island crush: painted ladies

glimpses of old waikiki have become ever elusive as the years go by so i am swooning over kat reeder's dreamy illustration of the royal hawaiian hotel commissioned by starwood for its 2012 calendar. the matted print makes the most delightful souvenir if you have ever wandered along the lush garden path to be romanced by the breathtaking spanish-moorish architecture of the iconic pink palace.

why, you can almost smell the perfume of the plumerias and hear the gentle strums of a ukulele floating up from the mai tai bar.

$40 online. (fyi: additional sizes available by request.)

p.s. order by sun, nov 20th and score a complimentary trip to your mailbox with secret code freeshipping.

aqua coconut waikiki

aqua resorts continues to bring its updated boutique vibe to waikiki with the refreshed aqua coconut waikiki which just opened its doors a few days ago. if hotel renew was a bit too sleek for you, take a peek at the recently renovated coconut waikiki which is sporting a more approachable cheery decor and offers perks like free wi-fi, 40-inch flat screen hdtvs, complimentary continental breakfast, and, as an added bonus, the property is completely non-smoking.

the location is on lewers (near the ala wai) which is good for those who require a shopping fix when traveling (waikiki beach walk, royal hawaiian shopping center, dfs galleria & marqet are about a block away) but expect a few blocks walk to reach the surf and sand.

depending on when you go, rates start as low as $100/night in the off season and $130/night in the summertime which is a pretty sweet deal for waikiki. a few ways to save include a 12% kama'aina discount and 10% off for auto club & aarp members plus a handful of package deals for longer stays.

as of this posting, no reviews of the renovated rooms had hit tripadvisor yet but management seems to be very responsive to comments left by guests which is always a good sign.

happy traveling!

waikiki 2.0

can it be? modern design and eco-friendly in waikiki? yep, it seems aqua hotels recently unveiled hotel renew (formerly known as the ocean tower hotel in its past life) as their boutique entry into the growing green hotel movement. in addition to the in room guest recycling program, each room features a sexy dimmable lighting system (energy conservation, perhaps?), water saving fixtures in the bath, and housekeeping gets the job done with non-toxic cleaning products.

and, be still my beating heart, there appears to be a faux eames aluminum management chair in guest rooms.

amenities include a pillow menu, complimentary wi-fi, lcd televisions, organic snacks to tempt you in the mini bar, and the hotel gets bonus points for being completely non-smoking. geeks will surely want to play around with the in room computer/entertainment system that offers everything from netflix to satellite tv/radio plus a place to dock your ipod.

the hotel is located about a block from the zoo and is a short walk to kuhio beach.

introductory rates start at $149 a night through the end of year, and if you are planning a waikiki holiday be sure to inquire about the stay free package (fyi - work is still being completed in the lobby so be sure to request a room on a higher floor).

click over to tripadvisor for traveler reviews before you go.

nalu kai lodge

you may have heard that maui's recent crackdown on vacation rentals has reduced the available inventory of affordable accomodations for visitors on a budget. if you refuse to shell out resort rates and are not one for early morning b&b chit chat with strangers, paia's nalu kai lodge may be an alternative.

the 60's style property has been renovated and rooms now feature a cottage style complementing it's fresh boutique lodge vibe. if you prefer a little more space, there is also a one bedroom apartment with a full kitchen that would be perfect for a family traveling with a little one.

you can walk to paia town & the beach, soak in the ocean view from the deck, or have a cookout at the outdoor bbq/tiki bar. keep in mind that it is a vacation rental so do read the fine print regarding cancellation and deposit policies before booking. even so, rates are a bargain and start at $99 on the weekend and includes free wi-fi.

no reviews yet on tripadvisor so if you book a stay do post a trip report.

the old church house

i may wax on and on about modern but i have a soft spot for rustic when it's done right. at first glance, the old church house in upcountry maui appears to have been lovingly restored, but the reality is that it was really built from the ground up not quite as long ago as the dwelling's architecture would have you believe.

the one bedroom has a charming cottage style which is difficult to find in the islands (as previously noted dated thrift store tropical seems to be the favored style of most vacation rental owners). details like wood floors, exposed beams, an antique chest transformed into the kitchen sink, and an ocean view porch make it seem like this island getaway belongs in the pages of a pottery barn catalog (but with 21st century touches like wi-fi, an ipod ready stereo & stainless steel appliances).

the picturesque property is between makawao and haiku and located off a private road with an expansive lawn to loll about complete with larry the horse and a family of happy little ducks in residence.

rates start at $185 with a minimum of 3 nights.

island nomad

luana spa retreat

a few years ago i read a very evocative story in the newspaper about living in a yurt (the article is long gone but you can read this one to get a sense of what it is like). the coziness of the round structure and the thought of gazing at the stars through the skylight completely captured my imagination. sigh.

lucky me, it turns out there are a handful of yurt vacation rentals around the islands! the luana spa retreat in hana has a yurt located on its property with a panoramic view of hana bay. it sounds like a romantic getaway especially when you consider that there is a separate bath house (complete with outdoor shower) and that you can indulge in a massage at the spa which is just steps from your hideaway.

click here to read the reviews on tripadvisor before you go.

there is also this fabulous yurt nestled on the grounds of the kona kine coffee farm on the big island. it is luxed out with all the modern amenities you could want and features a wraparound deck with views of the pacific and nature as far as the eye can see. take a peek at the photo gallery for a little tour.

kona yurt

there is a three night minimum so do double check your dates on the availability calendar, but that just means you will have more time to lounge on the deck and soak up the view while you enjoy the complimentary organic coffee grown by the yurt's owner.

monkeypod treehouse

the big island seems to have become a haven for fans of modern architecture. case in point, the fabulous monkeypod treehouse located in the puna district. if you're seeking privacy, this looks like a wonderful and luxurious retreat stocked with modern furnishings and features a screened living room, 500 foot deck & an outdoor shower.

if space is an issue, there are 2 master bedrooms so there is plenty of room to invite family or friends to join you on your island getaway. and, after a day spent exploring the nearby beaches and lava fields, your body will appreciate the memory foam beds and 500 thread count sheets when slumberland comes a calling.

rates range from $125 a night in the low season to $175 during the holidays.