Montage Kapalua Bay will celebrate art and artisanship in many forms and provide access to the best of Maui.
There’s been a heavy buzz around the recent opening of Andaz Maui at Wailea and news that Montage Hotels & Resorts will be taking over The Residences at Kapalua Bay, but that doesn’t mean advisors should forget about some long-time family favorites in Maui.
And what says family luxury more than children’s spa treatments?
To cement its place as one of Hawaii’s best family resorts, the Four Seasons Resort Maui offers poolside spa treatments for children age 12 and younger. Some popular offerings for junior A-listers include the “Opihi Head and Shoulder,” a soothing scalp and shoulder massage using herbal oils that is sure to calm the tiniest of souls, and Hawaiian Honu Tootsies, a gentle foot massage performed with a cocoa butter sea turtle.
Note: The spa at Four Seasons Resort Maui will customize wedding spa experiences as requested. Some examples include transforming the banquet room for a Day of Wellness; new offerings, perfume blending, meditation, nutrition and wellness, yoga, and more. Tip: The resort also customizes spa experiences for both corporate and group travel as well.
Tip: To play it safe, book all treatments for VIPs roughly 72 hours before their arrival.
The recently renovated spa at Four Seasons Resort Maui has 16 treatment rooms including couples treatment accommodations, both inside spa and Oceanside Hales. The spa also provides In-Ocean specialty services. (13 spa & three Oceanside Hales). The most requested treatment is the Lomi Mohala, a 50-minute treatment that includes the resort’s signature lomi lomi Hawaiian massage, which utilizes rhythmic forearm strokes, allowing VIPs to experience the expansive feeling of mohala (opening).
Luxury travel advisors can contact Pat Makozak ([email protected]; 808-874-2925), senior spa director, for advice on bookings.
Where to stay? The Ocean-View Room and Ocean-View Prime Rooms tend to go first here. The best suites, however, are the Maile Suite, the Elite Oceanfront Suite, the Lokelani Accessible Suite and the Club Floor Oceanfront Prime Suite. Note: Accommodations do not come with private butler service, but that can be arranged by concierge.
The Kahului Airport is located roughly 30 minutes away. Note: Private transfers can be arranged through the concierge.
Turtle Bay Resort’s newly renovated accommodations reflect island culture.
As far as dining goes, tell VIPs about the Ultimate Romantic Dinner, in which guests enjoy an intimate dinner for two. The tables are privately partitioned along the property’s edge, overlooking the beach and the Pacific Ocean. VIPs will be nestled at a private table just above Wailea Beach, savoring a five-course meal created especially for them by the resort’s award-winning chefs. VIPs get their own personal server who will attend to their every need as they take in stunning views of a Maui sunset.
Four Seasons Resort Maui also offers a trio of distinctive boutiques. Ports, Cabana and 22 Knots—designed and managed by Seaside Luxe—offer an array of retail merchandise from exclusive logo wear to world-class designer collections. Tip: Tell art lovers about the Artists’ Showcase, Maui’s most exquisite open air gallery, with its array of media—from wood sculpture to basket weaving.
Over-the-top Service: Four Seasons Resort Maui recently arranged a sunset sail for a VIP who wanted to propose to his fiancée. Concierges made the reservation for them and also secured a professional photographer to be on board and “act” like he was part of the crew. It was coordinated to make sure he would be ready to take their photo as soon as the VIP dropped to one knee to capture her reaction. He finished the evening by taking several shots of the happy couple and they were able to order prints for all of their friends and family.
Advisors should reach out to Sam Wilhelm ([email protected]; 808-874-2279), chief concierge.
Meanwhile the Island of Hawaii, a long-time favorite among VIP families, is looking to get a little better before the end of the year.
The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows is working with well-known design consultant for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries, WATG/Wimberly Interiors, on a hotel renovation scheduled for completion by the end of 2013. The vision is to restore Mauna Lani Bay to its original glory in a style of understated Hawaiian elegance.
The Skinny: The bungalows are currently being extensively renovated and the new look will be completed in December. Award-winning Hawaii interior designer, Gina Willman, created a “Hawaiian home away from home” feel. Note: Two of the bungalows are set in cool blues, turquoise and aqua drawing inspiration from the crystal blue Pacific. The remaining three bungalows are decked out in rich, warm tones of burnt orange and yellow inspired by the sunsets that the Kohala Coast is famous for.
The private outdoor Jacuzzi and heated swimming pool create a laid-back setting for socializing or quiet enjoyment. Each bungalow bedroom will feature a romantic four-poster bed. Nice Touch: The headboards will showcase a custom carving of the Hawaiian flower that each bungalow is named after: Orchid, Bird of Paradise, Hibiscus, Plumeria and Heliconia.
The two master bathrooms each include a private tropical garden with a rain shower, stand-alone tub and washlet.
Advisors should contact Director of Sales Marc Nasser ([email protected]; 808-881-7034) with queries.
If VIPS are looking for something fresh on Oahu instead, Turtle Bay Resort on the destination’s North Shore will be completing a multi-million dollar renovation by the fall. All 410 main building guest rooms and hallways have been upgraded with a redesign of fixtures, furnishings, bedding and décor, as well as completely remodeled bathrooms with touches like new tiles, vanities, and walk-in showers.
The new North Shore Kula Grille and Pa‘akai restaurants keep pace with palate hungry for Hawaiian flavors. Tip: At either restaurant, recommend the Kauai shrimp, Kona lobster salad and short rib Hawaiian beef hot pot. Nice Touch: The chef will even prepare and serve fresh poke (cubed ahi seasoned with soy sauce and other ingredients) tableside.
The hotel also opened the new, 11,000- square-foot Nalu Kinetic Spa. It has a movement studio; a fitness center with expansive ocean views; an array of innovative and traditional treatments, and organic products.
Direct any questions to Director of Leisure Sales Bambi Bryant (bbryant@turtle
bayresort.com; 310-313-9900).
Advisors should also be on the lookout for Montage Kapalua Bay, which represents Montage Hotels & Resorts’ first venture into the Hawaii market.
The Maui resort, presently operated as The Residences at Kapalua Bay, is undergoing a multimillion-dollar improvement, scheduled for completion in early 2014, with plans that include 56 Montage-branded residences offered for sale and the introduction of a 50-room all-suite Montage hotel.
The resort is well-suited for families as it is an all-suite property with two four-bedroom suites. Hint: Select one-bedroom suites may be available once the renovation is complete. Note: Montage’s signature children’s program, Paintbox, will be available in early 2014, offering daily programming options for children.
Montage Kapalua Bay will join the collection’s current hotels and residences: Montage Laguna Beach, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013, Montage Beverly Hills, and Montage Deer Valley in Park City, UT.
Note: Montage Hotels & Resorts has assumed management of the property, but while the improvement program is being completed it will continue to operate as The Residences at Kapalua Bay on an interim basis.
Advisors should get in touch with David Hoffman ([email protected]; 808-662-6500), hotel manager for the Montage Beverly Hills, who is spearheading the task force team in Maui.
ADVISOR INSIGHT:
“Only 45 minutes by ferry from Maui or a short plane ride from Oahu, Lanai, known as Hawaii’s ‘private island,’ is a great alternative or addition to the other more frequented Hawaiian Islands,” says Austin Abram of In the Know Experiences, based in New York. “Both Four Seasons Resorts there (Four Seasons Lana’i at Manele Bay and Four Seasons Lana’i The Lodge at Koele) can be paired seamlessly, each offering a unique, authentic experience. While at Manele Bay, guests can enjoy the beautiful beach, with an array of activities such as stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling. Alternatively, The Lodge at Koele provides world-class golf and an authentic Hawaiian cowboy experience.”