A Montage of Maui

It’s just after sunrise at Montage Kapalua Bay, and I’ve woken early to explore the Kapalua Coastal Trail, one of the most intimate and scenic oceanfront walks on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The early morning air is cool and fresh, the sky has that soft pale pink glow before the intense blue of a classic Hawaiian day kicks in, and I’m excited to see what lies ahead.

Within minutes, I’m in a scene straight out of a “Discovery Channel” travel documentary with rolling waves crashing against the jagged black rocks of Maui’s northern shoreline, and breathtaking views across to the neighboring island of Molokai.

Stretching an undemanding mile-and-a-half from start to finish, this beautiful hiking trail winds from Kapalua Bay Beach north along the ocean’s edge and across sand dunes at Oneloa Bay to the popular D.T. Fleming Beach Park, should you choose to go all the way.

With my camera in overdrive, and so many beautiful vistas to see and photograph, I only manage part of the walk before it’s time to return to the resort for a well-deserved breakfast and a couple of hours chilling poolside.

This lovely coastal trail is just one of many natural and resort-centric attractions at Montage Kapalua Bay, an exceptional resort and private residence retreat nestled beachside on Maui’s northwest coast, a short drive from the bustling township of Lahaina.

Comprising an all-suite hotel with 50 luxurious accommodations, alongside 54 spacious Montage- branded residences, this first-rate destination resort is the essence of modern Maui from its architecture and interior design to its culinary and spa offerings.

Fresh from a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, the new-look resort features a striking multi-tiered lagoon pool, the alluring Cane & Canoe signature restaurant, Spa Montage, and designer accommodations with spacious living rooms, private lanais and gourmet kitchens.

While the overall look and feel is Hawaiian contemporary, the resort’s neutral color palettes are accented with splashes of vibrant colors and vivacious floral tapestries to capture the natural beauty of Maui.

Created specifically for living rather than visiting, each of Montage’s private ocean view residences is a design masterwork, offering owners generous private lanais and expansive interior and exterior floor plans with options for three or four bedrooms.

The residences are sold unfurnished, but Montage partners with top local and national designers to offer three custom interiors packages, ranging from traditional island style to a more sophisticated and contemporary design aesthetic.

These exceptional residences offer the space and comfort of a private home with all of the services and amenities of Montage Kapalua Bay on the doorstep.

“Many of our buyers are initially guests at the resort, and are able to experience first-hand the personalized service and the access they will have to countless resort and local experiences. Once here, they never want to leave, so we help them make that a reality,” says director of sales Lisa Hatem.

“Our owners are looking for special gathering places and the open entertaining and cooking areas and expansive lanais create exactly that,” she adds.

“As families grow and visit more often, our homeowners love having the flexibility of access to the resort for those times when they need additional accommodations.”

Homeowners and resort guests can enjoy a diverse range of activities from Hawaiian-inspired treatments at the excellent Spa Montage, to in-residence private chef dining, golf at Kapalua championship courses, and rich cultural experiences such as the ancient art of lei making.

An array of more active pursuits is also on offer, including some of the best snorkeling in Maui just steps from the resort, paddle boarding in the calm bay, and hiking along the coastal trails.

If you want to be part of the Montage Kapalua Bay lifestyle, you might want to move quickly. As of early 2015, only a few private residences remain, priced from $3.4 million.

For more information, visit montageresidenceskapaluabay.com or montagehotels.com.

THE AGENDA

Rejuvenate mind, body and soul with a Sunset Restorative Yoga class at Montage Kapalua Bay’s lovely Kuunaakaiole (“The Point”), overlooking the ocean, coastline and beach of Kapalua Bay.

Enjoy sundowner cocktails and a relaxed dinner at the popular Merriman’s Kapalua, located on the south end of Kapalua Beach, the ideal spot for a fiery sunset. For reservations, merrimanshawaii.com

Montage Kapalua Bay is fortunate to have a guardian of Hawaiian culture in residence. Schedule some time with Silla Kaina, the resort’s fascinating Cultural Ambassador.

Image Credits: Photo courtesy of Montage Kapalua Bay.