It's easy to say "I want to go to Hawaii for my honeymoon". What's not so easy is determining which island you want to spend what's likely to be the most special trip of your life. Do you want the peace and quiet of Kauai? Or maybe the vibrant Waikiki nightlife on Oahu? In this post we'll cover some of the differences between the four major Hawaiian Islands (Maui, Oahu, Kauai and The Big Island) to help make that decision a little easier for you.
Maui
The Valley Isle (Maui's nickname) was recently listed #2 on US News & World Report's list of the 17 best honeymoon destinations in the world. For anyone who's been there before it's easy to see why. Maui is the most well-rounded of the Hawaiian Islands since it's able to offer lots of shops and restaurants along with lots of natural beauty without feeling overly commercial and busy. Also, if getting accommodations on the beach are important to you then you should take a close look at Maui. Without a doubt it's the island with the most beachfront accommodations. If shopping is your thing there are plenty of options for that with Front St. in Lahaina, Whalers Shopping Village in Kaanapali and the Shops at Wailea. If your more into nature then you can drive the Road to Hana, go horseback riding in Haleakala (the extinct volcano) or take a snorkel trip out to Molokini. Maui really does have it all.
Best for: Those wanting to experience everything Hawaii has to offer all on one island.
Popular Honeymoon Accommodations: Fairmont Kea Lani, Four Seasons Maui, Grand Wailea, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ritz Carlton Kapalua
Oahu
Do you love the idea of having lots of different shops and restaurants within an easy walk from your hotel? Does the energy of a bustling city excite you? If so then Oahu may be the island for you. Waikiki (a neighborhood within the city of Honolulu) has the most shops and restaurants within easy walking distance of any of the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, it's the one area in Hawaii where you don't need to rent a car. One really cool thing about Oahu is with the busy atmosphere you have in Waikiki vs. the quieter areas of the island like the North Shore and Ko'Olina it can almost feel like you're visiting two islands. They also have some of the most popular attractions in the state with places like the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay.
Best for: Those who enjoy the energy of a city and exciting nightlife. Also great for history buffs with the likes of Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Popular Honeymoon Accommodations: Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider a Westin Resort, Turtle Bay Resort, Kahala Hotel & Resort
Kauai 
Kauai was #4 on US News & World Report's list of the best honeymoon destinations in the world. If you're looking for rest and relaxation with a bit of adventure mixed in then this is the island for you. Kauai was nicknamed The Garden Isle due to its vast amount of tropical foliage. It's also the island with the most waterfalls in the state, and it's not even close. Kauai's majestic vistas and jungle vegetation have drawn countless Hollywood film crews to capture her beauty and sense of adventure. Some pretty major motion pictures have been shot on Kauai, including Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Avatar and Pirates of the Caribbean. The North Shore of Hawaii offers the famed Bali Hai view with mountains disappearing into the ocean. Be sure to check out Waimea Canyon (what Mark Twain dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"), the Napali Coast and the countless waterfalls dotting the landscape.
Best for: Adventure seekers and, not to be contradictory, those who would enjoy more peace and quiet and less activity.
Popular Honeymoon Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Sheraton Kauai Resort, Poipu Kai Resort, St. Regis Princeville Resort
Hawaii (The Big Island)
Hawaii is nicknamed "The Big Island" because, well, it's so massive. The three main resort areas are all very different from each other. Kona is an old fishing village on the southwest side of Hawaii. The Waikoloa/Mauna Lani area is the newer, upscale part of the island about 40 minutes up the coast from Kona. Hilo is clear across the island on the east shore (about 90 miles from Kona). While it's more commercial (though nowhere close to Waikiki) it's also the only place to stay and be within a short car ride of Volcanoes National Park (Volcano House not withstanding). If you want to see a live volcano spewing lava then this is the island for you. There are some great shopping areas, too, especially in Kona and Waikoloa.
Hawaii is a bit like Maui in that it's very well rounded. The one big difference is that due to the size of the island you sometimes have to drive a longer distance to do different things. Also, one thing to point out is that the Big Island has a different look from the other islands due to the sheer amount of lava rock found everywhere. Some people love it (it's a very clean, vibrant black that contrasts nicely with the tropical foliage) while others feel like they're vacationing on the moon. We definitely recommend scoping out some pictures of the landscape before deciding whether or not The Big Island is for you.
Best for: Those who want to see an active volcano since, well, it's the only option. Also great for adventure seekers.
Popular Honeymoon Accommodations: Four Seasons Hualalai, Fairmont Orchid, Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort, Hilton Waikoloa Village
So Which Island is the Best for Honeymoons?
That's up to you! The beauty of Hawaii is that you can have a very different experience depending on which island you're staying on, so it's all a matter of finding the island that best fits your interests and activity level as a couple. Hopefully this guide will help make that choice a little easier for you.
Have you honeymooned on Hawaii? Leave a comment and tell us where you stayed!
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Don't miss out on the limited-time offers
for three great Aston condos/hotels on Maui.
Also, guests at Aston recieve the ALOHA DISCOUNT BOOKLET with over $2,500 in savings on shopping, dining and activities!
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
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Great Hawaii Vacations is pleased to announce that at 12:01 am March 27th, 2011, the winner for 5 FREE NIGHTS AT THE ASTON KAANAPALI SHORES was randomly selected from the contest entries!
In her post, Nancy wrote:
"I love your website. it is easy to follow and you are always great to work with. Just need to pack my bags."
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ABOUT THE ASTON KAANAPALI SHORES
Experience the beauty of the Aston Kaanapali Shores, which is only surpassed by the level of "Aloha" and "Ho'okipa" (warm, friendly hospitality) that exists within the team of its service professionals.
Located on north Kaanapali Beach, The Aston Kaanapali Shores is an industry "hybrid" that combines all the comfort and conveniences of a fully-furnished condominium with all the services you'd expect to find in a resort environment....so you get the best of both worlds for your vacation dollar.
The team at the Aston Kaanapali Shores understands and appreciates how much you value your vacation experience, and the are committed to going the extra mile to ensure your vacation experience aligns with and exceeds your expectations.
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Thank you to all the participants. We learned a great deal and we appreciate the suggestions.
Overall, the improvements suggested fell into the following categories by percentages:
We will have fun improving our site along these lines to meet the expectations of our clients and lovers of Hawaii.
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Look for additional contests and free vacations to Hawaii. It is our pleasure to share as many of these as possible with our clients and friends. Mahalo to all.
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
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Aloha Great Hawaii Vacations,
My wife Ann and I just returned from our 8 night vacation to Maui that we won in June 2010 from Great Hawaii Vacations.We enjoyed 4 nights at the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas, and 4 nights at the Westin Resort & Spa.
We wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip. We also wanted to say Mahalo to Jave Ryan, and Eric Klang for their help in co-ordinating our trip and contacting the resorts on our behalf for confirmation of travel dates etc.
Attached are a couple photo's of our visit to Haleakala, Road to Hana, relaxing in the Westin Resort pool. Also a photo of the sunsets we enjoyed each evening from our balcony at the Westin Resort & Spa. We also enjoyed relaxing on the beach or, at the pool, as well as dining at some of the many restaurants located along the boardwalk. We played golf a couple times, explored Lahaina, Wailea, and Kapalua. We really hated to leave, but fortunately for us we left just ahead of the tsunami and our stay was not impacted whatsoever by the unfortunate events.
In a nutshell, we had a great time, and would like to publicly thank Great Hawaii Vacations and encourage everyone to enter your contests and promotions.
Please feel free to post this message to your blog if you wish.
Much Mahalo,
Bruce Dow & Ann Mahoney
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REMEMBER to enter our latest free contest
5 Free Nights at the beautiful Aston Kaanapali Shores on Maui.
Just go to the CONTEST BLOG and enter. Get your travel partner to subscribe and double your chances to win.
Best of luck from us all at Great Hawaii Vacations and our partner for this contest, the Aston Kaanapali Shores.
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THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED!
The best user experience is our goal!
Help us improve the quality of that experience and win 5 free nights at the ASTON KAANAPALI SHORES, in Kaanapali, Maui.
ENTRY IS SIMPLE
To be included in this free contest, just do 2 things:
Answer one question, in one sentence, as a comment at the end of this blog:
WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENT WE CAN MAKE TO ENHANCE THE USER EXPERIENCE ON OUR WEBSITE?
Make sure you are SUBSCRIBED to this Hawaii Blog.
To be eligible to win, you need to be subscribed to the blog. (If you are already subscribed, then you are already eligible!) If not, it's simple and easy - enter your email in the upper right corner of this email and click "SUBSCRIBE" or check the subscribe box in your comment submission.
* The winner will be notified by email, so make sure you use your real name and include your email address in the comment you write.
** Duplicate entries will not be included in the random selection process.
*Based on availability. Winner will be awarded five (5) nights in an Partial Ocean View Room at the Aston Kaanapali Shores for up to 2 people. Usage is based on availability. Travel must be completed by 2/28/12. Blackout dates may apply. Food, beverages and other incidental fees are not included. Winner will be informed of details and restrictions in their notification letter. The winner needs to respond within 48 hours of email notification or Great Hawaii Vacations reserves the right to void the selection and reselect a winner.
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ABOUT THE ASTON KAANAPALI SHORES
We invite our guests to experience the beauty of the Aston Kaanapali Shores, which is only surpassed by the level of "Aloha" and "Ho'okipa" (warm, friendly hospitality) that exists within the team of its service professionals.
Located on north Kaanapali Beach, The Aston Kaanapali
Shores is an industry "hybrid" that combines all the comfort and conveniences of a fully-furnished condominium with all the services you'd expect to find in a resort environment....so you get the best of both worlds for your vacation dollar.
The team at the Aston Kaanapali Shores understands and appreciates how much you value your vacation experience, and the are committed to going the extra mile to ensure your vacation experience aligns with and exceeds your expectations.
A special treat is to be a the beach in front of the resort when endanged Hawaiian Monk Seals comes ashore for a nap. It's one of their favorite place on Maui.
You and your travel partner will love your five free nights at this resort.
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Remember - all our contests are free - you do not have to buy anything to be eligible or to win.
It is our pleasure to offer them whenever we can. Here are just a few of our lucky winners:
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
Participate with us on Facebook for Hawaii discussions, free contests and great specials.
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In a recent survey of our clients and contest participants, it became clear that most visitors to Hawaii snorkle at least once during their visit.
In this blog we have some of the best snorkeling spots on Maui.
In
later blogs we will do Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. The snokeling spots listed here are only meant as a general guide. Obviously, snorkeling can present some challenges and everyone should obey any posted warning signs on beaches and near snokeling sites.
Remember, you can always get the best snorkling packages at our new, discounted Hawaii ACTIVITES site... our prices and deals are the best and ALL the activities in Hawaii are listed there. There are scores of boats and snorkeling tours in Maui and prices range from blue water rafting trips for $32 a person to tours on fast, private and comforatable boats for $200 a person.
MAUI
Maui has been voted “Best Island in the World” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine for ten consecutive years and “World’s Best Island” by the readers of Travel & Leisure magazine for five years. The waters off the Western side of Maui are sheltered by Lanai and Molokai and provide pristine, crystal clear snorkeling along the coast line. During the winter months (October to April) thousands of whales visit Maui and many swim close to the shore. While snorkeling, you can sometimes hear them singing to each other and this can make your Maui snorkeling experience exceptionally memorable.
Favorite Spots:
MOLOKINI ISLAND
Molokini is one of the best snorkeling and dive spots on Maui and in all of Hawaii.
Molokini is the caldera of an extinct volcano and it is located in the Alalakeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe. The northern rim of the caldera has eroded away, allowing the sea into the crater, forming its unique crescent shape. The cliffs protect the inner crater from ocean waves making it a safe spot to snorkel with the whole family. On any given day, there are ususally many boats and visitors, but the crater is large and never overcrouded.
With it’s pristine off shore location in a channel between Maui and Kahoolawe island, Molokini has some of the clearest ocean water in all of Hawaii with visibility regularly measured at over 100 feet. Many divers and snorkelers have reported visibility exceeding 200 feet on a good day. The outside southern rim of the crater is famous for being one of the best scuba wall dives in the world with its 350 foot vertical drop.
No fishing is allowed around Molokini as the island is a Marine Life Conservation District. Because of this fishing restriction, the abundant marine life is allowed to thrive. The marine life at Molokini is more extensive than at most other
places in Hawaii. Snorkelers have identified Butterfly fish, parrot fish, damsel fish, surgeon fish, moorish idol, tang, wrasse, squirrel fish, soldier fish, perch, chub, trigger fish, the former Hawaii State Fish Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, goat fish, snapper, hawk fish, jacks, emperor fish, big eye scad, cornet fish, needle fish, eels, crustaceans, invertebrates, and reef sharks. There have even been sightings of humpback whales, whale sharks, manta rays, and Hawaiian monk seals visiting the crater.
Molokiki is also a bird is a bird sanctuary, so State law prohibits anyone on the island itself and so swimmers and divers need to operate from their boats.
HONOLUA BAY
Honolua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District on the north western end of Maui. Fishing is also not allowed here and so, like Molokini, sealife is dense and diverse.
Honolua Bay is surrounded by high rocky cliffs just below the main road that curves around the bay. To the left side of the bay, the shore has dark grey powdery sand with a stream and beacuse of the dark sand and the fresh water, this side of the bay can be murky. But just go farther out in the bay and the water clears up. The beach on the right-hand side of the bay is rocky and is where you want to enter the bay if you got there by car but be careful as the rocks are slippery. Most of the coral and marine life is on the right side of the bay. Most snorkelers arrive at the bay by boat and seldom go ashore at all.
At the end of the right side, farthest out to the point, is the well known Honolua Bay surf break. The Honolua Bay surf break is renowned to produce one of, if not, the most perfect wave in all of Hawaii. The waves and the break are far enough away not to affect the snorkeling in the bay.
The fish in the bay tend to be very tame reef fish and include all the fish normally seen in Hawiian waters. even anoccassional barracuda can be seen in the bay.
There is no life guard, bathrooms, or showers and you need to bring your own food and drinks.
KAPALUA BAY
Kapalua Bay provides excellent snorkeling on the
west side of Maui. The bay is protected by two reefs that extend out on both ends fwhich makes it ideal for snorkeling.
The bay water is usually calm although sometimes there can be a strong current running. It is a perfect places for beginner snorkeling and is an ideal spot to take the kids as they can simply walk into the water from the sandy beach.
As shown in the photo, the center of the bay is sandy so the water will be slightly cloudy there. The best way to enter the bay is to walk to the north end of the beach and snorkel along the rocky edge. There will be less sand there so the water visibility will be better and there will be much more fish. The depth along the northern edge is about 10 feet or less, so you’ll get an up close view of the reef. The farther out towards the northern point you swim, the clearer the water will get but be watchful for an undertoe current.
This beach has public showers and restrooms as well as parking although the lot can fill up quickly.
There is no lifeguard on duty, so keep a close eye on young ones.
TURTLE TOWN MAUI
Turtle Town Maui is the name given to a stretch of coastline in Makena. The area is between Nahuna Point and Black Sand Beach.
Maluaka beach is the best snorkeling beach in the Turtle Town
Maui area and it is also a favorite place to snorkel on the south shore of Maui. The waters are calm and filled with fish and marine life. Maluaka Beach is just south of Wailea at the end of Makena Road. The entrance is off of the main street so most visitors drive past without even knowing it’s there.
As its name suggests, Turtle Town Maui is known for its high population of Hawaiian green sea turtles. To visit the turtles, go to the sounterhn end of the beach by the rocks - the coral reef begins here. This is where the fish and the turtles enjoy the coral reef. You can simply walk in from the sandy shore. As you snorkel along you might see golfers on the 16 hole at the world-famous Makena South course.
Maluaka beach is on the south side of Maui and is protected
from Hawaii’s predominant trade winds because it’s hidden behind the mountain of Haleakala. The calm water makes for great swimming, boating, and fishing. The snorkeling is easy and relaxed. The beach has excellent sand and people spend the day cooking, playing volley ball and sun bathing. But beware of the Maui sun and wear a lot of sunscreen for this beach.
When you enter the water at the southern end and snorkel south you’ll be swimming along the 16th green of the Makena South golf course and in one of the best places to find Hawaiian green sea turtles in Maui.
The showers and restrooms are also located at the far south end of the beach toward the golf course. There is also another shower located in the parking lot. There is no lifeguard on duty. Bring your own food or you can get snacks at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort that boarders the beach.
BLACK ROCK - KAANAPALI BEACH
Kaanapali Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the
world - 3 miles of perfect white sand on the western shore of Maui. Its been rated one of the best beaches in the world by numerous travel publications such as Condé Nast magazine. Black Rock is the prominent rocky peninsula and snorkeling spot at the north end of the beach.
Ka’anapali Beach has a wonderful beach walk for its entire length. A collection restaurants and shops called Whaler's Village is about half-way down the beach. Many famous hotels and resorts front directly on to the beachwalk: The Hyatt Regency Maui; Westin Maui; the Sheraton Maui; Kaanapali Alii condo resort, to name a few. When you stay at anyone of these (and others) Black Rock snorkeling is just a stroll away.
The water around Black Rock is calm and gentle as the ocean
there is sheltered by the penninsula. Snorkeling is over sand but swimmers follow an underwater lava rock ledge. The visibility is good even in the deeper parts around the point. Turtles love the rocky ledge and are frequent visitors.
If you are not staying at a resort on Kaanapali beach, there is a public parking lot located at ground level at the Sheraton Maui Resort and beside the Whaler's Village shopping mall. These lots are towards the northern end of Kaanapali, a short walk to the Black Rock snorkeling area.
There are showers located all along the beach walk but no public restrooms. You’ll have to use the facilities at one of the many hotels along the sand. There is no lifeguard on duty.
AHIHI KINAU NATURAL AREA RESERVE
Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve is located on
the southwestern coast of Maui just past Makena. It's a marine life conservation district, so no fishing of any kind is allowed.
The coast line is mostly made up of lava rock intermixed with coral and that allows marine animals many places to hide and live. At Ahihi the fish make their homes in the shallows and are easy to see. The water starts at about knee deep gradually getting deeper so there's a variety of depths for all skill levels.
Since the waters is relatively shallow and calm (Haleakala mountain shelters the area from the trade winds) the cost of the reserve is a wonderful place for beginers and children too.
The reserve is all along a few miles of coast line, so most
visitors snorkel from the small protected cove that's right next to the road - you an't miss it when driving from Makena. The water is calm enough to get in from just about anywhere in the cove.
From the cove there is a rocky point with the house on it. This is where many turtles come to feed and you should be able to spot a few most anytime of year.
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Let us know about your favorite snorkeling experiences on Maui by commenting below.
Mahalo
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Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa's extensive $15 million
transformation which was completed this month included the renovation of all guest rooms and the launching of its $5 million Japengo restaurant and lounge - a sophisticated dining destination with spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding islands.
Guest Room Renovation
The Hyatt Regency Maui’s guest room rennovation was large. The scope of this project entailed the renovation of 775 guestrooms in conjunction with the hotel corridors and Regency Club. The guest rooms now feature an elegant, comfortable Hawaiian design that includes: new fabrics on the signature plantation-style platform bed; new carpeting and drapery; a vibrant color scheme; custom artwork in each room along with new flatpanel televisions; and stylish new furnishings including sofas, chairs and lamps.
The new room designs mirror the beauty of Hawaii with its crystal clear blue ocean, green plantations and jungles and tits bright sky and wonderful sunsets. As before, the Hyatt's Guest Room lanai's provide panoramic mountain and ocean views up the Kaanapali Coast and across to the slumbering island of Lanai.
Japengo
Conceptualized as an interpretation of a Japanese
fishing village, Japengo provides a variety of distinctive settings, each offering a unique dining experience. "Updated Asian elements and a minimalistic design create a Zen-like backdrop that puts cuisine – and the dynamic sushi chefs – front and center." Outside, the tiki torches, pin spot lighting, and high-backed settees in fiery-hued fabrics match the elegance and privacy of the dinning room while the soothing Hawaii trade winds gently refresh the guests. The views are particularly exceptional - the resort’s 40-acre grounds, swimming pools and waterfall, and if you get seated at just the right time, the setting sun over the neighboring islands of Molokai and Lanai.
Cuisine – Japengo uses the freshest, locally-grown products, coupled with exotic ingredients from neighboring Pacific Rim countries. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa’s Executive Chef Matt Smith sources exceptional local produce and products from Maui and the surrounding islands, such as Olowalu tomatoes, Kula lettuces, Alii Kula lavender, Hawaiian red and black sea salt, and freshly caught seafood, and thoughtfully prepares them using authentic Asian cooking methods. "Guests’ culinary adventure begins with Chef Smith’s unique starters, including Seared “Snake River Farms” Kobe Carpaccio with Wasabi Infused Organic Lemon Olive Oil, Watercress, Quail Egg and Shiso Aioli ($21) and Compressed Watermelon & Hamachi Mosaic with Emperor’s Ponzu, Rainbow Micro Greens and Tobiko ($18). Housespecials include Grilled Local Mahi Mahi with Okinawa Tatsoi, Sesame, Pancetta, Lemongrass Beurre Blanc, and Forbidden Rice ($39) and Singaporean Chili Crab with Alaskan King Crab and Spicy Chili Sauce ($46)."
The Sushi Lounge, offers a wide variety of exceptional sushi along with Sushi Chef Jay Ledee’s signature roll is the Japengo Tengu – an inspired combination featuring whitefish, crab, tuna, avocado, tatsoi, tobiko, and spicy eel aioli, deep-fried in tempura panko batter ($20).
Hyatt Accommodation Deals
It is always a great time to visit the exquisite Hyatt Regency Maui
but booking now has its advantages. Great Hawaii Vacations is giving Daily Cash Back (on this and many other resorts and condos) along with Free Nights and Free Breakfasts that will save you hundreds of dollars .
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The Westin Maui Resort and the Westin Kaanapali Ocean resort
Villas are probably two of the more well-known resorts on Maui – both in the Kaanapali Area.
Fernando Nolan is the Director of Sales and marketing for both properties.
This week, Eric Kang, our President, candidly interviews Fernando about the resorts, Maui and Hawaii in general.
Eric:
Fernando, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Fernando:
I would be happy to. I am a native Hawaiian – as they call us here on the island – a native born and raised here on the island of Maui in Lahaina specifically. My family is also here in Hawaii. So, I was here to see all the different changes with the hotels and resorts being built around me as I grew up in the community. It brings me back to this hotel again. This was one of the first to be built in Kaanapali. I remember going to Whalers Village, next door, as that was where we had our only movie theater. So, I really had a connection to this hotel growing up and have seen it change and evolve and become more and more beautiful.
I started in the hospitality industry and number of years ago and have had many positions leading to my current position as the Director of Sales at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa and the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. I do have a colleague that works at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, and many of our travel industry friends will be familiar with her. Her name is Meghan Silva and she spearheads many of the efforts for that property specifically and I do a higher overview for the sales and marketing at both properties.
Eric:
The property has a great reputation but can you tell us a little about its history?
Fernando:
Certainly. We have about 1,800 rooms on Kaanapali beach between both of our Westin properties with a little over 1,000 rooms at the Westin Kaapapali Ocean Resort Villas and the Westin Maui Resort and Spa is slightly under 800 rooms and is the flagship Westin property here in Maui.
For many of the past visitors or those who had the opportunity
to travel in the mid-70s, the resort was only a single tower hotel and that specific tower today is known as our Ocean Tower. The resort was built in the mid-70s and opened as the Maui Surf Resort, one of the island’s very first luxury resorts. During the same time the Whaler’s village shopping center was built next to the hotel.
In the mid-80’s the property went through a total transformation and was reflagged the Westin Resort – the first of its kind in the Hawaiian islands and part of the transformation was the addition of a new tower, known as our Beach Tower and the addition of our famous Aquatic playgrounds known today as one of the best resort pools in the world.
It is a really special place and has evolved over the years to keep up with the demands of our discerning guests. We have consistently ranked very well, year over year. And is certainly a place that we are all very proud of.
The resort is quite versatile in the sense that when asked the
question, “who do you cater to?” the answer is that we cater to everyone. Certainly if you an adult looking for a nice oasis, a reprieve, a resort that really offers everything, we are a great place. For example that adult swimming pool really helps cater to that and creates a sense of belonging for guests that are not traveling with children. And we also have the four other swimming pools that offer a tremendous amount of options and activities. It is really a very versatile resort. For guests that are looking for an adults only swimming experience, we are really the only one on Kaanapali beach that offers those kind of options.
Eric:
Yes – we have had our travelers comment on that. It is very nice for guests who do not have children to go to a pool that does not have children in it.
In terms of rooms, what type of room views do you have and what are some of the benefits for each of them?
Fernando:
The resort offers a variety of views. You can get anything
from sweeping views of the West Maui mountains, neighboring golf courses, meandering streams and gardens to views of Kaanapli beach, the Pacific Ocean and neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai. What’s really great is that we do have a variety of views that offer various price points and they can have a wider choice of view types based on their budget needs.
The resort has 731 guest rooms and all are furnished with our
signature “Heavenly” beds. All rooms also feature convenient amenities such as mini-refrigerators, private balconies and during whale season, November thru March, we place little mini-binoculars in the guest rooms so they can whale-watch in the comfort and privacy of their own rooms. It’s one of the many ways we like to surprise and delight our guests.
The Resort also features 29 spacious, individually designed suites that offer our most desired ocean views from each of the suites and personally, one of my favorites is the luxury suites.
The rooms at the WKORV are quite spacious and are what we
call our “Villa” products. They are fully furnished and functional as a “home away from home” accommodation where you have kitchen facilities and all the amenities you could dream of in a resort. We do not like to use the word “condo” as that would imply that the property is not a full service resort –and it is. It offers all the amenities that any full-service hotel would offer. What also makes it special is that the rooms are very uniform, so you know exactly what you are going to get every time you return.
Eric:
This is an important point then, that even though KOR offers “condos” the guests are actually in one of the world’s best "resort" environments.
Fernando:
Comparing this resort to your tradition condo or villa type
property – there is really no comparison. On top of that to have the Westin standards, the Westin heavenly bed suite, and then their spa is absolutely incredible. Their dining options on property are absolutely fantastic.
At the Westin Resort Maui we also have a number of restaurants – you can anything you like, from a light snack at the bar and grill, our Tropica Restaurant is absolutely beautiful and the food is superb. ‘Ono Bar and Grill is more of a causal pool-side restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s more of an active place –t he have a great bar with flat screen TVs and it’s a great place to hand out and people-watch. We have our pool bar on our adult pool decks and for people that are looking for something a little different in terms of culture we also offer a Luau on property and other restaurants too.
[Don't miss more on the Westin Restaurants in a following blog post]
Eric:
What would you say are the top 3 things that make the Westin Resort Maui stick out?
Fernando:
It’s kind of hard to choose – there are so many. 
But, if I had to pick the top 3 that really separate us from the competition, then I think first and foremost is our service and our people. Only because of our people are we able to enjoy the success we have today. We have employees here that started working with the hotel when it was the Maui Surf. There are a number of them that are reaching retirement age and it will certainly be sad to see them leave because they are a true part of our culture and have hospitality in their blood. They have a love and a passion for this hotel that you do not come across every day and they will leave a legacy with the other staff that they have trained to have that same passion to deliver exceptional service. I left the Westin Maui for a little while – almost 3 years – and I returned. When you leave and then come back, you realize what really brings you back, and I think it is the people here. They have an incredible level of respect for one another and that is certainly conveyed in our interactions with our guests. So we have a tremdous amount of repeat visitors that come back – not only because of the great pools and spa etc., but they also come back because of the people of Westin. It’s really incredible when you stand at the entrance and see these guests come back, again and again, and see how they interact with the employees. There is a tremendous amount of training and resources that makes sure every associate meets every guests expectations.
Number 2 I would have to say are our amenities: from the world-renowned Heavenly bed and how comfortable they are; the 85,000 square feet of playground with the pools we discussed earlier; and our Heavenly spa which was the very first Westin-branded Heavenly spa in the world; and numerous cultural activities we offer our guests; the exceptional food and beverage facilities.
And number 3 is our location. The first guest at the
party gets the best seat in the house –right? We are located in the heart of Kaanapali beach. We are adjacent to the Whaler’s Village shopping center and the Whalers museum. Our central location right on Kaanapali beach provides our guests with access to numerous activities, golf and shopping and water sports. We are on an expansive sandy beach. The front of the hotel is ideal for Catamarans to slide right up on shore and whisk you away on a sunset cruise or whale watching expedition. Not to mention the surfing lesions, the jet skiing, paddle boarding, snorkeling and all the water sports that are offered right off the beach in front of the Westin. We take pride in having the best location on Kaanapali beach – you don’t have to go out and find things to do –things come to you and all you have to do is pick what you want to do – it’s all there for you.
All this makes Westin's Maui Resorts the ideal place to have a vacation. Everything you could imagine is right here at your fingertips. The only tough part is choosing what you want to do. But all you need to do is book your stay with us and Great Hawaii Vacations and everything will take care of itself. Furthermore, we want to make sure each and every guest is fulfilled in every way. You come here to Hawaii and the Westin Maui and you want great food – we have it. You want great culture – we have it. You come here, you want warmth and beautiful hospitality – you got it. You want natural beauty – we have it. So, it’s all encompassing.
Eric:
I know you are constantly renovating the resorts – when was the last one and are there any planned in the future.
Fernando:
The completion of our last major renovation two years ago, our preventative maintenance program is designed to keep everything at the resorts looking fresh all year long. The Westin brand is an innovative brand and we have some exciting initiatives in the pipeline right now that we will soon announce. So, stay tuned.
Eric:
Well thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us today. We appreciate it and we are sure our readers will also.
Fernando:
Partners such as Great Hawaii Vacations that also have a passion for Hawaii and we hold you in high regard and support. I appreciate you reaching out to us and this is a great opportunity for us.
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
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Giving all that we can
Our free contests have a fundamental policy as their base - we give all we can. 
We all understand loyalty is a two-way street and every time we get a chance to provide additional value for our clients, we pass that on. Over the past 20 years we have built an extraordinary set of relationships with our resort, hotel and condominium partners in Hawaii. As a result, we get special deals and promotions. In many cases these added values come in the form of free upgrades, or package pricing discounts, special needs and perks. Whenever we have the chance to pass those on, we do it.
We also negotiate free vacations and really enjoy passing those on to our clients and friends of our company.
Doubt and more doubt
Many times, when we call the winners, this is how the call goes:
"Hello Mrs Smith, this is Jave Ryan the operations manager at Great Hawaii Vacations. Congratulations on winning the contest you entered for 5 free nights at the [Resort] on beautiful Maui...."
Silence ....
... and the response: "What's the catch?" Or maybe, "... is there something I have to pay to get this?" "Is this a timeshare promotion..."
Understandably, some people are skeptical. Nowadays, many companies manipulate their clients and everyone on the internet. They try to milk every last penny out of them. So, more and more people ask, "Why would a company give away free stays at some of the world's best resorts in Paradise?"
Imagine...
Now, consider a company thriving on the trust and confidence of its clients, dedicated to the loyalty of it customers, and committed to doing all it can to build that mutual bond.
Great Hawaii Vacations knows that our success over the past two decades comes from our vision of partnership - all parties must be satisfied with the agreements we make. We engage all our resources and knowledge of Hawaii to finding and planning the best possible vacations for our clients, their friends and family.
We represent over 200 resorts, hotels and condos, and have only the best partners in Hawaii: Outrigger Resorts; Starwood Hotels; Sheraton and Westin Resorts; Condominium Rentals; Destination Resorts; many other condominium management companies; the Aston chain of hotels, resorts and condominiums; the Fairmont chain of resorts; the Hawaii Marriott Chain; the Ritz Carlton Resort; to name a few. All our partners share our vision of service and dedication to our clients and they want to reward clients whenever they can. (Here are just a few of them listed below)
Furthermore, to make sure we keep it in the family, we only offer our contest to people who know us and never buy email lists to broadcast the contest to the world at large. This makes the chance of winning much higher. Good for all of us.
So, to answer the question, "why do we give away free nights?" we say simply, "because we can and we love to."
And it's always free...
- Our contests are allways free to enter. No catches no purchases required.
- Our prizes are also free. No additional money to receive them. No premiums of other contributions are asked for. You win and you get what you win.
Some recent winners include...
Enjoy our next contest coming soon to a Great Hawaii Vacations eNewsletter, Blog or Facebook... it is our pleasure to arrange these contests and we hope you enjoy them.
Keep entering them and don't be too surprised if we give you a winning call in the near future.
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
Participate with us on Facebook for Hawaii discussions, free contests and great specials.
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Work and travel surveys in 2009 have documented that a third (34%) of employed U.S. adults did not take all their allotted vacation days during the year, (Vacation Deprivation Survey, 2009). Some polls have over 50% of Americans not taking any time at all during some years (about.com 2009).
And the numbers prove it: employees and managers in the United States receive less vacation days than those in any other developed country. The averages are: US = 13 days; Japan = 15; Canada = 19; UK = 26, France = 38. Vacations are becoming critical for our wellbeing and continued development and we need to take advantage of them.
To make matters worse there is the increasing trend to take work along with us when we do manage to go on a vacation. This keeps the traveler in the work mindset during the vacation and does not allow the mind to fully relax and focus on fun and relaxation.
Why do humans need vacations?
Vacations keep us healthy and promote overall wellbeing. Taking regular and sufficient time off allows for the reduction of stress throughout the human body. One study found that three days after a vacation, the physical complaints experienced by the subjects (reduced sleep time, high blood pressure, tension, etc) had been measurably reduced. But more importantly, for those people who had a great amount of personal time and claimed to have enjoyed their vacation more than others, these gains were sustained. Vacations are the gift that keep on giving.
Vacations promote creativity. They help us disconnect from the minutia of day-to-day living and allow us to take on a new perspective, free from daily pressures. Looking a the world from a refreshed perspective increases creativity for sure.
Vacations help job performance. We know that relaxation allow the human body to perform better and the same is true of mental work.
Vacations strengthen bonds. Enjoyable time spent with love-ones help keep our relationships intact and in perspective. Those positive bonds become particularly powerful and necessary in harder times. In a study by the California Department of Health they found that women who took vacations were more satisfied with their marriages.
The bottom line is that regularly taking a reasonable amount of time away from work gives us all an opportunity to recharge and refresh and allows us to return better able to face new challenges.
While all of Hawaii is romantic, here is a list of ideal ROMANTIC resorts to put the zing back in your love life.
And here is a list of the top Hawaii Adventures to help take you mind off those stressful work pressures.
With the family along, you can enjoy your vacation at one of the Top FAMILY resorts. Everyone will be happy and relaxed here.
For more information about your perfect Hawaii vacation, use the menu links at the top of this page or call our specialists at:
Participate with us on Facebook for Hawaii discussions, free contests and great specials.
Maui Vacations Oahu Vacations Kauai Vacations Hawaii Vacations Perfect Honeymoons