Recently in Hawaii Category

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on Florida.

The Kapalua Wine & Food Festival returns this weekend to Maui for its 27th year. During this four-day culinary extravaganza, you may discover some of the world's top gastronomic trends and enjoy an array of exciting gourmet events. This year's festival brings together top master sommeliers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders for themed tastings, seminars and gala evening events. Cooking demonstrations, wine tasting seminars, winemaker dinners and a golf tournament are but a few of the highlights of this festival. The festival will be held through June 29, 2008, with tickets available here. After each day of culinary delight, unwind in spacious and inspired accommodations at The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas or The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas North.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on the subject.

Those who seek personal renewal on Maui will now discover even more ways to relax, thanks to the opening of Spa Helani at The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas North. This 10,000-square-foot facility features 13 treatment rooms, including a couples massage suite, hydrotherapy rooms, sauna, steam rooms and two intimate courtyard massage cabanas.

Indulge in a signature spa treatment, such as the Ka'anapali Oceania Couples Ritual Massage. This treatment commences with a Polynesian-style massage with virgin coconut oil, followed by a soothing coconut crème and frangipani milk bath for two that will send your senses soaring. Or try the Lilikoi Fruit Melody, a luxurious treatment that begins with gentle body exfoliation using island sugarcane and lilikoi to leave your skin fresh and smooth. The treatment continues with a decadent body wrap of lilikoi body butter soufflé to hydrate the skin, followed by an uplifting massage that brings an enchanting touch and scent of Hawai'i to the experience. Other revitalizing spa treatments include massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.

Candice Kraughto is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region.

Lt. Andrew Baldwin, ABC's Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman recently chose to spend his last nights in Hawaii at The Royal Hawaiian. The 31 year-old doctor and world-class tri-athlete gained national famed staring in the tenth season of the show in 2007. Andy came to Hawaii in July 2005 and was assigned as a member of the Navy Medical Corps to serve as Diving Medical Officer for Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One in Pearl Harbor.

During the season finale of the tenth season of The Bachelor in May 2007, ABC filmed Andy at Kaua'i's luxurious Princeville Resort on his dream dates. He was named the best bachelor on a 2008 special episode of The Bachelor last month titled 'Where Are They Now?'

The doctor emailed me last week asking if he could stay at the iconic "Pink Palace of the Pacific" one last time because he was bringing someone special. Who could that be?

How fitting that Andy would choose The Royal Hawaiian for rest and relaxation before shipping off to his new home in Washington D.C. to assume a new post as an advocate for Navy medicine. After Pearl Harbor was bombed in December 1941, The Royal Hawaiian hotel was closed to the public and leased exclusively to the U.S. Navy as a place for rest and relaxation for the troops. When WWII ended in 1945, The Royal Hawaiian closed for an extensive two-year renovation, re-opening in 1947.

Candice Kraughto, is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region.

Rum aficionados rejoice! No has-been Cosmo cocktails are offered on the premises at Honolulu's newest hotspot RumFire. The "it" drink at Sheraton Waikiki's gorgeous oceanfront "place to be seen" is the "Tradewinds," a fierce and refreshing libation mixed with Matusalem Platino rum from the Dominican Republic, Marie Brizzard Watermelon, fresh sweet and sour and a splash of Soho lychee liqueur. Or sip a Deconstructed Pina Colada with Cruzan single barrel rum served over pineapple ice cubes with a generous dollop of coconut foam.

The centerpiece of RumFire is its sexy rum tower featuring over a selection of over 100 unique offerings - from rare vintages to rum being produced in Hawaii's backyard from local sugar cane. Looking for something different to do on a Friday night? Plan a private rum tasting party at sunset with a group of friends around the outdoor fire pits. On 2nd and 4th Saturday nights, the purveyor's of Hawaii's most stylish parties, Flash and Matty Boy host "Oceanfront at Rumfire." Email vip@flashandmattyboy.com for bottle service reservations.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership.

For an exciting lesson on Hawaiian history, check out the International Festival of Canoes, Maui's signature cultural heritage event that honors the voyaging canoe that united Polynesia. During this festival, master carvers from across the Pacific gather in Lahaina to create canoes, surfboards and tikis from wood logs. Here you may enjoy cultural arts performances, a parade, ancient warrior demonstrations, Polynesian crafts and Hawaiian dining experiences. Or discover relaxing hands-on experiences, like quilting lessons and wood block carving. The festival concludes with an ancient Hawaiian ceremony and sunset canoe launch in Kamehameha Iki Park. The festival will be held May 18 through 31, 2008 with admission free for most events. Lahaina is located just ten miles from The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas and The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas North.

Opening this month is The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, a Starwood Vacation Ownership resort gracefully poised 200 feet above the Pacific Ocean on stunning wind-kissed cliffs on Kaua‘i's North Shore. Endless opportunities for exploration and recreation abound on Kaua‘i. Ride the river to Fern Grotto and immerse yourself in 1,800 acres of inspiring beauty at Waimea Canyon State Park. Fly by helicopter over the lush cliffs along the famous Na Pali Coast. Hike down to nearby Queen's Bath. Or discover your best golf game when you tee up on lush greens. Kaua‘i’s top-two-rated golf courses, Prince and Makai, not only beckon with meticulously manicured fairways, but they also provide an enviable vantage point of stirring Hawaiian scenery. Both courses have earned a spot on the prestigious Golf Digest “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” list.

At the end of each action-packed day, you may unwind amid inspired surroundings at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Spacious and stylishly furnished villas offer luxurious comfort, modern conveniences and intuitive touches suffused with Hawaiian culture—including the delightful Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath, fully equipped kitchens, entertainment centers and private lanais.

Candice Kraughto, is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region.

Long hours at work, family weekend commitments, and general fatigue were causing my husband and me to be out of sync. We were like ships passing in the night. It was worse than football season. We needed relief. Two days at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Poipu turned out to be the best prescription for what was ailing us.

We arrived at the resort on Friday night around 9:30 pm having taken almost the last inter-island flight from Honolulu to Lihue after work. “WooHOO!” my husband yelled when he walked into the Sheraton Kauai Resort’s one-bedroom Plumeria Suite. This gorgeous, ground-floor suite opened up to a private Jacuzzi on the lanai, the crashing ocean waves and inky black sky dotted with stars. The living room, dining room, entry hall, bedroom and huge bathroom stretched over square footage double the size of our tiny apartment in Honolulu. We could feel our tension and exhaustion start to ebb away as we dropped our bags on the ground and just breathed in pure Kauai.

My husband and I wandered over to The Point, the resort’s indoor and outdoor bar and grill for a glass of wine and late night appetizers. We watched a crowd gather for “Release,” a stylish Friday night party offered every week for the local Kauai ultra lounge lovers. The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper seemed to be calling our names though so we strolled back to our suite before the “Release” party went off full swing.

Candice Kraughto, is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region.

After a 3-year hiatus from exercise, I was finally revived from activity-apathy by a tempting offer from my friend Sumithra from The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Fly to Maui for a getaway with the girls and experience this exotic-sounding ritual called “moonlight yoga.” Not a fan of pretzel poses, I was dubious that this would inspire me to an elevated level of exercise nirvana, but Sumithra said she’d arrange for cocktails and chocolate fondue by the pool afterwards, so I signed up!

I laid my towel on the ground of our beachfront classroom. About 6 other barefoot girls (and 1 guy) and I formed a circle around the yogi instructor. We looked towards the dark ocean waves rolling in and the glowing candles in the sand. Breathe in on your left, breathe out on your right. Hey, I could get the hang of this, the shoulder rolls, the torso twists, this was gentle, civilized, almost spiritual even with the full moon peeking over my left shoulder. No talking during the one hour oasis of steady soft movements – so quiet and peaceful. When it was over I got up from my towel on the sand and looked over at my friends. It was like getting off the table after a massage – almost! The resort's Heavenly Spa by Westin offers “moonlight yoga” every month during full moon.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on the subject.

February is American Heart Month, a time of year when the American Heart Association reminds people to de-stress, eat healthier foods and get more exercise. If you want to do something beneficial for your heart this February, then consider treating yourself to a relaxing vacation at a destination known for exhilarating outdoor adventures and nourishing local cuisine. You will discover both on Maui when you stay at The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas or The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas North.

From hiking and biking to horseback riding and sailing, you will never run out of unique ways to explore Maui. Set off on an invigorating hike and discover dormant, desert-like volcanic craters and spectacular waterfalls. Or transform your perspective underwater as you snorkel alongside colorful coral reefs.