Where is your favorite place to stay on the West side of Maui?

I love Kihei Kai Oceanfront Condominiums. It's a really small condo complex, and more of a mellow spot. It's under that price range, right on the beach, and you can walk most places or take a short drive to town. I also like it because it's 15 minutes to Lahaina, or 15 minutes to Wailea Makena.

Definitely Honua Kai Resort & Spa!  Not sure about the current rate, but in the past I have been able to find places on vrbo.com or homeaway.com for around $250 a night.  If you are looking for a better deal, you can sometimes find awesome deals for the The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas on redweek.com.

Just be sure to pickup the book Maui Revealed on Amazon.  All properties in Hawaii must allow shoreline access to the public, and the book will tell you how to get to all the amazing beaches.

Hyatt Regency Maui in Lahaina is absolutely superb! Lots of extras are thrown in and they have the BEST luau.

As a Hawaii travel specialist who goes to Hawaii at least twice per year, I can tell you that Price varies greatly depending upon the time of year you will be traveling.  Less expensive time to visit is when kids are in school - fall and spring except for holiday periods.  There are inexpensive condos that would be at 3 star level that would be about that rate at times of year depending upon size of the unit and view. For moderate hotel, there is the cottages at Royal Lahaina Resort and Luau (older but clean), and Kaanapali Beach Hotel (lots of Hawaiiana feeling and free activities).   These are simple hotels without the large pool areas, multiple restaurants, room service, spa, and other resort amenities.  It depends what type of experience you are looking for.  

When are you going? Prices in Maui fluctuate pretty drastically depending on when you plan on vacationing there and with how many people. My company, Vacatia specializes in vacation rentals in Maui. We only work with resorts and hotels that offer kitchens, living rooms, etc. These are not hotel rooms.  

I ran some searches on our site for October, November and December to see what comes up and ...

1- October results show only one resort under $250 a night with Ocean views - Aston at Papakea Resort. This is a great resort in Lahaina!

2- In November, you can get a Studio with an ocean view for $253 at Outrigger Napili Shores in LahainaLahaina. Another great resort, but this room is good for only two people.

3- in December, Royal Kahana Maui by Outrigger in Lahaina is available at the price and specifications you mentioned.

Again, we have carefully selected all our partner resorts so you can be sure you're getting a great resort at a superb price. 

But like I said previously, prices and availability are all subject to change depending on  size of party and time of year.

Hope this helped!

As a Hawaii Destination Specialist I highly suggest the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa Located at black rock with the longest stretch of the Kaanapali beach an awesome beach.

I second the Hyatt Regency MauiHyatt Regency in Maui. We stayed there during February and had a view from our Lanai of the ocean, facing the marina and watched whales from there. You cannot beat sitting on a balcony and seeing whales (momma and baby) breaching in the ocean in front of you. Honestly anywhere on the ocean along the Kaanapali Beach front is amazing. But the whole resort of the Hyatt was beautiful. If not just make sure it is on the beach and not across the street or off of the ocean. As a travel agent my best advise, if you are heading to the islands during whale season get a room along the ocean along Kaanapali Beach.