By George Christopher Thomas, Travel Writer
A few months back I had the most wonderful time in Maui, Hawai’i.
Our party stayed at the Kapalua Villas, just north of the town of Lahaina. Every last detail was attended to, from a pineapple in the refrigerator when we got there, to daily maid service, to one of the most friendly and helpful staff on any of the islands. The resort is run by Outrigger Hotels, and they have specialized in top notch lodgings for decades and decades.
The nice thing about the Kapalua Villas is that the property is so much more than a hotel room. The house/villa we stayed in was two stories, and overlooked the 11th hole of the world famous Kapalua Bay golf course. Everything is right there at the resort, you could stay there and never step foot off the property, and still have the loveliest Maui vacation. We swam in the pools, went down to the beach and snorkeled, and came back to the spa for a nice steam. All of this is within 5 minutes of each other, and all on the Kapalua Resort property. When you are there, definitely use the spa facilities. Even if you don’t sign up for a massage, but you should, just using the pool and sauna, as well as the steam room and spa facilities is totally relaxing and a perfect way to unwind.
The Kapalua Villas feels like home, and that is one of the greatest things about staying there. And the reason it feels like a home is because it actually is a home. Outrigger Hotels manages this property, and each villa is individually and privately owned. The reason I prefer resort living to just plain old hotel rooms is the kitchen aspect of it.
Instead of spending all your hard earned cash on going out to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, one stop at the local supermarket and you are set for the entire week.
The Kapalua Villas are idyllically located just north of Lahaina, and if you hop in the car, you are just a few minutes from Kaanapali. Maui has so much to offer, for couples to entire full-blown intergenerational families. If you happen to travel with golfers, the resort boasts two award winning courses, the Kapalua Plantation course, and the Kapalua Bay course. Plus the Kapalua Plantation course hosts a PGA golf tournament every January, and there is nothing more exciting than playing a golf course the pros play, then watching it on TV at home knowing the golf holes personally.
The staff at the Kapalua Villas treat you like royalty, and the concierge can help plan whatever activity your heart desires. This Maui resort’s 22,000 scenic acres stretch from the mountains to the sea, encompassing verdant rainforests, plunging waterfalls, organic farms, and meandering hiking trails.
(For more information on staying at the Kapalua Villas, visit www.kapaluavillas.com.