Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
loaded with activities and 5 miles
of shoreline with secluded white-
sand coves. All the rooms have
great views, there are tons of activ-
ities for the
keiki
(children), and
there's even a romantic restaurant
for an adults' night out. See p. 92.
•
Most Hawaiian:
Tucked away on
the Big Island is the remote
Kona
Village Resort
(
&
800/367-
5290;
www.konavillage.com), the
best place in Hawaii if you want
to stay in a vintage Polynesian vil-
lage-style resort. The sublimely
peaceful, eclectic Polynesian vil-
lage, with thatched huts and vari-
ous styles of Pacific architecture
beside the big blue ocean, stands
on 82 coastal acres of palms and
tropical flowers. The authenticity
and isolation of this oasis revive
wounded urban souls, who swing
in hammocks, splash like children
in the bay, actually smile when
spoken to, and move slowly with
the calm and grace that come
from great leisure. Why anyone
ever leaves is a wonder. See p. 166.
•
Best Views:
Every view in Hawaii
is terrific, but on Kauai the
Princeville Resort Kauai
(
&
800/
826-4400;
www.princeville.com)
is set in one of the most remark-
able locations in the world, on a
cliff between the crystal-blue
waters of Hanalei Bay and
steepled mountains; you arrive on
the ninth floor and go down to
the beach. This palace of green
marble and sparkling chandeliers
recalls Hawaii's monarchy period
of the 19th century. Opulent
rooms with magnificent views and
all the activities of Princeville and
Hanalei make this one of Hawaii's
finest resorts. See p. 356.
•
Best Beach:
A tough category
with so many contenders, but I'm
going with the golden sand and
generally calm waters in front of
Maui's
Four Seasons Resort
Maui at Wailea
(
&
800/334-
MAUI;
www.fourseasons.com/
maui.) This is the ultimate beach
hotel for latter-day royals, with
excellent cuisine, spacious rooms,
gracious service, and beautiful
Wailea Beach. The most kid-
friendly hotel on Maui not only
offers a complimentary kids' pro-
gram year-round and an everyday
activities center (daily 9am-5pm),
but also makes the children feel
welcome with extras such as com-
plimentary milk and cookies on
their first day. Children's menus
are offered at all resort restaurants
and even from room service. See
p. 251.
•
Best Fitness Center & Spa:
On
Maui,
Spa Grande at the Grand
Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
(
&
800/888-6100;
www.grand
wailea.com) is Hawaii's biggest spa,
at 50,000 square feet, with 40
treatment rooms. The spa incorpo-
rates the best of the Old World
(romantic ceiling murals, larger-
than-life Roman-style sculptures,
mammoth Greek columns, huge
European tubs); the finest Eastern
traditions (a full Japanese-style tra-
ditional bath and various exotic
treatments from India); and the
lure of the islands (tropical foliage,
ancient Hawaiian treatments, and
island products). This spa has
everything, from a top fitness cen-
ter to a menu of classes, and is con-
stantly on the cutting edge of the
latest trends. See p. 251. On Kauai,
the luxurious
ANARA Spa at the
Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort &
Spa
(
&
800/55-HYATT or
808/
742-1234; www.kauai.hyatt.com)
is the place to get rid of stress and
be soothed and pampered in a
Hawaiian atmosphere, where the
spirit of aloha reigns. An elegant
25,000-square-foot spa, ANARA
(A New Age Restorative Approach)
focuses on Hawaiian culture and
