From the tranquil North Shore to the bustling beaches of Waikiki, the beautiful Hawaiian island has it all
Turtle Bay Resort
Located on the North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort is far removed from the bustle of Waikiki Beach. The 850-acre resort overlooks the crystal blue waters of Kuilima Cove, with plenty of space for lounging on the sand, snorkeling, surfing, SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), and more. The resort boasts a commitment to sustainability and a resort Green Committee, with a food-waste program, resort-wide recycling, solar rooftop and much more. Turtle Bay’s restaurants use local produce from North Shore farmers, 80 percent of which is organic.
The location, size and mission make the property an ideal place to hold the Wanderlust Oahu festival, which takes place at the end of February. The four-day festival occurs at resorts around the world throughout the year and includes live music; yoga classes from introductory flow classes, to AcroYoga, to SUP Yoga; workshops in slacklining, eco-kayaking and much more. turtlebayresort.com
Photo credit: Sophie Novak
The Modern Honolulu
There are speakers under water in the swimming pool at the Modern Honolulu so you don’t miss a beat of the music. The clientele skews young and fashionable; at night, throngs crowd “The Study” downstairs—a cross between a bar, cafe, library and nightclub—to hear live music. On Friday evenings, guests can sit by the pool and watch the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s fireworks show on Waikiki Beach while sipping a delicious frozen coconut mojito from the bar.
Celebrity Chef Masaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef fame, is the executive chef at the hotel’s restaurant, Morimoto Waikiki, which includes a full sushi bar and open kitchen that blends local produce and seafood with Japanese influences. (The yellowtail cooked at the table in a hot stone pot is a must.) The spa combines modern, sleek white decor with traditional treatments, like the Polynesian Lomi Lomi massage. themodernhonolulu.com
The Kahala Hotel and Resort
Every U.S. president since Lyndon Johnson has stayed in the Kahala’s presidential suite. The resort’s famous visitors over the years include Joe DiMaggio, Whitney Houston, Sean Penn, Joan Didion, the Sultan of Brunei and many more. Yet the Kahala remains among the most peaceful and serene resorts on the island. About five miles from the main Waikiki shopping strip, the property is secluded and quiet, with a beautiful view of the ocean. The decor is clean, bright and simple.
Unique to the resort is the Dolphin Quest, which offers adults and children alike the opportunity to swim with and learn about the family of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins in the 26,000-square-foot natural lagoon on property. The food at elegant on-property restaurant Hoku’s is fresh and delicious, with Hawaiian, Asian, European and Mediterranean influences. The spa features 10 treatment rooms, with a focus on privacy, luxury and inspiring sustainable lifestyle changes and ways to take the wellness program home. kahalaresort.com
Photo credit: Sophie Novak
The Royal Hawaiian
Nearly everything in the Royal Hawaiian is pink—from the towels, to the signature Mai Tai drink, to the building itself. The second oldest in Waikiki, the hotel—nicknamed the “Pink Palace of the Pacific”—is old-timey in a way reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film, minus the zany characters and crumbling/deteriorating facade. Built in 1927, the hotel is located right on Waikiki beach, with a view of the iconic Diamond Head crater about 2.5 miles away.
The Abhasa Spa, located in the hotel garden, is a respite from the busy Waikiki beach on one side of the property and a shopping center on the other. Treatments may be experienced outdoors, with the natural sounds of birds and nature as backdrop. Last April, the hotel launched the new Mailani Tower, a kind of hotel within a hotel, with a focus on modernity and luxury. royal-hawaiian.com
WHAT TO DO:
- Wander the Kaka‘ako Farmers’ Market
- Hike 1,100 steep steps up an old railroad track on the Koko Head Crater Trail
- Ride horseback through Ka‘a‘awa Valley where Jurassic Park was filmed at Kualoa Ranch
- Take a surf lesson with Waikiki Beach Activities
WHERE TO EAT:
- Miso Chilean sea bass with cucumber salad, and flash-fried ahi tuna wrapped in seaweed at Chai's Waikiki
- Traditional Hawaiian plate at the Aloha Friday Lunchtime Luau at Hula Grill in the Outrigger Waikiki
- Local eggs and greens bowls with purple taro English muffins at Goofy Cafe & Dine
- Acai bowl at Heavenly. Acai bowl at Island Vintage Coffee. Acai bowl at the farmers’ market. (Have I mentioned Acai bowls?)
- Garlic shrimp at the North Shore’s popular shrimp trucks (including Fumi’s, Giovanni’s and Romy’s)
- Poke (Hawaiian ceviche), anywhere