All Entries Tagged With: "Beach"

The Big Island Hawaii: Kona Village Resort

Our next LUX Destination spotlight is Kona Village. Kona Village is located in, well…Kona, on The Big Island. This 82-acre resort encompasses everything the beautiful Kohala Coast has to offer – palm trees swaying, glistening lagoons, piled lava rocks, black sand beaches, and the ocean. Focused on traditional Polynesian culture, the resort is made up of 82 oceanfront hales, or bungalows, that come free of phones, TVs, radios, or internet, forcing the overworked traveler to really relax into the aloha spirit.

Upon arrival at Kona Village, expect to be greeted with a traditional Hawaiian lei of orchid flowers. After check-in, one is swept away by a golf cart to one’s hale. Each hale is cooled by the breeze of the tradewinds blowing through its slatted doors from the sea; only ceiling fans are used for extra circulation, and there’s not even a lock on the door. As unconventional as it may sound, there’s something very quaint in having to write messages to your resort staff on a clipboard outside your door or placing a coconut on your front porch as a sign of do not disturb.

Appropriately named, Kona Village was once a fishing village. To preserve and respect the land that was once frequented by the King and other royalty, the resort is set up to resemble a Polynesian village. The hales are elevated by stilts to protect from high tide and the roofs are thatched; some hales even come with a private hot tub on the deck – not authentic, but a luxurious necessity.

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.

The Big Island Hawaii: The Fairmont Orchid

First up in our LUX Destination spotlight is The Fairmont Orchid. It is located on the Kohala Coast, north of Kona, in the resort area of Mauna Lani. Sitting on 32 acres of beach and black lava, this Hawaiian hotel is complete with a swimmable lagoon and breath-taking views. The feeling one gets upon arrival at The Fairmont Orchid is one of anticipation, when seeing its grand elegance for the first time. Expect to be escorted from your car with a lei greeting of Kukui Nuts, which symbolize enlightenment, protection, and peace. These 3 values are exemplified through the elevated level of service one receives at The Fairmont Orchid.

The Fairmont Gold Floor is something unique to The Orchid, as only a limited number of Fairmont properties throughout the world offer this level of service. The Gold Floor takes the already exceptional service of The Fairmont to an elevated level. At The Orchid, Gold Floor guests check in at a private reception on the 6th floor where 45 rooms and suites are reserved only for Fairmont Gold guests. Many of the guestrooms have sweeping views of either the ocean or beautiful Fairmont grounds.

The most appealing thing about the Gold Floor at The Orchid is the dedicated Gold Floor staff that can assist you with any need and the complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon happy hour that’s offered daily. Being able to relax in an oversized chair in the Gold Lounge or outside on the private Gold Lounge lanai (patio), while enjoying a cocktail or working on one’s laptop, is a luxury any traveler can enjoy. Fairmont Gold guests also have access to free wi-fi.

Relax at Los Cabos Mexico Luxury Resort, One&Only Palmilla

One&Only Palmilla Resort is located in Los Cabos Mexico. It offers three types of elegant and spacious guest rooms including Ocean Front, Beach Front and Villa Cortez. The 172 guestrooms have a patio or balcony that allow breath-taking views. All guestrooms offer ocean or beachfront views from a private veranda that has a day bed and a personal telescope where guests can enjoy the views of grey whales in the day or stars by night. Amenities for the hotel include a personal butler is at service 24 hours a day, welcome tequila beverage, fresh fruit delivered daily, maid service available two times daily and aromatherapy turndown menu. All rooms include a Flat-screen TV and DVD player, Bose surround sound system, telescope for whale watching and star gazing, safe deposit box and high speed Wi-Fi internet access.

One of the hotel’s prized possessions is its Villa Cortez, a traditional hacienda with decorated interiors and stone patterned floors. The unit has four bedrooms, 12-person private screening theater, infinity-edge pool and whirlpool, full exterior and interior kitchen facilities, outdoor fire pits, full gym, and several other amenities.

Miami Beach Gansevoort Hotel – Classic Elegance with Contemporary “Kick”

Gansevoort is a stylish and luxury resort located in Miami, directly on the oceanfront between 23rd and 24th streets on historic Collins Avenue. It is in the center of a fabulous neighborhood of art galleries, museums and performing arts. Shops, restaurants and night clubs are in walking distance from the hotel.

The spacious 340 guestrooms including 86 suites at Gansevoort Miami Beach allow for exceptional views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and Miami’s skylines. Each guest room includes Wi-Fi and other hi tech amenities.

Summer Vacation Ecstasy: Athens Luxury Resort

In the heart of Athenian Riviera at the Astir Palace complex, the Arion Resort and Spa has had exceptional hospitality and superior service for 40 years. The Athens resort is only 25 kilometers away from an International Airport, and close by exclusive shopping district and elite shopping spot of Glyfada. You’ll have access to many eye-catching sites, like atmospheric landscapes, Cape Sounio, and archaeological temples, beautiful beaches, Vouliagmini and Varkiza. Bungalows of the resort are renovated for a privileged service. The luxury rooms and suites are beautifully decorated, a great mixture of classic and modern.

To ease the stress from your body and mind from a busy life, Arion Spa is available at the resort, just relax and let the worries stay back home. Other activities that will keep you busy and fit include indoor and outdoor pools, sports like tennis lessons, water sports, volleyball, and children’s programs to keep them busy as well.

Escape to Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Florida Keys

If you’re looking for a calm, peaceful place on earth to visit and relax your mind from busy life, Little Palm Island & Resort is the perfect place to be. It was discovered about twenty years ago, located in Little Torch Key in Florida. This place is a paradise for presidents, celebrities and whoever feds up of busy social life and doesn’t get much chance of a private life.

The extra spacious suites are oceanfront in the 5 ½ acre land. All three classes Bungalow suite, Premium and Island Grand Suites are housed in thatched roof bungalows. The bungalows include custom-made beds, with romantic mosquito netting. You’ll enjoy the outdoor showers, and some great arrival amentias that will set your mood for special getaway. All suites are non-smoking.

One interesting thing about taking Little Palm Island vacation is that kids under age 16 aren’t allowed, and neither are pets. You can relax your mind and body and feel the natural life and a touch of paradise. No phone calls will bother you and because there are no televisions available at Little Palm Tree you’ll not hear any news of the world you escaped. Just enjoy the beautiful private life without worrying about rest of the world.

Pink Palace in Honolulu – The Royal Hawaiian

Royal Hawaiian Resort, known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific, was built in 1927. It cost $4 million to build the six-story Honolulu building that had 400 rooms. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel became a favorite of world’s most influential statesmen and early Hollywood Stars. In June 2008 the hotel was closed for a complete renovation and was reopened on January 20, 2009 as a member of the Luxury Collection division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Currently the Royal Resort has 529 rooms including 34 suites of which 18 are oceanfront. The Royal Hawaiian is located at the apex of Waikiki’s arc, which is a great opportunity for the beach lover guests. Royal Hawaiian offers parasailing, catamaran cruises, surfing and snorkeling. Beach boys services are also offered at the resort. You’ll find a variety of shopping, restaurants, and cultural events just steps away from the beach.