Traveling with 1 yr old

Question

Hi all! We are traveling with baby next month and of course will have a car. Looking for central location, close to beach and pool for baby. Suggestions please as baby still naps around noon time so place needs to be conducive to our baby life although we can nap him in the go as well. We will need to do this when visiting Hana! Prefer condo vibe, 2 bedrooms. Open to budget. Thanks!

Answer

Traveling to Maui with a 1-year-old is completely doable and can be wonderful with the right home base. Since nap time and convenience are major priorities, a condo-style accommodation with a full kitchen, laundry, and easy beach/pool access will make a huge difference in comfort. Maui has several excellent condo-heavy areas that work especially well for families.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the best locations, top condo recommendations, and considerations for traveling with a baby — including what will work best for your Road to Hana day.

BEST LOCATIONS FOR A BABY-FRIENDLY, CENTRAL, CONDO-STYLE STAY

You mentioned wanting a central area close to beach and pool — the two strongest choices for families are Wailea and Kā‘anapali. Both are scenic, walkable, have calm beaches, and offer spacious condos with 2-bedroom options.

Wailea / South Maui
- Beautiful weather year-round (drier and sunnier).
- Calm beaches — great for babies.
- Close to grocery stores, restaurants, walking paths, and playgrounds.
- Quick access to Kihei for cheaper food options.
- Better proximity to Road to Hana route compared to the west side.
Kā‘anapali / West Maui
- Plenty of beachfront condos with pools.
- Walkable resort area with stroller-friendly paths.
- Great for sunsets, whale-watching in season, and long beach walks.
- More lively than Wailea but still very family-friendly.

TOP 2-BEDROOM CONDO OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES WITH A BABY

WAILEA AREA

Wailea Ekahi Village
- Direct beachfront access to Keawakapu Beach (great for families).
- Lovely pools, quiet grounds, lots of shade for stroller naps.
- Many 1- and 2-bedroom condos with full kitchens.
Wailea Elua Village
- Gated, quiet, high-end property along Wailea Beach Path.
- Multiple pools and super quick access to beach.
- Walkable to The Shops at Wailea.
Wailea Beach Villas
- Luxury option with large 2-bedroom units.
- Steps from beach + pool + restaurants.
- Fantastic for families wanting convenience.

KĪHEI (MORE BUDGET-FRIENDLY, STILL VERY CONVENIENT)

Maui Kamaole
- Spacious 2-bedroom units.
- Quiet, low-rise complex with pools.
- Walkable to Kam III Beach Park.
Kamaole Sands
- Huge 2-bedroom units, good for families wanting space.
- Across from Kam III Beach — large grassy areas for babies.

KĀ‘ANAPALI / WEST MAUI

Kā‘anapali Alii
- Very large 2-bedroom beachfront condos.
- Best pool setup in Kā‘anapali for families.
- Right along the beach path (great for stroller walks).
Aston at the Whaler
- Beachfront with easy stroller access everywhere.
- Next to Whalers Village (food/groceries/shopping).
Honua Kai Resort & Spa
- Probably the most baby-friendly condo resort on Maui.
- Multiple shallow pools + shade + grassy areas.
- All units have full kitchens + washer/dryer.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH A 1-YEAR-OLD ON MAUI

Choose a condo with in-unit laundry — extremely helpful for a baby.
Pick a ground-floor unit whenever possible to avoid stairs/elevators during naps.
Look for shaded pool areas since mid-day sun is intense in Maui.
Consider renting baby gear rather than flying with it — Maui has reliable rental companies for cribs, strollers, high chairs, and toys.
Plan naps near your home base except on Road to Hana day (where car naps work well).

ABOUT VISITING HANA WITH A BABY

Many families successfully do the Road to Hana with a 1-year-old, but keep these tips in mind:

Start early to maximize baby’s morning nap.
Stop at spacious places (Ke‘anae Peninsula, Wai‘anapanapa) to stretch legs.
Make feeding/diaper stops easy by packing a wet/dry bag + changing pad.
Consider spending one night in Hana if you want a slower, baby-friendly experience.
Otherwise, a partial Hana trip (Up to Ke‘anae or Wai‘anapanapa) works very well.

FINAL RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY

Since you want central location + beach + pool + condo + 2 bedrooms + baby convenience, your best matches will be:

Top Picks
- Honua Kai (Kā‘anapali)
- Wailea Ekahi Village (Wailea)
- Kā‘anapali Alii (Kā‘anapali)
- Maui Kamaole (Kihei)
Best for easy naps + beach access: Wailea Ekahi or Kā‘anapali Alii
Best family pool setup: Honua Kai
Best value: Maui Kamaole

Traveling with 1 yr old

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