What to expect: Guests check in at a lobby with wicker and rattan couches before heading to condos housed in 10 four-story buildings. Located on the quieter end of busy South Kihei, across the street from Kamaole Beach Park III, the 15-acre Castle Kamaole Sands draws families and other leisure travelers with its tropical landscaping and recreation facilities.

Amenity highlights: In addition to the swimming beach across the street, guests enjoy a large outdoor pool with two spa tubs, a children’s wading pool, four tennis courts, a fitness center, and eight barbecues with picnic areas. A complimentary weekly mai tai pool party is hosted every Wednesday. Computer kiosks (surcharge) are located in the lobby and fitness room.

Insider tip: The largest of Kihei’s three oceanfront parks, Kamaole Beach Park III is popular with locals, but the ocean may be even gentler at Keawakapu Beach, a half-mile south at the entrance to Wailea.

What to expect: The soft splash of the surf against the perfect beach, birdsong, plumeria scent, gardens of blossoms … and utter tranquility.

Amenity highlights: The beach in front of the resort comes complete with a built-in umbrella: A large tree overhangs the sand, offering plenty of shade for many people to snooze in without disturbing their neighbors.

Insider tip: A half-mile south of Hale Pau Hana Resort is a beach of a different sort, a long, uncrowded stretch of sand called Keawakapu Beach. Next to the beach is a public parking lot. Signs point the way to the beach, which offers great snorkeling along its rocky northern terminus, terrific boogie boarding when the tradewinds blow, and long, tropical-fantasy walks. (Buildings along the beach seldom exceed palm-tree height, somewhat preserving the illusion the beachfront is undeveloped.)