What to expect: An avenue of oleander and flowering trees leads to an open-air lobby draped around a koi-pond atrium with waterfalls and streams. The Maui Prince Hotel's A-shaped structure points toward a crescent beach and Molokini Islet in the distance. Golfers, celebrating couples, families, and other leisure travelers come to the hotel for its secluded location and modern comforts.

Amenity highlights: Guests enjoy two 18-hole golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., as well as tennis facilities, a fitness center, and a splash pool with spa tub, children's pool, and poolside snack bar. Dining options include the Molokini Bar and Grille, specializing in contemporary island cuisine, the Hakone Japanese Restaurant and sushi bar, and a clubhouse lunch venue. A 46-foot catamaran (surcharge) sails from the adjacent Maluaka Beach to Molokini Islet, one of Maui’s most pristine snorkeling spots.

Insider tip: Unlike most Maui resorts, the big, open-air, tent-like cabanas around the pools are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no additional fee.