Kapalua Bay - A Renaissance Resort - detailed hotel review and pictures
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Are you traveling after April 6, 2006? Kapalua Bay Hotel will be closed for a complete repositioning of the resort from April 7, 2006 until December 31, 2008. No rooms will be available during construction. We recommend booking Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, a beautiful 5-star resort located in the same area. |
Kapalua Bay - A Renaissance Resort sits on a tall bluff overlooking the serene Kapalua Bay on Maui's North Shore. Few Hawaiian resorts have as much open space as Kapalua Bay Hotel. It is surrounded by 18 acres of green fields lined with spiky Norfolk windbreaks and bordered by the ocean.
When you enter the open-air lobby of Kapalua Bay - Renaissance Resort, the panoramic view of the bay, ocean and the island will truly take your breath away. Walk through the paths edged with flowering tropical plants and well-manicured lawns and you will reach a palm-fringed gold-sand beach, one of the best in Hawaii. There is a protected reef so the water is almost always calm and has good visibility for snorkeling.
Kapalua Bay Hotel is part of the Kapalua Bay Resort, a 23,000-acre working pineapple plantation. Historic sites still exist at the resort, including an ancient Hawaii preservation site, country preschool and plantation homes.
Lahaina Town is a 20-min drive away. It is a small old whaling town where you can wander through the shops, museums, art galleries and enjoy a dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants. At night, bars, luaus and shows are all part of the excitement.
Maui's main airport, Kahului, is a 50-min drive along the scenic 2-lane coastal freeway.
2. Rooms
The rooms at Kapalua Bay Hotel are elegant but not overdone. They are decorated in stylish subtle earth-tones - no loud tropical prints here.
The climate is so nice that you don't even have to use air-conditioning. Just leave the doors open, turn the ceiling fan on, and bask in the balmy tropical air.
Plantation-style shutter doors open onto a private lanai with views of garden and West Maui Mountains or the ocean and the neighbor island of Molokai across the channel. For a truly spectacular view, book a deluxe ocean view room where you will be able to pick up your head from the bed and look at the ocean through the 12-15 feet of open doors.
The renovated bathroom has 2 granite vanities, a large marble Kohler tub and a separate glass-enclosed shower. Soft terrycloth robes, hair dryer and designer toiletries are provided.
- Beds: 1 king or 2 doubles
- Air-conditioning
- Room size is 400 sq ft
- Private lanai is 100 sq ft
- Sitting area with love seat and coffee table
- Color TV with in-room movies
- Mini-bar
- Coffee maker
- 3 telephones (bedside, desk, bathroom)
- Newspaper delivery Mon-Sat
- Complimentary in-room electronic safe
- Twice per day maid service
- Evening turndown service
- 24-hour room service
3. Restaurants
1) Bay Club
This restaurant is famous for fine dining, impressive wine list and remarkable views. If you are looking for a very nice dinner place, the Bay Club is perfect. Some of the favorites include Steamed Kona Lobster in Banana Leaf, Ahi and Smoked Ono Tower, Sinful Chocolate Browine, or you can try a 4-course tasting of the Bay Club's signature dishes.
Open for dinner each evening. Evening resort attire is recommended.
2) Gardenia Court
This open-air restaurant with a koi pond offers breakfast and dinner every day. Signature items include Hoisin Barbecue Salmon with Fresh Spinach and Linguini Clam Spiced with Tasso Ham.
Everyone loves their theme buffets on Wednesdays (Kapalua Karvery) and Fridays (Seafood), as well as Sunday Brunch.
3) Lehua Lounge
This bar is the best spot to watch sunset over the ocean and listen to relaxing piano music. The cocktail list is as exotic as it gets, with drinks like Ohelo Papa Inui - a delightful mix of rum and strawberries. Appetizers are fresh and flavorful - try Kona Lobster Cocktail or the Crispy Ahi.
4) Plumeria Terrace
You can have a great dinner right next to the hotel's famous butterfly pool. Menu includes Ginger-Grilled Prawns, Macadamia Nut Oysters and Prawn Quesadilla with Roaster Peppers and Tropical Salsa.
4. Things to do
- Beach Activities
The golden-sand beach in front of the Kapalua Bay - A Renaissance Resort is one of the safest beaches on Maui, perfect for swimming, snorkeling and scuba. Even small children will be fine because the bay is protected by the off-shore reefs. The area is a marine sanctuary so you will see more varieties of fish than you can imagine.You can rent water toys, snorkeling and scuba equipment, or arrange a lesson at the Activities Center. If you feel adventurous, you can explore the coast area in an ocean kayak or a raft. During winter months, you will have the best view of humpback whales frolicking in the ocean.In addition to the beach in front of the hotel, there are 2 more white-sand beaches within a short walking distance.
- Children's Program
Kamp Kapalua is designed for children 5-12 years old. Your little ones will be building sand castles, snorkeling, doing arts and crafts, learning more about Hawaiian culture, music and hula dancing, making flower leis, playing tennis and hiking. The Kamp is a lot of fun! - Golf
Kapalua Bay - A Renaissance Resort is a dream resort for any golfer. It has 3 world-class courses and a golf academy with large staff of PGA professionals:- The Bay Course - par 72, designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane. It is set among pineapple fields and breathtaking natural formations.
- The Village Course - par 71, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. First 5 holes sit high into the West Maui Mountains, surrounded by palms and hibiscus. Holes #4 and #5 are set on a lava peninsula that carves two sparkling bays. When you emerge on the 6th tee, you are greeted by a stunning panorama of the Pacific.
- The Plantation Course - par 73, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Creshaw. This is a mountain course that climbs to 750 ft above sea level through centuries-old groves of eucalyptus and Cook pines. Enjoy panoramic views of a pristine lake, pineapple fields, lush green gorges filled with guava, passion fruit and grasses. Hole #7 is the most dramatic with a 150 ft drop in elevation from tee to green.
- Kapalua Golf Academy: Hawaii's first state-of-the-art Golf Academy opened its doors in August of 2000. Designed by Senior PGA Tour Professional Hale Irwin, the Kapalua Golf Academy offers a wide range of instruction to benefit players of all levels, including clinics, one- and two-day golf schools, putting green, warm-up range and organized tournaments.
- Tennis
Kapalua Resort has 2 tennis centers, each with 10 plexi-pave courts for day and night play:- The Tennis Garden - is adjacent to the Kapalua Bay Renaissance Resort. Consistently rated in Hawaii's top 10 facilities by Tennis Magazine, it offers a uniquely landscaped garden atmosphere, with paired courts and viewing stands for spectators.
- The Village Tennis Center is located nearby and provides the same superior amenities but in an oceanfront setting. Private instruction, round robins and tennis camps are available, led by Hawaii's largest staff of USPTA professionals. Full-service pro shops, snack bars and lounge areas are provided at both centers.
- Art School of Kapalua
Kapalua Resort is known as Maui's arts center. Since 1995, the Art School at Kapalua has been offerin many classes including drawing, photography, creative movement, ballet, sculpture, ceramics and painting.You are welcome to join any class on a drop-in basis. The teachers are enthusiastic professionals who enjoy sharing their expertise and their love for the arts to students of all skill levels.When the weather is nice, classes are moved outside to the large lanai among the shady trellises draped with jade. There is an art gallery and library on site.
- Kapalua Shops
20 shops are located next door to the Kapalua Bay Hotel, nestled in a tranquil garden. You'll find anything from logo wear to fine jewelry and antiques.Kapalua Discovery Center, the resort's newest attraction, is also located in The Kapalua Shops. It is an exhibition of intesting ancient artifacts and historic memorabilia of Maui.
- 2 swimming pools and Jacuzzi
- Full-service spa where you can get massage in a beach cabana
- 24-hour fitness center
- Full concierge services
- Scenic jogging, walking and mountaing hiking trails
- Daily Hawaiian activities include slack key guitar, lei making, hula show, etc.
- Flower lei greeting when you check-in
- Free shuttle within Kapalua Resort
- Daily laundry and dry cleaning service (fee)
- Babysitting (fee)
- Signing privileges at Sheraton Maui and Westin Maui
5. Rates
Save $84-$142 per night when you book our wholesale rate, plus get a 6th night free.
Our rates are lower than Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz.
Check rates and availability here!
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7. Not sure if this hotel is right for you? Consider comparable hotels
Here are the links to similar hotels: Ritz-Carlton Kapalua (5 stars) and Maui Prince Hotel (4 stars).
Want to check out other hotels on Maui? See all 36 hotels and condos.
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