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Nothing Motivates Like Maui

September 14, 2018

by: Brent Ritchie

Question:

Which is the best Hawaiian island for an incentive trip?

Answer:  

Maui! You’re welcome (Please tell me you got that reference).

Everyone wants a slice of paradise, and they’ll bust their tailends to get there.  And while each island in the archipelago is a gem, Maui is the crown jewel in the incentive treasure chest!  

No ke aha? (That means why in Hawaiian)  Because it is loaded with luxury resorts equipped to deliver the quintessential paradisiacal adventure your team has earned—picture-perfect pools, incredible dining, sumptuous suites, jaw-dropping beaches, and exciting group venues.  

Two special beach resort areas stand out—Wailea Beach and Ka’anapali Beach, and you can’t go wrong with either.

In the Wailea Beach area, luxury abounds with one amazing resort after another.  Found here on this pristine shoreline and world-famous beach (from South to North) is the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui; Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea; Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort; Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui; and the Andaz Maui at Wailea.  Each of these highly sought-after luxury resorts has everything needed to create some Maui magic! Camera in hand and toes in the sand, evenings offer one breathtaking sunset after another.

And beyond the resort amenities, nearby are the Shops at Wailea, a collection of stores, galleries, restaurants, and shopping for every need.  If golf is your thing, then the Wailea Golf Club with its championship Emerald, Gold, and Blue courses will challenge and inspire with views of the ocean from almost every hole.  Explore neighboring Kihei which has many more fun restaurants, clubs, and shops. Wailea has a way of drawing you in until you’re vowing to return.

The Ka’anapali Beach Resort area is in West Maui and sits on one of the most exquisite stretches of beach in Hawaii (and that’s saying something).  The collection of resorts found here is also world-class and boasts some of the most beautiful properties to be found on any beach, anywhere in the world.  From South to North again, these include the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa; The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali; and the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa at Blackrock.  Just a few miles up the road is the stunning Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, and although not on Ka’anapali Beach, this resort has its own bewitching beach and deserves mention for its oceanfront elegance.  These four beautiful resorts are the full-package, with everything needed to host a successful group program. The abundant views and relaxing Hawaiian-vibe here will get you and all your attendees into their Hawaiian happy place as quickly as you can stroll down to the beach and feel the waves kiss your feet.  

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Top-rated golf awaits at the world-famous Plantation and Bay courses at Kapalua and the superb Ka’anapali Golf courses.  And BONUS—Lahaina is just nextdoor. This lively, picturesque town has everything you need from shopping and nightlife, to entertainment and awesome restaurants.

And as if the resorts, golf, and nearby towns weren’t enough, Maui has amazing activities, excursions, and tours to choose from.  Go out on a catamaran and snorkel in pristine waters with abundant fish, sea turtles, and beautiful coral. If you happen to be there between January and April, go whale watching since the world’s greatest concentration of majestic humpback whales makes the waters off of Maui their winter playground.  Or you could drive to the top of Haleakala, Maui’s highest peak and the world’s tallest dormant volcano, and watch the sunrise before riding bikes all the way down to the base. Maybe you would rather zipline, or hike to a waterfall (or 100 waterfalls), or drive the road to Hana, or take a scenic and thrilling helicopter ride over the island, or learn how to surf or stand up paddleboard.  And if it wore you out just reading about all that, maybe a relaxing day at the spa or beach should be first on your list.

Luau Time!  

No Hawaiian adventure would be complete without one.  The tiki torches are lit and a mouth-watering smell fills the air.  The Kalua Pig is cooking in the traditional underground oven called an imu and comes out slow-cooked, tender, full of flavor, and delicious!  And just as the pinks and golds fade from the sky and the sun dips below the horizon, the famed “green flash” of the Pacific ignites. As if on cue, the fire knives are lit and begin to spin.  Music, history, and dance combine. What trip to Hawaii would be complete without the hula?

And for heaven’s sake, don’t miss Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice.  Be sure to get the ice cream in the bottom, and then choose up to three of their delicious flavors.  Oh, and do yourself a favor by topping it off with a snowcap (sweetened condensed milk drizzled over the top).  Your tastebuds will thank you!

Now for the surprise!  Imagine your guests receiving a special invitation to come down to the pool or beach area to select their very own pair of high-end Maui Jim sunglasses with their amazing polarized lenses.  Maui Jim’s knowledgeable staff will be there to help each guest select from 18 different styles until the perfect pair is found. We’ve teamed up with Maui Jim for events around the globe, but doing so on Maui where the legend was born earns two thumbs-up AND a shake of the Shaka sign (That’s “hang loose” to the uninitiated).

You’ve got the sunglasses, now it’s time for the slippahs!  Olukai sandals—ultra luxury flip flops or Hawaiian Slippahs as they are called locally—are the finest island footwear you can sport.  What could possibly show more Aloha Spirit than gifting a pair to each of your guests? Once they have their Maui Jim sunglasses and OluKai slippahs, your guests will be ready to experience Maui in style!

Perfect resorts.  Perfect beaches.

Perfect everything right down to the slippahs on your carefree feet.  It’s easy for the Destinations team to create a WOW experience for your next incentive adventure because we know this place.  I have stayed at each of these resorts and have spent extensive time in each of these beach resort areas (I know.  My job is hard, but somebody’s gotta do it). The Aloha Spirit is calling your name…while dancing the hula and eating a shave ice.  Let us help you create the perfect Maui experience for your group incentive, meeting, or conference event.

Mahalo nui loa!