Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Just returned from Maui

Ron, The Ritz is a wonderful hotel. But, before I get to virtues of the hotel, let me warn you about some of the drawbacks. The weather in Kapalua is not the best. We stayed at the Ritz after having spent several days in sunny Wailea on a great beach. I understand that this time of year, the weather in Kapalua is a little more unsettled -- we definitely experienced that. It was pretty windy, both at the beach and by the pool. There were high surf warnings at the beach, and I was way too chicken to go in, although there were certainly people enjoying the water. It wasn't very sunny, and for much of the time, there was a slight drizzle. The hotel isn't located directly on the beach -- a sacred Hawaiian burial ground separates the hotel from the beach. It just makes for a longer walk (less than 5 minutes) or short golf cart ride to the beach. The hotel isn't "beachy" -- that isn't the Ritz' style. What you get is a Ritz hotel -- complete with dark wood, luxurious appointments and oriental rugs -- that happens to be in Maui. In addition to the parking fee (I think it was $15 per day), the hotel charges a "resort" fee (I think it is an additional $11 per day) -- I still haven't figured out exactly what that covers. Many hotels in Maui charge this kind of fee, but I think the Ritz is among the highest. I don't think any of these things should necessarily deter you from considering the Ritz, but you should be aware of them before making your decision about where to stay. Now, on to the raves. A beautiful, classy hotel. Extensive, well tended grounds. Very, very quiet -- lots of honeymooners. 24hr. pool, hot tub and room service. Before you even realize you need something, a staff person is there to assist you. The rooms are very spacious and understated. We paid $295 for a "shoreline" room (very low category) and weren't sure what to expect. We got a full ocean view room with a large balcony. Featherbed and pillows. Large marble bathroom with separate shower and tub (and a commode in its own little room). Good bath and shower products. If you've stayed at a Ritz before, there are no surprises -- it's sophisticated and understated. Watching the roaring ocean from the beach side cafe can be quite a thrill. The beach area is isolated and beautiful. Because there were high surf warnings, we didn't go into the water. If the beach is your primary interest, I wouldn't choose the Ritz. We ate at the Banyon Tree Restaurant once for dinner (very, very good)and the Terrace Restaurant for the breakfast buffet included in the price of the room (ok). We had many of our meals in Kaanapali, Lahaina, and other parts of the island because we had heard of the great independent restaurants in the area. It comes down to what you're looking for. If you want a great, sunny beach at a nice hotel, there are other properties (Kaanapali and Wailea) that would probably fit your bill better for less money. However, if you're looking for rest and seclusion, superior service, rooms at a world class property, and you don't mind the occasional rain shower or iffy surf conditions, and the tariff doesn't scare you, the Ritz is for you. I hope this helps.