Paia Inn Hotel in Paia, HI

Paia, Maui's North Shore surfer outpost, is the refreshing antithesis of the sprawling resorts on the island's south side.

Check in: At the center of "downtown" Paia, this newly renovated five-room Paia Inn Hotel manages to be both casual-beachy (hand-scrawled notes in your room from the staff; body boards you're welcome to borrow) and big-city chic (high-thread-count sheets; flat-screen TVs). You're 200 yards from the beach, two steps to town, and―best of all―miles from the masses. From $169
Explore:  Mama's Fish House for just-caught ono and four-star service surrounded by palm trees and the pristine Pacific. $$$$; 808/579-8488. 
–Rachel Levin