HAWAII
Hawaii - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Hawaii Heaven | |||||
| By: Merry Kirkwood, Issue 34 – Autumn 2008 | |||||
| (Hawaii, United States of America) | |||||
| STEAL A PEEK AT HAWAII’S TAKE ON LUXURY. THIS PACIFIC OCEAN ARCHIPELAGO HAS NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD. | |||||
| Six spinner dolphins duck, weave and ‘spin’ at the bow of our boat, unfazed by our proximity, and seemingly unappreciative of the vastness of their Hawaiian marine playground. Our small tour crew is more hyped: chomping at the bit actually, eager for the signal to get wet and join the dolphins. “Keep a respectful distance, and try to blend in – no hurried movements,” briefs Tori Cullins of Wildlife Specialty Tours, the voice of environmental-sensitivity as we start on a morning expedition cruise from Waianae Boat Harbour, located a pleasant two-hour coastal drive west from Oahu’s Waikiki. “Swim in the same plane as the dolphins: if they approach, stay relaxed and let them move by. This is their home – you are a mere visitor,” she finishes. Snorkel and flippers already in place and without further hesitation we slide from the aft of the boat into the warm shallow water. (My entry is more a hearty splash: hurried enthusiasm leaving no room for sylphlike gracefulness.) The joy of swimming with the dolphins in Hawaii (much like other marine experiences this Pacific Island archipelago is rightfully famous for such as surfing, whale-watching, canoeing and snorkelling) is readily etched into memory banks: a not-to-be-missed up-close-and-personal brush with nature. All too soon, yet probably after nearly an hour, the sleek-bodied dolphins swim off. (At one stage the ‘young gun’ of the pod has repeatedly dropped and fetched his chosen ‘toy’ – a discarded plastic bag – in an appealingly childlike ‘look-at-me’ display.) The experience passes quickly: exploring other sites, trawling up and down the pretty coastline where verdant-green volcanic peaks drop dramatically to the palm-fringed coastal strip, enjoying a colourful spot of snorkelling (though for my money this section of Hawaiian reef has nothing on our homegrown Great Barrier Reef), followed by a simple, tasty lunch. The afternoon is free, ready to be filled with other popular Hawaiian holiday activities – luxury resorting, beaching, shopping and dining. | |||||
| Halekulani, Waikiki, Oahu | |||||
| Stretched on the sun-lounge by the orchard-mosaic lined signature pool at the Halekulani, as friendly staff ferry coffee, afternoon snacks and the odd tipple or two, it’s easy to concede that the perfect Hawaiian holiday triumvirate – ‘Explore, Restore, and Replenish’ – packs a certain punch. Only a few steps from the waves that trim the Pacific, and centrally located among other Waikiki luxury ‘big gun’ hotels including colonial splendour of the Westin Moana Surfrider and the ‘Pink Palace’, it’s immediately apparent that the Halekulani has a quality indoor-outdoor style that appeals to Australians. Steeped in history, basking on a five acre site settled first by Polynesians and built on first in the 1930’s, the constantly expanded and converted hotel now houses 456 rooms. The stylish yet relaxed atmosphere plays homage to its heritage, yet tips its hat to the modern world: plasma TVs and HIFI computer connections are in place. A variety of rooms offer views over the Pacific Ocean, many also looking up to nearby Diamond Head. Don’t miss lunch in Orchids which has managed that heady balance of waterside elegance or cocktails in Lewers Lounge with a touch of live jazz. Just around from Diamond Head, The Kahala Hotel and Resort offers a more secluded luxury experience, popular with celebrities and brides (see box). Highlights include recently renovated rooms, a dolphin lagoon with captive dolphins, and the spa suites. | |||||
| The Westin Maui | |||||
| Driving the coastal strip that runs south-west from Kalului airport on the second largest Hawaiian island of Maui, the ocean to our left – smooth-as-a-baby’s-bottom and a mere arms-stretch from our easy-to-rent convertible – and mountains and sugar cane fields to our right, it’s worth noting the ease with which visitors can link flights from Honolulu, to visit one or more of the other major islands. Dominated by two soaring volcanic peaks to the west and east (Kahalawai and Haleakala), Maui’s natural waterscape is dotted with holiday hot spots where beachfront resorts huddle together in fun-centred ‘five star resort gangs’, particularly near historic Lahaina to Maui’s west, and Wailea to the south. A standout of the luxury gang is The Westin Maui Resort & Spa (all 731-rooms, 27 suites, five pools, waterslide, waterfall, and 14,000 square feet luxury spa of it) which offers unbridled Hawaii-style holiday pleasure. Everything you could imagine is here, or staff will have a good crack at getting it for you. Instantly appealing to families, with an around-the-clock ‘action-stations’ buzz, it exudes a calming peace from the beauty of its Ka’anapali Beach location, and also has quiet pockets where couples can draw breath (including an adults-only pool). Offering a full range of five star services including modern cuisine in largely casual settings, a weekly Polynesian Luau, easy shuttle services to the airport, and a raft of local activities beyond the resort walls (golfing, trekking, sailing, a visit to Ali’i Kula Lavender farm, whale-watching, or trips to nearby Lahaina to shop or to take in the long-running cultural show ‘Ulalena’), the pace can be spritely. Most guests come here for a fix of ‘Maui’ – sun, sea, sleep (occasionally) and ‘look-sees’. Being in the five star hotel business, The Westin’s guests are housed in sumptuous ‘Heavenly Beds’, can request a ‘Heavenly Bath’, and have every opportunity to gather strength from the healing hands in The Heavenly Spa. My spa visit was indeed suitably heavenly – indulgence to a tee – followed by dreamy day-bed downtime overlooking the ocean. Just up the road, The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas offer self-contained kitchen and laundry facilities to guests. Tucked to the south, the coastal strip around Wailea boasts rarefied five star resorting. Standouts here are the 37 two-level villas at the Fairmont Kea Lani, the Four Seasons Resort Maui, and The Shops at Wailea promising the finest shopping experience in Hawaii (as Paris Hilton will a test). As for the dolphins, from their point of view the water is just fine thank you, Hawaii-wide. | |||||
| Details: | |||||
| Halekulani | |||||
| Kahala Hotel and Resort | |||||
| The Westin Maui Resort & Spa | |||||
| The Fairmont Kea Lani | |||||
| Fore! Lana’i Island Golfers’ Paradise | |||||
| “Oh yes, we come out for six months or so, dear: it’s such a lovely place to stay, and of course we just love the golf,” says the maturing American woman to an old friend on the short ferry ride to tiny Lana’i (pronounced to rhyme with Hawaii) island, a mere 13 miles wide and 18 miles long and with 3,000 local residents. Only a golf club length from Maui’s quaint harbour town Lahaina, Lana’i is both a daylong treat for keen golfers, or a destination in itself – sometimes for six months! For the traveler who wants the ultimate in small island luxury, Lana’i hosts two magnificent Four Seasons resorts, and a number of longerterm accommodation options whose quality runs from simple to sumptuous. For those that like to mix their golf with coastal pleasures, Four Seasons Resort Lana’i Manele Bay hits the spot, a 236- room resort set on Hulopo’e Bay. ‘Just up the road’ in a location 10-15 degrees cooler than Manele Bay, The Lodge at Koele is all oversize fireplaces, tall stands of Cook Island Pines, a fine golf course, 102 guest rooms, and a ‘peace and quiet’ location that simply takes your breath away. Lana’i island has developed from pineapple plantation to golfers’ paradise escape. Details: www.fourseasons.com/koele | |||||
| Weddings, Shopping, Dining anyone? | |||||
| From dawn to dusk, and then some, the area close to Waikiki beach – and Honolulu generally – is awash with activity: glamorous brides tie-ing the knot in hotel garden settings, shoppers pounding the freshly-landscaped pavements looking for that special buy or piece of surfing chic they can’t find at home, and diners enjoyed the recently sophisticated line-up of gourmet fare. Don’t be mistaken, Waikiki is a shopper and diner’s paradise – with chic boutiques, cafés and restaurants, and luxury labels all a hop-skip and jump from the iconic waves nearby. Don’t miss the new Waikiki Beach Walk, or the renowned and recently expanded Ala Moana Centre a short taxi ride away. Make sure to book a table at Chef Mavro, an intimate French-inspired dining experience that would win gourmand respect in any global setting. And take a stroll to Roys, to enjoy the fusion food prepared by local Roy Yamaguchi, so popular there are now two local outlets. Details: www.AlaMoanaCenter.com | |||||
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