Rachael Zarda

Aloha! Last week we were in Maui with my family to rest, recharge, and get some sun. It felt so good to disconnect (aside from the occasional Instagram) and just enjoy my people and being on island time.

My family typically stays at the Marriott Ocean Club on Kaanapali Beach. It’s a quick 5 minute beachside walk to Whaler’s Village, which was great for casual dinners, shopping, and iced coffee trips.

Most of our days were spent on the beach or by the pool. Much different from other vacations we’ve taken, where we’re constantly on the go. It was a nice change of pace, and something that I realized I really needed after returning home. A highlight of the trip was our day of sailing with Trilogy. We’ve done a few of their sails in the past and it’s always such a fun experience. We sailed out to a great snorkel location on the north side of the island early one morning and spent a few hours exploring the area. As we sailed back, we enjoyed lunch and a few rounds of Mai Thais–highly recommend! We also did a dinner cruise on our last night with Trelani. The waters were a little rougher and it rained, so not as glamorous of an experience, but still enjoyable.

We made the trek to experience Haleakala at sunrise early one more (like, 3 a.m. early). It was so beautiful and majestic watching the sun rise above the clouds. The windy drive up the mountain, however, is not for the faint of heart. It’s cold up there, so if you’re planning to do this bring pants and a sweatshirt. Iao Valley State Park is another spot we enjoy. It’s always so lush and green and breathtaking–a must see.

Leilani’s on the Beach: Leilani’s is the first destination in Whaler’s Village. It’s easy, only being 5 minutes from most of the resorts, but that also means it can be pretty busy/touristy, too. Make reservations beforehand. The mahi is my fave! They also have a more casual spot on the first floor where Zach and I shared nachos and a beer one afternoon.

Maui Tropical Plantation/The Mill House: This was one of our favorite nights in Maui. We walked around the plantation and pineapple fields before dinner. During the day, you can visit a few shops, a roastery and cafe, and an ice cream shop on the grounds. We really enjoyed our meal at The Mill House. The service, the cocktails, and the views were all great.

MonkeyPod by Merriman: Casual spot in Whaler’s Village. We were sat in the back away from any outdoor seating or view of the ocean. It’s busy and loud and the atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but the meal was enjoyable.

Frida’s Beach House: Really cute Mexican restaurant on the water near Lahaina. Great fish tacos and an even better view. It’s on the smaller side, so I’d suggest getting a reservation.

Belle Surf Cafe: We spent a few mornings here before browsing shops or jumping on a boat. One of the few places that offered pour-overs and had the cutest outdoor patio. The coffee was great, and they had a solid breakfast menu, too (crepes, avo toast, smoothies).

The Bakery: A hole-in-the-wall bakery with the yummiest malasadas (a popular Hawaiian version of a donut). Go early–that’s when they’re fresh and in abundance.

Akamai Cafe: We came here on our last day on the way back to the airport. Their coffee was probably the best we’d had the entire trip. We also got breakfast sandwiches and banana bread that were delicious!

We really wanted to make it to Mama’s Fish House per so many people’s recommendation, but just didn’t find that it made sense for this trip to drive out there. I also heard great things about Merriman’s–next time!

I packed pretty minimally for this trip, since I knew I’d be in a swimsuit for most of the week. I brought my Solid & Striped one-piece that I’ve had for several summers now and LOVE. I also got this one from Mango and wound up wearing it the most. This bikini was clutch when tan lines were trying to be avoided/evened-out. Mikoh suits are favorite of mine–the fabric feels like butter. I wore this cover-up everyday and this white maxi was the perfect night out dress. And how good is this Joie top for summer? It was a no-brainer for this trip.

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