Here's a guide to Maui's family-friendly hotels in the four major resort areas along the 120-mile coastline of the island

All of Maui is beautiful and interesting, and there are many experiences to be had.  The center of the island is home to the vast extinct volcano in Haleakala National Park. Wailea is located along the beach-lined south Maui and is a favorite vacation area.  West Maui's miles of beaches include two of the most popular resort areas: Kapalua in the northwest and Ka'anapali in the southwest. East Maui is at the end of the beautiful and historic Hana Highway. In this quiet region you will find the aura of old Hawaii.

Wailea

Fairmont Kea Lani 
4100 Wailea Alanui Drive
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii  96753
866/540-4456; 808/875-4100
The Kea Lani, meaning "white heaven" is located on Polo Beach whose calm, shallow waters are perfect for little ones.Situated on 22 landscaped acres, the accommodations are all multi-room arrangements including one-bedroom suites, and two and three-bedroom villas. Beyond swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and other water activities, you can participate in Hawaiian cultural activities, sign up for fitness classes, or pamper yourself in the Spa Kea Lani. Complimentary transportation is available to the adjacent Wailea Golf Club and tennis courts. Families will enjoy kids' menus, the fact that kids under five eat free with their parents, and that the suites offer mini-fridges to keep snacks available. The new kids' club, Keiki Lani, welcomes kids ages 5 to 13, for full or half day sessions (for a fee) and private babysitting can be arranged through the concierge. In summer and over the holidays, the fitness center offers a dedicated kids' fitness program. The resorts three pools include one for adults-only, and the kid-friendly upper pool and lower pool, connected by a twisting waterslide.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
3900 Wailea Alanui Drive
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753
800/334-MAUI; 808/874-8000
An elegant hotel with a private beach where over 85 percent of rooms have ocean view and most have lanais. There is a large pool with center fountain and whirlpools; freeform pool connects by slide to a children's pool. The complimentary Kids for All Seasons children's program features outdoor activities, swimming, and Hawaiian arts and crafts. An array of baby amenities is available free of charge.  The Spa gets high marks, and, as you would expect at a Four Seasons, the service here is superb.

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
3850 Wailea Alanui Drive
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753
800/888-6100; 808/875-1234
With 780 elegant rooms and suites steps from the beach on 40 landscaped acres, the Grand Wailea offers fun and relaxation among natural beauty.  The Spa Grande, a 50,000-square-foot facility, has been ranked among the "Top 10 Spas in the US" by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure Magazines.  The beautiful Hibiscus Pool for adults only, is lined with Mexican glass mosaic tile and features two Jacuzzis.  Kids are not ignored, and will flip out at the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, made up of four jungle pools, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, the world's only water eleveator, a sand beach, rapids, waterfalls, caves, a swim-up bar, sand beach, three Jacuzzis and an infant pool!  Campe Grande is for kids ages 5 to 12 and is open from 9am to 4pm (in am and pm sessions) and from 5pm to 9pm.  Activities vary from play area with Legos, crafts, foosball and ping pong to Nintendo and a video arcade.  Waterplay takes place in a special wading pool or at the Canyon Activity Pool.

Hotel Wailea
555 Kaukahi Street
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii  96753
800/800-0720, 808/874-0500
A lovely, quiet boutique hotel, this is a hidden treasure amongst the large resorts of Wailea.  All of its 72 spacious suites offer 900 square-feet of including a full bedroom, separate living area with fold-out sofa, full kitchen, soaking tub, flat screen TVs, wireless internet and private lanai with tropical garden or ocean views.  While there are no specific facilities for children, families are very welcome and can be accommodated most comfortably in the suites while they plan their family-together activities.  The hotel is located 300 feet above the sea, and, while not directly on Wailea Beach, a free resort shuttle is available for the 10-minute drive, and complimentary umbrellas and chairs await you.  There is a pool on property,  Other nearby activiites include Spa Wailea, four world-class golf courses and shopping.  This low-key hotel doesn't offer all of the services of the larger resorts, but the staff is extremely pleasant and helpful, and this is a much more affordable choice for families.  Capische Restaurant serves fabulous food in a romantic setting - perfect for parent's night out.

Wailea Beach Villas
3800 Wailea Alanui Drove
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 96753
866/901/5207; 808/891-4500
A combination of elegant, private residences with gorgeous oceanfront views and resort amenities such as housekeeping, concierge services and a fitness center.  The Makai Infinity Pool with waterfront hot tub is for adults only.  Families enjoy the Makua Pool and Hot Tub which offers a wading area for tots and complimentary beach and pool toys.  There are supervised youth programs and babysitting is available.  Beyond beach activities like snorkeling and boogie boarding, families enjoy hiking, bird watching and nature tours. Off property excursions can be arranged.

Ka'anapali

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
200 Nohea Kai Drive
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii  96761
800/233-1234, 808/661-1234
A  lavish family resort on 40 acres, with an open air lobby and rooms with mountain or ocean views.  The water playground includes a 3,000-square foot pool with a 25-foot slide and swinging rope bridge, and is surrounded by a sandy shore, lava rocks, grotto bar and waterfalls. There is a spa on site, as well as golf and tennis, scuba diving, an art collection and a luau. Camp Hyatt, for ages 5 to 12, offers a fun program of activities from pool time to hula lessons.

Ka'anapali Beach Hotel
2525 Kaanapali Parkway
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
800/262-8450
Titled "Hawaii's Most Hawaiian Hotel" by the Waiaha Foundation, this low-key, well-priced resort welcomes returning families who love the focus on Hawaiian cultural learning, and the warm, family atmosphere.  The children's Aloha Passport program is really a family together program, with a series of activities such as ukelele lessons and lei-making.  Nightly entertainment includes a torchlighting ceremony with hula and Hawaiian music.  Fun can be had on the beach, in the pool, or on the large lawn.

Sheraton Maui Resort
2605 Ka'anapali Parkway
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii  96761
866/716-8109
Nestled against historic Black Rock, world-famous for snorkeling, where the Sheraton presents a nightly cliff-dive ceremony including music, hula and a torch lighting ceremony at sunset.  All 508 rooms offer ocean views.  Great Ohana (family) suites offer 665-square-feet and include a sitting room with fold-out couch, two double beds (or a king bed) and a pull-down wall bed, two TVs, large bathroom with double sinks, separate show and tub, a wet bar and microwave. There is a Kids Eat Free program and a Keiki Aloha children's program that takes place at Sheraton's sister hotel, Westin Maui (pick-up and return are provided). There is a spa, tennis courts and nearby golf. Everyone enjoys the meandering 142-yard lagoon style pool.

Westin Maui Resort & Spa
2365 Ka'anapali Parkway
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii  96761
866/500-8313
Sister property to the Sheraton Maui, the Westin promises a "Heavenly" vacation with Heavenly beds, Heavenly showers, Heavenly cribs, and even Heavenly dog beds, on request.  The on-site spa is called, you guessed it, "Heavenly."  There are a total of 759 rooms and suites with a choice of mountain or ocean view, all with private lanais.  There is a program of cultural activities, and the Keiki Aloha program takes kids from ages 5-12 for games, swimming and Hawaiian crafts for half or full days.  There is also an evening program.  All are available for a fee, and are open to non-guests of the Sheraton or Westin at a slightly higher rate.

Kapalua

Kapalua Villas
500 Office Road
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
800/545-0018; 808/665-5400
Choose from one-, two- and 3-bedroom villas located within in the Kapalua Resort area.  Guests have access to gorgeous beaches, discounted rates at two championhsip golf courses, free use of tennis courts, full service concierge and activity desk, and a complimentary resort-wide shuttle service.  Book some pampering at the Kapalua Spa, or a tour to Maui's pineapple fields.

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
1 Ritz-Carlton Drive
Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii  96761
800/262-8440; 808/669-6200
Located on an exquisite white sand beach, this beautifully landscaped resort has received many awards and accolades, including a 5 Diamond rating from AAA.  It offers an excellent location and the guestrooms, suites and restaurants have recently undergone a $180 million renovation. There are lots of activities, local cultural programs and a world-class 17,500 square-foot spa with outdoor private showers, where services are available for teens.  The 10,000 square-foot, three-tiered pool is enormous and the luxury cabanas offer TVs and snacks.  There is also a children's pool and a fitness center. The Ritz-Kids Club is for 5 to 12-year-olds and is available for full and half-day sessions (for a fee).  Activities include outdoor fun, local culture and environmentalism through Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment Programs with activities such as Water Wonders and Underwater Photography under the direction of trained naturalists.

Hana

Hotel Hana Maui and Honua Spa
5031 Hana Highway
Hana, Maui, Hawaii  96713
800/321-HANA; 808/248-8211
After driving the long, winding, and beautiful road to Hana, you've reached the tranquility of old Hawaii.  Instead of heading right back, plan to spend a night or two here if you can.  This small, 77-room, cozy hotel is truly off the beaten path, and offers personalized service in a serene setting.  There are no clocks, radios or TVs in the guest rooms. Access to the Spa's facilities are included in the rates, and spa treatments, using Hawaiian products and techniques, are available for a fee. This is a place to come with children old enough to enjoy experiences such as hiking to secluded waterfalls, horseback riding, snorkeling and kayaking as a family. There is no Kids Club, but babysitting can be arranged.