Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 247

AE, DC, MC, V. Parking $15. Amenities: 3 restaurants; 3 bars; 2 outdoor pools; access to the Kapalua Resort's
acclaimed trio of golf courses; 10 Plexipave tennis courts; 24-hr. fitness facilities; small spa; Jacuzzi; water-
sports equipment rental; children's program; concierge; activities desk; car rental desk; business center; shop-
ping arcade; salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; same-day laundry service/dry cleaning;
concierge-level rooms. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, minibar, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Ritz-Carlton Kapalua In my opinion, this is the best Ritz-Carlton in
the world. It's in the best place (Hawaii), near a great beach (Kapalua), and has
a friendly staff that goes above and beyond the call of duty. The Ritz is a com-
plete universe, one of those resorts where you can happily stay for 2 whole weeks
and never leave the grounds. The kids will have plenty to do with the daily Ritz
Kids program, which is more than a child-care service: It's like a young explor-
ers' program for kids who want to experience something different every day,
from building a sand volcano and watching it erupt to delving into Hawaiian
art, culture, ecology, and nature. When you check in, your kids get a gift. (Cur-
rently it's a baseball cap, but it changes all the time.)
Rooms are up to the usual Ritz standard. Families of four can fit into the giant
rooms but might prefer two connecting rooms. (The Family Fun package gives
you the second room at half-price and a complimentary Ritz Kids activity.) If
you can afford it, stay on the Club Floor—it offers the best amenities in the
state, from French roast coffee in the morning to a buffet at lunch to cookies in
the afternoon to pupu and drinks at sunset. (Children 12 and under stay free,
but there's a $50 charge for kids 13 and over.) Unfortunately, there are no coin-
operated laundry machines here—you have to send laundry out at very high
prices.
1 Ritz-Carlton Dr., Kapalua, HI 96761. & 800/262-8440 or 808/669-6200. Fax [phone]. www.ritz
carlton.com. 548 units. $380-$555 double; from $635 suite; from $875 Club Floor suite. Resort fee $15 for
use of fitness center, preferred tee times, Aloha Friday festivities, cultural history tours, self parking, toll-free
phone access, resort shuttle service, tennis, morning coffee at the Lobby Lounge, use of the 9-hole putting
green, and games of bocce ball on the lawn. Extra person $50 ($100 in Club Floor rooms). Children under 18
stay free in parent's room except on the Club Level, where kids 12 and under stay free and kids 13 and up
pay a $50 fee. Cribs and rollaway beds free. Wedding/honeymoon, golf, and other packages available. AE, DC,
DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $15, free self-parking. Amenities: 4 restaurants; 4 bars (including 1 serving drinks
and light fare on the sand); outdoor pool; access to the Kapalua Resort's 3 championship golf courses (each
w/its own pro shop) and its deluxe tennis complex; fitness room; spa; Jacuzzi; watersports equipment rental;
bike rental; children's program; game room; concierge; activities desk; car rental desk; business center; shop-
ping arcade; salon; room service; in-room and spa massage; babysitting; same-day laundry and dry cleaning;
concierge-level rooms (some of Hawaii's best, w/top-drawer service and amenities). In room:A/C, TV, data-
port, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
SOUTH MAUI
I recommend two booking agencies that rent a host of condominiums and
unique vacation homes in the Kihei/Wailea/Maalaea area: Kihei Maui Vacation
( & 800/541-6284 or 808/879-7581; www.kmvmaui.com) and Condominium
Rentals Hawaii ( & 800/367-5242 or 808/879-2778; www.crhmaui.com).
KIHEI
In addition to the choices below, also consider the Aston at the Maui Banyan
( & 800/92-ASTON or 808/875-0004; www.aston-hotels.com), a condo prop-
erty across the street from Kamaole Beach Park II. The one- to three-bedroom
units are very nicely done and feature full kitchens, air-conditioning, and
washer/dryers. Rates start at $150 for hotel rooms, $185 for one-bedroom units,
$250 for two bedrooms, and $395 for three bedrooms; be sure to ask about
packages.