Living it up in Maui on my honeymoon
 

Hi there, I am looking for special things to do on our honeymoon in Maui (for the last two weeks in October). I have a bunch of books that list the normal destinations like Road to Hana and such but I am looking for anything special on the island like great splurge restaurants, romantic restaurants (know of any places that set up a solo table on the beach for you?), awesome luaus, great helicopter rides, etc. Anything that's a bit special beyond the ordinary things that are listed in the guidebooks. Thanks in advance.

Best restaurants are Nick's Fish Market, Spago's, Sarento's. Also, try Longhi's for breakfast - yummy eggs benedict with lobster. We also did the horseback riding tour with Maui Stables. It was really wonderful. And, took the Blue Maui helicopter tour of Lanai - see if you can have capt. Al as your pilot -really amusing. Finally, did the sunset cruise on the Kapula Kai - extra special because we saw a mother whale and her baby. Delicious Mai-Tai's too.

Yorman Williams' Tableside Chefs does a nice private dinner. He's been doing it on the island for some time. There is one other chef doing that type of thing that I know of, but right now his name escapes me. I have hius business card at home and will look at it when I get back home this evening.

When I think "romantic" or go for a special dinner I chose the Platation House, The Sea Watch, I`o, Gerards. My husband takes me to the dining room at the Hotel Hana-Maui each October to celebrate a special anniversary, and we always dine semi-private on the lanai in the moonlight. I find that the waitstaff at some of the restaurants here tend to hover way too much to allow the meal to be even enjoayble, let alonr romantic.

Sorry, Kajebu, but I disagree about Longhi's. I think it's pretentious, over priced and over rated. I don't like the fact that the waiter/waitress recites the menu to you while standing or sitting at your table, especially when they don't mention the prices. Who (except the waiter) can possibly remember a whole menu enough to make a decision? I've dined there in the past, but wouldn't go there again. In addition, two friends of mine ate there a couple of months ago, and ended up paying $62.00 for breakfast. And it certainly wasn't exceptional. So I have to disagree on that one.

We had breakfast at The Sea Watch last month and it was wonderful. The view is amazing. We ate at Sansei for dinner and it was our best meal in Maui.

Instead of going to Molokini we took Paragon Charter's day trip to Lanai. It was a great trip and the boat was awesome. Also, I highly recommend Warren and Annabelle's Magic Show. DH and my father were skeptic and thought it wouldn't be that fun but we all had a blast!

I agree that Longhis is a major disappointment. We were sent there by a friend and found the food bland and the prices excessive. Agree that Sansei is tops. Go to Kapalua Bay beforehand and watch the sun dip into the ocean.

ttt

Tableside Chefs http://www.mauimapp.com/toc/dining/tableside_chefs.htm, or call Yorman's Restaurant at 874-8385

The other company doing "intimate dining experiences"--Bobbie Maciewski in Lahaina,
661-0093 or [email protected]

Best luau is the Old Lahaina Luau, by far. Better make reservations now - it is reserved seating, and floor seating can be romantic. Great oceanfront breakfast is at the Gazebo Restaurant near Napili. If you get there by 7am to line up and sip coffee (opens at 7:30), you will get a beautiful ocean view table. Inexpensive and worth waking up for. The most romantic place I've ever been was in Hana at the Hotel Hana Maui. They have Sea Cottages that are ocean front each with their own private outdoor jacuzzi on the lanai. My fondest memories - sipping champagne in the spa with my husband, midnight with a million stars in the sky and the palm trees blowing in the breeze by moonlight. Ahh!

Honeymoon-romantic restaurant=Black Swan. Trust me on this one. Arrive a 1/2 hour before your reservation for a champagne toast to each other before dinner and I don't think you'll need any instructions after that.

jefk:
never heard of "Black Swan". any chance you mean "Swan Court" at the hyatt?

Just have to say we loved the breakfasts at Longhis including our two kids!!

Hi mezzie44,

I just came back from Maui for my anniversary. My husband and I spent 4 days in Maui, we been to Old Lahaina Luau, which is an authentic Hawaiian Luau. All they did were Hula Dance, no fire knives, or tree climbing. A disappointment for my husband since he thought this is a Polynesian type Luau. The food was OK at Old Lahaina Luau, its buffet style. We were on a Helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopter. This was an amazing tour. We did a full Maui Island tour which lasts 60 minutes, the best thing is you can buy your helicopter video on DVD not VHS. Our pilot was very nice, and narrated throughout the full 60 minutes. We stayed at the Four Seasons Maui which you can dine on the beach with your own waiter and chef. The cost is $650 per person. We ate at Nick's Fishmarket, personally I don't like it, the food is just so-so. I liked Spago more, the okpakapaka ceviche was so delicious that i ordered again the same dinner. We did not drive to Hana, coz we saw the waterfalls during our helicopter tour. The rest of the times, we just relax by the pool or the beach. Very relaxing in Maui comparing to Honolulu.

Lex,
yes, the Swan Court. For some reason I always call it the Black Swan. My bad.

I recommend Mama's Fish House at sunset for romance. For a fun atmosphere you can't beat the Hula Grill. I second Warren and Annabelle's Magic Show. If we ever go back will be a must see even for the second time. The Old Lahaina Luau was wonderful-great food and a traditional hula show. Before the show one of the dancers climbs a coconut tree brings one down and carves it up and lets everyone try it. I also agree about Longhi's being overrated. The staff was not attentive and there was no view where we sat.
One more thing you might want to consider is the Pony Express. It is a horseback ride down into the Mount Haleakala Dormant Volcano. It was about 4 hrs and it was physically tiring but it was one of the most incredible things that I've ever seen.
Wherever you go you will have a great time!