The restaurant offers both inside and outside seating. Located just across the street from the beach the patio is comfortable taking advantage of the ocean breezes. Inside is dark and cool with a tiki bar decor. The third floor palm tree height location causes the view to be more of a tree top view than an ocean view but it’s nice to be above the busy street and sidewalk activity.

My faith has been restored in major chain hotels! Last months crappy room at the Vegas Hilton, makes today’s room at the Waikiki Beach Marriott seem like paradise. Well maybe it’s because I’m in Paradise / Hawaii.

(NOTE: This is posting #1 - Don’t miss part 2)

Check-in was smooth at the Marriott. The reservation was made by my travel agent, via Pleasant Holiday’s. It included a welcome lei at the airport, 5 nights in a partial ocean view room, $25 per day resort credit, and a car for 5 days. Cost me $1200 including tax, and the taxes here in Hawaii are steep. Not a great price, but a good one.

Why the Marriott? My Wife and I lived here on Oahu for almost 4 years and we have been all over the Islands. And two of our favorite restaurants are right here in the Marriott, DK Steakhouse and Sansei.

The front desk said our room was “recently upgraded”, last time I heard that line I was very disappointed, but today it was true. Our room is very comfortable and well appointed with a view of Diamond Head and the slice of the Pacific and Waikiki Beach.

(NOTE: This is posting #1 - Don’t miss part 2)

When in Oahu one of my favorite hotels is the Kahala Hotel & Resort located just outside the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.  While living on Oahu the Kahala became one of my favorite hang-outs.  Travelers will enjoy the 800 feet of beach, and the fact it is 10 minutes from Waikiki. That 10 minutes can sometimes feel like a time machine taking you away from the noise and traffic into the calm atmosphere of the Kahala.   Note: this accommodation was previously known as the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Resort.

Photo provided by Kahala Resort Hotel.

The latest news from the resort is that it has started to improve their entertainment. Bringing in two of the Islands top talents, Hapa and the Brothers Cazimero. Also jazz is offered nightly in the lobby lounge, The Veranda, from 7:30-10:30pm. I think this may be the longest running jazz venue on the Island. The Veranda also offers afternoon tea for those that want to enjoy a little of the elegance of times past.

I would often assist photographer friends of mine who were working at the Kahala. It is a great location for weddings, and after that we would collapse in one of the restaurants or the bar, often seeing celebrities who were working on the island.

I would often dine at the Sushi restaurant Tokyo Tokyo, and the excellent Hoku’s.  Both were worth the extra effort for us to drive over for dinner.  We often would see some of my clients at these restaurants, along with a few of my wife’s customers. 

Another favorite spot of mine at the Kahala is dinning outside near the pool.  A few tables are located just between the pool and beach, they are worth the wait.  I think these tables offer some of the best table views on the Island of Oahu or anywhere in Waikiki.  When considering the beach cafe menu, don’t miss “The Kahala Burger” like pizza from Big Kahuna Pizza, or the Boot’s & Kemo’s Mac Pancakes, this burger will bring you back time and again.

My wife often reserved blocks of rooms at the hotel, then known to locals as the Kahala Mandarin, for business meetings. She always found the rooms very comfortable and the staff helpful, unlike some hotels that were not particularly friendly to local business meetings.

Dolphins at the Kahala Resort Hotel - Photo Copyright Bruce Murray

Another reason we often would visit the Kahala Resort & Hotel was the Dolphin Quest swim with the dolphins pool.  It was one of the first places we would take our visiting guests, either to watch or participate. 

While living on Oahu, I traveled almost every inch of the Hawaiian Islands. And one of the places I miss are the most is visiting and the dinning with friends at Kahala Resort.

Golf Pro Brett Quigley at the 17th Green - Photo Copyright Bruce Murray

Visit the hotels official website: Kahala Hotel & Resort

Kelea’s is a women-only retreat on the North Shore of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands.

In addition to hiking, biking, kayaking, snorkeling they also offer surfing classes. After a day in the sun enjoy a relaxing yoga class followed by a message and facial. Kelea Surf Spa’s guests are located in a beautiful Hawaiian Villa on the North Shore of Oahu.

NOTE: Due to the high surf conditions found along the North Shore during the winter months, and the lack of surf during the summers. Kalea’s only operates during the months of February, March, and April. Visit his website at www.hyattsurfacademy.com.

For more details visit www.keleasurfspa.com/Hawaii/. They also offer a Costa Rica location, details at www.keleasurfspa.com/CostaRica/

If your staying on Waikiki Beach get in touch with Dane Kealoha, based out of the Hayatt Reegency Waikiki Resort and Spa. Dane is a pro Hawaiian surfer and grew up in Waikiki and learned to surf here. For more details visit his website: www.hyattsurfacademy.com.

Photo By: Bruce Murray

Hawaii, with its picturesque blue sea, sandy beaches, and dramatic mountain scenery, is not surprisingly one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world.  A romantic Hawaiian honeymoon, at one of the many resorts, hotels and condos that cater to newlyweds, is the perfect way to create special memories for years to come and create that special post wedding bond.

With romantic surroundings, there are properties in all price ranges, from ultra luxury to budget. And should you decide to have the wedding in Hawaii as well, you can choose a wedding/honeymoon packages that includes a chapel or beach service, a delicious wedding banquet complete with music, and honeymoon lodging at an island resort hotel.

Upscale couples looking for privacy should consider the secluded Manele Bay Four Seasons Lanai.  Located on the beach, on the pristine private island of Lanai, the resort borders a marine preserve, has exceptional ocean and coastline views, and offers an exclusive spa and fine dining.

But Hawaii weddings don’ have to be large expensive affairs and you may decide a simple civil ceremony in a romantic setting, say on a beach or in a fragrant garden.

Less expensive spots include The Outrigger Royal Kahana, with kitchen facilities, on Maui’s Kaanapali Beach, and the moderately priced Miramar, sited just a few blocks from the beach at Waikiki, surrounded by shops and restaurants, with good public transportation.

Photo Copyright Bruce Murray - Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii

On Kauai, The Princeville Resort, is an excellent luxury resort, or you might consider a more intimate surroundings of a condominium resort like as The Whalers Cove, in the Poipu Beach area, with its spacious units set on a secluded cove that is perfect for water sports such as snorkeling and diving.

Photo Copyright Bruce Murray - Maui, Hawaii

Maui offers several options if your looking for seclusion and luxury service, consider the smaller Hotel Hana Maui, with its plantation-style cottages complete with hot tubs. You can horseback ride along the Hana Coast, and relax afterward in their wonderful spa. Golfers could try the Kapalua Resort on the West Coast of Maui, where three championship golf courses will satisfy the keenest golfers.

A Hawaiian island honeymoon can be as unique as your interests. You can spend time on a remote beach, or experience the fun of shopping, dining and nightlife. The best time to visit Hawaii depends more on the location than any particular season. The leeward sides, the western and southern coasts, have the calmest waters and the driest and sunniest conditions.

Although rainfall is common throughout the year the rainy season is from November to April . During the winter, December to February, you will often find some stormy weather, although rain usually falls in short showers during daytime.  The “high” travel seasons, when hotel rates can be higher, are between January and March, June and August, and during the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.