You will be greeted with lei's as soon as you arrive at the Ritz-Carlton resort. If you rent a vehicle you have a choice of parking your own car or you can take advantage of the valet parking which has a separate fee. If you plan on constantly using your rental like us, I recommend parking your own vehicle.

As soon as you step into the lobby at the Ritz you know you will be treated like royalty. The service is impeccable and it seemed as if every hotel employee knew who you were.

The resort has six dining options available to you. All six restaurants/cafes have something different for everyone. Here is a brief description of each option.

- The Banyon Tree has received a AAA four diamond award. Here they serve "contemorary Australian cuisine" and dinner reservations are recommended. The dress code is casual resort wear.

- The Terrace is well-known for their first class breakfast buffet. A casual lunch and dinner are also served here.

- The Beach House Bar & Grill is located on the ocean. Lunch is served daily and dinner is available seasonally.

- Kai is a first class sushi bar located just off of the lobby. Open for dinner only.

- The Lobby Lounge is located on a balcony over looking the Pacific. The menu features bar room favorites with a twist, and a extensive cocktail and cigar list is available.

- The Pool Bar & Cafe features sandwiches, salads and cocktails.

Let's talk about the Ritz-Carlton's beautiful rooms. We stayed in an ocean view room on the "Club Level". Our main room featured a king size bed, cocktail bar, a desk with chair, television, and a sliding glass door which lead to our lanai. The lanai featured two chairs with a table so you could relax with a drink and take in the beautiful views. Our bathroom was decorated in marble with a separate shower and tub, double vanities, hairdryer, makeup mirror, and luxury bathroom toiletries. Do yourself a favor and walk around in the soft terry cloth robes for a while.

The "Club Level" was great. In the "Club Room" they serve five complimentary "meals" each day. Every afternoon my wife and I went for complimentary drinks and small appetizers. I highly recommend staying on the "Club Level".

The Ritz-Carlton is truly a first class resort. If you can come up with the extra cash you will be highly rewarded with a "dream come true" experience.

The Ritz is in Kapalua on the former playground of the Hawaiian royals... a playground that includes the burial site of many ancient dignitaries. With this view, it’s easy to understand why the kings and their descendents wanted to linger here – forever.

When the Ritz broke ground for their hotel on Maui, they discovered the evidence of the sacred burial site and thus reconsidered their site plan. Originally intended to be distinctly "oceanfront," the Ritz now sits back from the sea just a bit. In order to utilize the beach, guests take a short walk or are happily driven in golf carts past the revered site (never through it! that is strictly verboten except to Hawaiian natives during authorized rituals), past the tennis center to the Beach House Restaurant and Ritz Carlton beach kiosk.

The beach is officially called the D.F. Fleming beach which is unofficially considered one of the best beaches on Maui. It, like all other beaches in Hawaii, is public, though a section of the beach is attended carefully by Ritz personnel. The kiosk stocks ice water, towels and lotions, and the helpful staff will set up your lounge chair, if you like. There are seaside showers and changing facilities along with the Beach House Restaurant where lunch is served until late afternoon along with the island’s best "lava flows."

The Ritz has an open policy with Kapalua which allows guests at the villas and homes to use the hotel facilities including the beach service, pools and spa. To truly feel pampered in the best spirit of "Aloha," poolside service at the Ritz is a must while visiting Kapalua. The multi-tiered pool, waterfalls, double whirlpools, covered and shelter cabanas, lunch and drink service, mid-afternoon complimentary pineapple chunks (fresh!!) and Evian spritzes are conducive to dreaming the day away. That is, if you aren’t tempted to take the challenge of the putting course or the croquet court adjacent to the pool area.

Friday is "Aloha Friday" in Kapalua as the Ritz invites local artisans and entertainers to spread culture and cheer. Other times, a full-time "cultural advisor" brings the unique aspects of native Hawaii to island hotel visitors. During our last visit to the Ritz, we participated in the Friday evening cultural entertainment. Native Hawaiians sang and "talked story" as kava was offered to help everyone get "mellow." Not that you need any help with that here!