A Maui Stay That Felt Like Family: Our Time at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
I’ve done Maui a few different ways over the years, but this trip to the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua started so smoothly it almost caught me off guard. No airport stress, no packed terminals, no long waits — just an easy flight, a beautiful drive, and a sense that we were already in vacation mode before we even checked in.
Getting There From Orange County
My boyfriend, Cory, and I flew direct from Long Beach Airport to Maui, and I’m officially obsessed. If you’re based in Orange County or LA, this route is such a win. John Wayne doesn’t offer nonstop Hawaii flights, so Long Beach ended up being the perfect alternative and one I’ll choose again and again.
We were dropped off right at the terminal, through security in under five minutes, and actually had time to pop into the beloved Long Beach locale, Boathouse on the Bay, for a quick celebratory Bloody Mary before boarding.
We flew Hawaiian Airlines, which immediately set the tone: friendly flight attendants, a hot breakfast sandwich, and even a Hawaiian cookie right before descent.
Landing in Maui was just as smooth. We picked up our rental car from SixT and decided to take the north side of the island up to Kapalua — something we’d never done before, despite multiple trips to Maui.
It’s beautiful, dramatic, and VERY narrow. We’re talking one-lane roads, dramatic coastal views, and moments where one car has to reverse along steep steep inclines to let another pass.
If you like a little adrenaline with your scenery, it’s memorable. If your priority is getting to your resort and ordering a mai tai, I’d stick with the traditional route through Lahaina.
First Impressions at the Ritz
Pulling into The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, the shift was immediate. The lobby is beautiful — rich wood tones, open-air spaces, ocean views — and somehow feels both grand and calm at the same time. Check-in was effortless, we were greeted with Hawaiian leis, and valet handled the rest.
Our ocean view suite had a double balcony, and it quickly became our favorite place to start and end the day. Coffee in the morning, a glass of wine in the evening, watching the sunset over the resort — it never got old.
A Resort Built with Respect
One of the things that makes this property feel different is its deep respect for the land it sits on.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua was developed with cultural consideration for the burial grounds of Native Hawaiians. There’s a large designated grassy area between the resort and the ocean with plaques explaining the historical significance, along with a statue where guests often leave their leis before departing.
It’s quiet. Reverent. And deeply moving in a way that feels authentic and protected – somewhere you pay your respects and give thanks to the people who walked these grounds before you.
Nearby, there’s a labyrinth that people come from all over the island to experience. It’s a peaceful, meditative path many guests walk at sunrise or sunset. It can take up to 30 minutes to carve through it slowly, or you can do a quick run-through. It’s less about doing anything “right” and more about taking a few uninterrupted minutes to move slowly and be present.
Life at the Resort
Kapalua itself is a special pocket of Maui — greener, quieter, and more residential than other resort-heavy areas. It’s known for its coastal trails, championship golf courses, and a slower, more lived-in pace. Staying here feels less like being dropped into a tourist hub like Kaanapali and more like spending time in a thoughtfully planned neighborhood.
The Ritz offers a full calendar of activities: yoga, guided hikes, lei-making workshops, and e-bike tours, which ended up being one of our favorite experiences.
Our ride took us through Napili, included a stop at the Napili Farmers Market, and came with a surprisingly rich dose of island history along the way.
We also became regulars at the gym — which was fully stocked with Peloton bikes, treadmills, rowers, free weights, and machines. It was lively every morning, and by day two, we were already recognizing familiar faces and striking up conversations.
The resort also provides bikes you can use to ride around Kapalua or to a nearby market that feels like it’s mostly locals and guests — another detail that makes the area feel lived-in rather than touristy.
Pool Days, Beach Shack Bites, and Easy Mornings
The breakfast buffet was expansive and consistently good — the kind of place where everyone gathers to fuel up for the day, whether that’s fresh fruit and tea or a coconut syrup-drenched waffle and mimosa pairing before the beach.
The pool area is gorgeous, with spacious cabanas that include TVs and mini fridges. There are also tennis and pickleball courts, an activity center, and the casual Burger Shack on the beach serving genuinely great burgers — including one of the best veggie burgers I’ve ever had.
Sunset Rituals and Unexpected Friendships
Every night just before sunset, the resort hosts a sunset ceremony in the lobby.
A local Hawaiian blows the conch shell, offers a chant, and gives thanks for the day, the sunset, the land, and the ancestors. It feels incredible to publicly thank the land for the beautiful day you’ve just had.
Live music follows each evening, with rotating musicians — jazz one night, something softer the next.
That first night, we grabbed cocktails and ended up chatting with a couple visiting from Colorado. Over the next few days, we kept seeing them again and again: at the pool, at dinner, in passing. That pattern repeated with others too.
A Chef’s Table That Turned Into a Night of Ohana
One evening, we booked the Chef’s Table at Banyan Tree, the resort’s signature restaurant. There were ten of us total, and we didn’t know a single person walking in.
By the end of the night, it felt like we’d all arrived together.
There was a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary from Idaho, another celebrating 38 years from California, a solo traveler, and a group of friends.
The five-course menu was exceptional — beautifully prepared fish, rich wagyu beef, and thoughtful pairings — but what stood out most was the atmosphere.
Our chef, Ignacio, joined us throughout the evening, sharing stories about the island, his upbringing in Argentina, and laughing right alongside us. By dessert, everyone was clinking glasses and swapping travel stories like old friends.
The next afternoon, a few of us ended up back at Banyan Tree to watch the NFL playoff games together — more laughs, more stories, and plans made to cross paths again somewhere down the road.
Leaving Felt Surprisingly Personal
On our final morning, we walked through the lobby one last time and ran into yet another friend — a private pilot we’d met earlier in the trip. We said goodbye to the valet staff who now greeted us by name.
That’s what stayed with me most.
Four days at a resort, and somehow it felt like a small community. Familiar faces. Shared meals. Easy conversations. That sense of connection, that feeling of ohana, is what Hawaii does best.
We left rested, full, and already talking about when we’d come back. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua doesn’t just give you a beautiful place to stay. It gives you space to slow down, connect, and remember why Maui feels like home.
