Surf’s Up on Hawaiian Honeymoons
By Lisa Loverro
Boasting brilliant sunsets, outdoor adventure and natural wonders—what could be more perfect than a Hawaiian honeymoon? And whether your client is looking for a luau extravaganza or a quiet, secluded hideaway, there are a multitude of options to choose from. And don’t you think Hawaii is just for beach-loving couples; active pairs will find more than enough offshore adventure to keep them happy. Here’s a look at some of the most romantic, luxurious and secluded properties scattered throughout the islands.
Maui
The second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui, is called “The Magic Isle” for a reason. Its beauty and charm, mystical landscape, warm people and cool ocean breezes make Maui one of the most popular destinations for honeymoon couples. The island offers sophisticated luxe properties and small, romantic “upcountry” bungalows.
While there are many different hotels offering great honeymoon packages, we can’t overlook the The Four Seasons Maui (www.fourseasons.com), one of the most romantic honeymoon resorts in Hawaii. An open-air lobby faces the ocean and includes three restaurants, a casual bar, a spa and health club wrapped around a courtyard with fountains, swimming pools and spa tubs. The majority of the five-star resort’s 380 luxury guest rooms and suites—the largest on the island—offer views of the Pacific Ocean. Massage treatments are offered in three private thatched-roof huts by the beach. Spago restaurant serves Wolfgang Puck’s signature cuisine.
The beachside resort of the Makena Beach and Golf Club (www.makenaresortmaui.com), located in Wailea, near Makena Beach, is the perfect choice for the couples that enjoy playing a round of golf or two. It may resemble a fortress from the outside, but the interior incorporates a fine sense of Japanese aesthetics. The five-story hotel surrounds a courtyard with waterfalls, running streams, carp ponds and raked-rock gardens. There are 310 rooms, all with partial ocean views and a well-regarded Japanese dinner restaurant.
Speaking of golf, The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua (www.ritzcarlton.com) exudes understated elegance for an exclusive golf crowd. On a hillside facing the greens and the sea, the hotel has a heated, multi-level swimming pool shaded by palm trees, a spa and a fitness club.
Away from the ocean, the charming neighborhoods found “upcountry,” away from the large bustling hotels and crowds, are home to some bungalows and cottages. The Pineapple Inn Maui (www.pineappleinnmaui.com) consists of four very private and quiet guest rooms to rival those found at exclusive resorts. Pineapple Inn is surrounded by lush vegetation and blossoming gardens. There’s a saltwater pool and couples can stargaze from the hot tub. Rooms are large with designer sheets. A perfect alternative to large resorts, venturing upcountry provides a chance to experience the “real” Hawaii amidst clean, mountain air.
For active couples, book a kayaking tour on the sea. Best routes are found along the Kihei Coast with easy access to calm water. Makena Kayak and Tours (www.makenakayaks.com) caters to most levels of kayakers and biking tours can be easily arranged by Maui’s oldest downhill company, Maui Downhill (www.mauidownhill.com), which offers a sunrise safari bike tour, including continental breakfast and brunch, starting at $125.
Haleakala, the majestic volcano and one of Maui’s most visited natural attractions, provides for some great hiking and biking opportunities with 27 miles of trails through a wide variety of terrain ranging from easy to difficult. For more in-depth hiking info, check out www.haleakala.national-park.com
Oahu
Along with its accessibility from the mainland U.S., the warm waters off Waikiki, the rustic charm of the North Shore and the spectacular lookout points, Oahu is perfect for experiencing all of Hawaii’s beauty and sophistication on one island. Most Oahu resorts and hotels can be found in Waikiki, although outside the main city lie a number of well-known and truly romantic properties. The Kahala Hotel and Resort (www.kahalaresort.com), a luxury resort in east Honolulu; The Turtle Bay Resort (www.turtlebayresort.com) on the North Shore; and the J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa (www.ihilani.com) on the Leeward Coast all offer wedding packages and honeymoon specials. On the west coast of Oahu, the Ko Olina (www.koolina.com) is an oceanfront resort with 247 Villas. The Watabe Wedding Chapel at Ko Olina features a 180-degree view of lagoons and sea with a 50-guest seating capacity; a great choice for a destination wedding and nicely removed from Honolulu.
Winter is big wave surf season on the North Shore so if your clients enjoy hanging ten, then the surfing competitions in November and December will allow for some cool viewing of the “best of the best” in the sport. Whale watching season begins in December and ends in May (although peak times are between January and April). For active couples, kayaking to the Mokulua Islands off of beautiful Kailua Beach, or exploring the Kookau mountains by horseback at the Kualoa Ranch make for some unique experiences on the island.
As for the nightlife and art scene, Waikiki’s main strip of Kalakaua Avenue is filled with street performers to local legends. Traditional Hawaiian music and hula performances at the Moana Surfrider (www.moana-surfrider.com), a Westin Resort and Spa is always a great night out or listen to jazz at the Lewers Lounge in the Halekulani Hotel.
The Big Island
The island of Hawaii (The Big Island) is the largest of all the islands, and being the youngest, it is still growing. It’s home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea, and visitors on the Big Island can witness Mother Nature at her best as fiery orange lava flows over cliffs into the boiling sea. There are sparkling waterfalls, black-lava sand beaches and tropical rainforests.
Resorts on this island, like the others, offer both sprawling luxury properties and quaint bed and breakfasts. The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (www.fourseasons.com) is a great place for couples to unwind after their wedding in the lap of luxury. Low-rise clusters villas make for a cozy feeling and a bit different than high-rise resorts. The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui Resort (www.fairmont.com), located in Wailea, is a luxury resort nearby to Wailea Beach and Wailea. The property’s full-service health spa has body treatments, massage/treatment rooms, facials, and beauty services. For the best bed and breakfast cottages and vacation rentals, perfect for complete privacy, check out www.bestbnb.com.
Kauai
The island of Kauai is lush and a bit more rural than the other islands. It’s home to the Na Pali Coast and the stunning Waimea Canyon. Great for active couples, it’s a haven for hikers and kayakers. It’s the little darling for honeymooners as it’s void of all the decadent shopping malls and bustling nightlife. The island is chilled out to the extreme and perfect for a honeymoon. Resorts are more intimate and generally more moderately priced, though there are some luxury properties as well. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa Po’ipu (www.kauai.hyatt.com) is a Four-Diamond hotel with lush grounds and wedding planning services available. The Koa Kea Hotel and Resort (www.koakea.com), located in Koloa, is beachfront, nearby to Moir Gardens, Kiahuna Golf Course, and Poipu. They offer special Romance Packages starting at $615 per night.
Getting There
Most major U.S. carriers fly to Honolulu International Airport on Oahu. Some also offer direct flights to Kona International Airport (KOA), near Kailua-Kona on the Big Island; Kahului Airport (OGG), on Maui; and Lihue Airport (LIH), on Kauai. United Airlines offers the most frequent service from the U.S. mainland. For more information visit www.gohawaii.com.