What’s new in marvellous Maui
With the holidays upon us and the new year just around the corner, here’s a wrap-up of the latest news and offerings in marvellous Maui…
NEW OFFERINGS
Introducing Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele, A Sensei Retreat
The new Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele, A Sensei Retreat has begun accepting reservations, with a focus exclusively on wellness retreats. The new adults-only, all-inclusive property offers a comprehensive and fully customizable program tailored to individual needs.
Four Seasons has partnered with Sensei, the well-being company founded by Larry Ellison and Dr David Agus, as well as Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, to create what it describes as “a new dining concept for an extraordinary level of wellness, luxury hospitality and dining expertise all under one roof in a location as private and beautiful as Lanai”.
Click here for more information.
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa announces multimillion-dollar lobby renovation
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is finishing the second phase of its property transformation with a multimillion-dollar renovation of its lobby.
Slated for completion in November, the renovated space will welcome guests with a new lobby bar and café, lounge, and reception area in an open-air setting, designed to bring the outdoors in, with an expansive lanai and viewing deck, offering panoramic views of Kaanapali Beach.
Renovations will also include a new family game room on the lower lobby level. The resort completed renovation work on its 508 guest rooms and suites in July 2018. For more information, click here.
Fairmont Kea Lani reimagines restaurant, ballroom and fitness centre
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui resort recently completed an extensive makeover of its breakfast restaurant, fitness centre, ballroom, and foyer.
The completely reimagined Kea Lani Restaurant offers guests a contemporary design, alfresco dining and innovative menu, featuring a farmers-market selection of produce and proteins, and an international menu of breakfast favourites with island flavours.
The resort’s brand-new fitness centre offers panoramic views and new equipment, including Peloton bikes, dynamic training areas and flexibility zones.
The transformation of the Kea Lani Ballroom and foyer embraces tropical tones to create an appealing backdrop for galas and signature events.
For more information, click here.
Tiki Bar & Grill at Kaanapali Beach Hotel introduces new menu items
Tiki Bar & Grill at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel recently introduced new additions to its menu, which now includes the Beyond Burger, bowl options and a variety of pupu, such as kalua pig nachos.
Gluten-free and vegetarian options were added to the menu to accommodate diners with dietary restrictions and an increased customer focus on eating healthy.
All food items at Tiki Grill are served in reusable baskets to reduce disposable-container waste.
In addition to an expanded wine list, Tiki Bar has also introduced a new selection of playful tropical cocktails, including a Mamaki Old Fashioned, and a menu of mocktails.
For more information, click here.
New menu and happy hour at Alaloa Lounge
The Alaloa Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua recently unveiled an entirely new menu concept and nightly happy hour, offering guests 50 per cent savings on a charcuterie plate and select bottles of wine, from 4pm to 5pm.
Highlights of the new menu include a nightly sushi feature from 5pm to 9pm, a build-your-own-entrée option, tiki-style deep-dish pizza and local favourites.
The lounge also hosts music nightly from 6pm to 9pm, alongside fire-pit lounge areas and ocean views.
For more information, click here.
New local-owned stores at Wailea Village
Wailea Village, a new dining and shopping destination in south Maui, recently welcomed three locally-owned businesses — Bikini Market, HUE Home + Design and Kohola Gallery — to its collection of shops.
At Bikini Market, Mariah Cortez aims to curate a fresh feel with her shop’s swimwear collection, bringing together local and mainstream designers. Friends Jessica McClellan and Wendy Takemoto offer luxury home furnishings, gift items and an extensive textile studio at HUE. And photographer Douglas Hoffman presents portraits of Maui’s marine life and landscapes at Kohola Gallery.
Wailea Village emphasises local, casual, creative, and artful offerings for visitors and residents. For more information, click here.
Spa Montage introduces refreshed fitness centre
Following an extensive renovation and equipment upgrade, Spa Montage Kapalua Bay resort recently reopened its fitness centre to guests.
New programming and equipment at the fitness centre include Technogym Strength and Cardio, Peloton and TRX 101 classes. Peloton offers on-demand classes that accommodates all levels.
Guests of the fitness centre can now also save their preferences to a personal user profile. The centre’s Technogym’s ARTIS line of cardio and strength equipment tracks performance utilising the MYWELLNESS cloud platform and offers an array of training. Daily access passes and personal training are also available.
For more information, click here.
Dine at Montage Kapalua Bay for the holidays
The Montage Kapalua Bay resort’s signature restaurant Cane & Canoe will celebrate the holiday season with special dinner menus, including a Christmas Eve Prix Fixe Dinner, Christmas Day Dinner Buffet and New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner.
Returning for the holiday season – 21 November to 1 December (excluding 23 November) and 19 to 29 December, the resort’s Champagne Hale at Cliff House pop-up bar and lounge will feature a new Champagne cocktail pairing with shaved ice.
For more information, click here.
Destination Residences Hawaii announces launch of #DestinationBucketList
Destination Residences Hawaii recently announced the launch of #DestinationBucketList, a series of what it describes as “highly curated, luxury experiences providing a true taste of Hawai‘i … featuring offerings designed to highlight what each island is best known for, from the wonders of nature to culinary and culture, outdoor adventure and water activities”.
The full-day, bucket-list adventures are available for guests of Destination Residences Hawaii properties on Maui and the Island of Hawai‘i, and include a Mauna Kea sunset experience, helicopter flight to wrangle cattle, and other experiences.
For more information, click here.
Aqua-Aston Hospitality sponsors The Green Room speaker series
Aqua-Aston Hospitality recently announced its sponsorship of The Green Room, a new speaker series presented by Maui-based arts and ecology organisation The Merwin Conservancy.
The Green Room is aimed at fostering a reverence for language, imagination and nature with a series of arts and ecology salons in Hawai‘i. Speakers for the series include renowned Hawaiian scholar Dr Pualani Kanakaole Kanahele and former US poets Laureate Robert Hass and Forrest Gander.
Engagements in the series will be held on 11 December, 28 January and 18 March at the Honolulu Museum of Art on Oahu; and 13 December, 30 January and 20 March at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center on Maui.
For more information, click here and here.
SPORTS
Maui Golf Adventure with Matt Ginella
Golfers are invited to join Matt Ginella, host of Golf Channel’s Golf Advisor Round Trip series, for a golf adventure on Maui, set for 1 to 7 December.
Participants will experience five rounds of golf at the Wailea Golf Club, Kaanapali Golf Courses and Kapalua Resort, as well as their choice of accommodations at one of three Kaanapali resorts and the Fairmont Kea Lani resort in Wailea, plus special activities hosted by Ginella.
For more information on registering, and a peek at Ginella’s recent visit to Maui, click here.
AWARDS
Hoolei Villas at Grand Wailea named top resort in Hawai‘i
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards recently recognised Hoolei Villas at Grand Wailea and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort among its top resort destinations.
Hoolei Villas was ranked the number one resort in the Hawaiian Islands and number five in the US. Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort was also recognised in the top resorts category as the eighth best in Hawai‘i.
A record 600,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers cast votes for more than 10,000 hotels, resorts and hotels, among other categories, in 2019 Readers’ Choice polling to identify the best travel experiences in the world.
For more information, click here.
Redline Rafting voted among top 10 experiences in the US
Locally-owned Redline Rafting was recently ranked among the top 10 experiences in the US by reviewers on TripAdvisor in the travel website’s 2019 Travelers’ Choice Experiences Awards, after receiving five-stars on more than 97 per cent of its reviews.
Redline provides eco-conscious snorkelling adventures at Molokini volcanic crater, and on the coast of south Maui, focuses on education and ecologically responsible and marine-life friendly practices.
According to the company, its red zodiacs “are usually the first commercial boats to Molokini crater and, with a maximum of 24 people, offers a very intimate experience”. Redline Rafting also provides its guests with complimentary reef-safe sunscreen and wetsuits.
For more information, click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Alii Nui Thanksgiving Dinner Sail (21 November)
- Maui’s Thanksgiving Day Paddle For Hunger (28 November)
- Holiday Express Train Ride, Sugar Cane Train Lahaina (29 November to 31 December at 6pm and 7:30pm).
- Annual Tree Lighting at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (1 December December from 5pm to 8pm).
- Tree Lighting Ceremony at Fairmont Kea Lani (5 December from 5:30pm to 6:30pm).
- Kapalua Wellness Retreat (6 to 9 December).
- 21st Annual Lighting of the Banyan Tree (7 December).
- Santa Arrival by Outrigger Canoe at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, at Wailea Beach (24 December from 7am to 10am).
- Alii Nui New Year’s Eve Fireworks Sail (31 December).
- Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Golf (1 to 5 January).
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Aloha Down Under Aloha Friday wrap hawaii MauiLatest News
P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu
P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]
Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan
Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]
Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role
Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]
Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]
Government urges Aussies to ‘reconsider’ plans to visit Noumea as New Caledonia death toll hits five
The government has updated its advice for Aussies who may be considering New Caledonia during this time.
Situation ‘dire’ for Air Vanuatu as rival carriers look to swoop on flailing airline
Like a bird with no wings, Air Vanuatu is grounded as its only Boeing 737 heads to Melbourne after being repossessed.
Vivid Sydney will light up the Harbour City’s food scene
Local and international culinary stars will descend on Sydney for Vivid Food. Post-event hangovers a given...
Experience Co appoints Matthew Vince as the new interim head of marketing
We are still trying to confirm whether it is Matthew himself in the lead image, will report back.
Hotel Review: Atlantis The Palm – Luxury for the whole family
Of course ever parent knows the real luxury experiences come when you find a way to leave the kids somewhere.
Bridgerton is back! Live the REAL Colin & Penelope experience
The real Penelope experience would be falling in love with someone who doesn't love you back but that's hard to market.
Sailing the Sun: Six nights aboard Princess’ first Sphere Class ship
Cruising has always been extravagant and the Sun is no different, apart from riff raff like us being let on board.
Australian tourists are big spenders globally on experiences and nightlife, Mastercard report finds
Aussies do their bit for the global economy by propping up bars across the world. It's a proud day for us all.
Sydney confirms position as Australia’s No. 1 business events host
Surprise surprise... Sydney Harbour and the Opera House come up trumps. Can you tell we live here?
Luke Mangan launches Bistrot Bisou, in Hotel Indigo, his first Melbourne restaurant in over a decade
The news means we're due a trip to Melbourne, but we'll wait for winter to past first!
Surf magazine Tracks hunt for grommets to launch Airb’n’b-style platform for surfers
Three young surfers on an all expenses paid surf trip on the Aussie coast.... What could go wrong?
Luxury cruise ship Paspaley Pearl by Ponant has appointed a new team of industry experts
Paspaley Pearl by Ponant will offer a gem of a cruise, as the new team shows by their pearly whites.
Memphis Tourism brings blues to Sydney as it adds Jack Daniels to sponsor roster
Memphis Tourism would win the award for coolest sponsor if there was one. But there isn't.
Jetstar and Qantas perception ratings soar following Bonza’s implosion
Forget what your mum told you, you can make yourself look better by making others look bad.
Train over Plane – Journey Beyond releases The Overland’s 2025 season
Clickety-clack, more than a century on track. Unlike the Overland, our poetry is not in demand.
AmaWaterways launches Australian operations at Sydney office with panoramic Harbour views
You should click on this article for the content but it's also okay if you just want to see someone cut a ribbon.
Travel insurance expert’s top 3 tips for Aussies stranded in New Caledonia amid riots
Despite appearances, being stranded in a luxury resort isn't all milk and honey.
Perfect Somewheres: Hotels.com celebrates best-in-class venues for guest experiences
Surprisingly, no hotels with bed bugs were represented in the top 1% of top hotels.
Airports boss says $1.7 billion Budget innovation fund will “kickstart” domestic manufacture of sustainable aviation fuel
Time to start saving up your waste - Australia is about to become a hub of biofuel innovation!
Apparent launches ‘All heart, no hassle’ campaign for Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller
Despite appearances, even the most severe-looking businessperson wants heart in their travel.
Indaba 2024: Losing out on memory, South Africa Tourism hands its fate to children
South Africa Tourism's chief marketing officer reminds us all we were once joyful children and not grumpy adults.
ACA & CLIA join forces ahead of Australian Tourism Exchange
Watch your back Kyle and Jackie 'O' - a new power couple is in town.
South Africa eyes affordable tourism to grow market
In an unlikely move, South African Tourism is actually encouraging young people to travel MORE.
ATIA applauds government’s fast-track passport announcement
Excellent news if you've ever experienced the sheer horror of realising you don't have a functioning passport.
DayAway names Aussie partners for luxury community based membership
Tired of dining with the riff raff? Get yourself a DayAway membership and slip into a life of luxury.
Silversea expands Nova Class with Silver Ray
Be prepared - this article has more silver than your local jewellers!
Tourism Tasmania CEO says a trip to Tassie could cure your Aurora Australis FOMO
With images like these - you're bound to regret being asleep during Australia's version of the northern lights.
Flight searches to Ho Chi Minh City skyrocket by 246% as city strengthens ties to Oz
We aren't endorsing ditching your work to look at flights to Ho Chi Minh but we're also not not endorsing it.
On Location: Rejoice! It’s Your Daily Wrap Of Africa’s Travel Indaba
Spare a moment to think about the cleaner who had to pick up all the confetti after this one kicked off.
Lack of budget spend will hit international visitor recovery, says Australian Tourism Industry Council
We've done the monotonous trawl through budget reports so you don't have to. You can thank us later!
On Location: Expedia CEO assures AI will not replace human roles, announces AI text assistant
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless its announced at a big conference, then it'll probably be reported.
VietJet walks away from Bonza investment, administrators look to maximise chance of survival
VietJet's making big plays in Australia but is drawing the line at buying a defunct airline.