Even though Hawaii is known for its breathtaking beaches, the 50th state actually offers much more than just a swim in crystalline waters and great waves to surf. Discover the archipelago’s wonders — away from its sandy stretches — with this selection of activities we’ve come up with for you. From the soaring cliffs of the Waimea Canyon in Kauai to the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Oahu, Hawaii will win the hearts even of those who are allergic to relaxing on lounge chairs under the sun. Check out the best sun-safe activities to do while visiting any of the islands — just make sure to slather on some SPF first.
Road to Hana, Maui; Maui, HI
Read More »
Santa waving a shaka
The thought of Christmas may evoke jingle bells and sleigh rides for many folks, but those of us who call Hawaii home have a slightly different version of holiday cheer. If you’re lucky enough to be spending the holiday on Oahu, you’ll find palm trees lit with Christmas lights, see Santa waving a shaka, and hear Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) wherever you go. You might even be lucky enough to catch Santa’s arrival on a surfboard. The following events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Ride the Pearlridge Express - Children under 48″ can climb aboard the Pearlridge Express for only $3. The train chugs around the Uptown Center Court from November 19-January 2.
Santa’s German Gingerbread Village – The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Hawaii features an edible winter wonderland made of gingerbread and other sweet treats created by Executive Chef Ralf Bauer and his team of culinary artists. November 24 to January 3, 2011 in the resort’s lobby.
Read More »
by Jane on September 10, 2010
A pro for both hotels? They're in Hawaii.
If you’re heading to Maui for a luxurious getaway, the Four Seasons Maui and The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua are obvious top contenders to host your stay. Both are five-pearl resorts and belong to well-respected, iconic hotel groups:
The Four Seasons, which has 83 hotels in 35 countries, is one of the most recognizable luxury hotel brands in the world — for a reason. Its hotels offer the plush accommodations and top-notch amenities you’d expect in this price range, but it’s the consistently exceptional service that elevates the Four Seasons to the ranks of the best of the best.
The Ritz-Carlton name — from which the adjective “ritzy” is derived — says it all. Some Ritzes are ritzier than others, of course, but travelers can count on supremely comfortable rooms, elegant decor, and top-notch service and amenities at all 70 of the chain’s properties.
So how do you choose between the two? We’ll argue that you can’t make a bad decision, but after the jump, we’ll map out the pros and cons of each Hawaiian hotel so you can pick the luxe digs that will best suit your needs.
Read More »
Your kids can play with a spider monkey named Mario at the Paradisus Real in the D.R.
Taking your kids on the trip of a lifetime is easier than you think. There’s nothing like wildlife to inspire awe in the little ones, and luckily for you, a handful of hotels on Oyster have the kid-friendly attraction to trump all kid-friendly attractions: animal habitats. That’s right — the following hotels don’t only host humans. Animals from lions to dolphins to penguins to monkeys call these properties home, and the thrill your kids will get from interacting with these exotic creatures can transform a humdrum family vacation into an awe-inspiring experience your kids won’t soon forget. Read More »
View of the Ocean from the Gran Bahia Principe, which sits on its own private island
Summer is a time for relaxation — getting together with family and friends to enjoy the warm weather and a cold beer. But with the numerous barbecues (from which you’re inevitably “invited” to cook up your favorite dish to share), hours spent at the crowded pool, and in-laws who descend upon you for unannounced, week-long visits, summer activities can be downright exhausting. We here at Oyster understand how you feel and, we promise, it’s normal. So to help you find some real R&R to fit into your busy summer schedule, we’ve tracked down a handful of secluded island resorts where you can discover the true meaning of relaxation. Whether you’re looking for super-lux, high-tech digs hidden in the foothills of Jamaica or prefer the rustic charm of a cottage on one of Hawaii’s best beaches, Oyster.com has found an isolated island resort to fit your needs.
Read More »
Hawaii kitsch
If you’re one of those people who use the word “antique” as a verb, you’re in luck — there are some great antique shops in Hawaii, though you’ll have to put forth a little bit of effort to find them. Whether you’re shopping for something special or just want to take a peek into the past, take a cruise through these antique stores for collectibles with a distinct island flair. You’ll find furniture and accessories made from bamboo, teak, and koa along with a serious dose of kitsch at the following shops.
Read More »
Beach at the Fairmont Kea Lani, one of the best destination wedding hotels in Maui
There are a lot of upsides to a destination wedding: You get to say “I do” in a stunning setting, you can start your honeymoon right away, and some of your, ahem, least favorite family members might not make the long trip to attend. But planning a wedding is no easy task, and it’s even harder when you’re planning it far away. Luckily, Oyster can help you plan more than your honeymoon; our expertise in Hawaii and Caribbean hotels has allowed us to take some of the legwork out of the wedding planning process. Take a look at our new destination weddings page to start planning — or start dreaming about — your special day.
To give you a taste of our new content, we’re going to show you the top nine hotels for destination weddings in Hawaii. (Want to see more photos of these hotels? Click here for the full slideshow.) Read More »
Is this a snazzy hotel fitness center...
...or my parents' basement from the '80s?
We’ve previously shown you photos of people suspiciously smiling in gyms that are anything but smile-worthy. First there were the overly happy ladies at Jamaica’s Runaway Bay Heart Hotel; then there was this deceptive backdrop at the Holiday Inn Resort (also in Jamaica), and finally there was this doofy guy at Hotel Nash in Miami.
Today, sadly, we’ll continue documenting misleading hotel gym marketing photos. We turn, now, to the Aston Waikiki Joy Hotel in Hawaii. The photo on the left is from the hotel’s website. We shot the one on the right.
Yes, the treadmill and stationary bike are in both photos, as are the glass doors. But what the Aston’s marketing photo doesn’t show is that you’ll be working out in your parents’ basement circa 1988. You know the drill: a few chairs from the old living room set, the lamp that was in your sister’s dorm room, dad’s unused barbells on the floor. (There’s also this out-of-place coffee table complete with a Bose alarm clock radio.)
After the jump is another gym photo fakeout.
Read More »
Scenes from Lost have been filmed at Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu.
It’s almost here, so close you can taste it. Lost’s final season, the one that will finally answer all of your lingering questions, kicks off tonight with a two-hour premiere. To the Lost superfans who dream of getting stranded with Sawyer or Jack, this may be your last chance to head to the real-life Lost island and make it happen.
It’s probably old news to most Lost fans that the show’s desert island (or alien landscape, or dream scenario) is in fact none other than Oahu, Hawaii – which has considerably more inhabitants, and considerably fewer monsters, than the setting of the show. The only legendary creatures here are the show’s stars, who over the past several years could be spotted filming at the island’s hotels, or eating at the hotel restaurants, in the flesh. Flashback with us, if you will, to the places they have been before.
Read More »
The funky, floral Ocean View rooms of the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
We just got word about a new “Discover Oahu Package” from the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, a property that made it onto our list of the best hotels in Oahu thanks to a spectacular beachfront location and great views of the ocean from the color-splashed rooms. But does the three-night bundle, which includes accommodations, tours of some of the island’s most important attractions, and a pre-packed picnic lunch, really “take the stress out of planning an adventure-filled vacation for two, while also saving valuable time and money?” Let’s take a closer look at the details.
Read More »
