Experiencing Maui, ‘Bachelorette Style’

Maui got some terrific publicity last month when ABC’s dating reality show "The Bachelorette" spent three romantic days (and nights!) at several resorts around the island. If your clients were inspired by the episode, here’s how you can help them recreate the glamour and romance they watched Jillian, Kiptyn, Reid and Ed enjoy.

The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

For romance, it’s hard to beat Kaanapali Beach, and at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, many of the 508 rooms and suites face the Pacific and offer private lanais to bring guests right into the view. The Deluxe Ocean Front Rooms in Hale Moana (building 6) are the highest category of rooms before suites. Set on the back of the historic Pu‘u Keka‘a, or Black Rock, these quiet, private rooms feature views of the islands of Molokai and Lanai.

Two of the hotel’s Deluxe Ocean Front Suites were featured on the program. Room #5109, on top of Black Rock with a view of Kaanapali Beach, was featured in the date with Kiptyn. Room #6302, in building 6, is at the end of the hallways with a wrap-around lanai and an overhead view of the Black Rock promontory. The bedroom is separate from the living room. Both the suites have a living room area, two bathrooms, a wet bar and two flat-screen TVs. Connecting rooms are available.

The Spa at Black Rock features seven indoor treatment rooms, two outdoor treatment areas, three manicure and pedicure stations as well as an indoor/outdoor relaxation area. While it is advisable to book treatments in advance, guests can make reservations on arrival, or during their stay. The Signature Treatment at the Spa is the Pu‘u Keka‘a Stone Massage, which uses warm stones and all-natural Hawaiian essence oils. Contact Spa Director Rose Hiro (808-667-9577, [email protected]) to customize treatments.

For dining options, Teppan-yaki Dan offers ultra-fresh seafood and steak prepared inches away from your plate, and Black Rock Steak and Seafood offers indoor/outdoor dining (perfect for romantic sunsets) and buffets on select nights. For something more romantic, Dinner Under the Stars lets couples enjoy a three-course meal, served by a private butler, in seclusion. Guests can choose from three menus or create their own.

For those who were truly inspired by The Bachelorette and want to tie the knot at the Sheraton, the hotel has locations such as the Alii Lawn (where Jillian and Kiptyn had dinner), Black Rock Lawn, Moana Lawn, Ocean Lawn or the Coral Reef room for ceremonies.

Leisure Sales Manager Ryan Kirby ([email protected], 808-662-8027) serves as the travel agent liaison.

The Kapalua Villas

When Ed’s family came to meet Jillian, they stayed in the luxurious Kapalua Villas. These villas are ideal for families, offering one, two- and three-bedroom condominiums in scenic enclaves throughout the resort with fairway, partial-ocean and ocean views and oceanfront cate-gories. Ranging in size from 1,200 to 2,400 square feet, the Kapalua features private lanais, complete kitchens, washer/dryers and TVs with VCR-DVD players. The Gold Ocean Front Bay Villas Buildings #19–36 are the top picks, while the three-, four- and five-bedroom Ocean View Luxury Homes are ideal for larger groups. Private butler service can be arranged in any of the homes.

The new 30,000-square-foot spa is set on five oceanfront acres. It has 19 treatment rooms with 10 outdoor treatment hales (the most of any spa in the state), a yoga/flex studio with ocean views, fitness center, sauna, steam room, ice rain shower and a 75-foot infinity-edge saltwater pool. Popular treatments are the Awa & Cacao Lomi Wrap and the “Journey Through The Ocean” dual-therapist massage. Spa Director Crystal Poe-Cabatbat can be reached at 866-976-9280.

The resort features 12 restaurants, and we are told that Merriman’s Kapalua is famous for its Wok-Charred Ahi and for using locally grown produce. Guests are advised to book reservations at least three days in advance.

The resort has two championship golf courses: The Plantation course, a par-73, 7,411-yard links course designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore (and home to the SBS Championship) and the Bay Course, a par-72, 6,600-yard layout designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane. Kapalua has a 23-acre Golf Academy featuring private clinics to a three-day golf school.

Guests can also enjoy a Jillian-and-Kiptyn-style adventure course. The Kapalua Adventures Mountain Outpost has one of the largest scope zipline courses in North America, with eight dual-track ziplines, Hawaii’s longest suspension bridge, a comprehensive high-ropes challenge course, a four-station climbing tower and “Giant Swing.”

Contact Dina McCallion, director of sales ([email protected], 866-976-6138), or Darice Garcia, reservations manager ([email protected], 866-976-2580), with requests. Tom Selby, vice president of resort operations, can be reached at [email protected], or 866-976-6981.

Clients Can Live the Fantasy

For diehard fans of The Bachelorette, the Sheraton has a package that lets guests re-create the TV experience. Couples can spend three nights in a fantasy suite, take a private helicopter tour of Maui, a chartered ride for two on a catamaran, enjoy a Dinner Under the Stars and rent a luxury sedan. For the ultimate in romance, a diamond engagement ring is included. (Acceptance of the proposal, however, is not guaranteed.) This package is available for $19,500 and can be booked by calling 866-716-8109 and mentioning the rate code FANTASY, or by visiting www.sheraton-maui.com/fantasy.htm.