I'm going to start with 2 hotel reviews I wrote for my office. I've altered them a little because you don't need ALL the sales info. These are 2 of my favorite hotels from all of my travels. The first one is the Ritz Carlton Kapalua on Maui.
Here goes...
Upon arrival, we were met in the open, inviting lobby with leis of flowers and kukui nuts. In addition to reception and 2 concierge desks, the lobby is home to the Kai Sushi restaurant and the Alaloa Lounge. We hosted drinks for our friends and family at the Alaloa Lounge at sunset and it was magical. The lobby is really the 7th floor of the hotel so it looks out over the pool area and swaying palm trees with the Pacific Ocean just beyond. We called it a black hole because once you sit down in front of that view with a drink in your hand, you'll never want to leave.
The hotel just underwent a $180 million renovation. One of the biggest changes was the decor in the rooms. Guests complained that, when they closed the curtains at night, they could be in any Ritz Carlton anywhere. There just wasn't a Hawaiian feel with the traditional pastel decor. So, the Ritz Carlton Kapalua hired a Hawaiian design firm to oversee the renovation and the look and feel is definitely very Hawaiian. Rooms have beautiful hardwood floors, dark wooden furniture and rich fabrics with bright accents. Marble bathrooms feature dark wood accents and bathtub with separate shower. We stayed in a Residential Suite with a kitchen which is great for guests that want to prepare some meals or cocktail hour in their room. All 463 rooms and suites include spacious private balconies.
Guests to the Ritz Carlton Kapalua MUST make time for a visit to the new 17,500 square foot spa. It was designed to reflect the rainforest with winding rivers flowing through it. Check out the photos online. It's really beautiful. Also of note is the Club Level amenity. Their club room, overlooking the Bay Golf Course and mountains, includes a private concierge, 2 computer stations and 5 food presentations daily. For the hors d'oeuvres presentation, one of the hotel chefs is on hand for demonstrations and to answer questions. Plus, they have delicious chocolate chip cookies available all day long.
The 3-level pool was a pretty popular area as you can imagine. Waterfalls spill between each level and are a draw to kids and adults alike. Two types of cabanas surround the main pool. Basic cabanas can accomodate 4 chaise lounges and the rental comes with a little cooler full of sodas and juice. We rented a deluxe cabana with my brother and sister-in-law. Those are totally worth the extra money. The deluxe cabanas each have flat-screen TV's so we could watch the Olympics while we lounged by the pool. We had a fridge full of sodas and juice and received a fruit platter. There was also a ceiling fan, an electronic safe, an iPod docking station, computer connection and outlets for cellphones. In addition, the deluxe cabanas are larger and include a couch and a couple of chairs plus several chaise lounges. We had friends and family stop by throughout the day and, at one point, there were 9 of us sitting comfortably in the shade of the cabana with the pool and ocean as our view. It was THE most relaxing day of our honeymoon.
A short walk down a winding pathway from the pool (or a quick complimentary tram ride for those that don't want to walk) lies the Beach House. This is an outdoor bar and dining area down by D.T. Flemings Beach. We sat with only a couple of tiki torches and a palm tree blocking our view of the coastline. I have to mention here that the Ritz Carlton Kapalua has probably the BEST french fries I've ever had in my life. I'm not kidding. Make sure you order something at the Beach House that comes with fries. Actually, you can also get the fries at the Alaloa Lounge, in the cabanas or from room service...I know because I had them every day...seriously.
One of the best things about the Ritz Carlton Kapalua is it's location. It is north of Lahaina and Ka'anapali so you don't get all of the crowds. It's just so much more relaxing up in the Kapalua resort but you can get down to Lahaina in about 15 minutes if you desire. There is a free shuttle that will take you to spots within Kapalua, including 2 championship golf courses, the Pineapple Grill restaurant and, of course, the Plantation House restaurant. I know it's not affiliated with the Ritz Carlton but I have to give a shout out to the Plantation House because it is where I had my wedding and it is considered one of the best restaurants on Maui. The Ritz Carlton concierge can arrange reservations and, again, make sure you go at sunset.
This was honestly our favorite hotel from our trip and not just because we got married while we were there. See my favorite links for hotel photos. It's so beautiful!
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