Your favorite Hawaiian luxury resort?
 

We're in the beginning phases of planning for a 2011 anniversary trip, and would like a bit of luxury this time (usually go for the family-friendly condo rentals). I would love to hear about your favorite Hawaii "splurge" resort. We've been to Maui, Kauai, and spent only one day on Oahu, but we are open to any island for this trip. Our only other requirements would be golf, tennis and good restaurants in the area.

Thanks!

4S Big Island
4S Maui
4S Lodge Lanai
Hotel Hana
Ritz Residence Maui

Don't count out luxury rentals. We were fortunate to stay here for a real bargain basement rate - timing was everything. It was so much more luxurious for us then staying next door at the St Regis. The pool was often emptry, the views, the kitchen and laundry and. . . well look!

http://www.hawaiigaga.com/images/vir...rtual_tour.swf

My favorite, of course, is Kona Village Resort. It's so much my favorite that as a hobby I created a website devoted solely to it. Go to www.davidskvr.net and its 322 pictures and 31 video clips will give you all the information you need to make a decision. The tennis is included, and villagers have access to Hualalai next door (but they have to pay the green fees). If you want to play other courses, you can rent a car at the village. There are two excellent restaurants and the food is all included in the price.
David

My favorite part of Hawaii was the north shore of Kauai, so if I were going to splurge, I'd probably look at the St Regis in Princeville.

I have always wanted to stay in the private villa at the Hapuna Prince Beach Resort. The one with the private pool, great views, and 24-hour butler.

Hapuna Prince Beach gets my vote too. Serene, understated elegance, excellent beach, oh yeah...

Kona Village Resort. Wonderful gardens, super employees, romantic setting, great food and very, very relaxing. They have three tennis courts. It is the best resort for snorkeling in the State. You can golf at the Four Seasons (2 courses), if you rent a car, there are two courses at Waikoloa about 15 miles north and the Mauna Lani course about 20 miles north.

St. Regis Princeville/Kauai
Royal Hawaiian, Honolulu,Ohau

Have you stayed at the St Regis? I have stayed at the old Princeville and was very disappointed with the new changes to the property, so would love to hear your viewpoint on the pre and post property.

The site of the St. Regis is splendid, can't think of a better view in Hawaii. The view rooms there are nice, only missing a terrace/lanai.

However, the beach is very small and rocky and the pool is sort of small. It's not one of those beaches you dream about.

I didn't think the beach at St. Regis would be a deal breaker. It is small but there is good snorkeling there. I saw a multitude of lobsters and some nice fish. One caveat, I was there and it enjoyed it when the resort was closed. It could be different with a hundred people wanting to use it. Having said that, the St. Regis does have the best views in Hawaii.

Not really 'resorts' but the nicest hotels in Waikiki on Oahu are Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider.

Where we've stayed when we want luxury:
LANAI:
Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay
The Lodge at Koele
OAHU:
Moana Surfrider
MAUI:
Grand Wailea
KAUAI
St. Regis Princeville

They all have superb customer service and grounds. Most often we use the hotel restaurants but if we want to get out and see the island and sample some of the local food we read up on it all in the pages of Fodor's and the Hawaii Trailblazer series.

Since the economy is a little down we've been able to negotiate some great room deals just by asking "is this the best you can do?"

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm looking forward to investigating these all. We have stayed at the Hanalei Bay Resort on Kauai, so we know how great the views are from Princeville. We were also less than impressed with the beach in front of the St. Regis.

A couple of questions.

1. Kona Village does look heavenly. I love those bungalows. Based upon the reviews, my only concern would be about the food. Any comments? How far a drive would it be for quality off-site dining?
2. The properties on Lanai are intriguing, too. The only worry there would be that the island itself might be a little too sedate. Any insight here would be appreciated, too.

Off to research the rest! Thanks again.

Hotel Hana Maui - Not everyone's cup of tea. Ownership changes may be creating some problems, but it is a gorgeous property. I celebrated my 50th here and it will always have a special place in my memory banks.


I hear the new Koa Kea (Kea Koa?) in Poipu is very nice.

Ivk, I simply don't understand those few who have grumbled about the food at Kona Village! Breakfast is anything you want, prepared the way you like it; lunch is an elaborate buffet with sashimi, shellfish, etc. (look at the pictures in my website); dinner offers a choice of two restaurants, either with superb five course meals in a spectacular setting. The latest complaining review on Trip Advisor was from a visit three years ago, and one said the corned beef was made of SPAM, which is utterly wrong! In short, don't believe it! The food is excellent. While you could walk next door to the Four Seasons for a change of meals, all the food at KVR is included in the price and to eat elsewhere is an expensive alternative.
David

lvk, I've had the good fortune of staying at The Lodge, both pre and post 4Seasons. Yes it is a VERY sedate island with a few off roading adventures, horsebackriding or snorkling and hiking to fill your days. I adore it, but others may not.

One major thing that I would keep in mind is whether any resorts you are considering are having a major corporate event. One time on Lanai, there was a big event at Manele Bay. It didn't have an adverse effect on us, as we prefer sleeping upisland, but I don't really like to spend time amongst conventioners. Same thing happened at Breakers in Palm Beach. Somehow a few hundred people with name tags visiting on the company dime can change the vibe of even the best resorts.

Ivk, Kona Village got the Zagat award for best restaurant on the island in 2009. However, to answer you question, the Four Season's is a five minute walk south, Waikoloa with Roy's, Merrimans and Sansei Sushi is about eighteen minutes north. Muana Lani's Brown's is about twenty five minutes north. In Kailua Kona, you have Don the Beachcomber, Jackie Reys about 30 minutes away.

The Ritz-Carlton (Kapalua, Maui) is very nice.

Ivk, Peter Greenberg who does a travel show for CBS will be broadcasting from Koa Village this Saturday June 26, you could ask him for an opinion.

"On Saturday, June 26, Peter will broadcasts his radio show from Kona Village Resort in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Call in with your travel questions at 1-888-88-PETER (1-888-887-3837) or email [email protected]. (Write “ASK PETER” in the subject line.)"

http://www.petergreenberg.com/?page_id=662