Recently in Hawaii Category

Jeremy McCarthy is the Director of Spa Operations Development and Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and thelobby.com's expert on everything spa.

Two new Heavenly Spas have opened their doors in Hawaii. The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas opened their new spa earlier this year. It joins its sister property, The Westin Maui, which lays claim to being not only the first Heavenly Spa in Hawaii, but in the world. Now the Moana Surfrider has just opened a new Heavenly Spa in Waikiki on the Island of Oahu. While Heavenly Spas are starting to open around the world, with India, China and Dubai, all having opened new spas in the past year, it is interesting that three of the 13 now open are located in Hawaii. Could it be that the spirit of "Aloha" is just the perfect fit for the uplifting Heavenly Spa brand?

Winter is fast approaching in the northern hemisphere. The nights are getting longer, the air is getting colder, and people everywhere are starting to realize that they could use a break from the routine. For those who absolutely need to feel a warm tropical breeze in the very near future, may we suggest a couple of days in Hawaii? It's not such a far-fetched idea, thanks to Starpicks. That's because the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next six weeks. Just think, instead of shivering at home, you could be basking in the gorgeous sunshine of Hawaii's Big Island. Splash around in the resort's Manta Ray Super Pool & Slide. Work on your tennis game on one of two outdoor courts, or see if you can't lower your handicap on the nearby golf course. But since winter escapes are all about relaxing, you might want to pay a visit to the full-service Ho`ola Spa, where Hawaiian lomi lomi massage or hot pohaku (stone) massage treatments provide the perfect antidote to the stresses of workaday life. Top it all off with a gourmet meal of Big Island-grown fruits, vegetables, and freshly caught fish at Kai restaurant, and you'll be feeling like yourself again in no time. Of course, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa is just one of dozens of participating Starpicks hotels and resorts this week, so check the list to find the destination of your dreams.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on the subject.

The Travelocity Roaming Gnome is on another adventure, and this time he has been seen at several different Starwood Vacation Ownership resorts. When you stay at one of these resorts in 2008, you can go on a Roaming Gnome scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes. Roaming Gnomes will be hidden in secret spots around the resorts. Participants will receive a clue sheet with hints as to where they are hiding. Once you complete your clue sheet, you can redeem it for a prize at the resort. You will also be entered into a grand prize drawing to win a five-day, four-night resort stay, plus two airline tickets worth up to $750 each. The contest began on May 1 and will continue through the end of 2008. The grand prize winner will be chosen at the end of the year.

Participating Starwood Vacation Ownership resorts are: Sheraton Vistana Villages and Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando, Florida; The Westin St. John Resort & Villas in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Maui, Hawai'i; The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas in Kaua'i, Hawai'i; The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas in Rancho Mirage, California; Sheraton Desert Oasis and The Westin Kierland Villas in Scottsdale, Arizona; Sheraton Mountain Vista in Avon, Colorado; Sheraton Broadway Plantation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort in Port St. Lucie, Florida; and Vistana's Beach Club in Jensen Beach, Florida.

While staying at the Sheraton Waikiki last July, my 15 year old daughter Bonnie lost her handbag in a local fast food restaurant the day before we were due to leave. On checkout, I mentioned my daughter had lost her handbag that held her camera, which had photos of her recent dance competition in Las Vegas, her Ipod, and quite a bit of cash. A member of the staff got the security manager, who talked to us for ages before calling the police.

I said I was sure a particular fast food shop had it, but were acting strange and denied so. The police officer and the security manager took all our details and then set out to retrieve the handbag. We had little hope that we would see the bag again. Also, I couldn't see why the security manager would go out of his way for us so much because we were leaving.

Boy was I wrong. The police officer had put three officers outside the fast food outlet who were booking people for jay walking. The staff inside must have been sweating because suddenly one said she had found it. You can imagine my surprise when Bonnie, my daughter, got a call from the police officer, informing us that we could pick it up.

I did so and dropped into the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, where I left a very grateful message for the security guy back at the Sheraton Waikiki.. What service we had. What a time we had.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on Florida.

The Kapalua Wine & Food Festival returns this weekend to Maui for its 27th year. During this four-day culinary extravaganza, you may discover some of the world's top gastronomic trends and enjoy an array of exciting gourmet events. This year's festival brings together top master sommeliers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders for themed tastings, seminars and gala evening events. Cooking demonstrations, wine tasting seminars, winemaker dinners and a golf tournament are but a few of the highlights of this festival. The festival will be held through June 29, 2008, with tickets available here. After each day of culinary delight, unwind in spacious and inspired accommodations at The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas or The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas North.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on the subject.

Those who seek personal renewal on Maui will now discover even more ways to relax, thanks to the opening of Spa Helani at The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas North. This 10,000-square-foot facility features 13 treatment rooms, including a couples massage suite, hydrotherapy rooms, sauna, steam rooms and two intimate courtyard massage cabanas.

Indulge in a signature spa treatment, such as the Ka'anapali Oceania Couples Ritual Massage. This treatment commences with a Polynesian-style massage with virgin coconut oil, followed by a soothing coconut crème and frangipani milk bath for two that will send your senses soaring. Or try the Lilikoi Fruit Melody, a luxurious treatment that begins with gentle body exfoliation using island sugarcane and lilikoi to leave your skin fresh and smooth. The treatment continues with a decadent body wrap of lilikoi body butter soufflé to hydrate the skin, followed by an uplifting massage that brings an enchanting touch and scent of Hawai'i to the experience. Other revitalizing spa treatments include massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.

Candice Kraughto is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region.

Lt. Andrew Baldwin, ABC's Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman recently chose to spend his last nights in Hawaii at The Royal Hawaiian. The 31 year-old doctor and world-class tri-athlete gained national famed staring in the tenth season of the show in 2007. Andy came to Hawaii in July 2005 and was assigned as a member of the Navy Medical Corps to serve as Diving Medical Officer for Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One in Pearl Harbor.

During the season finale of the tenth season of The Bachelor in May 2007, ABC filmed Andy at Kaua'i's luxurious Princeville Resort on his dream dates. He was named the best bachelor on a 2008 special episode of The Bachelor last month titled 'Where Are They Now?'

The doctor emailed me last week asking if he could stay at the iconic "Pink Palace of the Pacific" one last time because he was bringing someone special. Who could that be?

How fitting that Andy would choose The Royal Hawaiian for rest and relaxation before shipping off to his new home in Washington D.C. to assume a new post as an advocate for Navy medicine. After Pearl Harbor was bombed in December 1941, The Royal Hawaiian hotel was closed to the public and leased exclusively to the U.S. Navy as a place for rest and relaxation for the troops. When WWII ended in 1945, The Royal Hawaiian closed for an extensive two-year renovation, re-opening in 1947.

Candice Kraughto, is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region.

Rum aficionados rejoice! No has-been Cosmo cocktails are offered on the premises at Honolulu's newest hotspot RumFire. The "it" drink at Sheraton Waikiki's gorgeous oceanfront "place to be seen" is the "Tradewinds," a fierce and refreshing libation mixed with Matusalem Platino rum from the Dominican Republic, Marie Brizzard Watermelon, fresh sweet and sour and a splash of Soho lychee liqueur. Or sip a Deconstructed Pina Colada with Cruzan single barrel rum served over pineapple ice cubes with a generous dollop of coconut foam.

The centerpiece of RumFire is its sexy rum tower featuring over a selection of over 100 unique offerings - from rare vintages to rum being produced in Hawaii's backyard from local sugar cane. Looking for something different to do on a Friday night? Plan a private rum tasting party at sunset with a group of friends around the outdoor fire pits. On 2nd and 4th Saturday nights, the purveyor's of Hawaii's most stylish parties, Flash and Matty Boy host "Oceanfront at Rumfire." Email vip@flashandmattyboy.com for bottle service reservations.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership.

For an exciting lesson on Hawaiian history, check out the International Festival of Canoes, Maui's signature cultural heritage event that honors the voyaging canoe that united Polynesia. During this festival, master carvers from across the Pacific gather in Lahaina to create canoes, surfboards and tikis from wood logs. Here you may enjoy cultural arts performances, a parade, ancient warrior demonstrations, Polynesian crafts and Hawaiian dining experiences. Or discover relaxing hands-on experiences, like quilting lessons and wood block carving. The festival concludes with an ancient Hawaiian ceremony and sunset canoe launch in Kamehameha Iki Park. The festival will be held May 18 through 31, 2008 with admission free for most events. Lahaina is located just ten miles from The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas and The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas North.