What’s New With Starwood Hotels in Hawaii

Meeting with representatives from the Starwood Hotels and Resorts at 71Above in downtown Los Angeles, I learned what’s new on the islands of Oahu, The Big Island, Kauai and Maui. Each property offers authentic culture experiences and interactions to enhance your island stay.

Here are 10 Fun Things To See and Do when Staying at a Starwood Property in Hawaii –

wes374ex-191995_sq — Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

1.Oahu – December 7 is Pearl Harbor’s 75th anniversary. The Moana Surfrider turns 115 and offers expert-led Moana memories historical tours and family-keiki tea party in the afternoon. The Moana Hotel was the first hotel built on Waikiki Beach in 1901. Today the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach is within walking distance of galleries filled with traditional Hawaiian and contemporary art, excellent restaurants, vibrant nightlife, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Waikiki Aquarium. 2365 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 Phone: (808) 922-3111- http://www.starwoodhotels.com

2. The Royal Hawaiian turns 90 on Feb 1, 2017. Affectionately known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific”, The Royal Hawaiian opened in 1927. After WWII, the property was leased to the U.S. Navy as a respite for soldiers. Currently the luxury resort offers Azure Restaurant featuring an exclusive evening every other month that features the island’s freshly caught seafood and Oahu-grown ingredients. 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 – 808.923.7311 – Reservations 866.716.8110 – https://www.royal-hawaiian.com.

3. The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani offers a royal tour that focuses on the life and legacy of the kings and queens. Guests can join Uncle Nate in his Lei making workshop and receive a Hawaiian name; take a tour of the Life of a Hawaiian princess; make a kukui nut bracelet;
learn how to hula, feed fish and learn about the story of the Hawaiian quilts. This property isn’t right on the beach, it’s just across the street. It is next to world-class shopping. 120 Kaiulani Ave. Honolulu, HI 96815 – (808) 922-5811 – http://www.princess-kaiulani.com.

4. Big Island – Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay is known for its manta rays. Guests can swim with the gentle giants that reach up to twenty feet and weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. At the Manta Learning Center staff members chat every night with guests before walking to the entrance of Rays on the Bay and view the magnificent manta rays from Pa’akai Point. This family friendly property offers a multi-level pool with a lava tube waterslide, whirlpools and sandy-bottom children’s pool. Located on the Keauhou Bay known for a top snorkeling and scuba diving destination. The property offers stand up paddle boards, sunrise kayak tours, manta ray snorkels experiences and breathtaking sunset sailing. The resort offers an authentic Hawaiian cultural experience. Learn about the home of Hawaii’s kings and queens, lei making, ukulele, and how to hula. 78-128 Ehukai St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 – Phone: 808.930.4900 – Reservations: 844.235.6796 – http://www.sheratonkona.com.

5. Kauai – Sheraton Kauai Resort – Located in the sunnier side of the island, the resort offers an Ocean Pool, Garden Pool, the resort’s signature restaurant, RumFire Poipu Beach. Sit by the casual poolside bar & grill, Lava’s on Poipu Beach at sunset. There is a swimming and boogie board beach, championship golf courses, and shops with fun dining options in the nearby shopping areas. 2440 Hoonani Road, Poipu Beach, Koloa, HI 96756 Phone: (808) 742-1661 – http://www.sheraton-kauai.com

6. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas – Located on a lush bluff along Kauai’s coastline, this property offers inspiring views. The Westin Princeville villas are ideal for families with all the conveniences of home and private lanais. There is a multi-level main pool, children’s pool, and two relaxing plunge pools offering views of the sea. Pick up a self guided nature map to learn about the floral and fauna enhancing the resort. 3838 Wyllie Road, Princeville, HI 96722 – Phone: 808.827.8700 – Reservations: 866.837.4254 – http://www.westinprinceville.com.

7. The St. Regis Princeville Resort – The most luxurious resort on the island of Kauai with a picturesque 5,000-square-foot infinity pool and a sheltered beach for swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. This property is a movie star featured in various films, and darling to the entertainment world. As the sun kisses the horizon and bathes the outdoors in golden light, guests witness couples saying their vows in front of family and friends under the canopy of a kamani tree. Read my review – http://havechildrenwilltravel.com/adventure-travel-ideas/destinations/western-us/1594-kauai-hawaii-films-a-family-adventure. While in Kauai, read where to hike – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hiking-hanalei-jill-weinlein – 5520 Ka Haku Road, Princeville, Kaua’i, HI 96722 – 808.826.9644 – Reservations 866.716.8140 – https://www.stregisprinceville.com

8. The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa has cultural advisor Jack Stone leading guests on coconut husking classes, taro pounding and bamboo stamping. At sunset, the torch lights are lit for a nightly ritual of Lele Kawa (cliff diving). Legend is told that a chief of Maui, Kahekili (Thunderer), proved his spiritual strength by leaping from sacred Pu’u Keka’a to the Pacific. Today young cliff divers honor this heritage each evening at the Black Rock. While offering a torch to the ocean below, the diver casts his flower lei into the sea; and dives into the rolling surf below. The best place to watch is poolside at the Cliff Dive Grill while enjoying a Mai Tai and award-winning Maui Asian Fusion menu. 2605 Ka’anapali Parkway, Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone – 808.661.0031 – http://www.sheraton-maui.com.

9. The Westin Maui offers guests a botanical tour within the resort’s 87,000 aquatic playground. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is situated along the famed Ka’anapali Beach. This oceanfront resort offers an array of activities and amenities with the aloha spirit and beachfront views of Lana’i and Moloka’i. The property offers two 11-story towers with 759 mountain or ocean views guest rooms and suites. 2365 Ka’anapali Parkway Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761 – 866-716-8112 – Phone: (808) 667-2525 http://www.westinmaui.com.

10. The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas offers a new historical waking tour of Maui. Makalapua Kanuha is the
Director of Culture on the property. She believes to preserve the Hawaiian culture through education and empowerment. Learn the spirit of aloha through song, dance, mo`olelo (story), and ‘oli (chant). Visit her at the Pu’uhonua Cultural Center where she holds ukulele lessons, Hawaiian language classes and walks around the resort. Vacation owners and guests enjoy a full complement of amenities and resort services. Visit the sparkling pools with one very kid friendly, while walking by waterfalls on the way to three restaurants on property. 6 Kai Ala Drive, Maui, HI 96761 United States – Phone: 808.667.3200 – http://www.westinkaanapali.com.