The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. Photo by Jill Weinlein
Located about an hour away from Maui’s OGG airport, above the picturesque Ka’anapali Beach is The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. This sophisticated resort completed a thoughtful $100 million renovation about two years ago.
Kapalua is translated to ‘arms embracing the sea.” This West side of Maui location offers a different feel than other resort areas on the island. Located near Maui’s Forest Reserve and Plantation golf course, the land was once part of the Honolua Ranch. Taro, mango, coffee, aloe and pineapple were planted here. Today the historic buildings have been repurposed into a store, golf center and church within walking distance of the resort.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. Photo Jill Weinlein
Arriving under The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua’s porte-cochere, guests receive a festive flora and nut lei welcome. Women receive a magenta-colored orchid lei and men have a brown kukui nut necklace draped over their head.
Gingerbread of Front Street Lahaina. Photo Jill Weinlein
Walking into the lobby, guests are transported into a holiday wonderland right now. Twinkling lights, decorations and a multi-sensory Gingerbread display with a running train fill the lobby area. ‘It’s a tribute to Lahaina’s Front Street’ said a staff member. On August 8, 2023, a raging wildfire destroyed downtown Lahaina. Maui’s Aloha Spirit of hope and resilience can be seen throughout the island.
Upon check-in, guests receive a glass of icy ginger lemonade and a moist scented hand towel to refresh from traveling.
Guest room 2649. Photo Jill Weinlein
ACCOMMODATIONS
The sophisticated ocean view hotel offers 468 Maui-inspired spacious rooms and suites with marble bathrooms and lanais surrounded by 45 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, PGA golf courses and Moloka’i Island in the distance.
Open the lanai door to allow the fresh air to waft in, while you listen to the wind gently rustle nearby palm tree leaves. Birds sing contently showing off their melodic whistle and trill.
The Iconic Royal Pacific Suite
The resort’s largest oceanfront suite offers 2,550 square feet with an expansive lanai spanning the length of the suite. There is a full kitchen with top-of-the-line Wolf appliances, a dining area, a butler’s pantry, and two spacious bedrooms.
Fire Lanai Collection. Photo Jill Weinlein
Fire Lanai Collection
Guests can have an exclusive fire pit experience when staying in the new Fire Lanai Collection. These ground floor rooms are the only Maui hotel rooms with private fire pits and an extra large lanai area.
Kapalua is known for its Golf Courses. Photo Jill Weinlein
GOLFERS LOVE KAPALUA
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is home to The Sentry Tournament of Champions. It’s the calendar-year opening tournament of golf’s PGA Tour season starting on January 2 to January 5, 2025. The resort is offering golf fans the ‘Ultimate Bucket List Cabanas on Skybox’ package from December 30, 2024 to January 13, 2025.
Watch the elite field of golfers compete in The Sentry from the Cabanas on 18 Skybox. The seats overlook the 18th green of the iconic Plantation Course at Kapalua. These tickets are provided for one day of the tournament for each night booked under this promotion. Your experience includes two reserved seats for the day of your reservation, plus food and beverages in the Cabanas on 18 Skybox.
Guests will receive shuttle transportation to and from the event and VIP entrance access, along with a VIP custom-branded badge and gift. Hotel guests will also receive preferred seating for evening entertainment in the Alaloa Lounge off the lobby, and entrance into the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge.
This special also gives guests a $200 Spa credit for a one time treatment or $200 towards tickets for Tales of the Kapa Moe Luau.
Sunsets from the Club Lounge. Photo Jill Weinlein
The Ritz-Carlton Club Experience Lounge
This private space tucked hidden from other guests redefines a luxury hotel experience. The dedicated concierge helps make reservations and cater to guests’ needs.
The Maui Lounge serves five food and beverage opportunities a day. Start your morning here for a hot and cold breakfast. Throughout the day homemade cookies and snacks are available with an array of refreshing beverages. Come back for a light lunch, and again during happy hour for spectacular sunsets. Later in the evening, desserts along with sparkling wine and a full bar await for an after dinner treat and drink before slumber.
Burger Shack. Photo Jill Weinlein
Sea To Garden Dining
There are multiple dining options at the resort, starting with Ulana near the lobby area for breakfast.
Walk down to the beach to have lunch at the Burger Shack for elevated milkshakes, Applewood Smoked Bacon Bourbon burgers and Chili Oil Poke bowls.
Dinner at the vibrant Banyan Tree is a journey of culinary treasures from the sea and roots of the land. Guests can sit out on the al fresco patio or inside along the handcrafted wooden bar that wraps around the center of the restaurant. Banyan Bites include a Seafood Tower, Kaua’i Prawns and Grilled Octopus.
The Josper 100% charcoal oven from Spain allows ingredients to be smoked and grilled at the same time. This type of cooking gives proteins and produce a pleasing and unique flavor, aroma and succulence. Prime New York Steak, Wagyu Tomahawk, Prime Short Rib and whole grilled seasonal freshly caught fish are all prepared in this oven.
Aloha Sunset Hour. Photo Jill Weinlein
At sunset guests gather in the Alaloa Lounge, overlooking the beautiful pools and Honokahua Bay for the blowing of a conch shell ceremony. Known as blowing the ‘pu’, this ceremony is a time to pause and reflect about the day and beautiful surroundings. After the ceremony, live music fills the room.
Food and beverages are available for purchase. Guests enjoy a Mai Tai with a variety of sushi rolls and grilled Mahi Mahi.
Pools at the resort. Photo By Jill Weinlein
The hotel pools are shaped like a fleur-de-lis with picturesque falls dropping gently into another level. There are cabanas for guests to enjoy and large heated whirlpools for relaxing.
Tiered pools. Photo Jill Weinlein
This Ritz-Carlton property is one of six in the world that offer Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. The famed oceanographer, conservationist, educator and film producer’s program is for vacationers and families to foster respect and appreciation for nature through stargazing, gardening and beach cleanup activities.
Celebrate the holidays and kick-off the New Year at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.
