Maui Beat Paris as the World's Most Romantic Destination. What That Means If You Want to Own Here

Those of us who live here already knew it, but now it is official in the eyes of American travelers: Maui has edged out Paris as the most romantic destination in the world. In a poll of 2,000 Americans conducted by Talker Research for Funjet Vacations, Maui took the top spot with 34% of the vote, one point ahead of Paris at 33%. Rome, Venice and Cancun rounded out the top five. Travel + Leisure brought the ranking back into the headlines in late October.

For many couples, a romantic trip to Maui is where a bigger idea starts: what would it be like to have a place of our own here? Here is what we tell buyers who are thinking about turning a honeymoon or anniversary trip into a Maui home.

Where Couples Stay on Maui

Most visitors base themselves in one of three resort areas, and each has its own feel and its own real estate:

• Wailea and Makena (South Maui). Golden beaches, calm morning water, golf and some of the island's finest resorts. Wailea condos for sale | Makena condos for sale
• Kaanapali (West Maui). A three-mile beach walk, sunset views of Lanai and Molokai, and beachfront towers, many of them hotel-zoned. Kaanapali condos for sale
• Kapalua and Napili (West Maui). Quieter bays, coastal trails and a more private, residential feel. Kapalua condos for sale | Napili condos for sale

Prefer to compare buildings side by side? Our Maui condo buildings directory lists more than 200 buildings by area, with the vacation rental status of each one.

Romance Is Free. The Hotel Bill Is Not.

Maui's popularity shows up in the price of a stay. Beat of Hawaii reported that Wailea hotels averaged about $621 per night in September 2026, which puts a one-week stay above $4,300 before taxes, resort fees and parking. Couples who come back year after year often start to run the numbers on owning instead, especially if a condo can help cover its own costs when they are not using it.

Vacation Rental Rules: The Most Important Question to Ask

If you plan to rent your Maui condo to visitors when you are not there, the building's zoning matters more than the view. Maui's rules have changed:

• Hotel-zoned condos allow vacation rentals by zoning and are not part of Bill 9. See our list of Maui hotel-zoned condominiums.
• Apartment-zoned condos on the Minatoya list are being phased out of vacation rental use under Bill 9 (Ordinance 5909): January 1, 2029 in West Maui and January 1, 2031 in the rest of the county. Lawsuits challenging the law are pending. Read our Bill 9 guide.
• Residential condos are for owner use and long-term rentals only.

Second Home, Rental or Both

Every buyer's plan is different. Some couples want a place to use several times a year and rent out the rest. Others want a quiet residential condo or a home Upcountry for longer stays, or a place to retire to someday. The right building depends on how you plan to use it, how often you will be here and how much rental income matters to you.

Sources: Talker Research poll for Funjet Vacations, as reported by Travel + Leisure and The Manual; Beat of Hawaii (Wailea hotel rates, September 2026); Maui County Ordinance 5909.