The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua opened in 1992 on 54 acres at the north-western tip of Maui, and its story begins with respect. When some 1,200 ancient burials were found at Honokahua in 1987, the resort was moved inland, and the hotel now cares for the Honokahua Preservation Site, a recognised sacred place. A renovation completed at the end of 2022 added the Fire Lanai rooms and a new Club Lounge. Families have plenty of choice: two-bedroom Residential Suites with kitchens, a 10,000-square-foot pool over three tiers with a separate children's pool and cabanas, and Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment, with programmes such as Turtle Tracks and Fires of Pele for children from five, plus themed birthday parties. For celebrations there are more than 173,000 square feet of outdoor space with ocean views and 20 indoor and outdoor venues for weddings and events. The 17,500-square-foot spa is designed around waihua, the water droplets that gather on a taro leaf, with volcanic-stone grottos and lomi lomi massage, and dining runs from The Banyan Tree to the Tales of the Kapa Moe luau. Whales pass offshore from November to April.
- Nearest airport
- Kahului (OGG), 34 Miles / 54 Kilometres by road
- Rooms
- 468 rooms and suites, including Residential Suites
Insider tip Book the Club Level, with its own concierge, food through the day, drinks and cultural activities.
Why I choose it Maui with Cousteau's children's programmes, and whales offshore from November to April.