On the island of Hawaii, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and its Arnold Palmer–designed 18-hole golf course, sit along the shores of its namesake beach, Hapuna Bay. Though Hawaii’s Big Island may be the most popular tourist destination, this resort has a special draw: It features a 249-room hotel and a collection of one- to four-bedroom residences that range from 670 to 3,500 square feet. Guests opting out of a traditional resort stay in favor of the Mauna Kea Residences still get to enjoy every amenity available to hotel guests, including the 6,800-square-foot freeform pool, adult-only infinity pool, indulgent menus at the three restaurants (plus the Piko Coffee+Bar), fitness studio, and spa, to name a few. To appeal to locals, this hotel that’s part of the Marriott portfolio offers a special room rate to Hawaii residents. Rates start at $767/night.
From the Montage’s Deer Valley, Utah, lodge-inspired hotel atop a steep mountain to their picturesque locale in Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina, where Southern hospitality reigns, this brand’s line of sprawling resorts knows no bounds when it comes to luxury. Such is certainly the case at Montage Kapalua Bay. Most resorts tend to feel a bit grand, but the Montage’s Maui outpost has a more intimate vibe with its 50-plus residential-style lodgings (some of which are privately-owned Montage residences).
“Each apartment is huge,” says luxury travel advisor Cali Stein, a director at Four Hundred Advisor Network, of the Montage Kapalua Bay. “The three-bedroom product is perfect for families and even groups of friends. They are so spacious that you never have to even leave the apartment. But you should, because they have a beautiful and intimate luau with no more than six tables of guests. The dancers invite you up to dance with them for a really one-on-one experience.”
Though there are three restaurants and bars on-site, the Montage Kapalua Bay really excels at private dining: Guests are treated to an extravagant, personalized culinary experience with bespoke dishes and wine pairings. Rates start at $1,500/night.
