Three's a Charm in Hawaii

Joy Gerber Finds Authentic Charm on Her Third Trip

Joy Gerber isn't a honeymooner, but she would send any honeymoon couple to the relaxing and exotic Hawaiian islands any day. “It's just beautiful,”she reminisced. “The weather is nice all the time. There are wonderful places off the beaten path, but plenty to do no matter where you are.”

While she thinks Hawaii is the ultimate honeymoon destination, she also recommends it for families and singles. “There's something for everyone,” she says with a smile.

On the first leg of her journey, on Oahu where you find Waikiki Beach and all the sights and sounds you associate with Hawaii , Joy visited two legendary hotels that have been redone: The Moana Surfrider and Royal Hawaiian.

“They are both fabulous,” reported Gerber. “The Surfrider is now a Westin Resort, completely refurbished and beautiful. The Royal Hawaiian has been updated inside, but still has its legendary pink palace façade.”

The Moana Surfrider
In the heart of Waikiki Beach , the Moana Surfrider introduced the world to Hawaiian hospitality in 1901. Often referred to as the "First lady of Waikiki," this oceanfront Oahu hotel is a legendary landmark. It is now home to Waikiki 's only oceanfront spa and rooms have been redone with dark wood and white linens. “It's like taking a step back into yesteryear with all of today's finest amenities,” says Joy.

The Royal Hawaiian
Built in 1927, the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, known as the " Pink Palace of the Pacific," ushered in a new era of luxurious resort travel to Hawaii . Now part of Starwood Hotels Luxury Collection, this beautiful property is small by high-rise beach hotel standards and offers a level of service that is very gracious. It is a wonderful location for a destination wedding or for the honeymoon after the ceremony. Able to accommodate groups of 50-220 with small private suites or large gracious spaces, couples travel from all over the world to celebrate their wedding in this beautiful setting.

A Secluded Gem in Oahu
After visiting the legendary hotels of Waikiki, Joy settled in at her own hotel accommodations for this, her third, trip to Hawaii . She selected The Kahala Hotel & Resort, once the Kahala Hilton visited by screen, music and movie stars, as well as presidents (Barack Obama stayed there in 2008, prior to winning the presidency). Just 10 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, The Kahala offers a secluded, more residential setting close to Pearl Harbor and the airport. The private beach is beautiful, as is the dolphin lagoon where guests can enjoy shows by these marine mammals and get close to the nature of the islands.

This off-the-beaten-path choice has a car service and one of the most wonderful breakfasts in Hawaii (served outdoors with delicious pecan rolls.)

Onto Maui
On Kaanapali Beach, The Hyatt Regency Maui offers an incredible setting, beautiful beach and all rooms have an oceanview. While Joy and her party enjoyed the Hyatt accommodations, they took full advantage of the location and went to the nearby Sheraton each night as the sun set to have a drink and watch a young cliff diver honor his heritage by retracing footsteps in the sand on Kaanapali Beach . A chant of old Hawaii begins the ceremony, the sound of the conch shell announces his arrival and, as he leaves a trail of glowing torches around the lagoon, he makes his way to Black Rock, where he casts his flower lei into the sea and takes a breathtaking dive into the surf below. Joy never got tired of the ritual and marked the end of each day this way.

She also highly recommends the Downhill Sunrise Tour in Haleakala National Park . This bicycle and van tour offers the most incredible views from this resting volcano.

And, while luaus abound in Hawaii , especially on Maui , Joy recommends The Makena Beach Luau at the Makena Beach Resort, previously known as The Maui Prince Hotel. This is situated on the more relaxed, Wailea side of the island, about 25 miles from Kaanapali. If you are in this part of the island or want to venture there for an evening, this is the most authentic luau on Maui .

For the More Secluded, Even More Relaxing Islands
If it's quintessential secluded spots with tropical waterfalls you seek, Joy will craft an adventure on Kawai, a far less commercial island. If you want to steep yourself in natural settings…you'll love the island of Lanai , where tropical plants and nature are the entertainment. However, if you think natural means less luxurious, the Four Seasons in Lanai will convince you that back to nature certainly doesn't rule out luxury.

For more information on a Hawaiian vacation, contact:

Joy Gerber
781-879-1853
joy.gerber@atlastravel.com