The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, is a beautiful and secluded resort in the high-end resort of Kapalua on the North West coast of Maui. It offers excellent golf and is the perfect place to unwind in acres and acres of grounds. We compared this Ritz-Carlton to the Marriott and Sheraton in Maui a few years ago.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, offers numerous pools, including a 3-tiered pool with a stunning view of the Pacific, a vast spa, a beach, and many restaurants. It does feel like a large hotel, but the recent refurbishment has done wonders for the setting, and this is definitely one of the best luxury hotels on Maui.
Location
Kapalua, being at the northernmost point on Maui, makes it wetter and windier than the rest of the Island, particularly in the winter months. If you keep driving north beyond the hotel, there are some incredible snorkeling beaches and some volcanic tide pools where the waves crash around. There is the Honolua store (ABC store) right next door to the resort, which is ideal for snacks, and a complimentary shuttle up to the Plantation Course to grab an alfresco bite with great views. The valets and bell staff are particularly nice and upbeat at this hotel, providing flower leis and juice greetings.
Style & Character
The style here is very Ritz-Carlton, offering classic luxury in a tropical setting. In 2022 the hotel completed a multiyear $100 million renovation. Nearly every element of the property was renewed, including the guest rooms and restaurants, the pool areas, and even the elevators.
The newly refurbished open-air lobby and lanai frames postcard views of the bay in the distance.
Service & Facilities
Although a small and beautiful beach is located on the Ritz-Carlton property, it is around a ten-minute walk from the main resort. Kapalua, and particularly the Ritz-Carlton site, can be extremely windy most afternoons, so the sea is often too rough for a swim.
In the winter, clouds form around this area and threaten rain quite frequently, so if you intend to sit by the pool and on the beach to top up your tan, the wind, and clouds could make this quite a challenge over this period! The beach loungers are located on a grass area above the beach rather than on the beach, making them less tempting. Plus, there is little beach service with no umbrellas, so there is little shade when the sun is out.
The majority of the guests who visit the Ritz-Carlton spend their time around the numerous pools or go and play on the golf course. And if you like lazing around reimagined multitiered pools and golfing, the Ritz absolutely hits the spot. The pools are great, with Hawaiian straw umbrellas dotted around the pools, and the golf is meant to be fantastic. This luxury resort is great in many aspects. It just doesn’t offer much of a beach, particularly when you compare it to the resorts in Wailea and Kaanapali.
There is one adult pool and two pools for families. Overall the pool area is relaxed, with loads of tropical foliage and few people. Loungers were readily available, and the cabanas were also rarely occupied, probably due to the extra fees charged to use these.
Rooms
This hotel is very generous with upgrades when they are able. The rooms are large with marble bathrooms, large flat-screen TVs, hardwood floors, very comfortable beds, and a good-sized balcony with a sofa seat. Designed with a sandy palette, dark wood furnishings, ocean, and garden view guest rooms are a great choice. Our favorite rooms are one of the 21 rooms with their own private lanais and gas firepits.
Book a club room and enjoy the fully renovated Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge at the Anuenue Room, with views of Molokai and the neighboring Bay Course at Kapalua Golf. Daily snacks served at the club are enough to fill you up throughout the day.
Food & Drink
You are based at the end of civilization in Kapalua, so you have to get in your car and head down South to Kaanapali to reach restaurants outside of the Ritz-Carlton resort. A highlight within the resort was the Beach House down on the beach with breathtaking views of the Pacific. I can honestly say that they serve the best Fish Tacos to be enjoyed alfresco under the coconut palms. Around the resort, the food quality is very good, but there isn’t much nightlife. The main crowd here seems to be older golfers who enjoy peace and serenity.
There are six restaurants and bars on the property, including a laid-back pool café and the oceanfront burger shack mentioned above. Don’t miss Hawaiian coastal cuisine at the signature Banyan Tree, a beautiful restaurant where the walls are covered in cascading orchids and anthuriums.
Conclusion
The Ritz-Carlton offers a stunning location, lush tropical grounds, and the bars and restaurants have amazing views. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this hotel and location for a relaxing summer trip, and it is particularly attractive if you love golf. Perhaps stay here for three nights, combining it with a stay of three or four nights in the more pricy Four Seasons Maui. This way, you can enjoy the best of both sides of this slice of paradise.
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Image courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts.
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