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Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

• World's Best Winner
• T+L 500 Winner

COST: $$

Until recently, the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua's buttoned-up European look was strangely out of touch with its tropical surroundings. Now, after a $180 million renovation, the hotel has lost the chintzy curtains, faux Renaissance artwork, and yes, the fireplace in the library. The 460 guest rooms are breezy yet refined: kukui tree-patterned rugs cover dark Brazilian ironwood floors, and wrought-iron lanais look out on the island landscape. As they say in Hawaii, <em>Na mea maikai</em> — It's all good.

Last updated January 2008