The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

Excellent beach side resort with panoramic views of the ocean. Great cocktails and food options. Nice big bathrooms and updated rooms facing huge lawns with balconies. Its the perfect getaway for guests looking for not a resort but a destination in itself.

PROS: Most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. Incredible pillows CONS: Had to call each day to request housekeeping clean room. They simply didn’t come on their own accord, Ant infestation around sliding door, called mgmt, they didn’t send anyone. Itchy, scratchy towels. Ouch. Confusing elevator, levels. Got lost 15 min trying to find the room, wish someone would have taken me there upon arrival with all my luggage. I’m ambassador level yet the worst service/followup I’ve ever experienced.

Stayed here for 5 nights in November. I’m not sure if it was the time of the year, but the weather was not good, but often upon leaving the resort we often found sunny and beautiful conditions. I booked this on points and had a very nice time but would have been disappointed if I’d paid for these stay. The rooms were fine, not spectacular. Upon checking in we were told only rooms with 2 queens were available. After a long day of travel this seemed fine and we weren’t given another alternative, but I wish we had asked if we could switch to a king room later in the week. There wasn’t any additional seating in the room and we didn’t need an additional bed. Have stayed at the RC in Aruba and Tenerife in the past and would return to either of them in a heartbeat. We ended up extending our stay in Hawaii one additional night and stayed at the Sheraton by Black Rock and were shocked to love it and would stay here next time we come to Hawaii. This may also be an “expectations” thing- we had sky high expectations and hopes for this property and were slightly disappointed, low expectations for Sheraton and they were greatly exceeded. The rooms were surprisingly dark, and not good lighting and lamps around. Even the bathroom lighting felt dim. Bed was very comfortable! The food was good throughout, we ate dinner at Banyan Tree, lunch at the burger shack, and had drinks and appetizers at the lobby bar (get the spicy tuna bites!) meals were very expensive, and we’d anticipated this, but kind of shocking when a lunch of fish tacos, 1 beer and a shared appetizer is about $100. It was a little bit of a hike to the beach but serene once there and the staff was attentive and kind. We saw a turtle on the beach our first morning. There is a golf cart shuttle to take you to the beach if you want it. We had rented snorkel gear for the week but didn’t attempt it at this beach, the water was too strong. The week we were there the sun set behind the building by about 3 pm and the pools were shaded and felt freezing. The hot tub was very crowded all the time, and there were 2 hot tubs usually but one was closed for repairs. The pools and hot tubs are open 24/7 but we never really saw people using them, and pool water was way too cold by the evening. Rooms have nespresso machines which is a nice way to start and end the day. Patio was comfortable and views were nice from the partial ocean view. If you’re seeking gorgeous weather, probably best to consider another property. We won’t be back here but it’s a reflection of the location and not the hotel staff and services. Cons: no turndown service, $65 valet- no other parking options, sun goes behind building at 3 pm, shading the pool. Weather could be rainy at resort but sunny just a few miles south Pros: gorgeous property, kind staff, great but expensive food at the on site restaurants. Free chairs and umbrellas at the beach.

We stayed at The Ritz-Carlton for our honeymoon, traveling with our 11-month-old baby, and it was absolutely amazing. The location is perfect—peaceful, green, and quiet. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway, this is it. When we arrived, we were greeted with a refreshing drink and the traditional Hawaiian leis, which was a really nice touch. We stayed in the Lasai Suite, and I can’t recommend it enough. The suite was huge, and we had a private patio with a firepit. Every night, we’d light the firepit, sip drinks, and enjoy the sounds of the ocean and the beautiful starry sky. It was such a peaceful, memorable experience. The hotel also went out of their way to make sure our baby was comfortable. They set up a crib for us and even left a bag with toys and baby soap. We were especially impressed that they included plug protectors—little things like that really show they care about families, and it made our stay so much easier. We had fun exploring the hotel the next day. There are three big pools, including a kids’ pool, plus two hot tubs that are open all day. We didn’t get a chance to try the hot tubs since we had the baby with us, but we saw other guests enjoying them in the evenings. For lunch, we grabbed a bite at the burger spot on property. My wife had a double burger and a milkshake, both of which were delicious—definitely come hungry because the portions are huge! The cocktails at the hotel were great, and if you have access to the Club Lounge, you can enjoy complimentary drinks, snacks, and options for lunch and dinner. The views from both the lounge and the restaurant are incredible, and the staff was super friendly. Breakfast had lots of choices, including made-to-order omelettes and eggs, and everything was fresh and delicious. There’s a beautiful beach right on the property, and other beaches are just a short walk or shuttle ride away. The hotel also offers a shuttle to nearby restaurants, which is really convenient. We worked with the concierge team a couple of times—they helped us book some great dinner reservations and even set up a spa day for my wife. She had a one-hour massage and spent the rest of the day relaxing in the spa, which she loved. Overall, we’re so happy with our choice and would absolutely stay here again if we ever come back to Maui. The service, the amenities, and the attention to detail made for a fantastic experience.

I have stayed at quite a few 5-star resorts in my lifetime, but The Ritz-Carlton Maui is impeccable with their accommodations and services. I had a relative that had stayed here fifteen years ago before the remodel and said they preferred it over some of the other expensive resorts on Maui. I'd have to agree with them! Upon arrival, everyone is warm and welcoming. We received our leis, warm wet towels, and welcome drink. Our room was 2431 during the first week of October and it was a bit of a walk to the lobby, but there was an elevator close by that took us down to the pools. The three pools are serene, open 24/7, and heated! My husband and I live in Vegas and the pools are rarely heated and closed before sunset. There are two hot jacuzzis, which were never crowded and great to be in after working out in their gym (also open 24/7). Of the three pools, one is dedicated to families and the other two are for adults. There is also a children's pool for toddlers. Never did we feel like anyone was rowdy late at night with the pools being open. So, if you want, you may swim at night with no one to bother you. Our room was the one bedroom suite with partial ocean view. With it being a bit of a walk from the lobby, I believe that made our suite more than just a partial view as we were on a corner and could see more ocean on the double balcony. The room was meticulous. Much more clean than some high end resorts in Vegas. In the entry way, there is a powder room with shower. I pretty much booted my husband to use that shower during our trip so I could have the bigger bathroom. More so, I could use the heated toilet seat in the master bath. The bathrooms came with sewing & vanity kits, makeup wipes, mouthwash, and the showers came with communal amenities. There is a walk in closet as well as a desk/vanity spot across from the closet with the Keurig machine. Both the living room and bedroom are very spacious. The king size bed comes with plenty of pillows along with a down comforter. There are reading lamps attached to the bed frame. Both balconies had a sliding glass and screen door. Plenty of outdoor furniture too! Let's talk about the resort food. We both had A La Carte breakfast or buffet breakfast each morning at Ulana, which by the pictures, you know it's good! The A La Carte is very filling and the buffet has something for everyone (the healthiest and biggest one I've been to). Their juices are very fresh, especially the Guava juice. While I didn't have any pool food, their cocktails and wellness juices are delicious. I could have the Maui Dew all day long if I could afford it! The Burger Shack is a must go to! It's down next to the beach (the waves are rough). We got it to-go so we could eat at the beach instead of eating on their patio. My husband practically lived off of Mai Tai's the whole trip and said the Burger Shack had the best one! I had the banana shake and the Wagyu burger with bacon. Highly recommend! One night, we went to Banyan Tree for my Birthday and everything was delicious from the drinks to dessert. Thank you, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, for making my Birthday vacation special and because of this, we do plan to stay at another Ritz resort next year for our honeymoon somewhere tropical. And even if a Ritz is not there, we hope to stay at a Marriott property.