Maui Babymoon: Where We Stayed

Three weeks ago, Mike and I flew to Maui for our last trip "just the two of us."  Shortly after we found out we were expecting, we realized we hadn't gone on a real vacation in almost two years (when we went to Oahu).  We've had dreams of going to London, Cuba, and Central America, but since our time was limited (traveling in the winter before I can't fly anymore) and with the Zika risk, we decided on Hawaii as the perfect spot.  The weather was amazing (even though they were having a "cold snap" - hahaha), and we could choose to either relax or be active as much as we wanted. 

After we decided on a location, we started researching on what parts of the island to stay.  For the most part, we found six resort areas: Kapalua, Ka'anapali, Lahaina (all on the leeward - western - side of the island), Kihei, Wailea (on the southern beaches), and Paia (northern, at the start of the Road to Hana).  Needless to say, we were a little overwhelmed.  Luckily, some of our best friends had just planned their honeymoon with an amazing travel agent (I had no idea they still existed!!) and gave us her information.  With only a few weeks to plan, she gave us a ton of ideas, and we decided to split our time between the Kapalua and Wailea areas.  The island of Maui isn't too big (Kapalua and Wailea are just over an hour from one another), but with only one road to really get to any given place, it was nice to not have to drive too far to explore each part of the island while we stayed there.  Like when we were on Oahu, we wanted to drive every road on the island and really feel like we did everything (which we did!).

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua: We stayed our first five nights at the Ritz up in Kapalua.  One of our main goals of being on Maui was to play the Plantation Course (which we snuck in right before they closed for a 9-month renovation), and this allowed us to be right there and also play Kapalua's Bay Course.  I absolutely love how all of the hotels on the Hawaiian islands are so open and airy, especially the main lobbies and restaurants.  This one also had an awesome koi pond out front!

When we arrived in our room, we had the sweetest chocolate-covered surprise.  Way to my heart right there!  The Ritz also has a bunch of great restaurant options from a breakfast buffet with pool and ocean views to the cutest little coffee shop (with amazing brown butter donuts), to a beach bar with over-the-top shakes and delicious burgers.  There is definitely something for everyone.

If you're looking to leave the resort to eat, there are a few great options less than five minutes from the resort, in the Kapalua area.  We received some fantastic recommendations from our bartender at The Pour House on one of our first evenings.  Our favorite was definitely the Whale Watcher's happy hour at The Sea House.  What we found interesting is that happy hours on Maui start as early as 2pm, so we enjoyed their happy hour more as a late lunch and ordered almost one of everything (see photo below).  Other recommendations were received were: The Gazebo for breakfast, Kitchen 5315 for dinner, and Cane & Canoe for any meal of the day.

Now for Kapalua golf: it is absolutely unmatched.  Not only is the Plantation Course consistently the #1 golf course on all of Hawaii, there is also a PGA TOUR event played there each January, and it's ranked in the top 50 public golf courses in the country every year.  It was built on an old pineapple field and actually uses the same irrigation system that the farm once did.  You also have ocean views from every one of the 18 holes.

Plantation's sister course, Bay, does not have the same prestige as Plantation but was equally as beautiful.  We played it in 40 mph winds, during a crazy winter storm, but we had the best time.  Many of the views are equally as spectacular as Plantation, and I really liked the trickiness of the fairways and sloping greens.  At both golf courses, we received a discount for being resort guests - so that was definitely a bonus, too!

Fairmont Kea Lana: After our five nights in Kapalua, we headed south to the Wailea resort area.  All of the resorts are beautiful in Wailea, and honestly, we chose Fairmont because it was the least expensive option - haha!  Seriously, having a travel agent is amazing.  We arrived to an upgraded suite and the absolute sweetest babymoon package, complete with tons of snacks and an adorable gift for Baby Boy.  The patio outside was huge with a full ocean view, facing south, towards Makena Point. 

Another bonus of booking through a travel agent were the deals.  She got us free breakfast each morning at the Fairmont, and it was delicious.  If you ever go, make sure you get some of their signature pineapple coconut bread (more like pound cake!).

Between the two hotels, we liked the pools and outside dining better at the Fairmont.  Both were fantastic, but the pool complex at the Fairmont was bigger, had a water slide, and even a swim-up pool bar. 

We would absolutely stay at both places again and recommend them to all of you.  If you have any questions about where to stay in Maui, please let me know!