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Luxury Travel

ST REGIS PRINCEVILLE
Kauai Hawaii

The first St Regis resort in Hawaii, St Regis Princeville is set on 9,000 acres on the resort community of Princeville at Hanalei. A number of suites are designed to capture the dramatic vistas over the Pacific Ocean. Guests can soak in luxurious marble spa bathtubs as they gaze over the lush green hills and blue waters of Hanalei Bay. Suites range in size from 820 to 2,400 square feet and all come with butler service. Suite prices begin at US$7,550 (about A$8,665) per night. stregisprinceville.com

The Grand Hyatt
Kauai, Hawaii

Size: 1,375 square feet
Price: from $US1350 (about A$1,511)
Website: kauai.hyatt.com

ABOUT THE HOTEL
The Grand Hyatt is set on the south side of Kauai known as the sunny side. This is the epitome of a five star family resort with its huge pool, open air lobby overflowing with tropical plants, Camp Hyatt kids program, six restaurants and six bars, four tennis courts and world class golf course. The hotel is set on 50 acres fronting a white sand beach which is not ideal for swimming but if you know how to cut back and pull into a barrel then this mean shore break is for you. Two thirds of the 602 rooms have views out over the ocean and sunny Keoniloa Bay, made possible by only building as high as the tallest coconut tree.  

UNIQUE FEATURES
This is swimming pool heaven. There are five acres of heated, saltwater swimming lagoons with islands, a man made beach, enchanting river pools which wind through waterfalls and grottos  in which you can hide as well as a 150 foot water slide. Your children will never ever want to leave.

THE SUITE EXPERIENCE
There are 37 suites furnished with hardwood floors, soft rugs and rattan and wood furniture echoing the tropical feel of the island. The views out over the bay are incredible and your large lanai is just the place from which to stare out to sea. The Ocean View suite is spacious, with minimal furnishings and has everything you could want for a family holiday. There is a main bedroom with huge marble shower and path with a whirlpool, separate toilet with electronic settings for bidet and drying and double sinks. The separate bedroom features a king sized bed and a different view of the ocean.

DINING
With six restaurants and lounges, where do you start? There are two fine dining experiences at Tidepools and Donderos, both with lush, tropical surroundings. Tidepools serves contemporary Hawaiian cuisine in a thatched hut setting looking over the lagoon and cascading waterfalls and Donderos serves Italian cuisine either al fresco or inside the villa. However my favourite was the slightly low key Stevenson’s library where you could sip a Mai Tai at the 25 foot long Koa bar and order some tasty sushi.

SPA
The resort’s Anara Spa is huge, 45,000 square feet to be exact and has its own lava rock shower garden, along with a 10-headed Swedish shower, and indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. The spa also includes a 24-hour StayFitTM gym and open-air yoga and fitness classes. The spa focuses on ancient healing traditions.

IF YOU'D LIKE AN UPGRADE

The Presidential suite is more than a whopping 2,800 square feet and comes with all the prerequisites such as private terrace, top level ocean views and a telescope for whale watching. The décor is Asian inspired and adds to the exotic feel of this
far flung island. Your first point of welcome is the entry foyer which flows into a comfortable lounge room, dining area for six, kitchen, wet bar and a half bath. The king sized bedroom had an ensuite with private bath and four seat spa tub. It is also possible to organise an extra connecting bedroom for a fee. Prices start at $US2,500.

INSIDER TIPS
Sign up for the Voluntourism project at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens. You will learn about what it takes to maintain the beauty of Kauai as well as helping out by pulling some weeds and repotting ferns. 

The Modern
Honululu

Size: 485 square feet
Price: $US1,149 (about A$1,286)
Website: themondernhonululu.com

ABOUT THE HOTEL
Away from the hustle of Waikiki, The Modern encompasses a hip and laid back surfers’ vibe. Although not beachfront, you can make it to the sand in just 90 seconds. Set back from the beach, this 18 floor property still offers sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and city skyline.

The Modern has mastered Hawaiian swank in its four bars, groovy spa, two pools and dining options created by Iron Chef Masuharu Morimoto. It sits on the fringe of Waikiki, a cosy escape from the occasionally overwhelming tourist epicentre. Who needs the beach when you have the Sunset Pool embellished by Yves Klein’s blue glass tiles.

UNIQUE FEATURES
The highlight for my son was the $4 chocolate croissants from the study which came with free coffee and tea.  They oozed chocolate inside and out - perfect to grab before a surf lesson at Pops with the famed Ty Gurney Surf School. The highlight for me was poolside at dusk when the area is lit by glass bottle lanterns hanging from the autograph trees and flickering candles on the tables.

My husband loved the bookcase which would rotate each evening at 5pm to play host to cocktails named after literary works and composed with the same aplomb.

THE SUITE EXPERIENCE
I open the door to my incredible ocean front suite which is decked out in natural hues, and whites. On the shelf in the hall is a Ukelele, perfect for mai tai nights with Tiny Tim, three sarongs and some white coral. There’s a bedroom filled with natural light, a sophisticated living area and the piece de resistance, the balcony or lanai in Hawaiian. The room has all the basics plus much more including free Wi-Fi, 46 inch LCD TVs with a million channels of American TV, custom-woven leather and teak desk chairs imported from Indonesia, custom lighting, even the basins are custom cast terrazzo with extra large terrazzo countertops and 24-hour room service.

SPA
The Modern Spa features a little bit of Australia in the eucalyptus oil products they use as well as local pots and potions with delectable scents.  Everything they use is natural, organic, hand crafted and sustainable and their lomi lomi massage is a welcome tonic for jetlagged travellers.

IF YOU’D LIKE AN UPGRADE
The A listers have dibs on the Penthouse but if you can get in, grab it for its 1,500 square foot landscaped terrace alone – a true selfie nirvana. Inside you will have 1,400 square foot of movie star living with a dual shower, oversized soaking tub, formal dining room, kitchen, entertainment centre, bedroom and guest’s bathroom. The Penthouse displays the same sleek minimalism of the ocean view suite, sort of Miami Beach meets ivory on cream.  

INSIDER TIPS
Every Friday night at 7:45pm there are ten minutes of fireworks let off in front of the hotel by the lagoon. 

Turtle Bay
North Shore Oahu

Size: 740-850 square feet of living area
Price: from $670.55 (about A$752.91) including taxes. 
Website: turtlebayresort.com

ABOUT THE HOTEL
Just under an hour’s drive from the hubbub of Waikiki is the laid back Turtle Bay Hotel on Hawaii’s famous North Shore. The hotel spans more than 850 acres with more than 650 of them being nature preserve that will never be developed. Within eight kilometres of the resort are the legendary breaks of Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. On the property are 375 guest rooms, 25 suites, 42 beach cottages and luxury ocean villas. There is also a palm-fringed pool, two spa tubs, a children’s pool and a 79 foot water slide. Aptly named Turtle Bay because of the threatened green sea turtles that swim the waters around the hotel, you may also see Hawaiian Monk seals, whales and discover Hawaiian ancestral burial grounds in the area.

UNIQUE FEATURES
Hawaii is a virtual movie set and Turtle Bay Resort no different. However it was quite magical performing a Stand Up Paddle Board session in the setting where The  Hunger Games was filmed on part of the property. 

DINING
Ola Restaurant, which sits on the sand looking out to the beach serves good staple fare and seems to be always busy. We hired a mustang convertible and drove to the restaurant town of Haliewa for great Mexican at Luibueno’s as well as finding the best Baja BBQ corn stall at Kahuku also home to one of the famed Giovanni’s shrimp trucks. The corn and shrimp were so good, we went back every day and even bought some Baja seasoning back (yes customs allowed it).

THE SUITE EXPERIENCE
The Beach Cottages were designed by LA-based Michael Smith and feature Brazilian walnut floors which lead to 740 square feet of multi-level retreat. The ceilings are 15 foot and you have a private lanai balcony and your own cottage concierge to tend to your needs. The cottage sleeps three.

SPA
I booked the Seaside massage which was performed in a cabana with open windows right by the sea. It was private and the sound of the waves with the strong strokes lulls you off into a state of pure nirvana. Turtle Bay is striving to be at the top of the eco-friendly tree and uses products such as Naturopathica and Osea.

IF YOU’D LIKE AN UPGRADE
The three bedroom ocean villa starts at $1,263.14 including taxes and is just moments from the Bay View beach. The villa has over 1,600 square feet of living area featuring high ceilings and chestnut floors, and access to villa exclusive amenities of private pool, Jacuzzi, courtyard and barbecue area.

INSIDER TIPS
Every season has its positives in this beautiful area but I would recommend winter to watch the big waves. 

St Regis Princeville
Kauai

Size: 2,400 square feet
Price: $US7,550 per night (about A$8,655)
Website: stregisprinceville.com

ABOUT THE HOTEL
On arrival , Kauai has views of Hanalei Bay framed by lush green mountains including the landmark peak Makana. The 251-room hotel, set upon 9,000 acres, was designed by Australian architect Stuart Shakespeare.

UNIQUE FEATURES
A little more than a coconut’s throw from the lobby is the hotel beach, where you can snorkel with sea turtles or  paddle out to one of the world’s best surfing spots. The St Regis suites come with a complimentary butler service. The resort has two golf courses, an infinity pool with three spas and keiki (children’s) pool, three restaurants and free Wi-Fi.

THE SUITE EXPERIENCE
The visual spectacle of Kauai’s north shore is repeated in virtually every room in the Royal Suite, which features 2,400 square feet of indulgence. The star player is the bathing area with a magnificent marble whirlpool tub staring out at Mount Makana, (with windows that can be electronically clouded with a flick of a switch) a separate toilet and bidet complete with TV on the wall, separate powder room with two basins and showers, and a dressing room and luggage room.  A media room, fully equipped kitchen with private butler’s entrance and master bedroom with four-poster bed complete the picture. There are over 50 suites in the Crown Suite Collection, with the Royal Suite being the best.  

DINING
The Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Kauai Grill  features flawless food and service, with many ingredients being indigenous
to the island. When the 20 foot winter swells roll in, one can sip on a Ginger Margarita or Aloha Mary. 

SPA
Halele’a Spa is 11,000 feet of indulgence where you can experience anything from being wrapped in taro clay to being infused with lavender butter.

IF YOU'D LIKE AN UPGRADE
In addition to the Royal Suite,  there is the Presidential Suite where George Clooney took up residence whilst filming The Descendants. The 1,800 square foot suite comes with the St Regis signature butler service.

INSIDER TIP
The St Regis offers a $125 champagne passport that offers an exclusive Champagne menu of six glasses selected by the St Regis sommelier during your stay.

Trump Towers
Waikiki

Size: 1,625 square feet
Price: $US1,699 (about A$1,905)
Website: trumphotelcollection.com/waikiki

ABOUT THE HOTEL
Most people would say that Donald Trump and understated was a contradiction in terms, so imagine my surprise when greeted to ultra luxe classic minimalism at the Trump Towers Waikiki. This hotel is a short stroll to the ocean and shops. Duck into the Wai‘olu Ocean View Lounge near reception for one of the world’s best mai tais. Over 30,000 have been sold since opening in 2009. 

The Trump Waikiki caters splendidly for families. Turn down service means cake pops and Honululu Cookie Company pineapple-shaped biscuits in different flavours – even children’s mani-pedis are offered at the luxury spa. There’s also nannies for hire and a Trump Kids Program.

THE SUITE EXPERIENCE
Our two bedroom suite with den had sweeping vistas over the Honululu skyline and the Pacific. It resembled a luxury apartment with its two ocean facing balconies, one huge bathroom, another ensuite and guest bathroom, lounge and dining area, and walk in robe. There was also a washer and dryer hidden away. Each apartment has standard floor to ceiling windows and larger suites feature granite and marble counter tops in the kitchen as well as under-counter wine cellar storage.

DINING
Everyone’s talking about BLT, the restaurant for steak. I devoured the menu with my eyes as there is plenty more than steak to choose from including a ton of fresh seafood. For less formal dining, try al fresco Yo Café and the Wai‘olu Ocean View Lounge.

SPA
The Trump signature is highlighted in the gemstone spa treatments, offering serenity and healing through gem- infused oils which contain either diamonds, emeralds, rubies or sapphires combined with rare flower and herbal essences. IF YOU'D LIKE AN

UPGRADE
Live like a rock star for US$2,990 (about A$3,355) per night in the Diamond Head Penthouse Suite with a 2,200 square foot interior. Two bedrooms face east to greet the sun as it rises each day and there's a private jacuzzi hot tub on the roof.

INSIDER TIPS
Get yourself a Trump Beach bag, which are free for guests and contain water, fruit and a towel.