(Honolulu, Hawaii)

For the Family Traveler

Moments you board your Hawaiian Airlines flight to Oahu, after the flight attendant hands you a glass of fresh guava juice with a splash of champagne, you will be transported to a Hawaii state-of-mind. Hawaiian-inspired meals with menus developed by local chefs will get your taste buds yearning for more. Step off the plane and slide into the driver’s seat of a Hertz rental car convertible, (perfect choice for the temperate weather). Drop the top and savor the lush tropical scenery on your way to your destination paradise. Tucked away in a posh neighborhood nowhere near the touristy Waikiki is the debonair Kahala Mandarin Oriental. This 364-room luxury resort oozes romance, class and celebrity (as you will probably run into a few), yet is perfectly suited for families.

Spa Food

Breakfast at Plumeria Beach Cafe on the ocean front terrace definitely beats most stuffy, dining room breakfast experiences. After all, you are in Hawaii! Breathing the fresh tropical air and listening to the waves crash just a few feet away are integral elements to the Hawaiian experience! While lounging by the pool, your kids safely wading in the kiddy pools you will be brought a cool mango or watermelon slice. If the Honu Bar and Terrace chef is feeling extra generous, a round of iced tropical drinks just might be delivered to each of the poolside guests. Toss on a sarong and stroll along the winding path to Tokyo-Tokyo for fresh-caught melt-in-our-mouth sushi. Boasting authentic cookware from around the world, Hoku’s, the resort’s signature open kitchen restaurant, showcases a fusion of diverse cuisine aptly prepared with indigenous cookware of the region including fiery hot woks, a kiawe wood grill, tandoori oven and wood-burning pizza oven. Savor every perfectly harmonized flavor within the Ahi Tuna Sashimi on Seaweed Naan with Wasabi Pesto.

A Room with View

You won’t be spending much time in your room, but your morning shower and late night snooze will not disappoint. The room is spacious enough for an in-room massage. But with an intimate haven called the Spa Suites awaiting your arrival in the garden, why?

Pamper Me Please

I never would have imagined that paradise could get any better, that is, until I walked along the winding stone path to the sanctuary of Spa Suites, through a wooden fence and into a lush tropical garden leading to the private suite itself. For two and a half hours, this oasis would be wholly dedicated to my contentment. The suite was unlike any sterile, machine-crammed treatment room that I had ever been in. In fact, there were no machines in sight- only flowers, plants, handmade Hawaiian quilts, an infinity-edged soaking bath, fully functional bathroom, personal relaxation area, changing area, massage area and luxurious amenities all atop a beautiful wood floor. As my treatment began, I was asked to remove my slippers and place my feet in a bowl of warm essential oil and sea salt infused water as each body treatment begins with a welcome foot ritual. A dip in the infinity tub, filled with soothing oils, soon tackled any residual stress that had not been leached from my body through my feet. I emerged from the tub, my skin smooth and supple, and plopped onto the table, ready for my skin brushing and stimulating, sensory-awakening exfoliation, perfectly preparing my body for a long penetrating massage. Pohaku stones were placed on my charkas, hands and feet while my therapist gently massaged my scalp and face. Entranced, I peeled my limp limbs from the table and followed the stone path back to reality, still in a state of meditative Kahala bliss.

Body of Movement

While Kahala has a perfectly wonderful beachside fitness center with a plethora of cardio and weight training equipment, you are in Hawaii, so take your exercise regimen outside! If you are not quite ready to venture out beyond the realms of the hotel, play a fast –paced game of ping pong, dig your toes in the sand and run along the beach, or take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary surfing and scuba classes, snorkel equipment and bicycle rentals. Just beyond the hotel is the world famous Diamond Head crater. Hike the 100 stairs to the lookout, or continue up to the 763-foot summit. If that didn’t take your breath away, the view most certainly will! Magnificent 360-degree views of Waikiki and the endless turquoise ocean dotted with Hawaii’s nearby islands await you if you areup to the task.

Unique Opportunities

While a few sea-life adventure parks around the world offer interactive dolphin encounters, you probably haven’t imagined that such an experience could be available at your hotel. Well, Kahala’s backyard is home to a 26,000 square foot natural lagoon inhabited by rare Hawaiian Green Sea turtles, tropical fish, and six Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins. So slip on a wet suit and come play.

For more information, Visit Kahala Mandarin Oriental online.

Laurel W. House is the West Coast Editor for Fit Magazine and Fit Yoga Magazine as well as a freelance writer for Spa, Healing Lifestyles and Spas, Elite Traveler, Men's Journal and Playboy.