On Location: Montage Residences Kapalua Bay, Maui, Hawaii
By Camilla McLaughlin
No matter where you live, a trip to Maui is never short, but it only takes seconds after arriving at the Montage Residences Kapalua Bay to know the effort is more than worthwhile. Guests are greeted with a lei and refreshing pineapple, the staff pretty much takes over, and a sense of relaxation begins to take hold almost immediately. Lisa Hatem, the broker handling the residences, says the resort is really all about the experience and often visitors will confide that “they haven’t seen their partner so relaxed.”
Talk to those who know the land here and they will tell you the feeling is rooted to the spirit of the place. Kapalua Bay was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty and the setting is remarkable, even for Hawaii. Nestled in one of Hawaii’s largest nature preserves, the 22-acre property occupies a peninsula where waves break along black jagged lava rocks on one side and one of the best beaches in the country curves around the protected waters of Kapalua Bay — ideal for paddle boarding and snorkeling — on the other.
The resort is comprised of 50 luxury suites and 84 oceanfront private residences. The three- and four-bedroom residences combine the Hawaiian aesthetic with a contemporary feeling. They are gracious, comfortable, and beautifully designed. Deep lanais extend the living outdoors, opening to a tropical panorama of sea, sky, and green with the island of Molokai in the distance. The ocean is close enough for the surf to lull you to sleep at night.
A three-tier, lagoon-style pool surrounded by gardens and overlooking the ocean sits in the center of the resort. Cane & Canoe is the signature restaurant, and, along with the Sunset Patio, it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset. There is so much to do at this resort — from learning about Hawaiian heritage to yoga on the lawn — but it is the Montage’s exceptional, genuine, and intuitively flawless service that takes it to the next level. For example, a call to room service and a question about wine immediately connects you to the sommelier.
Silla Kaina, Montage’s cultural advisor, is on hand to explain the Aloha spirit and talk about the history of the location. She says, “You come to Montage as a guest but you leave as family.” And it’s true.
A limited number of residences are still available, and prices begin just under $4 million.
