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Haute Holidays Travel

  • About
  • How It Works
    • Process
    • Fees
    • Client Benefits
  • Travel Stories
  • Mentions
  • Resources
  • Set Sail

Hawaii Part 2: Big Island

08/01 2016

Hawaii Island (most commonly known as the Big Island) is one of the most geographically diverse places on the planet.  I had visited when I was younger with my family, and was so excited to bring my own kids to this special place!  First, I firmly believe that if you don’t drive around the whole island, you are missing out on what makes the Big Island special.  All within the spanse of a few hours, you can see volcanoes, waterfalls, rain forest, dry ranch land, barren lava fields, and the sunny west coast.

We began our journey by taking a short (45-ish minutes) Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Hilo.  Averaging 160 inches of rain per year, Hilo is on the Big Island’s wet windward side and closest to Volcanoes National Park.  We collected our rental car and drove about one hour to the Volcano House, our hotel and the only property located within Volcanoes National Park.  Your jaw literally falls open when you enter and see that you are directly facing Kilauea Crater, steam spewing from it and all.  Half of the rooms face the crater, the other half face the parking lot.  (Try to get a crater room, totally worth it!)  Definitely be prepared for the weather here- it rains frequently and is cooler thanks to the higher elevation.  A light jacket or rain poncho are great items to have here!  Accommodations are basic but adequate; this is after all a national park.

Depending on how much you want to explore the national park, I would say that 1-3 nights is an ideal time to stay.  With little ones, we stayed one night and did a couple very short hikes, but I know we just scratched the surface here.  Also make sure to find out if/where lava is flowing because it can change on a daily basis and you can adjust your exploring accordingly (hiking, boating, helicopters).

And Volcano House’s restaurant The Rim, which overlooks the caldera, has an amazingly good dinner!!  You might not expect fine dining in such a remote location, but if you are in the area, even if not staying here, a reservation is definitely needed and worth it!

The coolest part about staying here is that when it is dark, after sunset or before sunrise, you can glimpse the glow of fiery orange lava deep within Halema’uma’u Crater, a crater-within-a-crater at Kilauea.  It is so eerie, yet so cool, all at the same time and something that I will never forget!  It is, very simply put, Mother Earth at work.  You may still visit the crater if you are not staying in the park, but will be a 2-3 hour long drive from the Kohala Coast depending on where you are staying.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

View from our room at Volcano House

View from our room at Volcano House

The glowing caldera just before sunrise (yes we awoke at 5am very excited to drive to the Jaggar Museum, a few mins from the hotel, to see this.)

The glowing caldera just before sunrise (yes we awoke at 5am very excited to drive to the Jaggar Museum, a few mins from the hotel, to see this.)

Cozy lobby of the Volcano House (with two fantastic gifts shops off to the side!)

Cozy lobby of the Volcano House (with two fantastic gifts shops off to the side!)

A little hike down Crater Rim Trail

A little hike down Crater Rim Trail

Beautiful rainbow from the caldera as seen from Volcano House

Beautiful rainbow from the caldera as seen from Volcano House

Thurston Lava Tube

Thurston Lava Tube

After we checked out of Volcano House, we explored the Thurston Lava Tube on the way out of the park before arriving at Hilo after 45 minutes or so.  We grabbed a quick coffee to refuel and then continued up the lush Hamakua Coast, a leisurely drive we punctuated with stops at waterfalls, overlooks, and a little general store for lunch.  It’s amazing to watch how dramatically the scenery changes, as you drive north and rain forest gives way to ranch land, once you drive inland towards Waimea.. continue on to the sunny Kohala Coast and you are in the middle of barren lava fields and miles of pristine (yet sometimes rocky) beach, all the way down to Kona.  The best black sand beaches are on the southern shore of the Big Island, which we didn’t make it all the way down to.

Amazing Akaka Falls

Amazing Akaka Falls

Hamakua Coast waterfalls

Hamakua Coast waterfalls

Papa'aloa Country Store & Cafe, just past mile marker 24 on Hwy 19.. off the main road, but well worth the find for fresh lunch specials and homemade desserts!! The pastries were created by a pastry chef who used to have a shop in Hilo. Outstanding hole-in-the-wall find and great stop en route to the Kohala Coast.

Papa’aloa Country Store & Cafe, just past mile marker 24 on Hwy 19.. off the main road, but well worth the find for fresh lunch specials and homemade desserts!! The pastries were created by a pastry chef who used to have a shop in Hilo. Outstanding hole-in-the-wall find and great stop en route to the Kohala Coast.

Award-winning macadamia nut baklava and lilikoi tarts?! YES PLEASE!

Award-winning macadamia nut baklava and lilikoi (passion fruit) tarts?! YES PLEASE!

Lookout near Laupahoehoe

Lookout near Laupahoehoe

Dramatic vistas at the Waipio Valley lookout.. you can explore the valley floor with ATVs, hiking, etc

Dramatic vistas at the Waipio Valley lookout.. you can explore the valley floor with ATVs, hiking, etc

We did make it just south of Kona one day to explore the well-known coffee growing region and enjoyed a great visit to Greenwell Coffee Farms.  They conduct complimentary tours every 30 minutes and offer the chance to sample their multiple coffees.  I may be sipping a cup of macadamia nut blend as I write this blog. 🙂

Greenwell Coffee Farm tour.. learning all about coffee beans, from harvest to roast!

Greenwell Coffee Farm tour.. learning all about coffee beans, from harvest to roast!

So many coffees, so little time.

So many coffees, so little time.

MAUNA LANI BAY HOTEL & BUNGALOWS

Over on the Kohala Coast, where we ended after our day driving up the Hamakua Coast, we checked into the beautiful Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.  This 5* Virtuoso property features a very discreet form of luxury.  Koi ponds line the entryway and the breezy lobby opens up into a 5-story atrium criss-crossed with turtle ponds and cozy sitting nooks.  (My kids LOVED seeing all the fish and turtles right in the lobby, and the Mauna Lani does an annual turtle release every 4th of July.)  The rooms have all been refreshed within the past couple of years and are very well-appointed.  One unique point is that due to the angle of the buildings, most rooms have some type of ocean view!

The free-form pool is a great way to spend a lazy day with a Tiny Bubbles (a delicious sparkling wine cocktail!) or feel free to relax in one of the several hot tubs that are near the pool.  The Ocean Bar & Grill is great for a super casual lunch or dinner, and beautiful spot for sunset.  And finally, for a delicious and special dinner, don’t miss Mauna Lani’s Canoe House!  As for activities, in addition to being able to snorkel just off of the beach here, you can also rent kayaks, SUPs, or surfboards right at the Mauna Lani beach shack.  For little ones, there is a kids club and a small shallow pool for kids.  This property is great for couples, golfers, or families.

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows -kids love the koi ponds!

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows -kids love the koi ponds!

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows- view from our room overlooking the beach & Canoe House restaurant

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows- view from our room overlooking the beach & Canoe House restaurant

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows- Ocean Bar & Grill at dusk

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows- Ocean Bar & Grill at dusk

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows- sunset at the Ocean Bar & Grill

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows- sunset at the Ocean Bar & Grill

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows- one of the oceanfront bungalows with private pool

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows- one of the oceanfront bungalows with private pool

Guests of Haute Holidays Travel enjoy the following extra amenities:

  • Upgrade one category at time of booking subject to availability (maximum upgrade to a Deluxe Oceanfront guestroom). Applies to all published rates and packages. Does not apply to Villas or Bungalows and special discounted offers or promotions.
  • Daily buffet American buffet breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in Bay Terrace Restaurant. ( Does not apply to Villas and special discounted offers or promotions.) served in restaurant
  • $100 USD Resort Credit for Dining, Spa or Golf per stay to be utilized during stay. (not combineable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full).
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

FAIRMONT ORCHID

Of course, there are several great options on the Big Island’s sunny Kohala Coast!  Just next door to the Mauna Lani Bay is the Fairmont Orchid, another Virtuoso property.  We walked the oceanfront path (be careful- it is rocky) for about 15-20 minutes to reach the Fairmont where we swam in the lagoon for a bit.  For little ones, the manmade lagoon beach at the Fairmont is perfect- super calm and no waves.

Fairmont Orchid

Fairmont Orchid

Guests of Haute Holidays receive the following perks at the Fairmont Orchid:

For 2016

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests served in the restaurant
  • $100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit at Spa Without Walls, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

For 2017

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (not applicable to Ocean Front room or suite category, Fairmont Gold Executive Suite and Presidential Suite)
  • Buffet breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests, in Orchid Court Restaurant
  • $100 USD Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL

And finally, the third Virtuoso property on the Kohala Coast is the gorgeous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.  Opened in 1965 by Laurance Rockefeller on the best beach on the island, this property is well-loved by enthusiasts of mid-century modern architecture and those in-the-know.  Many original art remains and a docent offers complimentary tours to hotel guests weekly.  The crowd is a mix of trendy couples and jetset families, all loving the chic yet low-key vibe of this property.  A high number of these guests are repeat guests, and they love to show their affection for the Mauna Kea by wearing its logo-ed merch everywhere- hats, rashguards, you name it.  I haven’t seen that much brand loyalty since I stayed at Seaside/Watercolor in Florida two summers ago!

If you come to the Big Island seeking a great beach, you will not do better than the Mauna Kea.  Its wide beach contains such perfect white, powdery sand, you would swear you were elsewhere in Hawaii.. certainly not the Big Island, whose beaches tend to be a bit rockier and darker (hey, it’s the newest island in the chain and still being actively shaped by Kilauea!)  The rooms and public spaces received a recent remodel & refresh and the result is a cheery Hawaiian vibe punctuated by bright pops or orange and red.  Also very unique to this remodel is that the Mauna Kea actually decreased their room count by combining standard rooms into deluxe rooms, resulting in spacious accommodations and bathrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and their own private lanais!

This property strikes that perfect balance of being cool but not overly hip, luxurious without being stuffy.. it is no wonder so many guests return here year after year!

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

We love the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel!

We love the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel!

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel- newly redesigned Copper Bar

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel- newly redesigned Copper Bar

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel- GORGEOUS white sand beach

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel- GORGEOUS white sand beach

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Guests of Haute Holidays Travel receive the following perks at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel:

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
  • Complimentary parking for duration of stay (guests without cars will be offered an alternate amenity)
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

FOUR SEASONS HUALALAI

Finally, we wrapped up our tour of the Big Island with a visit to the Four Seasons Hualalai, frequently ranked as one of the best resorts in all of Hawaii.  I can’t say that I disagree!  Hualalai is the closest resort to Kona, making it just 10-15 minutes north of the airport.  It is arranged in four clusters of bungalows that surround swimming pools, with dining venues sprinkled throughout.  The complimentary Kids For All Seasons program makes this resort very family-friendly, while the gorgeous grounds and rooms with outdoor showers make this a romantic choice for couples as well!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the oceanfront Beach Tree restaurant, with live local music set up adjacent.  And when my 3-year old son decided he was completely exhausted and slumped over asleep in his chair during dinner, the awesome waiter scooted a second chair over and pushed them together into a “bed” so my son could rest while we finished dinner.  SUCH a kind gesture, and it is this level of service that sets Four Seasons apart!  My clients love the FS Hualalai, and it was wonderful to be able to experience it myself.

Four Seasons Hualalai

Four Seasons Hualalai

Four Seasons Hualalai

Four Seasons Hualalai

Four Seasons Hualalai

Four Seasons Hualalai

Four Seasons Hualalai- Beach Tree restaurant at sunset

Four Seasons Hualalai- Beach Tree restaurant at sunset

Four Seasons Hualalai- incredible sunsets!

Four Seasons Hualalai- incredible sunsets!

Guests of Haute Holidays Travel enjoy the following perks at the Four Seasons Hualalai:

  • Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
  • Food and beverage credit of USD100
  • Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
  • Welcome note at check-in acknowledging you and your travel agency and the amenities that are being extended

I am a HUGE fan of the Big Island and all that it has to offer!  Beautiful resorts, stunning scenery.. and I didn’t even mention the options to do stargazing at Mauna Kea, or night snorkel with manta rays just off the coast.. I would love to help you plan a trip to Hawaii and/or the Big Island, too!  Please feel free to fill out the contact form or send me an email.

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Filed Under: Beach, Fairmont Orchid, Family, Four Seasons Hualalai, Golf, Hawaii, Honeymoon, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Romance, Volcano House Leave a Comment

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LETS CONNECT!
@hauteholidaystravel
Paradero Todos Santos is for adults seeking an adv Paradero Todos Santos is for adults seeking an adventure and connection to nature and self in an authentic setting on Mexico’s Baja peninsula☀️🌵

Todos Santos is not Cabo, nor does it want to be. So, leave your fancy shoes at home (seriously, I didn’t wear my espadrille wedges once🤷🏼‍♀️); here you’ll soak up the Baja landscape by day and stargaze from your room’s rooftop star net at night💫

If you’re looking for something new & experiential in a friendly place not yet filled with big hotels & tourists, @paraderohotels is for you! Who’s ready to book a stay??🙋🏼‍♀️ #hauteholidaystravel #paraderohotel #bajacalifornia #todossantos #thejajoftravel 

📧: laura@hauteholidaystravel.com
Golden hour at @paraderohotels in Todos Santos, Me Golden hour at @paraderohotels in Todos Santos, Mexico✨

Less than one month old, this 39 room eco-chic hotel is set right in the middle of a farm- between the Sierra de la Laguna mountains and the oasis- and just a few minutes by car to the beach🏖 An adults-only adventure playground, rates include breakfast + activities like surfing, hiking, mountain biking & a taco tour🧡

The heartbeat of the hotel is the living room, an open-air space with low cushions & a cozy fire by which to regale tales from the day.. the open air kitchen beckons with barstools scattered around.. the long pool is accentuated with cozy beanbags and overlooks the 200 year-old local cardon cacti☀️🌵

In a word, I am already in love with this place, in a quieter part of Baja, just an hour north from bustling Cabo. Questions about @paraderohotels, please let me know!! So excited to begin booking this hideaway for our clients🥰 #hauteholidaystravel #paraderohotel #todossantos #bajacaliforniasur #mexico #thejajoftravel
Happy national margarita day.. one day late but wo Happy national margarita day.. one day late but worth the wait😎👏🏼🍹 @zadunreserve #hauteholidaystravel #rcreserve #zadunreserve #loscabos
WHAT A WEEK❄️❄️❄️ I’m grateful to ha WHAT A WEEK❄️❄️❄️ I’m grateful to have power back after several days mostly without. We are now, though, boiling water due to multiple water main breaks and thousands of residential pipe breaks, but at least we have water. This weekend temps rise above freezing and more damage may be revealed😕🙏🏼

So many are still suffering- no power, no water, broken pipes, etc. It’s been a trying week for Texans but we strong & resilient.. thank you all for the outpouring of love & well wishes!❤️ 

A strange thing happened in my house this week. Tuesday evening in our dark & cold home, we huddled around the fireplace to play Apples to Apples (a funny card game)➡️ Without distractions, we laughed until our sides hurt before going to bed.

The next night, we thankfully had power back, but were scattered across the house, once again sucked back into normalcy- TVs on, WiFi in use, running around in our own worlds. Exasperated, my 10 yo daughter exclaimed “can we just turn all the lights off and play cards in front of the fire again?!”

In that moment, I felt so grateful for what being mostly powerless for a few days gave us. A chance to slow down, reset.. sleep four across in a king bed for warmth🤣 I love to find silver linings, and while I know we aren’t completely out of the woods yet, this was ours.

It brought me back to some of my favorite off-the-grid travel memories like our beautiful US National Parks, remote lodges in Costa Rica, life-changing African safaris. A good reminder to slow down and disconnect to reconnect in this busy world😌 

Sorry not my usual post but have a lot on my heart this week, if you’ve read this far! Thankfully Haute Holidays is back in biz- happily continuing work on upcoming client getaways☀️ Sending a huge hug & prayer for everyone still in need that we get through this as quickly & safely as possible❤️ #hauteholidaystravel
Gratuitous beach pic today because COLD!!😬 Roll Gratuitous beach pic today because COLD!!😬 Rolling blackouts in Dallas this week have me longing for some sun & sea!☀️🏖 After this crazy cold snap🥶, what I wouldn’t give to be in this hammock again at the lovely @stregispuntamita 🙌🏼 

Judging from recent client inquiries.. I think we allll want this right now!!😄 Book this one thru us for free breakfast, resort credit & more! (Seriously- I have a whole new respect for my northern friends.. stay safe & warm everyone!!🙏🏼) #hauteholidaystravel #stregispuntamita #puntamita #mexico #givemesun
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