Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
way of life in pre-contact Hawaii
in the re-created 180-acre village.
See p. 195.
•
Visiting the Most Hawaiian Isle:
A time capsule of Old Hawaii,
Molokai allows you to experience
real Hawaiian life in its most
unsullied form. The island's people
have woven the cultural values of
ancient times into modern life. In
addition to this rich community,
you'll find the magnificent natural
wonders it so cherishes: Hawaii's
highest waterfall, its greatest col-
lection of fishponds, and the
world's tallest sea cliffs, as well as
sand dunes, coral reefs, rainforests,
and gloriously empty beaches. The
island is pretty much the same
Molokai of generations ago. See
chapter 6.
3 The Best Hotel Bets
•
Most Family Friendly:
There is
no contest. On the Big Island,
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at
Historic Kaupulehu
(
&
888/
340-5662;
www.fourseasons.com)
not only offers a relaxing vacation
in the lap of luxury, but the staff
goes above and beyond its duties
to pamper your kids. You can't get
any better than this—everything
from a complimentary children's
program, something for the
teenagers, and kid-friendly restau-
rants. See p. 164.
•
When Price is No Object:
No
question about it: the
Halekulani
(
&
800/367-2343;
www.haleku
lani.com) is an oasis of calm amid
the buzz. This beach hotel is the
finest Waikiki has to offer. (Heck,
I think it's the finest in the state.)
The complimentary children's
program is tops, the rooms are
practically suites, and the service is
superb.
•
When Price is Your Main Objec-
tive:
I recommend two places. On
Oahu, the
Doubletree Alana
Hotel—Waikiki
(
&
800/222-
TREE;
www.alana-doubletree.
com) is run by the Hilton Hawai-
ian Village and located within
walking distance of Waikiki
Beach. At this small boutique
hotel, you get comfortable rooms
and the kind of prompt service
that you usually get only at twice
the price. (Rack rates here start at
$199.) See p. 79. On the Big
Island of Hawaii, the best deal is
the oceanfront
Kona Tiki Hotel
(
&
808/329-1425;
www.kona
tiki.com). Its tastefully decorated
rooms, with private lanais over-
looking the ocean, start at just $61
a night! Although it's called a
hotel, this small, family-run oper-
ation is more like a large B&B,
with plenty of friendly conversa-
tion around the pool at the morn-
ing continental breakfast buffet.
See p. 168.
•
Best Suite Deals:
The standout is
The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
(
&
800/659-4100;
www.kealani.
com). This is the place to get your
money's worth; for the price of a
hotel room you get an entire
suite—plus a few extras. Each unit
in this all-suite luxury hotel has a
kitchenette, a living room with
entertainment center and sofa
bed, an oversize marble bathroom
with separate shower big enough
for a party, a spacious bedroom,
and a large lanai that overlooks the
pools, lawns, and white-sand
beach. See p. 250.
•
Most Peace and Quiet:
Head out
to the North Shore on Oahu for
the
Turtle Bay Resort
(
&
800/
203-3650;
www.turtlebayresort.
com). The resort is spectacular: an
hour's drive from Waikiki, but
eons away in its country feeling.
Sitting on 808 acres, this place is
