Four Seasons Hualalai Resort – View from room 212

Four Seasons Hualalai Resort – Sunset at the Beach Tree Bar

Our recent stay at Four Seasons Hualalai gave me the opportunity to see the new $40-million enhancements to the resort.  Twenty new one- and two- bedroom suites have been created, offering ocean views and spacious indoor/outdoor living space.  The Hualalai Spa expanded to double in size.  The additions and changes are beautiful and the Spa area feels very Hawaiian.  We really liked the changes at the Beach Tree Restaurant and Bar with the new seating areas and larger space.  With a casual “beach house” feel, the lounge area is comfortable and fun.  A new chef and menu features fresh, local market cuisine.  My only concern was the fire pits placed in the sand near the bar area.  The smoke from the fires comes into the bar/dining areas and on the two nights we ate there, the smoke was blowing onto us quite strongly.  Maybe they could be moved farther South depending on wind direction, or used only on windless nights.

Our ocean view accommodations, room 212 at the Kings Pond, were lovely and very comfortable and peaceful.  I think the resort is so enjoyable because it is spread out and the buildings are only two stories high.  The beach front runs all along the resort perimeter, with huge sea turtles climbing up onto the sand to rest and be admired.  The waves are illuminated in the evening, so day or night, ocean view rooms can see (and hear) the breaking surf.

The staff service levels are outstanding with really exceptional, caring people.  As an example, one evening when we arrived at the Beach Tree a little bit late, Natashia went out of her way to make sure that although we were a few minutes too late for seating in the restaurant, she offered to see if the chef could still serve us from the dinner menu.  We declined and ordered delicious appetizers from the bar menu, but her genuine thoughtfulness stood out.

The Hualalai Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus is beautiful and fun to play.  Because it is open to resort guests and Hualalai private residents only, it is in perfect condition and the pace of play is ideal.

Bright green grass contrasts with black lava and if your ball should head out of bounds to the lava, don’t bother looking for it!  They are getting ready for the upcoming annual Champions Tour PGA event in January, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, so it will be fun to see the tournament broadcast.

Hualalai Golf Course – Hole #17, Par 3 – Susan & Ron Bluhm

I have long considered Four Seasons Hualalai to be the finest resort in Hawaii and we will continue to recommend it confidently.  It is ideal for couples or families and creates an exceptional vacation experience.   It was just announced that Four Seasons Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu was awarded the new Forbes Travel Guide Five Star (formerly Mobil Five Star) award status and AAA’s Five Diamond status.  They are certainly well-deserved.

Susan Bluhm, Co-President, Stellar Travel-Hawaii Source

To make reservations and arrange the perfect vacation to Four Seasons Hualalai, contact the Hawaii specialists at Stellar Travel. 800.445.3265 or info@stellartravel.com

]]> http://stellartravel.com/http:/stellartravel.com/four-seasons-resort-hualalai-at-historic-ka%e2%80%99upulehu-big-island-hawaii/feed 0 http://stellartravel.com/http:/stellartravel.com/four-seasons-resort-hualalai-at-historic-ka%e2%80%99upulehu-big-island-hawaii http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stellartravel/PtOK/~3/O0tsCQi5iT8/photo-of-the-day http://stellartravel.com/http:/stellartravel.com/photo-of-the-day#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:36:06 +0000 admin http://stellartravel.com/?p=1417 Waikiki Beach as seen from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel – 7 November 2009

Golf professionals recommend that you keep your golf game in shape over the winter months.  Why not combine golf with romance and keep your marriage or committed relationship in shape, too?  We offer a romance package at the newly updated Outrigger Reef on the Beach at Waikiki that includes a FREE, romantic vow renewal ceremony.  Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha (to fall in love all over again) combines Hawaiian chant, hula performances and flowers at sunrise on Waikiki Beach.    Call or email Sheryl Graddon, Hawaii specialist, at 425.747.1900 or sheryl@stellartravel.com

Kukui’ula Village Shopping Center will be home to more than 45 restaurants, speciality shops and offices including; Merriman’s Kaua’i, Quiksilver, The Josselin Restaurant, Palm Palm, Bubba Burgers Hawaii, Bungalow 9, and Lappert’s Hawaii…to name a few.  Soft opening with 8 stores happened on August 21, 2009.  Grand Opening is slated for December 2009.

National Tropical Botanical Gardens has launched a new, guided sunset tour of Allerton Estate on Saturdays, showcasing the Garden’s outdoor rooms, rippling pools and lush landscaping.

Koloa Rum Company will soon offer authentic premium rum made from the molasses of high-quality Kaua’i sugarcane.  Kaua’i’s first commercial rum company is open, with a full tasting room and tour at Kilohana Plantation in Lihu’e.

Just Live!, a training and adventure company specializing in ropes and zipline courses, has expanded.  The company built a new zipline course that takes you up to seven new zipline runs (up to 800 feet in length), and includes up to five bridge crossings.

Ongoing 2009 Events:

• Hanapepe Art Night – Every Friday evening, 6-9 PM in Hanapepe Town.  Free
• Old Waimea Sugar Plantation Tour – Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9AM by appointment only.  90 minute walking tour.  $10 per person.  Call Chris Faye at 808-337-1005
• Aloha Friday Lei Making Workshop- Fridays, 9:30AM, reservations required at the West Kaua’i Technology & Visitors Center:  Free to participants.  call 808-338-1332 for more information.

Four Seasons Resort Lana’i Manele Bay

• “Fall into Four Seasons” promotion – Rates start at $295; valid until December 18, 2009
• “4th Night Free” promotion – Valid until December 18th 2010 (except Dec 18, 2009 – Jan 2, 2010)
• “Family Values” package – 2nd room at 50% off; includes complimentary 4 hour nanny service; valid until December 18, 2009

Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, The Lodge at Koele

• 3rd Night Free promotion – Rates starting at $295; valid until December 18, 2010 (except Dec 18, 2009 – Jan 2, 2010).  This works out to $197 per night!
• “Family Values” package – 2nd room at 50% off; includes complimentary 4 hour nanny service; valid until December 18, 2009
• “4×4″ package – Each guest experiences one activity per night of stay.  Choose from 10 different activities.  Valid until December 18, 2009.

To make reservations at Four Seasons Lanai, contact the Hawaii Specialists at Stellar Travel. 800.445.3265 or info@stellartravel.com

Responding to feedback from customers, the new Port of Seattle program eliminates the Hourly and Daily designations and the multi-tiered rates, which proved confusing and difficult to calculate. A new parking option, called Terminal Direct, gives parkers the fastest and most convenient place to park at the airport – the 4th floor with its direct access to the terminal.

The new rates will be $3 per hour for General Parking, $4 per hour for the convenience of Terminal Direct – on the 4th floor or sky bridge level.  Rates will be clearly posted at the garage entrances.

All parking will be available for short-term or long-term access. Full day rates do not change; General Parking remains at $26 per day, with Terminal Direct at $35 per day (the same rate as the previous Hourly designation).

Stellar Travel clients have the option of lower rates at MasterPark airport parking lots.  Discounted to $13.50 for Lots A, B, C and $14.50 at the Valet Garage (recommended), the savings over the Port of Seattle facility are significant.  For frequent travelers, pre-registration of a credit card at the MasterPark Valet Garage offers a further discount to $13.95 per day.  Click here for coupons

Eleven different climate zones generate everything from lush rain forests to arid deserts, black sand beaches to snow-capped mountaintops. The Big Island is Hawaii’s biggest playground.

What can I do on Hawaii’s Big Island?

• See molten lava flow at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Play in the snow atop Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain (measured from the ocean floor)
• Hike through Waipio Valley, the “Valley of the Kings”
• Explore Puukohola Heiau, the largest restored ancient Hawaiian religious temple
• Enjoy the entertainment, culture, and cuisine in Hilo and the Kona Coast

Special “2 for 1″ Promotion ~ Second Room Complimentary!

Buy one room at the regular full rate and receive the second room in the same category complimentary!

Available in Garden, Partial Ocean & Ocean View rooms.  Travel by December 20, 2009  Applies to NEW bookings only and not combinable with other packages or promotions.

50% OFF SALE

50% off Rack rate and based on availability, non refundable and must be paid in full at time of booking. May not be combined with other promotions. Valid for travel through December 20, 2009

Every 3rd Night Free!

Available on All Rooms and Suites, including Fairmont Gold Rooms and Suites

Valid for travel through 12/20/09

May be combined with $200 Resort Credit in OV rooms and higher.

Special $200 Resort Credit!

Available on All Ocean View Rooms and higher, including Fairmont Gold Rooms & Suites

Valid for travel through 12/20/09. May be combined with Every 3^rd Night Free in OV or higher only.

December HOLIDAY ~ EVERY 5^th night FREE!

Includes COMPLIMENTARY self parking and daily Keiki Adventures!

Valid for travel December 20, 2009-January 4, 2010.

ASK ABOUT FAIRMONT GOLD, A PERSONALIZED APPROACH TO THE VACATION EXPERIENCE

AN EXCLUSIVE AND UNIQUE FEATURE ALONG THE KOHALA COAST

“Ko kakou ho’okipa e kali ana no oukou”

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii on the exotic Kohala Coast . . .

To make reservations, contact the Hawaii Specialists at Stellar Travel.  800.445.3265 or info@stellartravel.com

One of the finest game experiences in Africa, Botswana has become legendary for safari connoisseurs.

The pristine and well-managed wildlife reserves, along with the small and intimate nature of the camp sites, promise visitors a highly personalized and active game viewing adventure.  The camps are comfortable in a 5-star style, uniquely African.

This incredible offer is available with a Stellar Travel-preferred and well-established Africa tour partner and includes:

• 2 nights The Westcliff Hotel (including breakfast)

• 6 nights on safari in three different Orient Express camps: Khwai River Lodge, Eagle Island Camp, Savute Elephant Camp.

• Helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta

• Bush plane transfers between camps

• All meals, drinks, laundry while on safari; private transfers.

Land cost based on travel November-December 2009.  Price based on double occupancy, and is subject to availability.  October dates available at $8,500 first person, second person free.  Airfare to Johannesburg and onward to Maun is additional.

Contact Rita at Stellar Travel for experienced and professional assistance to Africa!  rita@stellartravel.com 425.747.1900

Check in was breeze in Seattle as I had printed my boarding pass the night before  and had only carryon for this trip.  There was no one in the business class line so with a quick swipe of my passport I was off to the lounge.  The Terrace Lounge in the South Satellite at Sea-Tac is small but well appointed with plenty of seating, drinks and snacks.  Free Wi-fi is provided throughout the lounge and shower facilities are available.  There is a separate quiet lounge for first class passengers.

 My outbound flight was on a Boeing 777 with 48 seats in  Club World.  The configuration may seem a bit odd to those who have never flown on British.  The basic layout is 2 – 4 – 2.  The window/aisle seats on each side face each other.  The person in the window seat is facing the rear of the plane and the person on the aisle is facing the front which means you are looking at each other when seated.  This is a great setup when traveling with someone you know but can be awkward to be staring down a complete stranger.  But with a push of a button, a privacy screen raises and creates a very private space.  The flight attendants will lower/raise the screen during meal service but otherwise it can remain up the entire flight.  The seats in the center section of the plane are configured as follows:  the aisle seats all are forward facing and the two center seats are rear facing.  Those center seats are good for people traveling together but again, a bit awkward if you don’t know the person next to you.  The privacy screen doesn’t offer much privacy in those center seats.  My favorite seats on the plane are the window seats in the last row of Club World  (15A and 15K).  In these seats no one has to crawl over you when you lay flat and you don’t have to crawl over anyone. It’s a very quiet space, far from the toilets and galley.   

Next up:  review of the seats and inflight service