Which is the Best Maui Luau for You?This page lists the questions for you to ask so you can decide on the best Maui luau for you and your family.There are nine luaus on Maui, so selecting the best one can be daunting. Make the wrong decision and you just wasted several hundred dollars. If someone tell you that a particular luau is the best one, they found the luau that matched their expectations and budget. I want to help you do the same.
Which Maui Luaus are Close to Where I'm Staying?Want to know a little secret? Luaus are more alike than they are different. So you can probably find a luau that is acceptable to you that is a short drive or even walk from where you are staying.
And you can view or print my Maui luau map that shows the physical location, as well as a summary review, of each luau on the island of Maui.
Is The Luau Showing on a Day You Can Attend?Most luaus are not offered every evening. So what is available will be limited by the nights you have open during your Maui vacation to attend a luau.For example, the Royal Lahaina Luau is held six nights a week, while the Wailele Polynesian Luau is held one night a week.
Want to talk to someone NOW to help you make your decision?
To make reservations or buy tickets for any of the nine Maui luaus, I recommend that you phone Barefoot Tours at 888-820-2097 to talk to a Maui Luau expert right now on Maui.
Tell them Randy Willis said you need to receive their low price guarantee.
Use Maui Luau Reviewer Recommendations?Beware of blindly following Maui Luau reviewers recommendations. They may have different criteria than you on what makes a good luau.Example 1 Luau Show. Some reviewers rate the best Maui luau show as the Old Lahaina Luau, which limits itself to traditional Hawaiian luau.
But as you watch authentic Hawaiian ancient hula and then authentic Hawaiian modern hula, do you yearn for the exciting finale of a Samoan fire knife dancer or a Tahitian dancer? Many vacationers (kids, teenagers, and some adults) find hula boring compared to exciting acts such as fire knife dancing from nearby island cultures. Example 2 - Luau food. According to Travel & Leisure magazine, ...this (Feast at Lele luau) is the most fabulous cooking on Maui, which is saying a lot. But do you think someone in your group might hold their nose when this course is served - Iota - Raw fish marinated in coconut milk with cucumbers, cilantro, carrots, Maui onions & tomatoes? Look over the menu before shelling out over $100 for their seat. Survey your family on this before relying on a review (including my reviews - I include show descriptions and menus) to select your perfect luau.
Does this Luau Sell Out in Advance?You may decide on a particular luau, and then discover during your Maui vacation that the show is sold out on the few days you can attend.Luaus with less seating, such as the
Feast at Lele luau, and highly advertised shows such as the Old Lahaina Luau can be sold out weeks in advance, so that you may need to make reservations before you visit Maui.
How is the Luau Food Served?Most luau menus are similar, but there are three distinct ways that Maui luau food is prepared and served. Which do you prefer?
• Most luaus are buffet style - you get up from your table and stand in a line to serve yourself. Will you be annoyed while waiting in a buffet line, or view this as an opportunity to meet new friends? Some luaus will have you go to the buffet line table by table. Do you view this as this efficient operations, or will you feel like you are back in elementary school?
Will you feel like you are at a family holiday, or worry that the strangers at your table are not sanitary while serving themselves from the common platter?
Sounds like a great idea, but some vacationers find that the served food becomes lukewarm while waiting for those waves of servers to come between shows.
Child or Teenager Discount at this Maui Luau?Some luaus charge a reduced rate for children (teenagers are generally charged as adults), or even let children under a certain age attend for free. Do you find children running through the aisles endearing or annoying?Use this section to either find a luau that where your kids will feel at home and where you can save your family money, or to identify Maui luaus to avoid because they are overrun with teenagers and kids.
The Royal Lahaina Luau often offers one free child with each paid adult, and the luau fills up with families. These luaus are noisier and more crowded, but more affordable and are more likely to have the familiar foods that youngsters want - the Hyatt also has a 'keiki' childrens buffet. And kids and teenagers love luaus where there are lots of other kids and teenagers!
In the picture at the right, we learn to hula during the luau as the audience enjoys our weak dancing skills. Do you find this entertaining, or just filler that you suffer through until the luau show finally begins.
Open or Reserved Maui Luau Seating?
Larger Maui luaus, such as the
Hyatt Maui Luau, have a large enough audience capacity that you can usually book them during your vacation.
But you may find yourself further away from the stage in the general seating with the great masses of visitors. Most Maui luaus have a reserved seating section close to the stage for an additional charge of about $10-$15 a seat - but this reserved section may sell out well in advance.
My Other Maui Luau Pages
Return to Maui Luau from Best Maui Luau
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That's why I organize my 
From Frommer's Maui travel guide: ...authenticity, intimacy, hospitality, cultural integrity and sheer romantic beauty have made this Maui's top luau.
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These family oriented shows often have audience participation segments.
