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LUXURY HOTEL INSIDER

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The Luxury Hotel Insider: Exclusive luxury hotel deals, features and special rates from the luxury hotel experts at Five Star Alliance.
Named one of Tripbase's Best Luxury Travel Blogs for 2011, below are Five Star Alliance's newest articles featuring exclusive information on luxury hotels worldwide including special offers and deals at the world's best hotels.

| By: Rachael Weir

Featured Journeys: The Hawaiian Islands

In this edition of Featured Journeys, we travel to the Hawaiian Islands. Situated in the Pacific Ocean, these volcano-created islands offer blissful beaches, one-of-a-kind sunsets, and luxury hotels with an array of amenities and exclusive Five Star Alliance Perks. Plus, each of the island's offers its own unique attractions, cuisine, and adventures from exploring tunnels created by ancient lava flows to kayaking to picturesque waterfalls. 

The "Big Island", The Island of Hawaii

Twice as big as the other Hawaiian Islands giving it the nickname the "Big Island", the Island of Hawaii is the youngest of all the islands, and a haven for adventure enthusiasts. Visitors to the island can travel through all but four of the world's different climate zones, ranging from Polar Tundra to Wet Tundra. The island's vast climates are a result of the variying elevations and geological formations created by the massive Maunakea and Maunaloa volcanoes. Travelers to the island will want to visit the lush valleys of the Hilo and Hamakua Coasts, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the black sands of Punaluu Beach. 

Mauna Kea Beach Resort

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Set along a white sand beach, Mauna Kea Beach Resort is a luxury retreat with world-class golfing at Mauna Kea and Hapuna, 11 seaside tennis courts, and Bocce Ball courts. Offering an array of cultural experiences, guests can partake in nighttime glow-canoe and manta snorkel adventures, art tours, and tropical spa treatments. For children, the Keiki Club Adventures provides supervised programs, and there is a variety of ocean sports and activities for visitors of all ages. 

FIVE STAR ALLIANCE PERK: Guests making reservations with Five Star Alliance will also receive full buffet breakfast for two daily at Manta Restaurant, complimentary WiFi, and a $100 resort credit per stay when booking a room or a $200 resort credit per stay when booking a suite.

Check availability at Mauna Kea Beach Resort

Discover more Big Island Luxury Hotels

 

OAHU

Home to Honolulu, Oahu is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Sometimes called "The Gathering Place", the island is diverse with a fusion of East and West cultures blending with native Hawaiian traditions. Mixing ancient and modern, visitors to this island can dine at an eclectic array of restaurants, partake in a variety of activities, and spend the day in the bustling city of Honolulu, or venture to a laid back surf town. 

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikik Beach

Adjacent to the shopping at Luxury Row, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach is a luxury tower hotel celebrating the spirit of the island in a modern way. The all-suite property offers residential-style accommodations with floor-to-ceiling windows, gourmet kitchens, living rooms, furnished balconies, and bathrooms with walk-in showers, state-of-the-art toilets, soaking tubs, and dual vanities. The spa offers treatments inspired by Hawaiian traditions, dining options include the first Hawaii locations of Dean & DeLuca and Sushi Sho, and the BLT Market with Hawaiian-infused cuisine. While the eighth floor infinity pool has private cabanas, and the fitness center was designed by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak. 

FIVE STAR ALLIANCE PERK: Guests booking  the "5 Star Signature Package" rate will also include full breakfast for each guest daily in BLT Market (subject to maximum credits per accommodation type)  and a  $100 USD resort credit per Studio, $200 per One Bedroom Suite, $300 per Two or Three Bedroom Suites and $400 per Four Bedroom Suites (not valid on room rate and no cash value). 

Check availability at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach

Discover more Oahu Luxury Hotels

 

KAUAI

Hawaii's "Island of Discovery" is filled with natural wonders to explore. From the Waimea Canyon to native fishponds with 1,000 years of forward-thinking history, visitors can breathe in the oxygen-rich air of the island's Wailua River while kayaking to a cascading waterfall. Be transported back in time along the Napoli Coast to a laid-back island lifestyle, and explore the small coastal towns like Hanapepe and Old Koloa Town. Ideal for travelers seeking a relaxed pace to explore natural wonders, the island also hosts a variety of events throughout the year including Ukelele concerts, Hula Shows, and the Princeville Night Market.

Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort

Oceanfront Guest Room at Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort

Set on Poi'pu Beach, Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort is an intimate luxury boutique resort. Offering the island's closest accommodations to the beach, the award-winning property has a saltwater lava-inspired pool, and award-winning Red Salt restaurant serving a modern take on island cuisine showcasing locally-sourced Hawaiian ingredients. While the Spa at Ko'a Kea provides Hawaiian-inspired treatments infused with natural and indigenous ingredients, as well as a romantic couple's suite, outdoor seaside cabana treatment area, and candlelit treatment rooms.

FIVE STAR ALLIANCE PERK: Guests booking  the "5 Star Signature Package" rate will also receive full breakfast for each guest daily at Red Salt, a $50 resort credit, per room/per stay (if not already included in the rate), and a welcome amenity. 

Check availability at Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort

Discover more Kauai Luxury Hotels


| By: Five Star Alliance

This article about Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach, where couples can celebrate their special day with a perfect destination wedding, was originally posted by our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, and was written by Nanci McArdle.

Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach

Always a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, Hawaii offers myriad options. Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach near Kauai's southernmost point is one of the many options for couples to spend their honeymoon. Although wedding ceremonies and receptions are not currently available at Ko'a Kea, discounted accommodations are on offer for groups celebrating elsewhere on the island.

Among the most popular retreats for honeymooners is Room No. 376, an oceanfront suite closest to the water on Kauai. The 624-square-foot room has a separate living room, wooden-beamed ceiling and large soaking tub (one of just 12 on property). A patio with chaise lounges is ideal for taking in 180-degree views of Poipu Beach.

For family or friends traveling together to celebrate their loved ones' special day, the resort presents 29 sets of connecting rooms located in various areas of the property. They range from two Partial Ocean View Rooms (Nos. 269 and 271) to an Oceanfront Deluxe Room and Oceanfront Suite (Nos. 378 and 376). And good news for those traveling with their furry friends: the hotel permits dogs 25 lbs. or less. The pet fee is a non-refundable $100 per day, and a bed, food, water bowl and toys are supplied. (Note: Due to limited availability of oceanfront and suite rooms, it is advisable to book at least two months in advance. During high demand periods such as summer and winter holidays, booking three, or more, months before is recommended.)

Romantic dining can be found in the resort's upscale seafood restaurant, Red Salt, where they can enjoy the Red Coral Martini, Ko'a Kea's signature cocktail made with Stolichnaya vanilla and raspberry vodka with a splash of pomegranate juice. Tables 22 or 27, next to the windows overlooking the property and ocean, are the most romantic seats in the house. Reservations are recommended one week in advance.

Couples or groups can enjoy some down time at The Spa at Ko'a Kea, which has five treatment rooms, plus a seaside cabana. Why not live like the natives and enjoy a traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage before taking a walk along the seaside path that runs in front of the hotel or directly on the sand. More vigorous oceanfront hiking is located nearby on the bluffs of Mahaulepu. Bicycle rentals are available at Outfitters Kauai, about four minutes from the hotel.

Discover more about Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach >>