I’ve always considered the airport hotel as a nondescript way station until my next flight leaves, but Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport has changed my tune. With its appealing decor, amenities and location, Courtyard Maui does an admirable job of serving the needs of short-term guests.
Open since June 2012 and just 1 mile from Maui’s main airport, the property is the first accommodation that visitors see as they exit the airport.
“Courtyard chose this site because there wasn’t another hotel like it in the area,” general manager Joanne Joffe told me. “We’re the fresh new spot.”
Courtyard Maui boasts sought-after amenities such as in-room flat-screen televisions, free Wi-Fi access, a fitness center and a 24-hour business center. The Bistro, its lively lobby eatery, presents dine-in or carryout breakfast, lunch and dinner fare. The night I was there, several guests took their food and drinks outside by the hotel’s fire pit, lit nightly year-round.
The property’s outdoor pool, hot tub and free cabanas cater further to travel-weary clients. Creative landscaping protects the hotel from outside distractions. In fact, I never heard a single plane overhead during my stay.
While the Kahului property reflects Courtyard’s trademark contemporary design, it adds island touches such as photos of Maui and paintings by local artists. Some of its 138 guestrooms provide views of the mountains or the beach in the distance. My room faced a wildlife sanctuary protected from future development.
Despite its many assets, Courtyard Maui knows its role on the island’s accommodation scene, according to Joffe.
“Our average length of stay is two days or less,” Joffe said. “Many of our leisure guests have landed at night and want to get their bearings here before driving an hour to their resort. We’re also a good place to transition before they leave the island.”
In addition, Courtyard Maui caters to business travelers, as well as clients attending Maui sports or entertainment events. A big plus is the hotel’s free shuttle, running anywhere within 3 miles of the hotel. Clients can ride the shuttle to area restaurants, shops, theaters and Kanaha Beach, popular with kite surfers.
Wisely, this property doesn’t try to compete with Maui’s many fine seaside resorts. Instead, it provides a pleasant layover for regrouping and relaxing on the Valley Isle.
The Details
Courtyard Maui Kahului Airportwww.marriott.com
