The Ritz-Carlton name has always been synonymous with luxury. With the demand nowadays for enriching travel experiences—and hip amenities to boot—one of the company’s star beach resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui, is putting a unique, all-encompassing spin on that top-drawer philosophy.

Fresh off a $180 million transformation last year, the AAA Five Diamond property, set on 54 acres of the Kapalua Resort community, mixes the best of local flavor with up-to-the-minute amenities, from the redesigned guest rooms, restaurants, spa, meeting space and three-tiered pool area—complete with VIP cabanas serviced by personal attendants and decked out with amenities like flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and high-speed Internet connections—to the distinctive opportunities that spotlight Maui’s heritage and natural treasures. A cultural ambassador, an environmental education center and adventures of a lifetime are all on the agenda, and best of all, every experience can be tailored to groups.

"We talk a lot about our Five Diamond experience, but it’s also our cultural experience," says Michael Masterson, director of sales and marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. "You can go anywhere and get sun and sand, but to immerse yourself in a true cultural experience, that is a great differentiator. I’ve seen our cultural ambassador, Clifford Naeole, born and raised on Maui, bring a room to tears as he does a customized program for a group. A lot of times, a group will want to focus on leadership or teamwork, and he will put it in a Hawaiiana context so there’s a cultural tie-in."

The property doesn’t skimp on local heritage when it comes to other areas of the hotel—from the decor to the spa treatments.

Hawaiian artwork and products are integral parts of the design, including the koa wood-paneled lobby and its adjacent lava stone bar, as well as the hotel’s 463 stylish and inviting guest rooms and suites, which are also highlighted by high-tech amenities such as flat-screen TVs, DVD players and iPod docking stations.

The hotel has 30,000 square feet of newly renovated indoor meeting space as well as exotic outdoor gathering spots, where everything from Polynesian luaus and beachside clambakes to outdoor concerts under the stars can be held.

The dining choices are another property highlight, particularly The Banyan Tree, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and specializes in gourmet cuisine that blends influences from around the world with local Hawaiian ingredients, including organic herbs, vegetables and fruit from the hotel’s new organic garden. Garden tours paired with a raw foods cooking demonstration and smoothie samples are available.

The 17,500-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua, unveiled last year, is based on the concept of Waihua, which the ancient Hawaiians believed to be the purest form of water from the leaves of the taro plant. From the moment guests enter the spa, they are transported into a naturally inspired haven that utilizes tall bamboo, lava stone, koa wood, "water walls" and a taro patch garden relaxation area as primary features. Several of the 15 treatment rooms open onto refreshing outdoor garden showers, and treatments incorporate local ingredients such as awapuhi and kukui oil.

The new Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment program is another great way the resort brings local heritage into the guest experience. The program features an on-property environmental and cultural education center and programs led by expert naturalists that showcase the area’s ecological riches and cultural significance. Hiking through rainforests and snorkeling alongside coral reefs and giant sea turtles are among the options offered regularly, and programs can be custom-designed for groups.

There’s no shortage of other one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences available to groups staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. The property is surrounded by 36 holes of championship golf, home to the PGA Tour’s Mercedes-Benz Championship, and the natural playground that unfolds over the 23,000 acres of the Kapalua Resort—including lush mountainsides, rolling hills and idyllic beaches—is also easily accessible via Kapalua Adventures.

"The destination of Kapalua is a big component, too," Masterson says. "Of course, we have great golf, which we’ve always been known for, but we’ve complemented that with all of these additional activities. You’ve got Kapalua Adventure Center, so it’s not just golf anymore, it’s ziplining, kayaking, hiking and biking. All of these are new in terms of repositioning the destination of Kapalua to the leisure and meetings markets."

That translates into unforgettable bonding and team-building opportunities for groups, including excursions that begin with four-wheel-drive adventures via biofueled Unimogs to the Mountain Outpost, featuring an observation deck with sweeping views of the island. Attendees then soar through the scenic backcountry on a zipline course that runs nearly two miles.

Another standout experience is a kayaking and hiking adventure that gives groups a chance to take in the Maui coastline while paddling from Kapalua Bay, possibly spotting dolphins along the way, then trekking along the sea cliffs next to erupting blowholes.

Other island adventures are also available, both through Kapalua Adventures and via top local DMCs such as Panache Destination Management, including the Shangri La luxury catamaran, an excellent choice for sailing and snorkeling excursions.

Meanwhile, the hotel offers socially responsible programs such as Volunteaming, which gives groups a chance to do something for the local community such as building bikes that are then donated to local schools, and Meaningful Meetings, which allows groups to donate 10 percent of room revenue to the local community.

From a value standpoint, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua certainly delivers, and now is the time to take advantage of attractive promotions, according to Masterson.

"There’s no better time to bring a meeting to Hawaii. There are so many opportunities to get great rates and great value-adds," he says, pointing to promotions such as the resort’s Meetings Within Reach, which includes perks like daily continental breakfast, high-speed Internet access and discounts on audiovisual in the rate. 

For More Info

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
808.669.6200
www.ritzcarlton.com