Author Archive for Michael
Top Things to Do While on The Big Island of Hawaii
While you aren’t lying by the pool and enjoying the resorts and all they have to offer, The Big Island has a lot to keep you occupied. Below are the top things to do while on The Big Island:
Helicopter Tour – Helicopter tours allow for the most spectacular views on the island. This will likely be the most memorable experience for you while in Hawaii.
Hilton Waikoloa Village – This resort is an experience not to be missed. There is something for everybody at The Big Island’s largest hotel.
Kona Brewing Company Tour & Restaurant – Complimentary brewery tours at 10:30 and 3:00pm seven days a week. When finished eat lunch or dinner at the 2,000-square-foot outdoor lanai, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and tiki torches.
Snorkeling – Most luxury hotels offer complimentary snorkeling gear – be sure to take advantage of this.
Sunset Cruise – Sunset cruises can be a great way to experience the coastline, and if you get lucky you can even see dolphins in the ocean.
Kona Joe’s Coffee Tour – Visit Kona’s premium coffeemaker and learn about how the coffee is produced.
Eat Pineapple – You will never eat Pineapple better than what’s grown on The Big Island of Hawaii, so eat as much as you can!
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park & Lava Flow – This is on the Hilo side of the Island, so if you are coming from Kona you will want to plan for a few hour drive. Seeing the Lava Flow is suggested to best be viewed at night.
Pololu Lookout Point – A popular lookout point with gorgeous sweeping views of the north coast.
Visit Downtown Kona – There are several great shops, and restaurants, a favorite is Huggo’s.
Golfing – This list wouldn’t be complete without golfing. There are several breathtaking golf courses on The Big Island. Take a look depending on where you are staying for the closest courses.
The Big Island Hawaii: Four Seasons Hualalai
Our next stop on The Big Island is as ‘LUX’ as it can get. The Four Seasons Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu on the North Kona Coast was recently voted the #1 hotel in all of Hawaii by Travel & Leisure Magazine.
The 243-room resort went through a recent renovation and now upholds a standard as one of the nicest hotels in the world. All guest rooms are extremely spacious, with 32 of them bungalows. The Four Seasons Hualalai does not have a central tower so the resort is no higher than 2 stories in height throughout the grounds, allowing the natural elements to be the main feature. As a guest you have the opportunity to enjoy 5 unique pools, plus a snorkeling pond, 4 restaurants, and a spa that’s quality is unmatched on the Island. If you’re looking to golf, the resort features a Jack Nicklaus signature 18-hole, 7,100-yard golf course.
Complimentary services for guests include scuba lessons, valet parking, and twice-daily maid service. Kids will have just as much fun as adults at the Four Seasons Hualalai; they can enjoy the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program, featuring a dedicated kids room with video games, TV, toys, and more. The resort draws celebrities and other well-known guests, so don’t be surprised if you end up bumping shoulders with some of Hollywood’s best.
The Big Island Hawaii: Hilton Waikoloa Village
Hilton Waikoloa Village is the largest hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii with 1,240 guest rooms and suites and a wide array of activities and amenities. The Hilton is located on the Kohala Coast of The Big Island of Hawaii, just 20 minutes north of Kona International Airport.
What makes this hotel more unique than any other on the island are its on-property transportation systems. (Yes, that’s right – there are multiple transportation systems within the property…it’s that big!) Right upon entry into the resort you will find an option for either a sleek air-conditioned tram or a leisurely canal boat ride. Of course you can walk to your room as well, but if you are further away a tram is always fastest.
One attraction that sets this resort apart from others is their Dolphin Quest, an opportunity to swim with dolphins. A marine mammal expert guides the experience with these intelligent creatures, with encounters of 30 minutes to over 5 hours. Packages to swim with dolphins start at just over $200. This can be a memorable adventure, even if you’re not a guest at the resort.
LUX Destination: The Big Island of Hawaii
Welcome to The Big Island of Hawaii. The Big Island is the largest island in the Hawaiian chain at 4,038 sq. miles and has the most diversity in not only climate and terrain, but in activities it offers as well.
Over the next several days we will reveal our experiences at the best hotels and resorts on The Big Island of Hawaii, specifically on the Kona side of the island – the “Golden Coast.” We will also share the top activities and adventures you won’t want to miss upon your next visit!
Breathtaking Views in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands Hotel
The Hotel at Marina Bay Sands is located in Singapore offering remarkable views of the city skyline and the peaceful sea. The hotel offers several types of rooms including Atrium Rooms, Horizon Rooms, Orchid Suite, and more.
The rooms offer easy access to shops, casino, entertainments, dining, and the Sands Sky Park when it is complete. The Horizon rooms, which feature the best views, are located on near the top of the 55-story hotel.
The Club at Marina Bay Sands room once open will offer guests access to the most unique and luxurious club found in any hotel. Guest rooms offer outstanding services such as in-room media, in-room dining available 24 hours a day, daily turndown service, access to The Club at Marina Bay Club, and access to The Club at Marina Bay Sands.
Toronto’s Trendy Thompson Hotel
Thompson Hotel in Toronto is located in the trendy area of Central King West. This area is known for its art and design, as well as the boutiques, galleries and restaurants. The luxurious 102 guest rooms are beautifully designed by Studio Gaia and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with extensive views of the city.
The luxury hotel includes a heated rooftop infinity pool, a private rooftop bar and event space with great views of Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario. The hotel also includes a theatre with 40 over sized seats and writing tables, ideal room for seminars and presentations.
Other hotel amenities include has 24-hour concierge and room service, daily delivery of domestic and international newspapers, and twice daily housekeeping service. The event room has the latest technology and business needs, yet is still stylish enough to arrange weddings and receptions.
Concierge.com Rates World’s Sexiest Hotel Staffs
Concierge.com has chosen the top 8 hotels that have the world’s sexiest staff. So if you are interested in more than just the scenery overlooking your hotel you may be interested in viewing the list! Hotels on the list include:
- The Standard, New York City
- Mondrian Los Angeles, California
- The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, Miami, Florida
- Paia Inn, Paia, Maui, Hawaii
- Faena Hotel + Universe, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- The Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Lukula Selous, Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
Sneak Peek at Las Vegas Cosmopolitan Resort
The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas is set to open at the end of this year in December. Included are sneak peek photos of the guest rooms, which are now available to reserve on The Cosmopolitan’s website.
The 2,995-room resort will feature oversized residential style living space with expansive one-of-a-kind private terraces and spectacular designs by acclaimed interior architects David Rockwell, Jeffrey Beers, Adam D.Tihany and the Friedmutter Group.
The two 50-story towers will be comprised of oversized hotel rooms ranging in size from 730 square feet to over 5,400 square feet. Also available are ten three-story bungalow-style suites adjacent to the west pool deck. According to resort many of the rooms feature expansive terraces overlooking the heart of the Strip.
Lake Austin Spa Resort – Named Number One Spa Resort in North America
Lake Austin is a Spa Resort located on 19 lakefront acres in Central Texas. It has been designed with wonderful facilities, programs, cuisine and best of all great spa treatments. Lake Austin has been named the #1 Destination Spa in North America by Conde Nast Traveler.
At Lake Austin Spa Resort there are four different types of guestrooms available including Signature room that is perfect for family with two queen-size beds, sunlit bathroom spacious closets and remote controlled ceiling fans. Premier Garden Cabin is a romantic cabin with two queen or one king size bed. Some cabins even include whirlpool bathtub, fireplace, a private garden and outdoor private hot tub. Premier Lakeview Room offers two full size beds or one king-size bed. This beautiful room offers breath taking views of the Lake Austin. Premier Garden room includes one queen bed and a peaceful private place with a private garden located behind the room.
Andaz 5th Avenue – Now Open in New York City
Now open at 5th Ave & 41st St is New York City’s newest hotel, Andaz 5th Avenue. The 184-room hotel is inspired by New York City. Your New York Experience starts as soon as you open the bronze-colored doors on 41st Street and are greeted by an Andaz host.
The New York loft-style guestrooms are meant to complement the hotel’s unique design elements reminiscent of pre-war New York apartments. The rooms have 12-foot floor-to-ceiling windows with views of 5th Avenue and the New York Public Library. Rooms include travertine marble bathrooms and porcelain footbaths. Most of the 36 suites offer private balconies or landscaped terraces. The Andaz XL Two-Bedroom Terrace Suite is 1,779 square feet and has a landscaped terrace with views of both the Hudson River and the East River.
Traveling on business? The hotel has complimentary wireless Internet! (There is nothing worse than staying in a beautiful luxury hotel to then find out how expensive and complicated it is to use the internet.) Another special and unique touch at the hotel is their complimentary mini bar with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks in each room.
