At The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, Maui Overcomes Tragedy with a Resilient Spirit 

If there ever was a time to visit The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, it’s now. The resort was untouched by the August 2023 fire that struck Lahaina, just 10 miles south.

A year and a half after the tragedy, TMR visited Maui and found an island eager to welcome tourists back and to echo the message that Kapalua is open and ready to welcome visitors. The best way to support Lahaina as it rebuilds, we were told repeatedly, is to visit its neighboring towns, boosting the local economy. 

(Last week we reported back on our stay at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, by Hyatt.)

In an email to TMR, Jon Gersonde, the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, told us, “The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua continues to welcome back visitors with open arms. Travelers can enjoy all that Kapalua offers with pristine natural beauty, outdoor pursuits, arts and culture, island cuisine, and live music. We encourage our guests to support small businesses, volunteer if they can, and participate in eco-tourism programs like Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment. The more aloha you give to the island, the more it will give back.”

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, remains a top luxury destination. We were delighted with our experience on the property and our ability to support local businesses as well. The 468-room (107 are residential suites) resort appeals to an upscale, luxury traveler with a mix of families, honeymooners, and golfers.

This island-modern resort was built in 1992 and underwent a $100 million renovation in 2022. The grounds are incredibly lush with vibrant flowers and greens. A few highlights of the significant renovation include a re-imagined lobby, 22 new Fire Lanai rooms with a terrace with a fire pit, local art lining the walls, and the new Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge.

Property Overview

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, is the toast of luxury island living on its sprawling 54 acres off Honokahua Bay. The dark-wood-paneled lobby is grand and expansive, leading to a scenic vista that looks out to the Pacific Ocean. Three palm-tree-lined pools are pristine and dotted with plenty of loungers and private cabanas available to rent. The pools are connected by waterfalls cascading over lava rock formations, providing a soothing sound.

There’s also a kids’ pool and two hot tubs. The resort’s beach access is at Fleming Beach, a quick minute-minute walk or hopping on a golf cart shuttle. The grounds include one of the most scenic bocci ball and shuffleboard courts we’ve ever seen.

The resort’s spa is a premium experience that incorporates Hawaiian traditions. We were pleased with our choice of the Lomilomi massage, a treatment guided by Hawaiian concepts of working with the body, mind, and spirit.

Accommodations

The rooms and redesigned suites at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, feature dark wood furniture, hardwood floors, and Hawaii patterns. We stayed in one of the Fire Lanai suites and were delighted with the ample space. The best part was the cozy fireplace (located outside on the lanai), which made for great nighttime stargazing.

Suites also feature complimentary bottled water, Nespresso machines, and marble bathrooms. 

Dining

There are seven dining experiences on offer at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.

Ulana Terrace offers a daily buffet and à la carte option for breakfast. The best lunch on the property is served at Burger Shack, where delicious burgers, shakes, and island-inspired cocktails pair perfectly with the oceanside view. The DT Fleming Burger and Oreo Cookie Shake are the main attractions here.

The food at Alaloa Lounge, just off the main lobby, is excellent. This is a more casual, relaxed place, and no reservations are needed. Live music sets the scene, with a menu of locally sourced fare that includes a premium sushi bar and the must-try Korean-glazed chicken wings.

The best dinner on the property can be found at the atmospheric Banyan Tree. We were among the first to try Chef Donovan Foster’s new Chef’s Table Experience, available only on Friday nights. This five-course menu is improvised weekly, sourcing locally from the region. This was a delightful opportunity to engage with the charming Chef Foster and hear his love of fusing flavors and creativity firsthand.

We recommend that you tell your clients to add a wine pairing as the restaurant opens its cellars for excellent pours that complement each dish nicely. 

Erewhon in Maui

Your in-the-know clients from California will be delighted by Kai Café’s recent Erewhon tie-in. This grab-and-go café now features a few select wellness snacks from the high-end grocery store with a cult following, including kefir sodas, organic spirulina popcorn, sea moss gummies, and the popular Source cookie dough bliss balls. 

The Club Level Experience

Consider recommending that your clients upgrade to the Club Level Experience at the resort, which comes with all-day access to the Club Lounge. This quiet retreat was a favorite highlight of our stay, with its cozy and private, but expansive space full of plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

The fee includes multiple dining opportunities throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, and hors d’oeuvres, along with complimentary wine and alcohol. There’s also a dedicated check-in lane for Club guests, along with a special Club concierge able to help arrange tee times, resort activities, and local tours.

Activities

We prioritized the resort’s many activities during our stay and found them enriching. There are two 18-hole championship courses on the resort grounds, including The Plantation Course, which hosts the PGA TOUR’s The Sentry in early January.

Suggest your client start their morning with the free fitness hike, which will take them along the lava rock coastal path to Kapalua Bay Beach. The guided labyrinth meditation walk brings guests to a nearby labyrinth that is restorative and peaceful. There are also hula lessons, lawn games, and the resort’s twice-weekly luau, Tales of Kapa Moe Luau.