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

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.