Destinations

My mother-in-law asked us, “Why is the Kahala such a favorite of yours?”.  There is something about that hotel that is so hard to explain to others who have not been there.  We have stayed at numerous five star hotels in the islands ~ what makes this place so different?  When I say it has “good aura”, people just stare back at me with blank looks on their faces.  I don’t know if it is the mid-century architecture or the simple oval pool or the pictures of past presidents, dignitaries and stars on the walls that brings to mind a more simple time and place.  I know I am romanticizing the Cold War and martinis, but the Kahala really does takes me through a time machine to another time and place.

When we arrived, the valet welcomed us back to the hotel and each time left the car with the valet, they said, “Welcome home.”  It sounds corny, but those words made us so relaxed and comfortable.  They checked us in to the hotel in our room instead of at the front desk, which again gave us that wonderful feeling of coming home.  I recommend the deluxe ocean view lanai on the 6th floor - not too high up so you can still watch the dolphins while at the same time a very excellent view of the stunning Pacific Ocean  The breakfast buffet is expensive, but very good and I recommend it.  The beach is perfect for relaxing as it is beautiful and quiet with a very gentle surf.  As I mentioned, the pool area is very simple, but with attentive pool side service.  Regardless of a guest’s age, the Dolphin Experience is not to be missed.  You will learn about these special creatures and have the opportunity to swim, touch and interact with them as well.   Although the hotel is older, the rooms have all been recently renovated and they are very large and absolutely beautifully done.  Soft pastels and crèmes, evoke feelings of yellow sun, warm sand and the island spirit of Aloha.

Visit the Kahala for the wonderful ambience, the excellent service, the stellar location!

I just returned from the island of Lanai where I spent two nights at the Four Seasons Manele Bay Resort. My room was number 2908 in the oceanfront wing, ground floor with large lanai that had a rattan table for 4 and a rattan loveseat. The hotel is up on the hillside overlooking the bay and there is a path that leads down to a wonderful beach where the Four Seasons has a private area with chaise lounges, towels and umbrellas. My room was beautiful and spacious with a plasma tv, very comfortable bed and large marble bathroom.

The service at this resort is impeccable and several staff members called me by my name before I was even introduced to them but that is Four Seasons service. I enjoyed my first dinner at the Ocean Grill outside by the pool and had lobster and shrimp fried rice. It was very delicious. The second night I had dinner in their signature restaurant, Ihilani, which was also a wonderful meal. The hotel is full of Asian antiques and artwork and they are about to offer walking tours with IPods that guests can take to learn about all of the pieces there. The grounds are beautiful with gardens and waterfalls between the buildings.

I had heard about the spinner dolphins in the bay at this resort and I was very fortunate that they swam in to feed both mornings that I was there. I could see them from my lanai and they were dotted throughout the bay swimming and feeding and they jump up out of the water and spin. I saw a group of about 6 people swimming in the bay and a few minutes later I saw 2 dolphins swimming very close to them and I was told that the dolphins are very friendly and curious about people. (I was ready to leave for the airport or I would’ve run down there to swim with them myself.)

I took the resort shuttle up to Lanai City and walked around this charming plantation town dotted with colorful Hawaiian homes, shops, and little restaurants, and Mike Carroll’s art studio where I purchased 2 prints of scenes from the town.

I look forward to returning to Lanai to spend a longer time there maybe splitting my stay between the beautiful Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Resort, and hope to swim with the dolphins!

Virtuoso travel advisors share their top island getaways, from tropical havens to cosmopolitan escapes in the March/April Islands issue of VIRTUOSO LIFE.

1. Hawaii - The 50th state was hands down the most popular choice for tropical bliss, with Maui the top individual island. “Love the beaches, the people, the ambiance, the closeness to other islands for day trips, the sun, the golf, the food - I love it all.”
2. Tahiti - Running a close second was this South Pacific paradise, with Bora-Bora - and its overwater bungalows - receiving the most raves. “The color of the water is truly amazing, and the people are wonderful, very friendly and welcoming. I fell in love with Bora-Bora.”
3. Anguilla - “On this island in the Lesser Antilles, the people are beautiful on the inside, the beaches are beautiful on the outside, and the food is great too. I love Anguilla so much I’ve brought a boyfriend and two husbands here - not at the same time, of course.”
4. Saint Bart’s - “It has terrific beaches, amazing restaurants, great live music, and the local people are eclectic and fun. I love to stay in a villa with a pool and visit a different beach each day. It is also a perfect island for celebrity spotting.”
5. Vancouver Island - “It may not be tropical, but it has so many opportunities to experience nature: temperate rain forest, fjords, wild sea life, storms blowing in off the Pacific. It is one of the world’s most diverse, gorgeous places.”
6. Fiji - “It’s so remote and romantic. You can walk out of your beachfront bure and hop into the water for a swim or snorkel. The Fijians make a stay very special and are truly the most friendly and hospitable people on earth.”
7. Barbados - “What better combination is there than white sand and blue sparkling water? Add to that luxurious resorts with fabulous spas and golf courses, loads of colorful festivals, and sunken ships to explore by tank or snorkel, and there’s no reason to go anywhere else.”
8. Tasmania - “With a third of the island designated as national parkland, the unspoiled scenery is spectacular. From lakes to beaches and forests, you can hike, ride horseback, swim, fish, kayak, scuba dive, and spot wildlife. The island’s cool-climate wines are excellent, and Tassie has some of the nicest people you will find anywhere.”
9. Easter Island - “The peace and serenity of the place are overwhelming. The guides are fantastic, the food outstanding, the scenery breathtaking, and the people wonderful. The sky is so blue and the ocean even bluer. It’s a great place for couples or families.”
10. Nevis - “It’s the kind of place where you don’t need those few days to unwind. You can relax as soon as you arrive. A hammock on the beach is all I need, but there are guided hikes, golf and spa at the Four Seasons, plantation houses to visit or stay at, and a ferry that visits nearby Saint Kitts.”
11. Aitutaki - “One of the Cook Islands, Aitutaki is one of my favorite places on earth. You can walk in the knee-high water for miles, find conches the size of a sink, feel like you are alone, and totally rejuvenate.”
12. Bali - “The Balinese radiate a spiritual beauty. I love the emerald green rice paddies, the haunting music of gamelan, and watching the women balance stacks of fruit on their heads as they glide gracefully toward a Hindu ceremony at one of the mini-temples on the island.”
13. Bermuda - “There’s so much to see and do, with scenery, history, charm, and year-round temperate weather. Everything is clean, the people are gracious, and it has a great economy.”
14. Capri - “I love Capri for its great views and Italian charm. If you spend time here, you discover places that entice you to return. It’s wonderful to sit in the piazza and sip an espresso or wander the narrow streets. The pizza here is the best anywhere.”
15. Santorini - “This Greek isle is always at the top of my list, with is whitehead cliffside dwellings overlooking the most unusual shade of blue in the caldera. Spend the day sightseeing and shopping; come late afternoon, trek to the village of Oia to watch the sunset, then enjoy a dinner of fabulous local food, topped off with a little singing and dancing.