5 Reasons to Honeymoon in Maui

By Project Wedding for our sponsor, Maui Visitors Bureau

After all the stress and anxiety of planning a wedding, wouldn't it be nice to enjoy a honeymoon spot that's relaxing, warm and beautiful? Enter: Maui. Home to sun-kissed beaches and five-star hotels, along with island touches like luau and lush natural parks, Maui offers the perfect blend of comfort and adventure.

5. World-class Resorts: From the Four Seasons Resort at Wailea, with its poolside cabanas, Spago restaurant and VIP service, to the blissful, TV-and-radio free Hotel Hana Maui and acclaimed Honoa Spa, Maui hotels are as modern and luxurious as any five-star counterpart in the states. For newlyweds, beachside couples massages, helicopter tours and sunset cruises are just a few of the romantic excursions concierges can arrange for you.

4. Beaches: If you should decide to leave your hotel room, you will find dozens of gorgeous sunbathing and snorkeling spots. The Western side of the island gets the most sun, which makes Kaanapali Beach the one of the most popular locales for tanning and swimming. Nearby Pu'u Kekaa (Black Rock) is a popular snorkeling spot because of its lively habitat of sea turtles, parrotfish, snapper and many types of tang. Cliff-divers also perform their daring feats off the top of the rock nightly. Big Beach down in South Maui is a hot spot for body boarding and surfing.

3. Volcanoes and Waterfalls: Stand on the rim of the world's largest dormant volcano at Haleakala National Park, which is reachable by car, on foot or via horseback. Or spend a cool day at the Pools of Oheo in Kipahulu, a lush playground featuring dozens of waterfalls and crisp, fresh-water-filled basins where you can splash and paddle about.

2: Fantastic Food: Still hungry after that luau? You won't have to look far for great eats on the island. Besides island snapper, abalone, ono, mahi mahi and ahi, some of the freshest seafood in the world can be found at high-end restos Nick's Fishmarket and Mama's Fish House. (They'll even tell you the name of the captain who caught your entrée!) While affordable steaks, salads, burgers and even sushi and pasta can be found at local eateries around town.

1. Friendly People: Maybe it's all the mai tais, but Maui is one of the most welcoming islands around. Many resort, restaurant and tour employees are English-speaking American transplants from the mainland who are happy to share their favorite island hangouts with malihini  (visitors), and Maui's slow pace of life is totally contagious. If you're craving a place where your most complicated decision is whether or not to get a floater with your cocktail, Maui is the spot.