Photos of Kauai Beach Resort taken during a recent overnight

Recently, I spent Friday night at Kauai Beach Resort.  The location is great and the complimentary hotel / airport / hotel shuttle is very, very convenient and saved me a lot of time.

A storm system was moving through the islands and the weather was still iffy.  It was overcast on Friday and showered on Saturday morning ... but the skies cleared up by mid-morning. 

 Port cochere ... where the complimentary shuttle drops off and pickups up .

My room was great.  The bed was excellent and I got a good night's sleep .. it just reconfirms that I really need to buy myself a new mattress.

 The view from my balcony was of the great pool and Pacific Ocean beyond.

 Another view of the pool and how it wraps around.

Pool-side hatched huts ... for casual dining.

 View of building 4 and resort grounds.
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Shutters Lounge offers nightly entertainment, light dinner menu.

Naupaka Terrace serves breakfast and dinner ... had a chance to enjoy their Friday night Seafood Buffet ... yum.

Another view of the sprawling low-rise resort.  As you may know, buildings on Kauai cannot be taller than a coconut tree.

A family of chickens strolling through the resort.

 Pathway towards the Pacific.

Final view of the pool ... .this was taken at 8 am so no one was in the pool yet.

I took all of the photos (execept Naupaka Terrace) with my Sony Cybershot.  There are other areas of the resort that I did not take photos of ... including the Driftwood Bar & Grille, children's sand bottom pool,  75-ft waterslide, ballroom, fitness center and more.

Kauai Beach Resort is located at 4331 Kauai Beach Drive.  The resort offers 350 rooms and suites.  ADA rooms are also available.

For reservations, call toll free 888-805-3843.  For more information, visit www.kauaibeachresorthawaii.com. 

Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation’s free vow renewal ceremony is extended through December 21, 2010

The free vow renewal ceremony at the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation on the island of Kauai has been extended through the end of the year! Available exclusively to Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation guests, the non-denominational ceremony now is available through December 21, 2010. 

Held every other Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., the non-denominational ceremony takes place amidst a beautiful garden setting of green lawns, a reflective pond, exotic orchids and swaying palms. The special moment begins with couples exchanging complimentary fresh flower lei. The conch shell sounds and the kahu (Hawaiian minister) performs a Hawaiian chant with an English translation.

Couples learn the meaning and significance of Ha, or the breath of life, as they exchange vows with a special kiss. Throughout the ceremony, couples are serenaded with soft Hawaiian slack key guitar music, and when the ceremony is done, couples are presented with a keepsake certificate to commemorate the special day.

To maintain its uniqueness and intimacy, each vow renewal ceremony is open to six couples only and couples must be legally married to participate. Reservations are required and can be made no more than two weeks in advance of the preferred ceremony date by calling Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation’s front desk at 808-742-6411 (long-distance charges apply) or via email at kpr@outrigger.com. For online information about the vow renewal ceremony, visit www.outriggerkiahunaplantation.com/vowrenewal.

Kamaaina rates at Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation start at $150 for a one-bedroom garden view condominium with full kitchen. Taxes are not included. Partial ocean view, ocean view, oceanfront and two-bedroom condos also available. Rates and special offers cannot be combined and are subject to change without notice. Restrictions may apply.

For reservations or information, call your preferred travel professional or Outrigger Hotels & Resorts toll free at 800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada or visit www.outrigger.com.

Not your usual Hawaii accommodation options

Here are four alternate Hawaii accommodations for visitors and residents to consider when booking a trip to the islands or a staycation.  Each offers a different option on a different island:  boutique hotel, charming B & B, vacation home and new resort hotel.

PAIA INN (Maui)

Located in the heart of charming Paia Town and just steps away from a 3 mile stretch of beautiful white sand beach, Paia Inn is a hip boutique hotel on the gorgeous Northshore of Maui. 

The Paia Inn is celebrating their 2nd Anniversary!!  Rates available from $189 per night.  For more information, visit www.PaiaInn.com or call 1-800-721-4000. 

MANOA VALLEY INN (Oahu)

Calling all Lost fans – although the series is pau (finished) here’s a chance to stay at Manoa Valley Inn in Honolulu where three scenes of Lost were filmed and where the film crew stayed for nearly two weeks. 

Current special going on rooms from $85 per night includes breakfast, parking, access to pool, and beautiful views. 

Visit hawaii.mydestinationinfo.com/en/manoa-valley-inn for more info.

HAWAII PARADISE SUITE (Hawaii Island)

 
Stay in Hilo, Hawaii just minutes from the beach starting at just $79 a night at Hawaii Paradise Suite. 

Luxury B&B Special for just $119 per night for a couple. Enjoy native Hawaiian gardens, a lovely pool with outdoor stereo system, and a full service entertainment area featuring a karaoke machine! 

Visit hawaii.mydestinationinfo.com/en/hawaii-paradise-suite for more info.

KOA KEA RESORT (Kauai)

Koa Kea Hotel & Resort debuted on April 14, 2009 following a multi-million dollar reconstruction.  

The luxury resort is situated on Poipu Beach, on the south coast of Kauai and provides guests with immediate access to one of Hawaii’s most exclusive beaches.  

The resort offers 121 spacious guestrooms and suites, all with a private lanai.  Current “Isle See You at Poipu” special offers garden view rooms for $299 per night.  

For more information, visit www.koakea.com. More on this later.

Jurassic Falls - by Island Helicopters

Don't tell but, I’m a chicken about flying in general so I haven’t tried a helicopter tour yet ... however, I know a lot of folks that have done it and rave about them.  The great feature of taking a tour by helicopter is that you often get to see and visit places not accessible by any other means.  I guess I'm really missing out here.

On Kauai, there is a special helicopter tour that lets you experience something that landlubbers cannot plus also offers an excellent flight tour of the island.

“Jurassic Falls” Waterfall Landing Tour it is the most elite tour offered by Island Helicopters.  Passengers experience the incredible beauty and force of a 400 ft. waterfall – made famous in “Jurassic Park” – which only accessible by helicopter because of its location deep in one of Kauai’s interior valleys. 

The journey begins at the Lihue Airport where you will board one of the new AStars equipped with ceiling to floor glass windows and doors and BoseX noise canceling stereo headsets. 




• After flying over several very scenic areas, you head on to Manawaiopuna Falls, better known as “Jurassic Falls”.   
• After landing near the base of the waterfall, your pilot guides you along an existing trail and footbridge to the front of the waterfall where you have the opportunity to take photos or just enjoy the experience.  
• You will then be guided back to the aircraft and once you have lifted off the ground, the tour resumes with the signature tour, “Kauai Grand”, Kauai’s most personalized deluxe 50-60 minute helicopter circle island tour of Kauai.  

Note:  The waterfall landing tour is not available on Sundays and seating is limited daily, so advance reservations are required. 

Island Helicopters is very pleased to offer kamaaina a $100 discount off the regular rate of their tours (with proof of residency). 

Call toll free at 1-800-829-5999 for reservations.




Island Helicopters has been providing deluxe helicopter tours from the Kauai airport for over 30 years. 

For more information, visit http://www.islandhelicopters.com/

For more information on Kauai, visit www.kauaidiscovery.com

Organic amenities on Kauai

Here's something interesting that came across my desk recently ...

Organic Amenities Arrive at Waipouli Beach Resort

A new garden-inspired restaurant plus a new day spa feature ingredients made from Hawaii’s natural resources

The Garden Isle lives up to its name with a new island-inspired restaurant, and plantation-style spa, which have opened under new management at the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort. Locally grown produce and freshly caught fish swathe the mouthwatering menu at the new Oasis on the Beach restaurant, while Spa by the Sea boasts an organic product-line. Both amenities aim to complement the resort’s naturally pristine atmosphere by incorporating Hawaii’s incredible natural resources.

Oasis on the Beach Restaurant

Its name implies a place of refuge and relief, and the new Oasis on the Beach restaurant delivers just that. The casual and tasteful culinary retreat, located just steps from the beach at Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort, is the product of owner-operator Stefan Mandel with talented local chef Zack Sato bringing his expertise with local ingredients to the menu. Organic ingredients, over 80 percent of which are locally grown, are incorporated into a delightful, island-inspired menu. Examples of the delicious local fare include locally-caught fresh fish glazed in miso-butter and topped with crispy onion strings, or a local grass-fed rib-eye steak with a red wine sweet onion butter, over a taro mash and braised greens. 

“We are extremely proud to add Oasis on the Beach restaurant to our property,” said Gregg Enright, general manager of Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort. “The fusion of fresh, island-grown produce and mouthwatering entrees, creates a dining experience unique to our property, that guests will surely remember.”

At the 5 p.m. happy hour, guests can watch the spectacular sunset and sip on refreshing ginger-lime infused Mojitos or classic Mai Tais. The entrees featuring the catch-of-the-day have never seen the freezer, as a newly caught batch is brought in each morning to be served. Nowhere else on Kauai can guests dine on fresher local produce from such a stunning ocean vantage point. Oasis on the Beach is open 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, with dinner service beginning at 5 p.m. Watch for lunch service to begin at a later date. For more information or reservations, call direct to (808) 822-9332.

Spa by the Sea

Spa by the Sea offers guests a full-service spa, including an extensive menu of facials, massages and other pampering treatments. Nestled on the beachfront property of Kauai’s eastern shore, the 4,000 square-foot spa boasts services that are unique to Hawaii, while using only pure organic ingredients in its treatments.

“Spa by the Sea tops-off our assortment of luxurious amenities here at the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort,” said Enright. “Now guests can treat themselves to the restorative vacation they deserve by booking an appointment for an organic Hawaiian massage or facial.”

Revitalize with a volcanic clay facial or lomi lomi massage, and repair sunburned skin with a Noni Body Wrap. Known for its legendary healing powers, the Hawaiian people use the juice of this tropical fruit to heal burns, soothe and tighten the skin. In this cooling and healing treatment, the body is soothed with Noni Gel then gently massaged with warm coconut milk for a healthy tropical glow. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, the plantation-style spa is a must-visit when vacationing at the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort.  For more information, log on to www.spabytheseakauai.com .

Allerton Garden on Kauai is not to be missed

Allerton Garden, is located in the Lawai Valley on the south shore of Kauai. It is a National Tropical Botanical Garden - a not-for-profit institution, dedicated to discovering, saving, and studying the world's tropical plants and to sharing what is learned.

I recommend seeing this former estate, known for the series of outdoor garden rooms, its landscape beauty and fascinating history sometime during your visit to Kauai. Walking is involved but its not strenuous and there are many opportunities to take gorgeous photos.

A special tour offered at sunset would be perfect. Currently, a 10% discount is available off the Sunset Allerton Estate Tour, a guided tour of the garden focusing on the estate’s features and history, with oceanfront sunset and pupus on the lanai.

Cost per person: Adults (13 yrs. and above) $60; children 10-12 yrs. $30
Children 10 yrs. and above only on tour

Call (808) 742-2623 to reserve.

Offer good now until 4/2/2010

For more information on the island of Kauai, visit their website.

Top photo: View down into the valley and garden
Botton: Mermaid Fountain. Both images, courtesy of Daderot

Take your sweetheart to Kaua‘i Beach Resort for Valentine's Day

There are lots of options for Valentine's Day. Just check online or the local newspapers and you'll find a slew of restaurants offering specials for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even cocktails. There are so many choices - it will make your head spin!

To help you decide, here's a suggestion that is perfect if you want to do something that's special without blowing the budget.

The Kaua‘i Beach Resort is offering very reasonable specials for Valentine's Day in their Naupaka Terrace, a plantation-style open air restaurant overlooking fishponds, pools, waterfalls and the Pacific Ocean.

Valentine's Sunrise Buffet: Available from 6:30 am - Noon for an unbeatable $21.00 per adult and $10.00 for children 5 - 12 years (yep, children are welcome).

Valentine's Day Dinner: Selection of entrée includes appetizer, salad and scrumptious Valentine Chocolate Dessert Buffet, available 6 - 9 pm.

Appetizer
Roasted Squash Soup with Crisp Pancetta

Salad
Smoked Duck Salad with Apple Chips

Entrée Selections
- Hoisin Glazed Salmon with Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Orange-scented Couscous, Asparagus, $25.00
- Pan-seared Rib Eye Steak with Kentucky Bourbon Gravy, Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, $27.00
- Maple-Barbeque Chicken Breast with Garlic Fried Potato, $23.00

Valentine Chocolate Dessert Buffet
Chocolate-dipped Strawberries, Chocolate Bread Pudding, Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cheesecake, Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Fondue with Heart Cake

Prices for the Valentine's Sunrise Buffet and Valentine's Day Dinner do not include tax or gratuity. Reservations are recommended. Call 808-245-1955.

For Valentine's Day to be even more special for you and your sweetheart, book a room at Kaua‘i Beach Resort and make a romantic weekend of it. Kama‘āina room rates start at just $99 per night.

The oceanfront Kaua‘i Beach Resort features:

- Complimentary shuttle service to/from the airport and nearby golf courses
- Three main pools and two whirlpool spas
- Sand bottom fresh water pool
- 75 ft. lava tube waterslide

For room reservations, call Kaua‘i Beach Resort direct at 808-246-5517 or toll free at 1-888-805-3843 or book online at www.kauaibeachresorthawaii.com.

Photos courtesy of Aqua Hotels & Resorts