We recently visited Maui in the aftermath of the devastating August wildfires in nearby Lahaina town, which was destroyed. The Ritz-Carlton, in the posh resort area of Kapalua, was untouched, thankfully, and had just re-opened on our visit in mid-October. You very well may want to put the resort on your radar screen, especially with the holiday season fast approaching. For sure, it will welcome you with the famous aloha spirit that the AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is famous for. And wouldn’t you love to see Santa on his surfboard?
A little bit about the property itself: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is located on 54 acres, surrounded by 36 holes of championship golf in the midst of a scenic 22,000 acre resort set amongst the site of an historic pineapple plantation. Populated throughout the Kapalua area are stunning pine tree called Norfolk Pines, which are among the tallest, most majestic pine trees you are likely to ever see. Strong and stately, almost touching the sky, these beautiful trees frame the resort area, which itself overlooks a pristine golden-sand beach. Recently, the hotel completed a $100-million resort-wide transformation including new dining experiences and guest rooms.
Our oceanfront suite, 2431, featured two bathrooms, two huge TVs, living room, king-sized bed, Diptyque French amenities, robes, Nespresso machine, walk-in closet, and so much more. In high season, guests can expect to pay about $1,500 per night for such a suite.
On our visit, the hotel’s food-and-beverage outlets were still closed, and just opened last week. So unfortunately we can’t report firsthand on restaurant or lounge service.
One outlet, which we did not experience, was the Club Lounge. But we can tell you from experience: My husband Bill and I honeymooned at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua 23 years ago – and we are still talking about it. No, make that dreaming about it. The service and the food presentations in the Club Lounge were THAT memorable – especially the plate-sized chocolate-chip-macadamia-nut cookies.
Last week, in fact, the property unveiled the very new Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge at the Anuenue Room.
The new, reimagined Club Lounge offers guests exceptional service, a dedicated concierge, gourmet culinary and beverage offerings, and exclusive Hawaiian cultural programming. “Anuenue” means rainbow in Hawaiian – and they are a common sighting from the windows of the Club Lounge. Upon entering the sunlit lounge, guests are immediately transported to a tranquil indoor-outdoor sanctuary with commanding views of majestic, nearby Molokai island and the 15th hole of the Bay Golf Course. Awash in calming hues with pops of bright tropical color reflecting the resort’s natural surroundings, this
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