in a ground-floor – Royal Bungalow Room King during our stay. These garden-facing retreats are generous in space, with interiors of warm wood finishes and subtle Hawaiian patterning. A king bed sits at the centre of the room in front of a feature wall. A generous bathroom features a wide vanity, walk-in shower, clothing storage and organic amenities. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors flood the room with light and open directly onto a private seating area.
Studio and junior suites expand to approximately 450 sq ft and introduce living and dining areas, with select categories including kitchens. Oceanfront bungalow suites sit closest to the sand with direct access to the shoreline, while larger two-bedroom options and the Royal Beach House Suite offer generous layouts of up to 1,200 sq ft and enhanced privacy, designed for larger families or longer stays.
All rooms include air conditioning, daily coffee, mini fridges, Wi Fi, high thread count linens and Malie Organics bathroom amenities.
Food & Drink
Lahaina Noon is the property’s Hawaiian beachfront restaurant serving fresh fish, island produce and Pacific-inspired dishes throughout the day. Breakfast brings buffet-style servings of local fruit and juices, pancakes and traditional hot favourites, while evenings offer sunset views over the hotel’s larger pool.
Additional dining options include Pineapple Noon poolside bar for light bites and cocktails, Royal Scoop for ice cream and snacks, and Royal Trading Co for grab-and-go choices and local products.
Pools, Beach and Activities
The resort features two outdoor pools with loungers and cabanas set close to the shoreline. Kaanapali Beach is known for its gentle conditions suited to swimming, paddleboarding and snorkelling. You can also enjoy tennis and pickleball at nearby courts along with golf, a fitness centre, lawn games and seasonal events. In winter, keep an eye out for humpback whales, which can often be visible from the shoreline.
The Branches
Set beneath a vast 100-year-old rubber tree at the heart of the resort, The Branches has become one of Royal Lahaina’s most meaningful spaces. The tree itself predates the hotel, and today its wide canopy covers an intimate outdoor venue where live Hawaiian music is performed every evening. The concept was created in response to the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, which destroyed many of the town’s restaurants and left local musicians without regular places to perform.
As dusk falls each evening, lanterns hanging from the branches cast a warm glow across the canopy while musicians play beneath. The atmosphere is calm and quietly absorbing. On the evening we visited, local musician Jason Tepora performed a set before taking time to speak with us, reinforcing the sense of connection that has come to define The Branches.
Spa
The Spa at Royal Lahaina is the hotel’s newly reimagined oceanfront wellness space. The facility includes five private treatment suites, an open-air, oceanfront serenity lanai, and a manicure and pedicure beauty bar. The spa offers massages, facials, body treatments and beauty services. Signature treatments include the Aloha Body Polish, which uses a locally made sugar scrub.
Final Thoughts
Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, direct beachfront setting and boutique style format, make this property so appealing. Whether you stay in the tower or opt for one of the garden bungalows, the pace is easy and unhurried. Combine this with a wealth of amenities and experiences on site, and you can really enjoy Maui in a true, relaxed Hawaiian rhythm.
