2006:
Big Island: Top 10 Hotels for Honeymooners
1. The Palms Cliff House Inn
Why We Love It: The Palms Cliff House is a vision of elegance steeped in Hawaiian tradition. Nestled within a lush estate brimming with tropical fruit and macadamia trees, this Victorian gem stretches magnificently along a high sea bluff, offering expansive views of the stunning coast and crashing surf.
Why You’ll Love It: The Inn’s well-appointed suites offer double Jacuzzi tubs -- some with breathtaking views of the ocean -- and private lanais, perfect for enjoying the views a deux. With only two rooms and six suites, the Inn is small enough to offer personal service (including a delicious homemade breakfast), yet big enough for honeymooners to bask in the privacy of this romantic hideaway.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: An outstanding base for Hamakua Coast excursions, The Palms Cliff House is only a stone’s throw from beautiful Akaka Falls, and 45 minutes from not-to-be-missed Volcanoes National Park.
2. The Fairmont Orchid
Why We Love It: Where else can you spot Hawaiian green sea turtles each and every afternoon? Here, on the 32-acre resort, these gentle giants crawl out on the Fairmont's private shoreline every afternoon for what seems like your own private showing.
Why You’ll Love It: The magical outdoor 'Spa Without Walls,' including new waterfall massage hales (houses) and breathtaking oceanfront massage cabanas, is an experience that's not to be missed. Gorgeous ocean views, a private beach, and secluded hammocks help to get you in the mood for love as well (not that you'll need it). Make arrangements for the Romantic Getaway package and you'll be privy to a couple's massage ocean-side or waterfall-side, limo transfers between the hotel and airport, a decadent buffet breakfast, and a 'Make Room for Romance' amenity, which includes a trail of orchid petals leading from your room door to the bed where they are arranged in a heart shape upon the top sheet; a bucket of ice-cold champagne; bath oils; chocolate-dipped Big Island fruit; and other romantic touches.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: Enjoy a refreshing dip in the 10,000-square-foot oceanfront swimming pool, then stargaze from one of the lava whirlpools. Or spend a day snorkeling in the clear waters of Pauoa Bay. Paddle an outrigger canoe, sail aboard a Hawaiian double-hulled sailing canoe, head out on a cultural hike, or learn to weave a coconut leaf basket.
3. Mauna Lani Resort
Why We Love It: This dazzling resort has something for everyone – golfing, water sports, a luxury spa, beautiful surroundings, and as much privacy as any honeymooner could dream of.
Why You’ll Love It: The ultra-luxurious bungalows are a honeymooner’s fantasy, each with a private chef, lanai, Jacuzzi, and private swimming pool. A personal staff stands by 24 hours to do your bidding, and the views are spectacular.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: The extraordinary, open-air Lava Sauna begins with a coat of smoothing black mud on your skin, and ends with a meditation in the resort’s La’au (healing) garden (after you’ve showered). If you’re a golfer you‘ll adore the two resort courses with panoramic views. Six charming restaurants run the gamut from cocktails and sushi to fine Pacific Rim cuisine, making it tempting to bypass room service at least once or twice.
4. Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
Why We Love It: After a six year, 70-million dollar renovation, the new Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa has opened its doors and set its sights on becoming one of the top destinations on the Kona Coast.
Why You’ll Love It: Perched on a dramatic cliff of black lava, the ocean-side resort offers unparalleled views of the famous bay. And with spacious 420-square-foot guest rooms that boast sumptuous “Sweet Sleeper” beds and private lanais, lounging around feels better than ever.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: The tranquil Ho’ola Spa, the Kona Country Club golf courses, two tennis courts, and enormous multi-level swimming pool complete with its own beach (and the island’s biggest waterslide) offer the best in island-style rejuvenation. Don’t miss the popular Manta Ray Experience, where you can watch gentle giants feed and glide from special viewing spots throughout the resort, or from your own lanai.
5. Hilton Waikoloa Village
Why We Love It: This world-class resort combines 62 magical acres of cascading waterfalls and lush tropical gardens. Sleek hotel towers and structures are connected by trams, boats and shaded walkways that house an impressive collection of Pacific Island art.
Why You’ll Love It: With two championship golf courses to play, nine gourmet restaurants to sample, and an in-house spa (one of the very best on the Kohala Coast), you’ll feel like you’ve discovered the meaning of the word luxury. Spacious guest rooms are generously appointed with built-in platform beds, private lanais, and stylishly updated bathrooms.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: An exploration of the dreamy grounds will reveal an unbelievable 1-acre pool, a never-ending water slide and secluded grottos around every corner. There’s even a lagoon where you can swim with dolphins. Though there’s no ocean beach to speak of, a stretch of sand curls around the 4-acre lagoon, and a picturesque walking trail winds from the resort down to ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay.
6. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel
Why We Love It: The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel knows how to impress its guests. From the moment you step into the bright atrium lobby with its panoramic ocean views, you know you’ve found paradise. The sparkling pool unfolds onto a beautiful white sand beach (one of the top on the island).
Why You’ll Love It: Luxurious accommodations include marble baths and private lanais – and you’ll enjoy an ocean view from every room. The beautifully kept grounds, and superb staff make this hotel experience one to beat. Quiet and discreet, this world-class resort manages to feel like a private hideaway created just for honeymooners.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: The hotel offers some of the best swimming and snorkeling on the island. Guests who snorkel the clear blue waters are treated sightings of sea turtles and colorful reef fish. Land activities include horseback riding and bike riding and guests are encouraged to enjoy the grounds and amenities of the hotel’s sister property, the famous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
7. Four Seasons Hualalai
Why We Love It: The ultimate destination in luxury, the Four Seasons Hualalai delivers world- class accommodations, impeccable service and spectacular grounds that feature three seaside swimming pools, black lava lagoons and a spa that was named the World’s Best by Conde Naste Traveler.
Why You’ll Love It: Outdoor lava-rock showers, down comforters, and famous Four Seasons attention to detail (like twice-daily maid service) ensure you’ll be pampered like never before. Honeymooners can arrange romantic extras like champagne upon arrival, side-by-side massages, canoe rides for two, and even private dinners on the beach.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: Opulent amenities include complimentary SCUBA lessons, the “King’s Pond,” a lagoon filled with fish and manta rays you can snorkel with, a rich Hawaiian History and Cultural Center, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, and on onsite rock-climbing wall. And then there’s the brilliant Four Season’s concierge desk; one that can arrange everything from sailing and fishing to windsurfing and horseback riding. You may leave your room. You just won’t ever want to leave the resort.
8. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Why We Love It: Long one of the world’s top destination hotels, the Mauna Kea is an oasis of mid-century style and impeccable service. Elegant appointments, a perfect location, as well as one of the Big Islands most beautiful beaches, make this a timeless hotspot.
Why You’ll Love It: Private lanais, Yukata robes, and soft slippers in each room make it easy to relax and enjoy the spirit of luxury and tradition of the hotel. With a perfect, shimmering beach, 13 plex-pave tennis courts, a championship golf course, and an award-winning restaurant, the Mauna Kea certainly lives up to her reputation as the Grande Dame of the Big Island.
Why You Might Want To Leave Your Room: Explore lava tide pools brimming with life, peruse an impressive art collection, including a 7th century Buddha, and at night, watch manta rays come to feed along the hotel’s floating platform. Stop by the activities desk to arrange kayaking, windsurfing and SCUBA diving excursions. And don’t forget, guests are invited to enjoy the grounds, beach and amenities of the nearby sister property, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.
9. Kona Village Beach Resort
Why We Love It: Set on 82 acres of an ancient Hawaiian village, the Kona Village Beach Resort offers guests a perfect escape from the modern world and an experience like no other. The resort has a name for the sense of peace, privacy and serenity it inspires: barefoot luxury.
Why You’ll Love It: There are no in-room phones, televisions, or air conditioning --- and you won’t miss a thing. Enjoy your own private hale (thatched roof hut) with its beautiful décor, hammock, and private lanai (some bungalows even come with a private Jacuzzi). Service is top-notch and friendly, never stuffy or ostentatious. And in-room refrigerators are stocked with free sodas and bottled water.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: The location and history of the resort are extraordinary. The ruins of the ancient village are everywhere. You’ll connect with the island’s rich past as you watch black swans drift over the old fish ponds, spot sea turtles napping on the sun drenched beach, snorkel and swim in the crystalline water, walk in the soft sand beach, explore the petroglyph field and feast at one of the island best luaus.
10. Volcano House
Why We Love It: Perched on the Kilauea Crater inside the Volcanoes National Park, you won’t stay any closer to the volcanic action than at this historic country lodge--the only hotel inside the park.
Why You’ll Love It: Rustic, nostalgic and low-key, the hearth-warmed Volcano House is said to be a favorite haunt of Pele herself. While certainly not as luxurious as other Big Island resorts, the romance of this charming lodge (it was originally built in 1896) is its location, backdrop of steaming vents and rivers of molten rock. And then there’s the thrill of sleeping on the slopes of an active mountain of magma.
Why You Might Leave Your Room: Mauna Lao and Kilauea are two of the most active volcanoes in the world, so excursions into the Volcanoes National Park are an absolute must. Hiking and biking trails can both offer outstanding views of the flows, and a breathtaking helicopter tour of the park is sure to be a highlight of your honeymoon.
John Kaniukumakekai Gamble & Michele Kealaokapualokomaika'i Gamble celebrate 9 years of sharing their aloha with guests.
Site Content & Web Design Copywrite: The Palms Hawaii Accommodations, LLC. 2009.
