Boat trips with no agenda but to get 50 shades darker? Sign me up. NOW. We decided to book a MUCH NEEDED Maui trip on a whim recently, so I quickly got to planning. Life decided to throw in a curve ball LITERALLY the night before our flight though…our rental car company cancelled our car reservation due to “an error,” and we were left with NO CAR. Leave it to me to book our trip during SPRING BREAK LOL…pretty much EVERY SINGLE rental company on the island was sold out. BUT, once we got there, we realized it forced us to really walk around the island which was SO much better! The only thing we didn’t get to do was explore Road to Hana (which you need a car for), but that only means another trip to Maui!
FLIGHT INFO: Before going to Hawaii, they require you to do COVID testing at 72 hours before your flight. MAKE SURE TO READ EVERYTHING on their website and the airline you’re flying with because it is very specific and you have to give them enough time in that 72 hours to send it to the lab and then get your results. They have a list of approved COVID Testing sites that they accept so make sure you plan accordingly! Then, don’t forget to upload everything on a website Hawaii provides for travelers. After, you’ll recieve a QR code which is what you show at the airports/rentals. Also, have all of your results ready to go on your phone and even print it out because they are VERY picky (which is good!) Everything at the airport went smooth. We always like to go early to the airport which ended up benefiting us because they gave us specific bracelets that means you submitted your COVID test and that you were negative. Once we got off of our flight in Hawaii, we were literally outside in 5 mins. A lot of people that didn’t have the bracelet had to wait in line there until they were cleared. On our flight back to the U.S., you have to sign a waiver that says that you will quarantine for 14 days unless you’re an essential healthcare worker.
We wore masks all of the time, except when we were eating at our table/by the pool/beach.
It was brought to my attention that Hawaii doesn’t have the infrastructure to care for patients if there’s ever a COVID outbreak there, which is so true because they’re small islands. I was also told that locals are mad that there are tourists, but through our experience, all of the locals we talked to were actually happy that things were slowly picking up (Arin LOVES to start conversations with just about anyone) but it’s understandable that everyone has a different opinion. If you do plan on going there, respect their rules and abide by wearing your mask when you should be because I would hate to see COVID cases increase there. Their system of making mandatory testing has been working so far.
So many of you messaged me for details about the trip – where we stayed, what we did, where we ate, and LOTS of outfit questions! Let’s start with this PUFF SLEEVE SHIRT DRESS that you guys almost sold out and it’s on SALE so jump on it! As soon as I posted this dress, it was a hit! It’s so easy to throw on over a swimsuit or to dress up for a boat day/dinner! The sleeves literally gave me LIFE. I got a US Size 0 (it runs oversized so just get your true size or even go down one size). Also, a beach vacation must have is a light summer hat and easy sandals that you don’t mind getting wet (you’ve seen me wear these sandals plenty of times before – they’re machine washable & so cute for everyday/vacations, they run TTS).
SHOP THE LOOK
I got to wear my new DENIM SHORTS A LOT in Maui (I did a recent jeans haul if you want to read it HERE). I normally wear a size 26, but make sure to SIZE ONE UP in these (wearing a size 27). These ones are a bit more distressed than I normally like, but they’re so comfortable & affordable that I just had to keep them! Also, the booty is completely covered even though the front is on the shorter side, so I’m comfortable wearing them out. I styled it with a woven belt (similar HERE) and an oversized button up is sold out from Zara (similar HERE). I used the button-up as a cover-up over my swimsuits & it was such an effortless look. DIOR SANDALS HERE (Run TTS, wearing size 38 (US 8)). GOLD BRACELETS HERE (I got the 4mm & 8 mm ones to stack).
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SHOP VACAY SANDALS
I did a huge swimsuit haul before going to Maui (you can see the highlight saved on my Insta @drluxy) and so many of you guys ordered a bunch. IT’S INSANE HOW AFFORDABLE THESE ARE! I ordered 7 swimsuits and 2 cover-ups ALL for about $60!! I got a size Small in all of them except the nude netted swimsuit cover-up (I went up a size for a more oversized fit, wearing size M). P.S. I had to include the photo with Arin here…he got SO BURNED the first day because he didn’t reapply, so you can see just how much sunblock I put on him the following days LOL!
My favorite swimsuit was probably the one-piece with the open back that ties in the front...it’s such a flattering cut! It looks like you guys really liked ordering that one too!
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You guys I CANNOT tell you how much I laughed watching Arin take this photo of me while he tried to balance on the boat! I wore this COZY SAGE GREEN SET to the airport & re-wore it on one of the sunset boat rides since it got a little breezy that day. I can’t tell you how much I love this set…it is SO SO SO SOFT that I find myself gravitating towards it on most days. SAGE GREEN SWEATER (Wearing size M, I went 2 sizes up for a more slouchy oversized fit, ON SALE) and SAGE GREEN BIKER SHORTS (Size S, I went up one size for added comfort). Biker shorts are so “IN” this spring…I will definitely be getting more colors!
I also got a new CARRY-ON SUITCASE in BLACK that I LOVE! It has different compartments in it, so storing my laptop in it was easy and it has little zipped compartments in it where you can stuff dirty clothes in. Best part is that it has a lock on there with a code you can customize.
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This is a favorite dress of mine…especially for vacations and Spring/Summer. It’s so comfortable to throw on over a swimsuit or for a nice day out (wearing a size XS in grey). I usually tie the front, giving it a fun look! I’m also linking all of my favorite make-up products I used on the trip HERE.
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This RUFFLED TOP is a new buy and honestly, I didn’t think I could pull it off, but I’m so glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone and got it – (wearing Size Small). I wore this outfit to dinner in Maui & was super comfortable the whole time…I think it looks so adorable paired with denim. DENIM SHORTS HERE (wearing a Size 25 here, make sure to size one down, I’m normally a 26). I also shared it recently on my stories where I paired it with white high-waisted trousers for the office. It’s such a versatile top for date nights/vacays/work.
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Where We Stayed
ROYAL LAHAINA RESORT – We CANNOT recommend the location of this resort enough! You are literally in the center of one of the best beaches in Maui. Since we booked our trip 3 weeks before going, we didn’t have too many options left with hotels in this area (1. Because most are with capacity limits & 2. Because most places were sold out due to Spring Break). Every single thing we ate off of their menu by the pool was SO GOOD & they have happy hour, it wasn’t flooded with too many kids, the pool area is what sold me (SO BEAUTIFUL TO WAKE UP TO, esp with the ocean right behind it). The rooms have a more rustic Hawaiian feel which was super cute and come with a balcony…you can choose what view you’d like). It was very clean and has no parking fee (in case you do have a rental car).
Other Hotel Recommendations in Lahaina:
PLACES WE ATE
HIGHLY reccomend booking reservations at least 3-4 weeks before your trip. Again, because it was Spring Break (I had no idea until I got there!), there were 3 hour waits for most of the well known restaurants so just to be sure you can get in, reserve early.
Restaurants To Eat Dinner at Sunset:
KIMOS: Mai Tai, Coconut Shrimp, Crusted Ahi, Poke and Chips
MONKEYPOD: Get the foamed Mai Tai for sure
LEILANI’S ON THE BEACH: Coconut shrimp, Dig Me Beach Ceviche, Parmesan crusted Mahi Mahi (THIS WAS PROBABLY OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT)
HALE ʻĀ: Kalbi short ribs, seared ahi ban mi; has live music certain days, such a nice vibe!
HULA GRILL
DUKES: coconut shrimp, ahi tacos for a quick bite or reserve for dinner
Quick Bites:
FLEETWOODS: Mac & cheese, fish tacos, oysters at happy hour
PAIA FISH MARKET: Mahi Mahi & ono plates (YOU HAVE TO GO HERE)
MISO PHAT: TNT roll (this was top rated roll there but since I don’t like crab, it wasn’t my favorite), salmon and ahi nigiri were SOOOO FRESH…we loved it! BYOB- buy saki from liquor market next door, it’s always busy so reserve ahead.
MAUI FRUIT NINJA: pineapple açaí bowl, almond butter, mac nuts, coconut flakes, granola; they are at the farmers market 2x a week at one of the hotels. We happened to walk buy, it was OKAY, nothing amazing, expensive, but if you’re on the beach and need a snack, it does the trick.
PRESSED COFFEE: Macadamia Nut Coffee
ISLAND VINTAGE COFFEE: iced island latte
***Try to order things with macadamia nut since Hawaii is well known for them. Make sure to buy plenty of the Hawaiian Chocolates with Macadamia Nuts (they sell them in a lot of places, we got it at ABC store). DEFINITELY try their salt water taffy…I bought more to bring back home…they taste like summer in your mouth!
THINGS TO DO
HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend going on a snorkeling tour if you’re not scared. It was the most unreal experience! I’ve snorkeled in Cabo before, but the location in Maui was something else. Make sure to take sea sick medication, Non-drowsy (I didn’t think I’d get sea sick but winds in Hawaii pick up quickly so on the first tour we went on, I did get sea sick and so did about 10 other people LOL). If you’re prone to getting sea sick, make sure you go on a full stomach if you can, even though most tours give a small lunch and don’t drink a lot of alcohol.
Snorkel Tour we did: Sail Maui Lana’i Coast Snorkel HERE
Highly recommend this snorkel tour, they provide everything for you, breakfast & lunch isn’t anything special but it does the job for a day of excursions! open bar
Sunset Cruise we did: Sail Maui Paragon HERE
Sunset Cruise we did: Sunset Cruise Teralani HERE
Overall, loved the staff for both companies, they were all very attentive and made sure you’re enjoying the whole ride. Teralani’s food was a bit tastier vs. Paragon. If you’re in Maui, YOU MUST GO ON ONE OF THESE boat tours!
If you do get a rental car, MAKE SURE you plan a day to do Road To Hana (we didn’t get to since we didn’t have a rental).
You can also buy your own snorkeling gear to take with you and snorkel in different beaches. Arin loved doing that. I tried, but felt too scared of going under the waves. I feel way more comfortable with a floatation device, that way I can focus on snorkeling instead of not drowning LOL. SNORKELING GEAR I ORDERED FOR US HERE
Use the trolly from the hotel to go to Whaler’s Village or use the Beach Walk to get there. If you feel like splurging, there’s really cute shops there, Sephora, and Louis V!
Front Street is a fun area to go walk around in/eat/shop.
If you want to buy souvenirs, best place to do it is in PAIA aka the wharf, where all of the boats dock. There’s lots of fun places to eat at as well.
P.S. Uber/Lift is really slow there so don’t completely rely on them. They usually accept rides that are a longer distance, so if you’re going a short distance, you’ll be waiting a while. You can ask your hotel to call you a taxi if needed (I would add that to my contacts list in case you’re ever stuck somewhere)/walk/use the trolley/maui bus is another option.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to relax.
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Hope you found this Maui travel & style guide helpful! Feel free to always ask me any questions you have below!
