Posts Tagged ‘Honeymoons in Hawaii’

Honolulu’s most bustling beach is going from touristy to trés chic thanks to the addition of The EDITON, a new luxurious, contemporary hotel on Waikiki.

Mixing polish with personality, perfectionism with individualism and comfort with charisma, this stunning new property was conceived in collaboration with architects George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg and landscape designer Deborah Nevins to resemble a home away from home for the stylish traveler. So you get all the pleasure of being steps from one of Hawaii’s most popular beaches while enjoying a heavy dose of luxury and leisure on site.

Recommended Resort:  The Waikiki EDITION. Located near the fashionable retail stores of Ala Moana Center and Kalakaua Avenue, the brand new hotel is more than a place to hang your bikini and board shorts after a day at the beach, it’s an experience all in itself.

The lobby features fragrant and lush Hawaiian gardens and a wall-to-wall surfboard installation by artist and internationally famed former professional surfer Herbie Fletcher made from over 100 collected, broken surfboards from the sports best pipeline surfers like Kelly Slater and Andy Irons.

The 353 beautiful rooms and suites are decorated in natural tones and rich woods, many overlooking the Yacht Harbor and ocean. The Spa at Waikiki is conveniently located near the Private Sunset Beach and offers all the treatments and amenities you’d expect of luxurious escape.

Check In:  175 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. 800-466-9695, editionhotels.com.

Check Out:  MORIMOTO Waikiki at EDITON. World-renowned chef Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef fame brings his dynamic and unique cuisine to this new eatery, featuring an innovative approach to a contemporary Japanese menu that infuses traditional dishes with Western ingredients and techniques.

Don’t Miss:  Surf and Bikini Boot Camp. Melt away those post holiday pounds and start the New Year off right with this adventurous way to get fit and enjoy the island’s natural beauty.

A team of pro-surfers, naturalists, yogis and personal trainers, including renowned nutritionist Corey Coopersmith and two-time World Longboard ChampionSaize Shayne Goodwin, take guests on a four-day program that combines fitness, wellness and luxury. The first program of the year starts January 13.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of The Waikiki EDITION

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I’ll never forget the first time I saw “The Pink Palace of the Pacific.” About seven years ago, I made my first journey to Oahu to run the Honolulu Marathon. The night before the big day, a few of us walked along the beautiful beaches of Waikiki, marveling at the hotels along the shimmering coast.

One stood out among the others. This iconic hotel dates back to 1927, when it first ushered in luxury to the Hawaiian Islands.

Even since I visited less than a decade ago, the property has undergone a major renovation, first in 2009 with a complete re-imagining that included a new lobby, rooms and suites, restaurants, spa and multi-level resort pool.

This year, the resort introduced The Royal Beach Tower, a 17-floor ocean-facing tower with contemporary accommodations. Despite all the new additions, the Royal Hawaiian has never lost its original charm, melding classic elegance with modern comforts.

Recommended Resort:  The Royal Hawaiian. An expansive property on the crowded Waikiki landscape, the Pink Palace occupies 12,000 square feet, with over 66,000 additional square feet devoted to outdoor spaces, like the oceanfront Monarch Terrace, the Ocean Lawn and the glamorous Coconut Grove.

There are 528 rooms in all, including 34 suites (18 oceanfront). Though of course you’ll be tempted to explore the sights, shops and sands of Waikiki, if you didn’t want to leave the Royal Hawaiian, you really have everything at your disposal on site, including two pools, a spa, great dining and lovely Hawaiian entertainment.

Check In:  2259 Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu. 808-923-3711, royal-hawaiian.com.

Check Out:  Abhasa Spa. Brand new and definitely worth the visit, this exclusive spa experience surrounds you in a tropical plant and tree sanctuary.

Abhasa means “illusion” in Sanskrit, referring to the only spa in Oahu where you can have a treatment in this kind of private and serene natural setting right in the middle of a bustling town.

Highlights include the rhythmic Lomi Lomi massage and the Ola Honua, a nourishing cocoon of warm mud rich in natural vitamins and minerals.

Don’t Miss:  Holiday dining at the Royal Hawaiian. Culinary treats are always a joy at the resort, but the holidays are particularly merry should you make it out this season. Azure Restaurant will feature a gourmet Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner menu courtesy of Chef Jon Matsubara.

The Monarch Room will offer a more casual experience with Christmas Brunch for the entire family. Other yuletide activities include a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Christmas Carols, Gingerbread House Decorating Party and a trolley to the Honololu City Lights festival. Ho Ho Honolulu.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of The Royal Hawaiian

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I fell in love with Hawaii the first time I visited as a teenager…the sweet smell in the air, the friendliness, the lush landscapes, the warm waters. If, like me, you’ve done busy Oahu and popular Maui, be sure to fly in to Kauai and experience another facet of Hawaiian hospitality.

Recommended Resort:  Ko’a Kea Resort and Spa. Located on Poipu Beach, on the south coast of Kauai, this beautiful resort gives guest access to one of Hawaii’s most exclusive ocean stretches. Recently renovatedduring a multi-million dollar project in 2009, the property is one of the last in the area to undergo reconstruction since Hurricane Iniki devastated the beaches in 1992. Utilizing the original footprint of the former Poipu Beach Hotel, the new resort is better than ever, boasting 121 luxurious rooms, six oceanfront suites and the ocean view suites. With a contemporary design by Anita Books, the interior mixes chic modernity with the vibrant colors of the region’s floral and sea life, touches of coral, crimson and turquoise.

Check In:  2251 Poipu Road, Koloa, Hawaii. 808-828-8888, www.koakea.com.

Check Out:  Romance abounds in the intimate setting, with gorgeous ocean view rooms and seductive dining venues, like the upscale Red Salt. The Spa offers only five treatment rooms, including one couples suite, for a blissful afternoon of relaxation of wellbeing.

Don’t Miss:  A trip to Kauai should always include exploration of the breathtaking natural wonders, from sand to sea to summit. Hiking, horseback riding and golfing are all accessible to the resort, as well as snorkeling, scuba diving and other water adventures.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Ko’a Kea Resort and Spa.

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