VACATION FAQs
My husband and I are planning a trip to Hawaii, but we are not sure which island we should visit. We want to be able to access beaches, but we also want to hike in rugged, natural areas and we want to stay in an area that is not heavily populated and feels more like the “old” Hawaii. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I would recommend you consider Kauai, the “Garden Isle.” The North Shore of Kauai was the setting for the filming of South Pacific. There are some wonderful beaches, the opportunity to hike along the rugged and unpopulated Na Pali coast and a minimum resident population. This setting is very popular with celebrities because it is so private and offers them the opportunities to relax and enjoy the natural beauty without being pestered by fans. And, while there are picturesque little towns to visit, there are also major resorts like Princeville that offer gourmet dining, excellent shopping, championship golf and a world-class spa.
My wife and I have been to Hawaii many times and have always stayed on one of the outer islands after a brief stop in Honolulu. Our impression of Oahu is that it is very metropolitan, which is what we are coming to Hawaii to escape. Are there other parts of Oahu worth visiting?
Unless you are a surfer, you might not be aware of the North Shore of Oahu, which locals call “The Country.” This rural setting is home to some of the world’s most famous surfing spots, including Pipeline, where winter swells can bring waves with faces in excess of 30 feet. Smack in the middle of this beautiful and relatively untouched coast is a resort called Turtle Bay. It features a luxury hotel, a swimmable beach, numerous restaurants, a nice spa and exercise room, a riding stable, two championship golf courses, tennis courts and accommodations that range from a standard room to private beachfront cottages.
Our family is planning a trip to the Big Island this summer and we are looking for a place to stay that has plenty of activities for our three children. Is there a hotel that comes to mind?
You might consider the Hilton Waikoloa on the Kohala Coast. It is located only about 30 minutes south of Kailua-Kona International Airport and is a true destination resort. There is a full supervised children’s activity program during the day, but the real charm of the resort is its size and amenities. The property is so large, guests can reach their rooms and the many varied restaurants either on a launch that routinely circles a lagoon that circles from the lobby on a modern train that follows the same route on rails. Of course, there is also a safe swimming beach and an expansive pool area. If the kids get tired of the hotel, there are two shopping centers with an abundance of restaurants and shops within walking distance, one of which has a supermarket that can help reduce the cost of dining out for every meal.
Can you recommend a good restaurant in the Poipu area of Kauai?
One of my favorites is the Roy’s at Poipu Village Shopping Center. Roy’s specializes in Asian Fusion cuisine, and one special entree is a butterfish, a dish that literally seems to melt in your mouth. Everything on the menu is superb, as is the attentive service. And, if you want some evening activity following your meal, you are only a few steps from Keoki’s Paradise, where the live entertainment and even livelier crowd goes on until closing.
On our prior visits to the islands we have always stayed at fine resorts and luxury hotels. This time we are looking for a more rustic environment in a more natural setting where we can simply relax. Are there any places we can find these types of accommodations?
Two places immediately jump our from our memory banks. One is on the peaceful island of Molokai at a property called Molokai Ranch. There is a very modern hotel with a restaurant and bar and recreation amenities, but the real treat is going to their beach resort. After an eight mile drive down a bumpy, unpaved ranch road, you arrive at a pristine beach surrounded by tent cabins. These accommodations are very comfortable and offer comfortable beds, a solar heated shower and even a flashlight for evening walks and candles to light the tent cabin after dark. There are no phones and no radio or TV in the rooms. The clubhouse has a phone however, and serves three meals daily as well as providing snorkel gear and body boards for the beach at no charge. An equally peaceful place is the Hanalei Colony Resort in Haena on Kauai’s North Shore. This property rents nicely furnished condos that also have no phone, radio or television but offer walking distance to the beach and ocean. There is an excellent Mediterranean-style restaurant on the property, and on select nights a belly dancer entertains diners.
I would recommend you consider Kauai, the “Garden Isle.” The North Shore of Kauai was the setting for the filming of South Pacific. There are some wonderful beaches, the opportunity to hike along the rugged and unpopulated Na Pali coast and a minimum resident population. This setting is very popular with celebrities because it is so private and offers them the opportunities to relax and enjoy the natural beauty without being pestered by fans. And, while there are picturesque little towns to visit, there are also major resorts like Princeville that offer gourmet dining, excellent shopping, championship golf and a world-class spa.
My wife and I have been to Hawaii many times and have always stayed on one of the outer islands after a brief stop in Honolulu. Our impression of Oahu is that it is very metropolitan, which is what we are coming to Hawaii to escape. Are there other parts of Oahu worth visiting?
Unless you are a surfer, you might not be aware of the North Shore of Oahu, which locals call “The Country.” This rural setting is home to some of the world’s most famous surfing spots, including Pipeline, where winter swells can bring waves with faces in excess of 30 feet. Smack in the middle of this beautiful and relatively untouched coast is a resort called Turtle Bay. It features a luxury hotel, a swimmable beach, numerous restaurants, a nice spa and exercise room, a riding stable, two championship golf courses, tennis courts and accommodations that range from a standard room to private beachfront cottages.
Our family is planning a trip to the Big Island this summer and we are looking for a place to stay that has plenty of activities for our three children. Is there a hotel that comes to mind?
You might consider the Hilton Waikoloa on the Kohala Coast. It is located only about 30 minutes south of Kailua-Kona International Airport and is a true destination resort. There is a full supervised children’s activity program during the day, but the real charm of the resort is its size and amenities. The property is so large, guests can reach their rooms and the many varied restaurants either on a launch that routinely circles a lagoon that circles from the lobby on a modern train that follows the same route on rails. Of course, there is also a safe swimming beach and an expansive pool area. If the kids get tired of the hotel, there are two shopping centers with an abundance of restaurants and shops within walking distance, one of which has a supermarket that can help reduce the cost of dining out for every meal.
Can you recommend a good restaurant in the Poipu area of Kauai?
One of my favorites is the Roy’s at Poipu Village Shopping Center. Roy’s specializes in Asian Fusion cuisine, and one special entree is a butterfish, a dish that literally seems to melt in your mouth. Everything on the menu is superb, as is the attentive service. And, if you want some evening activity following your meal, you are only a few steps from Keoki’s Paradise, where the live entertainment and even livelier crowd goes on until closing.
On our prior visits to the islands we have always stayed at fine resorts and luxury hotels. This time we are looking for a more rustic environment in a more natural setting where we can simply relax. Are there any places we can find these types of accommodations?
Two places immediately jump our from our memory banks. One is on the peaceful island of Molokai at a property called Molokai Ranch. There is a very modern hotel with a restaurant and bar and recreation amenities, but the real treat is going to their beach resort. After an eight mile drive down a bumpy, unpaved ranch road, you arrive at a pristine beach surrounded by tent cabins. These accommodations are very comfortable and offer comfortable beds, a solar heated shower and even a flashlight for evening walks and candles to light the tent cabin after dark. There are no phones and no radio or TV in the rooms. The clubhouse has a phone however, and serves three meals daily as well as providing snorkel gear and body boards for the beach at no charge. An equally peaceful place is the Hanalei Colony Resort in Haena on Kauai’s North Shore. This property rents nicely furnished condos that also have no phone, radio or television but offer walking distance to the beach and ocean. There is an excellent Mediterranean-style restaurant on the property, and on select nights a belly dancer entertains diners.
