It's still a really nice place to stay with a great beach in a quiet setting. But we had noticed the Kahala had been slipping a bit since the management turnover there in the past year -- just little things, like service staff not quite as knowledgable, long waits for meals, some confusion with retrieval of cars at the valet desk. We had one truly horrible experience where we waited 45 minutes for dessert to be served while our 2 year old freaked out and the server avoided our eyes. So I can't say I'm surprised. That means there are only three properties left in the islands with this rank -- the two Four Seasons hotels on Maui and the Big Island, respectively and the Ritz in Kapalua on Maui. I actually believe the Halekulanli belongs on that list, as its service remains impeccable but it did not make it back on the list.

Image via Flickr/alan.light

—Alex, 10/31/06