We loved experiencing Maui last summer (see our fall issue/ Jet Setter for more info) but the images really sell the island. Spend a week in Maui to really #traveldeep within this Hawaiian jewel. Come along on our journey. (Use the right arrow button on each photo to scroll through and take note of the captions below.) Mahalo!
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The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, is about a 40-minute drive from airport. The residential suite with separate bedroom, living room with foldout sectional, full kitchen set up including fridge, hot plate, microwave, and full set of dishes.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, snorkeling program with the guide from the adventure center is worth the fee. You learn about the different types of fish that you will see and then our shuttled over a mile away to snorkel in the bay. The adventure center offers other programs for families and children like a survivor program during the day.
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Order shakes and burgers at The Burger Shack (Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua) for the most beautiful scene. Try a bikini blonde from Maui brewing company. Over-the-top shakes. Best view in Kapalua.
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Golf at The Plantation course in Kapalua for a memorable day.
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Old Lahaina Luau is the best one on the island! It seats 500 and is sold out all year if you wait until the day of to purchase your tickets so buy at least 2 weeks in advance online. All you can eat and drink.
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Old Lahaina Luau tells the story of Maui in their show. In their 30th year, they are authentic to a tee.
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The town of Lahaina has a beautiful beach in town across from Front Street.
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The famous Banyan Tree Square is in Lahaina.
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Wailea Beach Villas, a Destination Hotels property, is an exclusive beachfront villa resort that offers easy access to neighboring activities and attractions. There is easy access to the neighboring luxury resorts (restaurants, spas, bars, entertainment, luau) and The Shops at Wailea (designer stores, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries).
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Wailea Beach Villas, a Destination Hotels property, with amazing landscaping boasts very private villas and penthouses with a private parking garage and elevators going directly up to your room.
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We loved Wailea Beach Villas two bedroom/ two bath penthouse with spacious kitchen, dining area, living area and patios with ocean view.
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At the Wailea Beach Villas adult pool, you can enjoy this view.
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At Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea, enjoy fantastic appetizers like dim sum, deviled eggs and spicy chicken wings. For an entrée try Gnocchi with spicy sausage, Macadamia nut encrusted Mahi Mahi, or wood fired pizza. They are known for their pies including banana and strawberry pie. Loved the impeccable service here.
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Visit the Iao Needle in the state park. It's not too far from the airport so if you have extra time before you head to the airport, this would be a good side trip.
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To see the Iao Needle, just pay five dollars for parking and you cross a bridge over a stream and take the trail up to view the needle and then it winds down along the stream for some beautiful photo opps.
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Between the state park and back to Wailea, stop at some secluded beaches along the highway.
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The Grand Wailea hotel boasts beautiful views towards the ocean.
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Enjoy their outdoor restaurant for some fresh seafood and try to spell it: Humuhumunukunukuapau’a.
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At Humuhumunukunukuapau’a, you can score this sunset.
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If you drive The Road to Hana, stop at the black sand beach.
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The Road to Hana treats you to beautiful waterfalls.
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Head over to the Andaz Hotel and eat at their Ka’ana Kitchen restaurant. Kids can enjoy a strawberry lemonade with their fried chicken and mac’n’cheese. Adults will love the wine pairings with grilled octopus, abalone risotto or smoked kaua’i shrimp. Ka’ana means to share and you’ll definitely need to share this meal.
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Enjoy this view from The Grand Wailea.
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The Wailea Coastal Walk will offer you views like this.
Other tips:
At Wailea Beach Villas, take a stroll down to the award-winning Wailea Beach where they set up chaise loungers, beach umbrellas and beach towels in a reserved area just for Wailea Beach. Along the beach, there are beach kiosks that can arrange (for a fee) canoe rides, boogie boards or snorkel gear.
Stroll the 1.5 mile Wailea Coastal Walk to discover 5 beautiful beaches to dip in, just to say you did! Stop along the shoreline to see ancient Hawaiian ruins, Hawaiian gardens or an icy cold shave ice.
As the only resort with private pedestrian access, at Wailea Beach Villas, you can walk over to the attached “The Shops at Wailea” and visit the art galleries on the second floor or dine at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Tommy Bahama Restaurant
Rent a car and take a drive to the Upcountry Farms – favorite stops for the kids include Surfing Goat Dairy and Kula Farm Fields and for the adults – Maui Winery, Maui Ocean Vodka or the Ali’i Kula Lavendar Farm.
Get groceries at Foodland, Hawaii’s premiere grocery store. Stop in at the poke deli case and ask for a taste. It’s a local favorite that is expected to be a hot food trend in 2016. Otherwise try a spam musubi or pick up some breakfast or picnic lunch fixings, snacks and drinks so no one goes hungry in between restaurant meals.
Sansei restaurant, right around the corner from the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua has 2 kitchens & 6 chefs and their butter fish is amazing!
Buy a boogieboard and snorkeling gear at Walmart near the airport and use it for your whole vacation.