While planning to visit Maui for the first time, I was perplexed at how few hotels there seemed to be on the island. Where did all the visitors stay?

After three trips to Maui now, I understand the situation better. Maui lacks mom-and-pop motels and reasonably priced chain motels because it’s not the type of place you can drive to on the spur of the moment or where you need a place to stay for the night on the way to somewhere else.

Just about everyone coming to Maui arrives by plane on a vacation planned in advance. They – and you – have three main options for a place to stay:

1) Expensive resort hotels. These are quite well-equipped with features and amenities, and you pay accordingly. They offer water slides, undulating tropical swimming pools, luaus, fire lighting ceremonies, beach chairs, oceanside massages and yoga classes and even babysitting services for children. You can expect maid service here, concierge services, on-site eating facilities and all-around pampering.

2) Condotels (Condo hotels). These may advertise as if they’re hotels and offer “hotel rooms” as well as suites with fully equipped kitchens, but the units are individually owned and decorated according to the owner’s taste. Accordingly, one room may be somewhat run-down and old-fashioned in style while the one next door looks like something out of Home & Garden magazine. These usually offer some of the resort amenities – swimming pools, hot tubs, barbecue grills, tennis courts, etc. – but at a more reasonable price. You may receive regular maid service here and maybe not; ask.

If you book with the condotel, you normally have more leverage and wiggle room than you would with the owner, in the form of a more generous cancellation policy, more payment options, the possibility of a shorter stay and some chance of a switch to another unit if you find fault with the unit to which you’re assigned.

3) Condos rented by the owner. You would find these advertised at vacation rental web sites as well as at a web site run directly by the owner. These tend to be your least expensive option for staying in Maui. Off-season, many bargains can be found, while in high season, you may need to book (and pay) many months ahead to get a decent deal.

It’s important to understand that staying at a condo means you should not expect the amenities and services you get at a hotel. Replacing the toilet paper when it runs out, freshening the towels and changing the beds are your responsibility – just as in your own home. On the other hand, many owner-rented condos have very nice common facilities, such as pools, barbecue grills, etc. Realize too that if you are unhappy, the owner generally won’t refund your money and can’t move you to another unit.

Maui has so much to offer the vacationer that it’s been voted “World’s Best Island” for many years running. To enjoy the holiday of your dreams there, select the accommodations option that is right for you.

Melinda Makawani loves to visit Maui. Find out about an owner-rented condo in South Maui that is just steps from the beach and often has last-minute availability for beach-loving vacationers: http://www.mauibanyancondorental.com