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Destinations / GO
The Lodge at Kukuiula
Poipu, Kauai
THE TOWN OF Poipu on Kauai’s south or “sunny” side is a year-round destina- tion. Flour-soft white sand and gentle
waves attract not only endangered monk
seals but families looking for toddler-safe
environs. The area has famously come back
strong after Hurricane Iniki’s devastation in
1992 with the Lodge at Kukuiula, a collection
of island-style cottages, bungalows and villas
as the newest hotel option.
• BEDS Ideal for families or multiple couples
traveling together, the property offers two-,
three- and four-bedroom plantation-style cottages, all with private plunge pools, outdoor
garden showers, gourmet kitchens, indoor/
outdoor screened lanais, fire pits and outdoor
gas grills. Rates start at $1,000.
• EATS While the on-site Plantation House
features local farm-to-table cuisine, open-air dining and sweeping views, the nearby
Shops at Kukuiula boast a bevy of award-winning options to please every palate, from
fine-dining Merriman’s to mid-price Tortilla
Republic and the casual Bubba Burgers and
Uncle’s Shave Ice.
• EXERCISE Poipu’s famed expansive white-
sand beach makes surfing, swimming and
one-bedroom suite has a separate living area,
luxury linens, deep soaking tubs, kitchenettes
and private lanais. Rates start at $429.
• EATS Wailea Resort itself boasts dozens
of award-winning dining experiences, but
Capische, the on-site option, has a five-star
Zagat rating. And when you’re finishing the
aforementioned book, The Cabanas, a casual
poolside spot, offers light alfresco meals and
cocktails prepared with Hotel Wailea’s made-from-scratch sodas and simple syrups.
• EXERCISE Go for the complimentary yoga
or Hawaiian Outrigger canoe experience, or
take advantage of the preferred tee times at the
nearby Wailea Gold, Emerald and Blue courses.
• DON’T MISS Be that person in the hot car.
Use the on-site reproduction 1957 Porsche
356 Speedster convertible for a ride through
town or better yet, head to the North Shore
for a kiteboarding lesson at the resort’s own
kiteboarding school.
Four Seasons Lanai
Manele Bay, Lanai
THE LONG-AWAI TED, LUXURIOUSLY reimagined, multimillion-dollar trans- formation of this 90,000-acre property
is just around the corner with an early 2016
opening. While there are a few more t’s to
snorkeling attractive bets. On site, enjoy one
of the seven different pools, or get in a game
of volleyball in the large lagoon. Off-site,
nearby activities including golf, stand-up
paddling and hiking.
• DON’ T MISS Enjoy sunset with poached
Kauai shrimp and fresh ahi poke with
house-made curry chips and a mai tai at the
Plantation House.
Hotel Wailea
Wailea, Maui
BECOMING KNOWN AS the quiet adults- only escape on Maui, the newly renovated Hotel Wailea is getting
lots of positive attention on sites like
Trip Advisor. Included in the fluff-up are
the “ultra-private” one-bedroom suites
designed to evoke the ultimate island-style
pied- à-terre. Poolside cabanas entice guests
to get to that book they’ve been meaning
to read, and soon an ocean-view tree house
will offer private couples spa treatments
within the mango-tree canopies. Beach valet
services at nearby Wailea Beach include
reserved beachfront lounge chairs, umbrellas, bottled water and towels.
• BEDS The 72 suites are spread out on 15 acres
of “ultra-private” ocean-view property. Each
