Looking for a spectacular vacation or honeymoon destination that offers relaxation, luxury, amazing food and beverage, and a touch of adventure? Look no further than Maui, Hawaii!

My family recently took a long overdue and much needed vacation that allowed us time to unplug, unwind, and really enjoy one another. When searching for a destination, we could have gone anywhere. However, after several years of pandemic limitations, we wanted to stay in the country and keep the experience domestic. It was important to us that we reinvigorated an American economy and Hawaii was just what we were looking for! Having been to Oahu (where my husband is from) we decided to venture off and visit Maui.

We selected the Montage Kapalua Bay as our host hotel. This stunning, sprawling property offers beautiful views, an intimate beach setting, and multiple pools. We chose a 3 bedroom villa residence, which allowed the kids to have their own rooms and bathroom. With an enormous lanai that overlooked the ocean, we also had a tremendous kitchen and seating area. A residence with a kitchen is a great option for a honeymoon because it allows you to stock the fridge with your favorite beverage and snacks for those lazy days when you don’t even want to answer the door for room service! The concierge arranged for a local service to grocery shop for us in advance, and when we check in the space was stocked with iced Starbucks (a must on a resort without one!) plus bottled water, protein snack bars, fruits, and a mix of foods we were able to use for grab and go mornings when we were booked for tours!

The island was busy with an influx of guests form the mainland. To guarantee availability, we booked our reservations for the most popular restaurants such as Cane and Canoe, Lahaina Grill, and Plantation House. The food and service was sensational, which says a lot coming from people who have spent the last 20+ years in Las Vegas food and beverage outlets. We took the car to the Ritz Carlton not once, but twice to eat at Burger Shack, and even booked a private cabana on their beach. It’s been a month and I am still thinking about their fish tacos, and my kids have never quite recovered from their ice cream shakes! No, we didn’t hit Mama’s Fish House, but we did go to Paia Fish House which was insane! Thank you to DJ Russ Powell for the recommendation!

But of all the food we ate, the biggest stand out was from a small little spot during our Road to Hana tour. Sam and Dylan of Radiant Maui told us that this was going to be one of the best pizzas we had ever had. As an Italian from New York I was suspect, but they delivered! The crust was chewy without being too sweet, the sauce was perfect, and the mixes of meats and cheeses walked the line between traditional and inventive. And before you ask….NO! We did not have pineapple on our pizza! (Blasphemy!)

Our children are adventurers who love the ocean, but I knew that they would get bored after 3 or 4 days of just sitting on the beach. Radiant Maui helped us design a Road to Hana tour with plenty of stops to avoid motion sickness and lost hours. I cannot recommend this team highly enough! They are a wealth of knowledge, super fun, and they take literally hundreds of photos of you so that you can be present and in the moment, and not worried about your phone. We visited Froggy Falls where we jumped off waterfalls and caught a few baby frogs, took a long hike down to a gorgeous blowhole that looked like it was from another planet, and visited the black sand beaches. They require a reservation, so be certain you plan in advance for that! We saw the Ioa Valley State Park, which is one of the most sacred and spiritual places on the island, and learned about the history of wars that have been fought throughout time. Front Street gave us an opportunity to grab shave ice while walking through the Banyan Tree. Art galleries, shops, and small eateries dot the walkway, giving my girl a chance to indulge in her love of shopping. My music-loving son bought two ukuleles and taught himself how to play.

I know that everyone says you should not work on vacation, but I truly love what I do and was eager to learn more about weddings in another market. The front of house team at Montage was kind enough to allow me to watch while they set up a wedding event set overlooking the beach at Cliff House. And one night after returning to the residence after our tours I found the most exquisite fruit display in our room. It was a gift from another wedding planner that listens to my podcast! The next day we scheduled a two hour meet and greet that was one part coaching, two parts laughing together over the industry and our shared creative partners. Thank you to A Dream Wedding Maui Style for the amazing morning meeting!

We fell in love with the island over our 7 days there and cannot wait to return. There are so many other restaurants we are desperate to eat at, such as Nuka, Morimoto, and DUO Steak and Seafood. I desperately wanted to see the Haiku Mill, one of the most famous wedding destinations in all of Hawaii. Sadly, they were unavailable due to the volume of post-Covid weddings. This just gives us another reason to go back.

As residents of The 9th Island (which is the local’s nickname for Las Vegas) getting to Hawaii is easy. Visiting is important to my husband, and I love seeing my children connect to this side of their heritage. Maui has earned a rightful place in our hearts. We are already planning a return trip with our sites on The Ritz Carlton for our next stay - you seriously cannot beat their beach and burgers!

Are you considering a honeymoon in Hawaii? Please let me know below. And if you have any suggestions for our next trip leave them in the comments below a selection of our highlights below and on Instagram!

xo - Andrea

Top 5 Things to Know About Visiting Maui

1. You need water shoes! Most of the beaches (including the black sand beach) are rocky and uncomfortable to walk on. These will make your time at the beach much more enjoyable.

2. Bug spray is your best friend! Whether hanging out on the lanai or hiking through the Hawaiian jungle, you are going to want to have a strong bug spray to ward off the mosquitos and little critters!

3. With all of the activities, you will want to ensure that you have a waterproof camera or iPhone.

4. The fanciest thing you will need is a sundress for the ladies and a polo shirt and shorts for me! Even the upscale restaurants are super casual. I added jewelry and strappy sandals when I wanted to feel a little bit more glam.

5. Unplug Yourself! Prepare in advance to disconnect from your regular life so you can reconnect with the people you love! For more tips on how to prepare your clients and co-works, listen to my podcast HERE.