Montage Kapalua Bay is no longer Montage. On March 14, 2026, Marriott International assumed management of the luxury oceanfront resort on Maui’s northwest coast. The property is now operating as The Resort at Kapalua Bay — and a full conversion to St. Regis Kapalua Bay is planned for 2027.
This Montage Kapalua Bay St. Regis transition is the biggest brand change in Kapalua since the $100 million Ritz-Carlton renovation in 2022 — and it means both of Kapalua’s luxury Maui hotels now sit under the Marriott umbrella. Here is everything that changes, what stays the same, and what it means if you are planning a trip.
The Brand History: Four Names in 15 Years
This property has had more names than most Hawaiian resorts see in a lifetime:
- The Ritz-Carlton Club, Kapalua Bay — opened in 2009 as a luxury fractional ownership property
- Montage Kapalua Bay — rebranded in 2014 when Montage Hotels & Resorts took over management
- The Resort at Kapalua Bay — current transitional name as of March 14, 2026, under Marriott management
- St. Regis Kapalua Bay — the target brand for 2027, following renovation work to meet St. Regis standards
The building, the beach, and the suites have not changed. What has changed is who runs the show — and which loyalty program you earn points with.
Who Owns It Now?
The ownership structure is separate from the brand. Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners (KWHP) — the hospitality arm of Kemmons Wilson Companies, founded by the Holiday Inn creator’s family — purchased the property through KWC Management in late 2023. That ownership has not changed.
What changed on March 14 is the management agreement. Montage Hotels & Resorts is out. Marriott International is in. Marriott does not own the resort — they operate it under a management contract, just as they do with most of their global portfolio.
White Label Asset Management oversees the property on behalf of the owners. Their CEO, Jonathon Vopinek, called it “one of the truly great resorts in the world, with an iconic setting, extraordinary grounds, and some of the most spacious accommodations in luxury hospitality.”
What Changes Right Now (March 2026)
Some changes took effect immediately on March 14. Others are coming in 2027.
Effective Now
- Marriott Bonvoy membership. The property has joined the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. You can now earn points on paid stays and link your Bonvoy number to reservations.
- Marriott management and standards. Day-to-day operations, staffing, and service standards are now under Marriott’s oversight.
- Marriott distribution. The resort now appears on Marriott.com and in the Bonvoy app for booking. It also remains on third-party sites like Booking.com.
- Marriott Homes & Villas. Some units already appear on Marriott’s Homes & Villas platform for residence-style bookings.
- Montage branding removed. The Montage name and logo are being replaced across the property.
Not Yet Available
- Points redemptions. While you can earn points, award night redemption pricing and availability have not yet been established. This will likely take months to finalize.
- Elite recognition details. Specific Bonvoy elite benefits (room upgrades, late checkout, lounge access) are still being implemented. Standard Marriott elite treatment should apply, but the details may take time to formalize.
- St. Regis branding. The property is not yet called St. Regis. That comes in 2027 after the renovation phase is complete.
- St. Regis Butler Service. The hallmark St. Regis experience — personalized, anticipatory butler service for every guest — will launch with the 2027 rebrand, not before.
What Stays the Same
The physical resort has not changed. Everything guests loved about Montage Kapalua Bay is still there:
- 146 residential suites with full gourmet kitchens (Wolf range, Sub-Zero fridge, wine fridge), washer/dryers, separate living areas, and private lanais
- Direct beach access to Kapalua Bay — rated #1 beach in America by Dr. Beach
- 40,000-square-foot Spa Montage with over 15 treatment rooms (the spa name may change with the St. Regis rebrand)
- Cane & Canoe restaurant, The Hideaway lounge (just reopened Feb 2026), Cliff House private dining
- Three pool areas including the adults-only Serenity Pool
- Kapalua golf access — the Plantation Course (home of the PGA Tour’s The Sentry) and the resort’s tennis and fitness facilities
- Suite sizes ranging from 1,774 to over 4,050 square feet — among the most spacious luxury accommodations in Hawaii
The resort remained open throughout the transition and continues to operate normally.
What Happens in 2027: The St. Regis Conversion
The full St. Regis rebrand is expected in 2027, following a renovation to align the property with St. Regis brand standards. While Marriott has not released specific renovation plans, St. Regis properties are known for several signature elements:
- Butler Service — every St. Regis guest receives a personal butler, from unpacking luggage to arranging restaurant reservations to pressing garments. This is the single biggest service upgrade the conversion will bring.
- Signature rituals — St. Regis properties feature daily champagne sabering at sunset, bespoke Bloody Mary recipes, and afternoon tea service.
- Design standards — renovations will likely refine public spaces, lobby areas, and potentially room furnishings to match the St. Regis aesthetic while respecting the Hawaiian setting.
- Refined dining — expect elevated food and beverage programming consistent with the ultra-luxury St. Regis positioning.
Building-by-building exterior work from the 2025-2026 renovation phase continues into 2027 and will likely overlap with St. Regis conversion work. The resort is expected to remain open throughout.
The Only St. Regis in Hawaii
When the conversion completes, St. Regis Kapalua Bay will be the only St. Regis hotel in Hawaii.
Hawaii previously had one: the St. Regis Princeville on Kauai’s north shore, overlooking Hanalei Bay. That property departed the St. Regis brand in 2018 and is now 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. Since then, the St. Regis name has been absent from the Hawaiian Islands entirely.
Bringing St. Regis back to Hawaii — and placing it on one of America’s most celebrated beaches — signals Marriott’s confidence in ultra-luxury Hawaiian travel. It also creates a clear hierarchy within Kapalua: the Ritz-Carlton for traditional luxury hotel guests, and St. Regis for those who want residential space with the highest tier of personal service.
Both Kapalua Luxury Resorts Are Now Marriott
This is the most significant competitive shift. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua has been a Marriott property for years. Now The Resort at Kapalua Bay is also under Marriott management.
For Marriott Bonvoy members, this is excellent news — both of Kapalua’s premier resorts now earn and (eventually) accept Bonvoy points. For travelers weighing the two, our Resort at Kapalua Bay vs Ritz-Carlton Kapalua comparison covers the detailed differences.
For the broader Kapalua market, it means independent luxury brands have lost their last foothold. When Montage departed, so did the last non-Marriott luxury flag in the area. Travelers who specifically prefer independent brands — or non-Marriott loyalty programs like Hyatt, Hilton, or Accor — now need to look to other Maui hotels in Wailea or the Kohala Coast for alternatives.
How to Book the Resort at Kapalua Bay Now
During the transitional period (March 2026 through the 2027 St. Regis conversion), you have several booking options:
- Marriott.com / Bonvoy app — the most direct option for earning points and receiving Bonvoy elite benefits. Cash rates are available; award availability is coming.
- Booking.com — the property is still listed (under the old Montage name in some cases). Good for comparing rates and flexible cancellation policies.
- Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) — if available, FHR bookings typically include a $100 property credit, daily breakfast, room upgrade, and late checkout. Worth checking as the property transitions.
- Virtuoso travel advisors — Virtuoso-affiliated agents may still offer perks similar to FHR, depending on the property’s new agreements.
- Marriott Homes & Villas — for specific condo-style units within the resort complex.
Check current rates and availability at The Resort at Kapalua Bay →
What This Means for Marriott Bonvoy Members
Bonvoy members have reason to pay attention, even if points bookings are not available yet.
Earning points: You can earn Bonvoy points on paid stays immediately. Link your Bonvoy number when booking through Marriott.com or the Bonvoy app.
Redeeming points: Award night availability and pricing have not been announced. Once live, expect dynamic pricing consistent with ultra-luxury St. Regis properties — likely in the 70,000-150,000+ points-per-night range based on comparable St. Regis resorts worldwide. The fifth-night-free benefit on award stays would apply.
Elite benefits: Bonvoy Gold, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members should receive standard elite perks, though the specifics may take time to fully implement at a property this new to the system.
The bigger picture: Combined with the neighboring Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, Bonvoy members now have two ultra-luxury redemption options in Kapalua. The Ritz-Carlton has established award pricing (60,000-120,000+ points/night). The Resort at Kapalua Bay’s pricing is TBD but will likely skew higher given the residential suite format.
The Bottom Line
The Montage Kapalua Bay to St. Regis conversion is good news for Hawaii luxury travelers — especially Marriott Bonvoy members who now have access to both Kapalua resorts. The physical property, the suites, and that #1-rated beach are not going anywhere. What is changing is the management, the loyalty program, and — in 2027 — a tier of personalized butler service that will set this resort apart from everything else on Maui.
If you are weighing the two Kapalua luxury properties side by side, read our detailed Resort at Kapalua Bay vs Ritz-Carlton Kapalua comparison. And if the rebrand has you exploring other options across the island, our guide to Maui’s best luxury hotels covers every five-star property.
Check current rates and availability at The Resort at Kapalua Bay →
Frequently Asked Questions
The resort is still open and operating normally — it just no longer operates under the Montage name. As of March 14, 2026, Marriott International manages the property under the name The Resort at Kapalua Bay. It will rebrand as St. Regis Kapalua Bay in 2027.
The full St. Regis conversion is expected in 2027, following renovations to align the property with St. Regis brand standards. This includes the introduction of signature St. Regis Butler Service, champagne sabering, and refined design elements.
You can earn Bonvoy points on paid stays immediately. Points redemptions (award nights) are not yet available — pricing and availability are still being established. Check Marriott.com for updates on award availability.
Existing reservations should be honored. The resort continues to operate without interruption. If you booked through Montage directly, contact the resort to confirm your reservation has transferred to the new management system. If you booked through a third party (Booking.com, Expedia, travel advisor), your reservation should remain valid.
Not yet. St. Regis Butler Service — where every guest receives a dedicated butler for personalized service — is expected to launch with the full 2027 St. Regis conversion. During the current transitional period, the resort operates with its existing service model.
Yes. When the conversion completes, St. Regis Kapalua Bay will be the only St. Regis hotel in Hawaii. The previous St. Regis in Hawaii — the St. Regis Princeville on Kauai — departed the brand in 2018 and is now 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.
The main renovation phase was completed in February 2026 and the resort is fully operational. Some building-by-building exterior work continues and will merge with the St. Regis conversion work extending into 2027. Interior spaces and guest areas are not affected.
This article was published on March 15, 2026 — one day after the transition took effect. We will update it as Marriott releases details on award night pricing, elite benefit specifics, and the 2027 St. Regis renovation timeline.
Book The Resort at Kapalua Bay on Booking.com →
