The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua ranked No. 1 on Maui in 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua has been recognized as the No. 1 Resort on Maui in the prestigious 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, earning the highest ranking among Maui resorts and securing the No. 2 spot among all Hawai‘i resorts.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards are among the travel industry’s most respected honors, reflecting the experiences and opinions of hundreds of thousands of travelers worldwide. “This recognition highlights The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua’s commitment to delivering exceptional service, authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences, and unparalleled luxury,” resort management said.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized as the No. 1 resort on Maui by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler,” said Melissa Lee, Hotel Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our Ladies and Gentlemen, whose passion for creating meaningful guest experiences brings the spirit of aloha to life every day. We are grateful to our guests for their continued trust and support.”

Set across 54 oceanfront acres in Kapalua, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua offers a distinctive blend of luxury, culture and connection to place. According to the resort, guests can enjoy more than 70 weekly immersive experiences designed to deepen their understanding of Maui’s unique natural environment, including fitness hikes, lei poʻo workshops and stargazing sessions to sushi-making classes and guided eco-tours led by Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment.

Beyond the resort experience, The Ritz-Carlton Maui proudly serves as a gathering place for both visitors and residents through a calendar of festivals and community events, including Celebration of the Arts, Whale Tales, the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, the Maui Songwriters Festival, and the Maui Jazz & Blues Festival. “Together, these signature experiences showcase the best of Maui through music, food, culture, and storytelling, creating unforgettable memories and fostering meaningful connections to the island and its people,” according to the announcement.

The resort has further strengthened its connection to the community through initiatives including the Kapalua Concert Series, Kapalua Wine & Chef Series, Artist-in-Residence Program, Aloha Friday Market, Sense of Place, and the intimate Chef’s Table experience. “These thoughtfully curated offerings create opportunities for guests to engage with musicians, artists, chefs and cultural practitioners while supporting the people, traditions and businesses that help make Maui so special,” according to the announcement.

In the 2026 rankings, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua was the highest-ranked Maui property, leading a strong showing by resorts across Maui Nui. The Hawai‘i rankings are as follows, with Maui County resorts highlighted:

1. Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina
2. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
3. Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
4. Fairmont Orchid Hawai‘i
5. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
6. The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay
7. Ko‘a Kea Resort on Poʻipū Beach
8. Koloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū, Autograph Collection
9. Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott Maui
10. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
11. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
12. Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi Resort & Spa
13. Hāna-Maui Resort
14. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
15. Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
16. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
17. Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi 
18. Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection
19. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
20. Royal Lahaina Resort

For information about The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/maui or follow on Instagram @ritzcarltonkapalua.