Hawaii : Islands of Paradise
With its spectacular landscapes, sunsets, rainbows, gentle winds and warm
weather, and four diverse islands to choose from, Hawaii has always been a
traveler’s
paradise.
Whether planning a romantic honeymoon or a family vacation, these
three Hawaiian resorts offer something for everyone.
Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu,
Hawaii
The resort:
This 243-room luxury retreat on the Kona coast offers bungalow-style guestrooms
with an ocean view and a private lanai or terrace. The private Jack
Nicklaus signature golf course is home to the PGA Tour “Champions Tour Mastercard
Championship.” With a ratio of three staff members to each room, this
resort was recently named the “#1 Hotel Spa in the United States and
Canada” by Travel + Leisure Magazine. One of the most impressive parts
of the resort is “King’s Pond,” a 2.5 million gallon lava
rock snorkeling and scuba “aquarium”. This man-made pond
is filled with natural springs, ocean water, coral and plant life and
allows
guests
to swim and snorkel with all types fish, including Spotted Eagle Rays,
uniform fish and milk fish
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About the beach:
This beach is less expansive and a little more intimate. Take a long
walk on the short trail down to Kuki’o Beach, shared with Kona
Village Resort. You will arrive at a long beautiful cove which is a
bit rocky but
is known
for the friendly green sea turtles, or Honu. It is illegal to touch them,
but Honu sightings are considered lucky in Hawaii and almost everyone
gets lucky.
For your honeymoon:
If romance is on your mind, an outdoor massage for two or a private picnic
on the beach can be arranged. More adventurous couples can try a canoe ride
for two, surfing lessons or a helicopter ride over Kilauea Caldera, the longest
continuously erupting volcano in the world. Finish off your day by ordering
a bottle of Champagne, then relax on the terrace in his-and-her matching
robes.
For children:
This family oriented resort welcomes children eight and under with milk and
cookies and kid-sized terry cloth robes. The Kids For All Seasons program
hosts such activities as treasure hunts and sand sculpting.
Best room/suite:
To really splurge, stay in the Presidential Villa, a private three-bedroom
bungalow. The earth-toned retreat is filled with Polynesian art and features
a large living room, furnished lanai and three bathrooms, each with a deep
soaking tub and separate shower.
Guest at the retreat receive a complimentary helicopter tour of the island
and a one-hour massage for two.
Where to eat:
Pahu i’a is a true oceanfront dining experience in the midst of an impressive
aquarium serving Hawaiian delicacies and Pacific Rim cuisine. Request a table
on the intimate Naupaka Terrace, an extension of the lanai seating with panoramic
views of the ocean. For a more casual setting, visit The Beach Tree Bar and
Grill. Every Saturday night, the restaurant’s “Surf, Sand and Stars
Barbecue” features delectable ribs, steak, chicken and fish.
The ultimate indulgence:
The Hualalai Sports Club and Spa is set among tropical gardens and offers spa
treatments in the open air, shaded by bamboo screens. Try the South Seas
Sugar Body Scrub, which incorporates essential oils, Hawaiian cane sugar,
coconut and lehua honey. Once all ingredients are applied, your body is wrapped
in a warm towels for a cocoon-like effect. The Hawaiian Wahi Limu treatment
applies an organic spirulina body masque to sun drenched skin.
Ritz-Carlton Kapalu, Maui
The resort:
The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua resort is located on the northwest tip of Maui near
the old whaling town of Lahaina. Set on 1,650 acres, the Kapalua Resort is
part of a 23,000-acre pineapple plantation. This AAA Five Diamond Resort,
recognized in 2003 Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the top 25 hotels
in Hawaii, has three championship golf courses (54 holes total) overlooking
the Pacific Ocean. The 548-room hotel has a staff to guest ratio of 1.25
to one. All rooms have spacious lanais, or terraces, and are divided into
garden and ocean views.
About the beach:
The Ritz has access to three diverse beaches. Kapalua Beach is ideal for families
and snorkeling because two protecting lava points yield calm waters, while
D.T. Fleming Beach offers a variety of beach activities and water sports
including kayaking and boogie boarding. Keep your eyes peeled— Maui
is the best Hawaiian island to catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales
every year. If you happen to visit from December to April, you are sure to
spot a whale or two from the beach or golf course.
For your honeymoon:
For those interested in destination ceremonies, weddings or vow renewals can
be performed in the on-site Kumulani Chapel. Receptions can be held at the
only outdoor ballroom in Hawaii. Request the rose petal turn down and schedule
a Waihua signature couple’s massage to make your stay really romantic!
For children:
This child-friendly resort offers the “Ritz Kids” program, providing
its younger guests with fun-filled educational activities. Each day has a different
theme, such as “Hawaiian Nature” and “Beach Bonanza” and
is designed to help young guests learn about the island while exploring its
beauty.
Best room/suite:
Choose the club level, which offers four suites and 32 rooms. Club level guests
enjoy a private lounge, concierge staff and five daily complimentary food
services: continental breakfast, mid-day snacks, afternoon tea, appetizers
and cocktails in the early evening and chocolates and cordials after dinner
Where to eat:
The resort has six different restaurants to choose from. The Banyan Tree offers
Australian cuisine by Chef Antony Scholtmeyer (named Food & Wine magazine’s “Chef
to Watch” in Hawaii for 2004.) At Kai guests dine on sushi while taking
in the spectacular views, which you are sure can’t miss since three
of the walls are made entirely of glass.
The ultimate indulgence:
Butler-drawn baths, complete with music, warm towels and chocolate truffles.
Or choose the Ka Au’au Kapalua (The Kapalua Bath), which includes essential
Hawaiian oils and salts, floating orchids and a pitcher of Mai Tais.
Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Oahu
The resort:
Located on an 800-foot secluded beach, Honolulu’s Kahala Mandarin Oriental
is only 10 minutes from the nightlife and entertainment on Waikiki Beach and
has a ratio of 1.5 staff to each room. Recognized by Conde Nast Traveler with
a “Best Rooms in the U.S. Award”, the hotel has 364 Rooms designed
with hand-loomed Tibetan rugs, teak parquet floors and four-post canopied beds.
Extras include coconut sea salts in every bathroom.
About the beach:
The private beach at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental is secluded, and offers water
sports equipment rentals including snorkeling, kayaks and rafts. Beach butlers
cater to your every need. There is also has a 26,000 square-foot natural
lagoon where you can interact with six dolphins and tropical fish. Dolphin
Quest Inc. donates a portion of the proceeds from these programs to organizations
that support marine education, conservation and outreach.
For your honeymoon:
This is the perfect location for a couple seeking a quiet, intimate resort.
Plan on dining in an Oceanside Cabana at Cabanas Seaside Grill, where menu
items are meant to be shared.
For the children:
The Keiki Club plans activities for children including swimming with the dolphins,
lei stringing, hula dancing and shell collecting. The program is operated
by childcare professionals.
Best room/suite:
Be sure to reserve a beachfront suite (there are only two). These lavish rooms
open to a furnished patio steps away from the beach and offer a dining table
for four, hi-fi stereo, exercise bike and binoculars. There are 33 specialty
suites, some with dolphin lagoon view or partial ocean views. If you opt
for a room instead of a suite, be sure to request a beachfront view room
in the Dolphin Lagoon wing, where the second floor rooms overlook the ocean
and the rooms on the first floor have patios that lead right onto the beach
Where to eat:
There are six bars and restaurants at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. Hoku is
the award-winning signature restaurant serving Pacific Rim cuisine, and was
recently named Restaurant of the Year by Honolulu magazine. The menu includes
Ahi and Hamachi Sashimi and Pan Roasted Moi. For more casual dining, visit
the open-air Plumeria Beach Cafe and enjoy the lavish breakfast, lunch and
dinner buffets.
The ultimate indulgence:
The Kahala Mandarin Oriental offers private spa suites, each with their own
tropical garden, deep soaking bath, relaxation area and glass enclosed shower.
Be sure to treat yourself to a Lomi Lomi massage, inspired by the ancient
Hawaiian tradition that restores the free flow of your mana (life force)
and finish with a cup of custom blended Hawaiian herbal tea while taking
in a spectacular sunset.
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