Perched on an oceanside plateau in the north-west corner of Maui, Kapalua is the place to stay on the island if you have deep pockets, demand the highest standards and are looking for some quiet relaxation. The resort offers several shapes and sizes of accommodation, all guaranteeing an experience that is both tranquil and exclusive.
Guests can choose from luxury villas or a Ritz-Carlton hotel, recently refurbished at a cost of $180 million. The latter is ideal if you're looking for a convenient full-service experience, but the villas win out when you want privacy and independence. The interiors of these are quite stunning; expect to find brightly-furnished rooms, ample space even if you're bringing a bunch of friends along, huge plasma screen TVs and even bigger bay windows to let in that sunset glow. Upgrade to a premium Gold Villa and you get even higher levels of quality, with enough state-of-the-art appliances and luxury furnishings that you won't want to leave your new home.
Even if the villas weren't this stunning in themselves, the million-dollar views from this bit of the island are enough to make the resort a winner. The weather tends to be brighter here than on the rest of Maui and the resort looks west, so sunsets are often red and fill the sky. From the private balcony or garden of your villa you'll probably have panoramic views of the strikingly blue ocean and, during winter months, you might even spot a giant whale or two swimming by in the distance.
Dominating the resort are two 18-hole Championship golf courses, which have earned Kapalua the title of Hawaii's number one spot for golfers. The Bay and The Plantation are their names, and the latter regularly plays host to the PGA Tour. These world-class courses aren't just for veterans though - rookie golfers can hone their skills at the Kapalua Golf Academy and even link it directly to their visit, with one of the resort's golf packages that start from a very reasonable $279 per person per night.
Several restaurants are dotted conveniently around the resort and there's a handy general store - with the ambience of a rustic forest lodge - where you can stock up on sundries and grab a picnic for the beach. And speaking of beaches - Kapalua is where you can call off your search for the perfect Hawaiian sun and sand experience. It's all here, in a series of glorious beaches within walking distance of the accommodation.
Whilst many of Maui's beaches go on forever and are always well-attended, the ones around Kapalua are smaller, quieter and more secluded. The bays here seem to be popular with locals and in-the-know visitors, who have worked out that if you make the effort to hit the shores in this less-visited part of the island, you'll be rewarded with the shimmering sands of some of America's most highly-regarded beaches. Kapalua Bay itself has been voted the very best in the country, and it's a deserved accolade. This sandy, safe beach is particularly popular for sunset wedding ceremonies. Nearby is D.T. Fleming Beach, another award winner with bigger surf that spells lots of fun for body-boarders. The sheltered coves beyond these and around the headland are superb for snorkelling.
For more information or to book, visit www.kapalua.com.
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