The Montage Kapalua is a gem among the luxury accommodations in Hawaii. I was fortunate enough to spend 2 wonderful nights at this property which gave me ample time to experience all it had to offer.
If you are looking for a luxury experience on Maui that is on par with the Four Season Wailea and Ritz Carlton Kapalua then this is the place.
After a fun ride into the Kapalua airport on Mokulele Airlines, which is a short 10-minute Uber away, I was ready to experience this multi-award-winning property.
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Unique Features
3 World Class Pools
A secluded spa pool, an adult infinity pool, and a child’s dream come true pool playground can all be found at the Montage Kapalua, read on for more information and pictures.
Spa Montage
Known among those who seek the highest level of service as the place to go when in Kapalua or just visiting Maui.
Cadillac Shuttle Service
I used the complementary Cadillac shuttle one time during my stay. When I asked there was nobody using it so I hopped right on and they took me to the nearby Honolua store, which is a short three-minute drive away.
They mentioned that every three years they get a new Cadillac for the property and sometimes they have vehicles available for guests and residents to actually drive and test out.
Booking
This is a luxury property and needs to be booked differently than most hotel properties around the world. I recommend booking this hotel with a Virtuoso travel agency for additional VIP perks and benefits. I use Classic Travel which allows me to book online or by phone.
Room
Upon arrival, I was delighted to hear that they upgraded me to an oceanfront 2-bedroom residence. They had the second bedroom locked off and unoccupied since I didn’t need it and this allowed me to have the upgraded view.
The residence is large, I mean, it’s huge. The hallways were wide and the furniture was not clumped together but tastefully laid out in a relaxed setting.
The kitchen had everything you could want for preparing a gourmet meal or just making a sandwich. Full oven, microwave, dishwasher, wine cabinet, and all the dishes you would need.
The refrigerator was a Sub-Zero with a filtered water dispenser, yeah!, and the center island with sink made this a very functional space.
A dining table that comfortably sat six and a living room that could easily fit another six people completed the main room layout.
The lanai was also very spacious with another table and seating for 10 people overlooking the pools and out towards the Pacific.
The bedroom was well appointed with a nice work desk, seating, and about 8-10 pillows (I lost count). A second TV is in this room as well as direct access to the lanai.
Bathroom
The double vanity and deep soaking tub were a big hit in the extra-large bathroom. With extra plush robes, a walk-in shower, and a separate toilet room what more could you ask for?
Fully stocked with plush towels and Gloss Moderne products.
Dining at Montage Kapalua
Cane & Canoe
I arrived for dinner at 5:45 which was a bit early in the day and meant the sun blinds were still down so try to book right at sunset or maybe just after for a better view.
All of my staff interactions were excellent and well-trained, it was evident that management runs a tight ship in this operation.
After taking my order they brought out taro bread and two sourdough rolls with Maui Honey, whipped butter, and olive oil. Taro bread was warm with a light taro flavor, only a hint of purple, and perfectly baked. A bit of butter covered in honey, mmmmm.
I then ordered the Montage Mai Tai, made with Appleton estate signature rum, Rhum JM, Rhum, creole shrub liqueur, orgeat, and lime. This drink was strong, as a Mai Tai should be but in this case maybe a bit too strong as the flavors were a bit overpowered by the rum. It went down smoothly but for the foo-foo drinkers out there, be forewarned.
For the main course I ordered the Kona Kanpachi and Kauai Shrimp, which came with hapa rice, green papaya salad, peanuts, and green coconut curry. The Kanpachi skin was nice and crispy, light and flaky on the inside, and prepared perfectly. The choi sum was soggy and overcooked, unfortunately. The Kauai shrimp was tender seasoned well and tasty, my second shrimp dish during my stay that was on point.
The hapa rice was sweet and did not mix well with the curry, the curry was light and maybe if it had a “meatier” taste it would have gone better with the dish.
I also ordered the charred broccolini at the same time as the fish but it never made it out, when I mentioned it to the server he said he never had it marked down and apologized. I will survive.
For dessert, I ordered Monet’s Pineapple upside-down cake, made with caramelized Maui gold pineapple, Ube ice cream, whipped cream, and biscotti crumble. The Ube ice cream was on point with a subtle flavor perfectly paired with the shortbread crumble. The heavy whipped cream with fruits was also fresh and light. The pineapple cake was almost like a bread pudding, tasty but just a bit too gooey for me.
The Hideaway
So I stopped at the Hideaway for dinner on the first night of my stay. When I walked in the bartender greeted me and we talked a little bit about tequilas. He pulled a couple out from behind the bar, a Don Julio and I Casamigo, and threw a couple milliliters in there for me to sip both of them. He let me pick the one that I preferred and I thought that this was an awesome touch of service.
I went with a Don Julio and he asked if I wanted an extra sweet with agave or a little bit more “lime forward”, this was the first time a bartender asked me this so yeah I was digging the service level from the get-go.
Off to a good start so we’ll see how the food is at the Hideaway.
So the margarita had a nice lime kick to it definitely lime forward, very very smooth, and presented very well. One of the better margaritas I have had although I think Hoku‘s at the Kahala Hotel still all performs. Of course that was a lemon margarita so maybe a win on a technicality.
Before the meal, they brought out some popcorn with furikake and some Mediterranean olives
Shrimp Cocktail Martini – The shrimps were not “shrimpy” at all, more like monster shrimps and the cocktail sauce had a nice heat to it. Nice and cold in an ice bucket, definitely the way you want your shrimp cocktail
Vietnamese Sticky Wings – The Vietnamese sticky wings were done perfectly compared to the ones I had at Morimoto Asia at the Alohilani which were a bit too salty. These are seasoned much better, lighter actually, and not over-sauced. I also like how the wings had a little bit of crispiness.
After eating the Vietnamese sticky wings, they brought out warm towels, like you would get in first class on an airplane, to wipe my hands and face, nice touch.
I wrapped things up with Ryan’s Kim Chee Ramen and this was truly the dish of the evening. The broth was dark and full of flavor, very rich and hearty. The fish cake, a favorite of mine, and boiled egg were perfectly matched with the slightly crispy braised pork belly. The highlight of the whole dish was the fresh noodles. I love Asian noodles and order them often, these were cooked perfectly and had a light flavor that just pulled the whole dish together.
Hana Hou Bar & Sunset Patio
I didn’t get a chance to dine here but I walked by several times and the staff was always busy getting pool orders and drinks for guests. Looked like a fun place to hang out when lounging at the pool.
Cliff House
I got to view the iconic spot from the grounds of the Montage Kapalua and also from along the Kapalua Coastal Trail. It’s available for private events and requires special handling, contact them direct for something unique.
Private Dining
Montage Kapalua Bay has launched a new program, “The Chef’s Table in Your Residence”, led by Chef Riko Bartolome. This initiative provides guests with private culinary experiences such as fine dining evenings with customizable degustation menus, live music, wine pairings, open bar, or heritage cooking classes for ages 12 and up. Chef Riko, an award-winning professional known for his Asian-fusion style, previously served as the executive chef at Montage Kapalua Bay and has over 30 years of culinary experience. He is also available to create tailored menus and experiences for any occasion within the comfort of guests’ in-residence kitchens.
Pools
Spa Montage Outdoor Pool (ages 16 years and older) – I saw this one during my stay when perusing the spa area but I think the expectation for a bit more privacy is expected here. It overlooks a landscaped garden area and is quite secluded, enjoy it if you can.
The Beach Club Infinity Pool – This is the top-level pool and it’s adults only. This level offers some great views of the ocean and includes lots of seating both nearby and in the pool itself. Never busy and offered a quiet area to lounge and relax.
Resort Pool (also known as Sunset Pool) – Whirlpools, waterfalls, bridges, and lots of landscaping make this one of the most beautiful resort pools I have come across in Hawaii. Chairs and cabanas everywhere and never a wait.
There is also another pool area that is kind of hidden from the main area, a bit nearer to Kapalua Bay.
Parking
There is no self-parking here, it is valet only at $45/Day
Spa
The Montage Spa is world-class and allows for a completely separate experience from the residences. Even if you are not staying here I recommend you indulge during your stay on Maui.
Tastefully designed with lots of wood and large open windows the reception area is more like the lobby of a hotel. Water features abound both inside and out making for a relaxing atmosphere.
The facilities were spotless with relaxation lounges and fully stocked locker rooms. I am in the upstairs relaxation room writing this part of the article actually. Drinking mango tea and trying to not fall asleep listening to the relaxing acoustic guitar music 🙂
Final Thoughts
As I stay at more luxury locations throughout Hawaii my eye for detail gets better and better. I can say without a doubt that the Montage Kapalua is world-class and deserves to be ranked among the best that Hawaii has to offer. If you have stayed here or have a residence let me know in the comments what your experience has been.
