Hana all-inclusive ... 'everything' is included

There are countless ways to spend a few days relaxing on Maui but one that I had never done before was to experience an 'all-inclusive' getaway.

It's a wonderful concept ... (for the most part) you just pay one price and 'everything' is included.

At the Travaasa Hana, the Total Travaasa package includes: accommodations at their spacious and comfortable Sea Ranch Cottage, all meals, snacks and non alcoholic beverages. Also included are your choice of any 60 minute treatment from the award-winning spa; all on-property activities such as Morning Yoga, Basic Hula, Art of the Cocktail and Throw Net Fishing Experience; and a selection of off-property activities such as a coastal horseback ride and stand up paddling.

Rates begin at $799, double occupancy (tax and service charge not included)
I tried to leave a gratuity or the housekeeper twice but he/she left a note saying that tips were not accepted.

For more information about the spa treatments, daily activities, dining options, Hana town and more hotel package and room options, visit www.travaasa.com/hana.

Here are photos of the resort that I took.

Meditation Pool

 Pathway to the Tennis Courts and Pool 

Fitness Room

Hawaiian Music and Dance in the Paniolo Lounge

Pupus at the Weekly Manager's Reception

Art of the Cocktail session

Throw Net Fishing lesson

'Half of the cottage ... missing are the dining/wet bar area, the huge bath and outdoor sitting area  

Sea Ranch Cottage complex

Last look from my porch.  You can't see it in this photo but Mauna Kea is visible in the distance.

As you can see, there are swimming pools, tennis courts and a fitness room. There is a meditation room, shops, lush grounds, carts that will pick you up at your cottage and take you to and from the main hotel building (Sea Ranch Cottages are located 'accross the street' from the resort) and more.

I thoroughly enjoyed my short visit. Hana is lush and serene, the 52-mile Hana Highway drive is very scenic (as everyone will tell you) and the Travaasa Hana resort staff genuinely friendly and helpful.

Photos of the drive to Hana and Hana Town to come ... stay tuned.

Special room rates for 2011 Maui Marathon available

41^st Maui Marathon events take place Saturday and Sunday, September 17 & 18, 2011

Maui Marathon (www.mauimarathonhawaii.com) has partnered with Travel Network Maui to make booking hotel accommodations for marathon participants easy.

Recognized as one of the most scenic courses in world, Maui Marathon starts in Kahului and passes sugarcane fields and the spectacular Pacific coastline for over 17 breathtaking miles before ending in Kaanapali.  Runners planning to participate in the various events over the weekend, along with family and friends can take advantage of special rates offered by The Westin Maui Resort & Spa and other hotels in Kaanapali Beach Resort.

“We’ve made it so much easier for marathoners to travel to Maui for the events taking place this September,” said Rudy Huber, Executive Director for the Maui Marathon.  “Travel Network is a Maui-based company and their knowledgeable travel consultants will book the rooms and airfare for those looking for assistance.”

Marathon Race Headquarters is located at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, on spectacular Kaanapali Beach.  As the official host hotel, many of the Marathon activities take place at, or near, the hotel and special rates available to runners, their families and friends during the marathon are: Run of House - $249.00 and Run of Ocean - $289.00.  When booking a longer stay, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa offers a 6th night FREE special.

Other hotels offering special rates during the Maui Marathon include:

Westin Kaanapali Ocean Villas:  Studio Island view - $279.00, Studio Ocean view - $319.00, 1 bedroom Island view - $339.00, 1 bedroom ocean view - $379.00 and a 6th night FREE special.

Kaanapali Beach Hotel:  Run of house - $168.00 and Run of ocean - $210.00.

Royal Lahaina Resort:  Run of house - $182.00 and Oceanview - $215.00.

Rates quoted are based on double occupancy, per night. A daily resort fee of $25.00 plus taxes are not included.

To take advantage of these special Maui Marathon rates, contact Travel Network.  They are located on Maui at 331 Hookahi Street, Suite 104, Wailuku, HI 96793. 

• Toll free: 800-344-9086, Phone: 808-244-1414, Fax: 808-242-7815
• Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm, Hawaii Standard Time

Registration for the 2011 events is available online for the following races:

• September 17:  Maui Tacos 5K Run/Walk, Run Forrest Run Front Street Mile

and Go Red for Women Ambassador 5K Walk

• September 18:  Maui Marathon, Half-Marathon and Warrior Challenge

Registration fee also includes a t-shirt for all race finishers.

For more information, visit www.mauimarathonhawaii.com.

Fall Frenzy of Hawaii Deals from Aqua Hotels & Resorts

Fall is a great time to plan a trip to Hawaii and Aqua Hotels & Resorts (www.aquaresorts.com) is offering a “Fall Frenzy” of rates at their 16 hotels and resorts on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

“The autumn months are excellent for travel to Hawaii and our Fall Frenzy offers some of the best room rates in the marketplace,” said Elizabeth Churchill, VP Sales & Marketing for Aqua Hotels & Resorts. “In addition, many of our hotels offer a range of amenities, such as refrigerators and microwaves or complimentary WiFi, that provide more value when staying with us.”

Aqua’s 12 hotel locations in Waikiki range from beachside, middle of the action and near major shopping centers. Whatever the reason might be for your next Waikiki trip, Aqua has a hotel at the right price and in the right location.

Fall Frenzy rates in Waikiki:

Ilikai Hotel & Suites (pictured above) from $129 per night
Best Western Coconut Waikiki from $129 per night

Aqua Bamboo & Spa from $119 per night
Aqua Waikiki Wave from $99 per night
Aqua Waikiki Pearl from $89 per night
Park Shore Waikiki from $89 per night
Aqua Palms & Spa (right) from $79 per night
Aqua Waikiki Beachside from $79 per night
Aqua Aloha Surf & Spa from $69 per night
Island Colony Hotel from $69 per night
Continental Surf Hotel from $59 per night
Maile Sky Court from $59 per night

Neighbor Islands:

Hotel Wailea Maui (right) from $199 per night
Hotel Molokai from $129 per night
Kauai Beach Resort (see photo) from $109 per night
Hotel Lanai from $99 per night

Hawaii’s fall weather is still picture perfect so visitors can see and do just about anything their heart desires. It’s a great time to participate in active water and land activities like SUP (stand up paddling) and hiking. Passive activities such as wonderful spa treatments, visits to art museums and historic attractions as well as cultural festivals are plentiful. And, once the sun sets, evening options are exciting with new luau, dinner shows and trendy night clubs.

Travelers are encouraged to research the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s online event calendar at http://www.gohawaii.com/ for more information on what to see and do during their Hawaii visit.

Aqua’s Fall Frenzy is valid for reservations booked for stays now until December 7, 2010. Rates quoted are based on best available rates, single or double occupancy plus taxes and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. For more call 866-406-2782. For reservations, see your preferred travel agent, visit Aqua online at www.aquaresorts.com or call Aqua at 866-406-2782.

Hotel Wailea's got new game

Hotel Wailea on Maui recently launched new amenities that definitely enhance the guest experience at this all-suite resort.

Pool Bar: The newly renovated pool bar/lounge now offers beer and wine along with a specially crafted menu from the hotel’s award-winning restaurant Capische?.  Highlights include Hawaiian Pizza with Prosciutto d’Parma and Grilled Sicilian Spice Ahi Sandwich.

New gym and spa: Hotel Wailea’s gym offers panoramic views of the Pacific ocean while exercising and free yoga classes are also available here.  Massage therapies such as the Pohaku Facial (facial massage using warmed Hawaiian stones) and the Lomi Lomi Massage (traditional Hawaiian massage using long forearm strokes) are offered at the renovated spa facility.

“The Weekend Lounge” on Fridays and Saturdays: 5-8 PM features organic martinis and live music/ DJs .

“In-Room Picnic” menu: Guests can dine on a casual meal in the privacy of their suite, in the gardens, or on the beach with “to-go” style picnic meals. Items include pizza, pasta, and salads. Lunch is available from noon to 4 PM and dinner from 5:30 to 9 PM.

An excellent place to spend a Maui vacation, the all-suite Hotel Wailea is an intimate retreat situated on a tropical 15-acre site in exclusive Wailea Resort on Maui’s southwest coast.

Each of the 72 suites offers spacious 900-square feet of living space which includes a bedroom, sitting area, kitchenette and private lanai with deluxe ocean views and/or garden vistas.

The resort features a nearby beach area with exclusive attendant services and easy access to Wailea’s Blue, Gold and Emerald golf courses, the exclusive Shops at Wailea, and a world-class tennis facility.

Hotel Wailea Maui is managed by Aqua Hotels & Resorts.  For more information, visit www.hotelwaileamaui.com.

3 summer hotel offers in Hawaii

Keauhou Beach Resort and Hawaii Healing Garden celebrate Mangos at the annual Mango Festival happening on July 31!

The mangos have arrived!  Summer equals mango madness, and this year, this exotic, luscious, juicy and sweet fruit is again the center of attention on Saturday, July 31, at the Hawaii Healing Garden Mango Festival held on the grounds of Keauhou Beach Resort, on Hawaii’s Big Island.  Starting from 10am through 5pm, mango aficionados will be able to peel, cut or bite their way into more than 20 varieties of the most widely produced and consumed fruit in the world.

Presented by HawaiiHealthGuide.com and The Sanctuary of Mana K’ea Gardens, the Mango Festival celebrates all things mango with a day filled with special events and activities including live music, hula and cultural performances, mango culinary arts, a mango recipe contest, and cooking demonstrations.  An outdoor expo will feature Green Healthy Living with natural products, medicinal plants, arts & crafts, massage, health and wellness practitioners, children’s activities, healthy foods, and organic farm produce including coffee, taro and of course, mangos. For a complete list of scheduled events and activities, visit www.HawaiiHealingGarden.com.

With rates ready for picking, mango lovers are invited to explore Keauhou Beach Resort, and take advantage of their ripe kamaaina offer starting at just $109 per night, complete with complimentary breakfast buffet.  For reservations or information, call toll free 1-866-326-6803 or the hotel direct at 1-808-324-2515.

Mauna Lani Vacation Rentals (Big Island)

Foodies in the family? Cooking show fans? Then the Big Island food scene and the gourmet kitchen in your vacation rental will add delicious pleasures to your next stay.

Only with a fully furnished vacation rental can you take advantage of the farmers markets and tempting roadside stands. If you haven't been back to Mauna Lani in a few years you'll discover new specialty food markets with fresh local ingredients and chef prepared ready-to-eat meals within our resort and at others close by.

Daily maid service, concierge and other resort amenities give you the security and convenience of a resort hotel yet with all the comforts of home. And No Resort Fees. What a relief!

Choose the luxury vacation rental that fits your unique lifestyle:

• Villas on the ocean from $199
• Townhomes on the championship golf course from $299
• Estate Homes on the ocean or fairways from $675

For more information or reservations, call 1-888-364-7189

Kaanapali Alii (Maui)

Memo to gym members, tennis players and all who would like to try out a healthier lifestyle:  The luxurious ocean front Kaanapali Alii announces the new Alii Athletic Club.  Use of all Club amenities is unlimited and free for guests – and there are no resort fee.

The Alii Athletic Club includes a new state-of-the-art fitness center, a serene yoga studio/stretching area, spa treatment rooms offering sports and other massage, and just adjacent, a three-court tennis park with an on-site tennis pro & lighted courts available from 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Stay Longer and Save

Stay 4 nights at Kaanapali Alii and receive your 5th night free plus receive a $200 gift card to enjoy during your stay or when you return home.  Stay 10 nights and receive your 5th & 10th nights free and a $400 gift card.  Offer valid in select categories now through December 20, 2010.  Reserve Now!

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.

Tempting Maui Hotel and Condo Offers

I'm told there some great airfare deals to Hawaii so why not book yourself to Maui and take advantage of one of these tempting Maui hotel and condo offers.

Lahaina Shores … www.lahainashores.com

Book your 3rd night Free
Stay 2 consecutive nights in a Studio Ocean Front condominium and receive your 3rd night free.

Offer valid for new bookings for travel now - 12/31/2010. Packages are based on availability and not combinable with other promotions or special offers

Last Minute Travel Special!

Rates starting at $124 in a Studio Mountain View.

For new bookings made June 2 - June 30, 2010 for travel to 12/31/10.  Some restrictions & black out dates may apply.

           

Kaanapali Alii … Summer family savings … www.kaanapalialii.com

Kaanapali Alii offers a free Kid's Club.  Pint-sized guests will find entertainment, enrichment and new friends in a variety of uniquely Hawaiian activities.

Bring the whole family anytime from June 14 - August 20, 2010 and, at no charge, your kids will have an opportunity to try out lauhala weaving, hula lessons, lei making as well as new additions – Ukulele Lessons with Fred Torres, Alii's own Hawaiian cultural expert.  Also, the tennis pro offers Free Tennis Clinics on the private classic clay courts adjacent the new fitness center and spa. 

There are No resort fees at Kaanapali Alii.  Savings are everywhere for families at Kaanapali this summer.

Free play for kids on our golf package
Do your kids play golf or would they like to try?  Consider the Golfer's Heaven Package that includes Free Play for kids ages 7-17 when accompanied by an adult on the package.  Stay 5 nights and receive 2-rounds of unlimited same day golf at the Kaanapali Golf Resort. 

Kapalua Villas … www.outrigger.com

At the Kapalua Villas, guests luxuriate in impeccable service and world-class facilities from $229 per night.

Luxurious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom Golf Villas with remodeled kitchen and baths

22,000-acre resort area with 3 beaches, 11 restaurants, two championship golf courses, Golf academy, tennis garden, zip lines and miles of hiking trails

30,000 sq. ft. Kapalua Spa with fitness center

For more information things to see and do while on Maui, visit the Maui Visitors Bureau website at www.visitmaui.com 

Restaurant Week Wailea, May 23 - 29, 2010

“Restaurant Week Wailea” celebrates Wailea’s finest cuisine at 16 participating resort restaurants throughout Wailea starting Sunday, May 23rd, through Saturday, May 29th.

Wailea Resort has long been known for its award winning culinary talent, delectable restaurants and celebrity chefs; and have once again created some amazing three course, pre-fixe menus for just $29*/$39* per person (*depending on the restaurant - beverages, tax and gratuity not included).  Some restaurants have enhanced this promotion, by creating wine pairings to enjoy with your meal, at a very special price.

This pre-fixe menu is not valid with any other discount, coupons or promotion being offered at participating restaurants. Diners may contact each restaurant direct for reservations, as advance reservations are strongly recommended or visit www.opentable.com for select restaurants* which offer online dinner reservations. Photo courtesy of capische? restaurant at Hotel Wailea.

Participating restaurants contribute for each pre-fixe meal served to the Maui Food Bank.

No tickets, passes or coupons needed ~ simply make your reservations and enjoy!

Click here for brochure with full menus: Restaurant Week Menu

What to do with the kids this summer on Maui

When I was a kid, I was sent to the summer fun program that most of the kids growing up on the plantation went to.  It was fun ... learning how to swim in the olympic-size pool, bowling in the 'semi-automatic' 6-lane alley, playing dodge ball on the hardwood floor of the gym, baking corn bread and doing arts and crafts (mostly using kukui nuts and coconut shells).  Wow - just thinking about those good old days reminds me of how fun it really was.

Today, there are many options for kids, including summer school.  What's offered by Pacific Whale Foundation on Maui seems to be a combination of both summer school and summer fun.

If you plan to be on Maui ... or live on Maui, your elementary and middle-school kids (or grandkids) are sure to enjoy participating in the programs that are offered.

To read the article that I posted on examiner.com, click here.

"High on a hill lived a lonely goatherd. Lay-ee ode lay-ee ode lay-hee hoo ….”

Ever thought about being a goatherd?  Or, at least just to see what it’s all about?

Surfing Goat Dairy (on Maui) is offering the Grand Dairy Tour – which includes a two-hour hands on visit and tasting experience that is fun for the entire family.

Be a goat herder and lead a herd from the pasture to the dairy, feed them, you can even try to milk a goat, play with goat kids, learn about the process of cheese making (our cheese masters even know the answer to the age-old question of where the holes in cheese come from), and finally the grand cheese experience, dig into over 20 of the many different varieties of our Maui Gourmet Goat Cheeses served with crackers, olives, pickles, grapes and nuts.

$25.00 per person.. includes a soft drink and the cheese tasting.

When: May 1, 15, & 29; June 12 & 26; July 10 & 24; August 7 & 21
Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM

For more information or reservations, www.surfinggoatdairy.com, (808) 878-2870.

The Kapalua Villas Takes Kamaaina the Extra Mile with New HawaiianMiles Promotion

Kamaaina staying at The Kapalua Villas can now earn 150 Hawaiian Airline miles while they sleep. This new promotion provides guests of The Kapalua Villas with 150 Hawaiian Airline miles for each night at the resort, for one person, per paid room; but kamaaina staying three nights or longer will receive 2,000 bonus miles in addition to the 150 per night, totaling 2,450 miles for one long, three-day weekend getaway.

Guests looking for an elevated experience will want to plan a stay in The Kapalua Gold Villas, the company’s new brand standard. With kamaaina rates starting at $189 per night for a one-bedroom Villa, residents will enjoy Gold Villa guest-amenities and services including, a welcome amenity upon arrival, nightly turndown service, daily newspaper Monday through Friday, as well as robes and slippers.

The Kapalua Villas are part of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts’ deluxe condominium collection, which offers hotel-style hospitality with all the comforts of home. The Kapalua Villas recently joined the Outrigger family of hotels and resorts and offers daily maid service, full kitchens, laundry services, as well as air conditioning for total comfort. Rooms are available in one-, two-, or three-bedroom Villas, offering grand views of the ocean and fairways.

For reservations or information, call your preferred travel professional or The Kapalua Villas at 1-800-545-0018 within the U.S., Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call (808) 665-9137 (long distance charges apply). For online information or reservations, log on at www.kapaluavillas.com or email reservations@kapaluavillas.com.

21st Annual Maui Onion Festival

The 21st Annual Maui Onion Festival, a fun and FREE family event, returns to Whalers Village Fine Shops & Restaurants in Kā‘anapali, Maui on Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 9 am – 9 pm.

This is Whalers Village Fine Shops & Restaurants’ signature event, and it honors of Maui’s most famous export, the Maui Kula Onion.

The fun, family event is open to the general public featuring a full day of celebrity chefs demonstrating cooking techniques followed by food sampling for the audience, best onion recipe contest, keiki and adult ‘raw’ Maui Onion eating contest, food and product booths, island music and entertainment, and more.

Special shopping promotions start April 26 at the more than 90 shops & restaurants at Whalers Village.

The 2010 celebrity chefs include Mark Ellman of Malaʻs Ocean Tavern in Lāhaina and Wailea, Roy Yamaguchi of Royʻs Restaurants, D.K. Kodama of Sansei Restaurants and Cane & Taro (Maui), James McDonald of PacificʻO and iʻO Restaurants, and the 2009 Maui Onion Festival Chefs Recipe Contest winner Chef David Paul of David Paulʻs Island Grill in Lāhainā.

Whalers Village is located at 2435 Kāʻanapali Parkway in Kāʻanapali Beach Resort.

For more information visit www.whalersvillage.com or call 808-661-4567.

For information about Kaanapali, visit Kaanapali Beach Resort Association.

Photos by Sandi Yara

Surfing Goat Dairies - Grand Dairy Tours

Located on the slopes of Haleakalā in Kula, Maui, Surfing Goat Dairies is one of two goat dairires in Hawaii. It’s a fun place to visit anytime but they are offering ‘Grand Dairy Tours’ on March 6 and March 20, 2010.

The tour includes a two-hour hands on visit and tasting experience you will love. Surfing Goat Dairies encourages families, friends, neighbors and colleagues to come on down.

• Be a goat herder and lead a herd from the pasture to the dairy.

• Feed the goats,

• Try milking a goat.

• Kids can play with goat kids.

• Learn about the process of cheese making

• And … last but not least, enjoy the grand cheese experience … dig into over 20 of the many different varieties of Maui Gourmet Goat Cheeses served with crackers, olives, pickles, grapes and nuts.

Make your reservation early as these tours sell out quickly!

$25.00 per person ... includes a soft drink and the cheese tasting

Time: 9:00am

Location: 3651 Omaopio Rd., Kula, Maui

For more information, visit: http://www.surfinggoatdairy.com/about.html

Photo:  Surfing Goat Dairies