Photo by Christina Cindrich
By Kerri Zane
For nearly 25 years Maui had been voted one of the world’s best islands. It boasts beautiful beaches, massive waves, picturesque waterfalls, stunning sunsets and a wonderfully winding road to explore with endless rainbows. There are lots of outdoorsy activities to fill your days and unlike some of the quieter islands in Hawaii there is a robust nightlife as well.
Photo by Christina Cindrich
DREAM
The stunning newly renovated Four Seasons Maui was my5-star luxury hotel ofchoice. It is one of those resorts that caters to your every desire…so be prepared. Your group may never want toleave the property. There are three Fine Diningrestaurants and two pools (one of which is adult-only with a swim up bar) with a stellar ocean view.
There are shops, and dailylocalartisandisplays. You can test your Hawaiian traditional skills by making flowercrowns or lei’sand taking hula lessons – ask forKapu’uwai, she was a very kind and patient instructor.There are also lots of water sport options including stand up paddle board, SUPyoga,and traditionaloutriggersto try. What they don’t offer on property, the concierge will arrange for you off property.
At night the lobby bar scene offers live music and it’s teeming withbeautiful guests. The Four Seasonshost a lot of weddings, soif you and your girlfriends are really diligent, youcan definitely find yourself a ceremony to crash.
DINE
Four Seasons dining options include Wolfgang Puck’sSpago, the poolside Ferraro’s and DUOSteak and Seafoodunder the direction of executive Chef CraigDryhurst.Dryhursta European transplant from the UK hastaken traditional Hawaiian dishes and given them his own fresh Brit twist for some great bursts of flavor. Try the Grilled Octopus.
Courtesy of Four Seasons Maui
The property also offers the FS Wellness Your Way program. Their special diet expert, Jolie Nolan, will provide detailed instructions to the staff for guests looking for assistance in navigating the restaurant menus. One of her favorite healthy dishes isthe Heart of Palm Ceviche. She will also work with the kitchen to design a meal planto specifically meet aguests’ culinary needsand dietary restrictions.
On Mauimany of the Chefs, Ranchers, Fishermen and Farmers are working together to create a foodie environment where island ingredients or “ono” flavors areacross the board afeatured attraction. One of the most unique places to experience this isO’oFarms.
Guests to the farm are given their menu description, then they’re led through the gardensfor a lesson in local growing. Visitors taste thegreens, fruits and veggies theypickand are all basketed.This is followed by a cooking demo at the wood fired ovenwhere everything each visitor put in their basket is prepared for their Al Fresco lunch. The farm has its own Coffee Mill and Roasteriewhere the beans grown on property are ground. Freshfruit-baseddesserts and the O’ocoffee round out the meal. It is a by-reservation-only farm-to-table coop collaboration and experience not to be missed.
DO
The Hawaiian Islands are rich with endless tropical beauty and the best way to get a bird’s eye view is on a Blue Hawaiian Helicopter ride. The company has been Hawaii’s air-tour leader for over 25 years and serves all four major Hawaiian Islands. Their birds offer panoramic glass for maximum visibility, a cockpit camera which records your ride,andsuper knowledgeable pilots who are entertaining throughout the flight. If you only do thisbucket list activity once in your life this is THE place.
ARoyalAli’iNui catamaran ride is another totally Hawaiian thing to do. You and your friends can set sail for a sunset dinner cruise like we did; try a snorkeling adventure with turtles; or go on a Whalewatching excursion.
For themost kitschycool day trip,pick up a DVD-guided drive of theRoad to Hana. Wegot ours at the lastgas station stop inPaia. The recording washilarious, while the gas is over the top expensive, it is the only gas station until you hit Hana.Take your time and make all the stops – it’s super fun. Be prepared because the road is very steep and windy and you could experience car sickness. We found a guy who entertained us with retired show parrots; took photos in the bamboo forest; and saw the painted eucalyptus trees. We stopped at Coconut Glen’s at mile marker 27.5 for some really tasty organic, vegan icecream..Bewareof the mosquitos though…while you’re tasting your sweet treat they’ll be nibbling theirs! YOU. We foundbeautiful mountain top vistas; loads of waterfalls including the infamous seven pools; fresh banana breadat Halfway to Hana; andthe most stunning black sand beach calledWapananapa.
