The gorgeously impressive Honua Kai resort is the first new whole-ownership condominium resort to be built on Kaanapali Beach in more than 25 years. Its goal: to redefine the resort experience. And it has succeeded— stunningly. The Honua Kai achieves that by integrating all the services and amenities of a luxury resort hotel with spacious homes that blend indoor and outdoor living. The vision was to raise the bar, and set a new standard for resort living. Factor in its outstanding location on 38 acres on Kaanapali Beach, along with numerous pools (even some with aqua loungers), and you can see why honeymooners, families and business people are thrilled about Honua Kai.

If that doesn’t convince you how remarkable this property is, just talk to the concierges. Kimmy Carter, one of the concierges, is so good at her job that she is featured on TripAdvisor.com, where satisfied travelers have regaled her. Kimmy told us how the Honua Kai is dedicated to serving its clientele, no matter what it takes. For example, she once was asked by a gentleman if she could set up his wedding proposal, complete with a helicopter ride to Tedeschi winery. “He still contacts me,” says Kimmy, “ and he wasn’t even a guest of the hotel!” The man had simply been put in touch with the concierge at the Honua Kai through one of its VIP guests.

The Room at the Top

If you want the utmost luxury, then consider the lush Kamehameha Suite on the sixth floor, featuring nearly 6,000 square feet that includes a wraparound lanai featuring gas grills, comfortable seating, 3½ baths and three bedrooms. Beautiful features of this room include dual showers in the master bathroom, a soaking tub, his-and-hers sinks, marble floors, king-size beds, high thread-count bedding, speaker systems throughout all the rooms, and the unit’s own personal water heater. It’s truly fit for a king.

Other lovely options include #403, a three-bedroom, three-bath oceanview unit with about 2,200 square feet. It features a walk-in-closet, all granite kitchen, wine refrigerator, convection oven and gas grill. This unit, like all of the rooms in the Honua Kai, features 37-inch flat-screen TVs in the bedroom, and 42-inch flat-screens in the living rooms.

We were in a two-bedroom suite that tastefully offered all the comforts of home: washer and dryer, flat-screen TVs, a Kohler tub and separate showers, complimentary local telephone service, and little touches such as dishwashing liquid and dishwasher powder provided by the local Hawaiian Soap Factory (which is dedicated to sustaining Hawaii’s pristine environment and conserving its resources). There was also a welcome basket of goodies, which management provides to all guests (not just us). In the kitchen we found complimentary coffee and coffeemaker, as well as Bosch stainless-steel appliances including a refrigerator, range, microwave, dishwasher, and granite countertops there as well as in the bathroom. And there are other touches such as crown molding in the living and dining areas, tile flooring, wood cabinetry, and spacious, fully furnished lanais.

From the moment you walk into the Honua Kai’s Hokulani Tower, you immediately know that you’re somewhere special. The grand lobby features a formal porte cochere and a magnificent lobby with beautiful ocean views. Inside, you’ll also find custom artwork created especially for the property by local Maui artists. Then you’ll find all the amenities you expect from a world-class resort including underground parking, complimentary valet parking (we loved that feature), full-service concierge, and daily housekeeping.

Special Services

Brand new to the Honua Kai is the new Konea building, the second of two towers that will offer an additional 310 guest suites and a network of new swimming pools.

On the first floor lives the Aina Gourmet Market, located right off the lobby. Inside, you’ll find gourmet sandwiches galore, as well as a charming array of groceries— everything from Kashi cereal to organic wines and Kula strawberries. The market practices what it calls “the 100-mile lifestyle,” meaning that it aims to proffer provisions located with 100 miles of the property. And when it can’t, it strives for natural and sustainable products.

Aina Market also features breakfast, sandwiches, wraps and smoothies. All the culinary specialties were created by local celebrity chef James McDonald, who operates several restaurants on Maui. Whoever in management thought up the idea of including a gourmet market has created a sure-fire winner. There’s also an in-suite dining menu featuring fresh ingredients from McDonald’s O’o Farm including organically grown produce, as well as local organic meat and island fish. With all resorts nowadays wishing to add more value to their properties, we can confidently say that the Aina Market is an unexpected delight. The market itself was even built from sustainable materials and trees that had already fallen. There is eucalyptus-wood flooring, a coffee station made from a 100-year-old pine, and countertops created with leftover granite.

The property also features not just one, but two fitness centers; a family Fun Club offering oceans of activities for children and private function rooms that are ideal for business meetings and rehearsal dinners. For reservations and information, call the Resort directly at 888-718-5789, or visit HonuaKaiMaui.com

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William & Debbi Kickham

Debbi K. Kickham is a professional travel journalist and veteran member of the Society of American Travel Writers, www.satw.org. She is also former Editor of Robb Report Magazine ' 'The Millionaire's Magazine,' www.robbreport.com Debbi is also former Contributing Editor to Bridal Guide Magazine, for the Travel Section. She recenty wrote her third book, a diet/beauty travel book, entitled The Gl...(Read More)