Within the 23,000 acres that comprise the Kapalua Resort you'll find the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and the Kapalua Villas Maui (the former Kapalua Bay Hotel is now being torn down to be replaced by residences and fractional ownership condominiums). Both have access to the resort's Kapalua Beach, Oneloa Bay, and Fleming Beach and to three championship golf courses, one along the bay, another up and down the mountains and a third through what used to be pineapple fields.

Although there were originally 10 hard courts at the Village Tennis Center adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, only four of those remain playable (guests can use them at no charge but there is no pro shop or organized programs). Thus the real activity takes places at the Kapalua Tennis Garden, where Peter Burwash International offers a full suite of programs.

Overview

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua opened in 1992 on a hill overlooking Honokahua Bay and its white-sand beach. Atypically for Ritz-Carlton, which is usually drawn to European style, this 548-room hotel derives its architectural and decorative inspiration from the Hawaiian islands themselves. The interiors hint at elegant plantations, with wood and stone, an open, airy feel, and original art depicting scenes of Hawaii or Hawaiian history. And while Ritz-Carlton couldn't resist installing chandeliers, those in this hotel and their matching wall sconces have been designed to suggest foliage. All in all it is a happy departure from Ritz-Carlton's usual Old World decor. Completely renovated in 2007, it has now reopened and looks better than ever.

As an alternative, there are the Kapalua Villas Maui, a complex of 280 one-to-three-bedroom villas with views that vary from golf fairways to full ocean front. Meanwhile, Ritz-Carlton is building timeshares on the site of the former Kapalua Bay Hotel and so is Steve Case's Exclusive Resorts, a luxury residence club that Andre Agassi is helping to promote.

Tennis Features

Tennis Garden Pro Shop: 808-669-5677

The Tennis Garden is renowned as one of the most beautifully situated court complexes in the country. Its 10 hard courts spill down terraces in the side of a hill with views west across the former whaling anchorage called Lahaina Roads.

Tennis Staff. Peter Burwash International (PBI) pro Justin Work now heads up the program. A former University of Texas player, Work came to Maui after stints at the Four Seasons Resort Singapore and the Homestead in Virginia.
Tennis Programs. Conscientious game matching headlines a lengthy roster of tennis services and activities. Those include a Cardio drill session with music, a 4.0+ drill session, the typical stroke-of-the-day clinic, weekly free clinics for adults and juniors, and video lessons featuring Dartfish technology.
Courts & Fees. The Tennis Garden has 10 hard courts. Court fees: $14/person/day if you're staying at the resort, but waived if you participate in activities like the Stroke-of-the-Day clinic. Village Tennis near the Ritz-Carlton started with 10 courts, but only four had nets when last I visited, one had been converted to a basketball court, and there was no longer any tennis staff. So a guest of the Ritz-Carlton looking for organized programs, you'll have to head over to the Tennis Garden.
Caveat: Annual rainfall at Kapalua averages 70 inches a year—this part of the island wouldn't be so lush otherwise—but you can use those rainy days to visit Lahaina or the moonscape crater of 10,000-foot dormant volcano Mt. Haleakala.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about their Kapalua experience.

• "For our 40th anniversary I was given the choice by my wife of the U.S. Open or Hawaii - no brainer, Hawaii it was and Kapalua for various reasons, tennis being the main one. We played singles in the Kapalua Open at 3.5 and enjoyed the Stroke of the Day, drop-in doubles, an arranged mixed match and she did cardio tennis.
  The Open was a wonderful experience tenniswise and apres tennis as well. Shirts and a catered dinner with open bar were part of it. The staff at the tennis center were expert and professional in all aspects on the court and behind the counter. We stayed in an ocean front gold villa (perfect) and only used the kitchen to nuke leftovers from all the restaurants we visited. If you love tennis,scenery, food and atmosphere, go to Kapalua."—G.L., Int., September 2008

• "This resort has well-groomed courts among a paradise atmoshpere and is run by a friendly, professional, knowlegable and good looking staff! Justin Work and Christophe Torres run a great facility and offer enriching classses such Stroke of the Day and Cardio Tennis as well private lessons. My daughter was able to pick up a lot of tips from Jusin's private lesson and stroke of the day.
  The staff is very flexilbe, works with your vacation schedule and like all of the other PBI run facilities, it is first class all the way! It also has a great running route to take while your kids take lessons!"—A.W., Low Int., April 2008

• "Excellent instruction, availability, affability."—B.K., Adv., April 2008

• "Kapalua is a PBI tennis facility. The level of teaching is the best I've experienced. Solid pros and very nice staff."—T.S., Int., April 2008

• "We love Kapalua. The facilities and the staff are THE BEST!"—R.H., Int., April 2008

• "Absolutley wonderful tennis program. I discovered PBI pros last year and I've never had a bad experience. The Kapalua program and staff are top-notch and a real delight to work with. They make scheduling beyond easy and I felt like they really took their time with me and focused while we were on the court. I will always use their facility when I'm on Maui."—T.S., Int., April 2008

• "Since I hadn't "played" tennis since childhood, I was excited but also a little tentative about taking lessons - how badly was I going to embarrass myself?! But I was determined to get back into the sport and try to actually learn some skills this time.
  Over the course of 4 lessons, Justin and Christophe quickly taught me a progression of skills and techniques that I could build on in each subsequent lesson. They were patient, friendly, and super encouraging teachers. I had the best time learning from them. They created an environment that was instructional but comfortable and a ton of fun; my daily lesson was a great way to start the day! The shop was great too - I didn't have to pack a racket or shoes, they had everything I needed to get going.
  The Kapalua Tennis Garden will definitely be on the itinerary for my next vacation! An added plus...my friends can't believe I only had 4 lessons--Much mahalo Justin and Christophe!"—L.T., Beg., April 2008

• "This year was my 9th time at the Kapalua Tennis Garden. My husband and I go there each year for our birthdays so he can play golf everyday and I can play tennis. Kapalua Tennis Garden has a great program. In addition to the regular tennis program which includes Stroke of the Day and Cardio Tennis in the mornings, there are doubles mixers in the afternoons, and private lessons are available. The staff will also set you up for matches if you want that.
  The pros are absolutely the best. I always go away with my game much improved. Everyone on the staff is very helpful and friendly and by the time you leave, you feel as if you have made real friendships. I cannot say enough about this tennis resort."—B.M., Adv. Int., April 2008

Other Recreation

Beach. Four white-sand beaches fringe the resort property: Oneloa Bay, D.T. Fleming Beach, Honoloa Bay, and what many regard as one of the finest beaches in American, Kapalua Bay.

Golf Courses. The resort has 54 holes of golf, all accessible to guests of either hotel.

Plantation Course: This most demanding of the Kapalua courses was designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore to take advantage of the expansive vistas, sweeping slopes, deep valleys, and native vegetation. Difficult greens, breathtaking views, wind, and the occasional sight of whales breaching in Lahaina Roads to the west all add to the challenge. It now hosts the annual Kapalua International stop on the PGA Tour. Par: 73. Length: 5,627-7,263 yards.
Bay Course: This earliest of the Kapalua courses debuted in 1975. Arnold Palmer designed it, providing generous and forgiving greens as compensation for the distracting scenery. Par: 72. Length: 5,124-6,600 yards.
Village Course: Stands of Cook pines, which look like children's drawings of Christmas trees, border the perimeters of this course. In contrast to the Bay Course, Arnold Palmer designed this one to be more demanding, with six holes headed straight up the slopes of the West Maui Mountains and nine headed straight down. Par: 71. Length: 6,001-6,632 yards.

See Also

If you like the sound of the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, also check out:

• The Breakers, Florida
• Wailea Tennis Club, Hawaii

For something similar to the Kapalua Villas Maui, check out:

• The Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel, Hawaii
• Longboat Key Club and Resort, Florida
• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina

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Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

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Kapalua Villas Maui

Reservations:

• Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
  One Ritz-Carlton Dr.
  Kapalua, Maui, HI 96761
  808-669-6200
  Toll-free: 800-241-3333
  Fax: 808-669-1566
  Web Link: Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
  

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  Book Online: Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
  

• Kapalua Villas Maui
  500 Office Road
  Kapalua, Maui, HI 96761
  808-669-8088
  Toll-free: 800-545-0018
  Web Link: Kapalua Villas Maui
  

  NEW!

  Book Online: Kapalua Villas Maui
  

General Tourist Information. Visit the Maui Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 1727 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, HI 96793. Phone: 808-244-3530 or Fax: 808-244-1337. Or for information about Hawaii as a whole, visit the Hawaii Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 2270 Kalakaua Ave. #801, Honolulu, HI 96815. Phone: 808-923-1811 or Fax: 808-924-0290.

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