Where to Stay on Your Next Hawaiian Getaway
Here are just a few Hawaii hotels to consider for your next tropical getaway.
MAUI is a very popular tourist destination, and probably not the island that comes to mind when you want to escape the crowds. However, at the far end of Maui lies a small-but-posh resort that’s surrounded by nature, with no other hotels in sight. It’s the Hana-Maui, a Hawaiian plantation-style resort that offers plenty of amenities to make your stay enjoyable: a large spa, lovely pool area lit with flaming torches, mouth-watering cuisine, attentive staff and a TV-free environment. It takes a long drive (with hairpin turns!) to reach this resort, but a relaxing stay at the Hana-Maui is well worth it.
KAUAI is said to be the most scenic of all the Hawaiian islands. The best way to view the topography of this tropical paradise is on a helicopter “flightseeing” tour, which will fly you over lush valleys, breathtaking waterfalls and beaches along the beautiful Na Pali coast. Afterwards, check into the luxurious Princeville Resort where tennis, spa facilities, kayaking, surfing and a premier Robert Trent Jones II golf course await. Princeville is an amenity-rich resort that redefines the concept of luxury lodging, with exquisite furnishings, original artwork, lavish bathrooms with lots of marble, oversized tubs and a unique “magic window” that brings the outdoors in.
On the BIG ISLAND, the Polynesian-style Kona Village Resort is a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit. Billed as “Hawaii like it was meant to be,” Kona offers a tranquil escape from ringing telephones, blaring televisions and other distractions. What you get instead are the simple pleasures of sun, sand and sea. Guests at Kona sleep in private thatched-roof bungalows with the hypnotic sound of waves lapping at the shore. During daylight hours, you can go on a glass-bottom boat ride to view the numerous underwater citizens, take a yoga or tai chi class, or just amble barefoot on the crescent-shaped beach.
If you’re thinking of visiting LANAI, the opulent Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay is a great choice for your Hawaii hotel. Perched above a gleaming white-sand beach, this resort offers panoramic ocean views, quiet relaxation, spectacular gardens, waterfalls, championship golf, rejuvenating spa services, exciting aquatic adventures and exotic wildlife in a natural setting. If a peaceful retreat secluded amid towering pine trees and gorgeous gardens appeals to you, you might want to try the Lodge at Koele. They offer hiking, horseback riding, tennis, golf and many other activities for an unforgettable Hawaii vacation.
Anyone planning a Hawaii wedding on OAHU should definitely consider the elegant Halekulani in Honolulu. One of the most luxurious Hawaii hotels, the Halekulani specializes in sunset weddings on its terrace, with breathtaking views of Waikiki Beach and the green slopes of Diamond Head. The secluded Halekulani is also known for its attentive service, first-class food, Hawaiian-style spa treatments and a beach that offers ideal “learner’s waves” for beginning surfers.
If solitude and privacy are what you seek, MOLOKAI is the perfect Hawaiian island for you. Molokai is the most rural and least developed of all the islands, and it also has the largest population of pureblooded Hawaiians. Your lodging choices are pretty limited, but try the Hotel Molokai, a secluded Polynesian hideaway located on the beach on the island’s sunny South side. Here you can embrace the slower pace of life as you soak up the sun, enjoy spectacular views, comfortable accommodations, private lanais and attentive service. You can also hike, swim, dive or take a guided mule trip on the Kalaupapa Trail.
Although your choice of a Hawaii hotel will depend first upon which island you plan to explore, it’s a rare visitor who doesn’t have a wonderful time on Hawaii no matter where they decide to stay. So pick an island, and head for paradise!
