It came as a huge surprise when I fell in love with Hawaii because I did not even want to go in the beginning due to the expense! I remember saying to hubby, how different can Hawaii be from the Caribbean Islands?
I was so wrong. Besides the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen, there are world class restaurants, local eats, shopping(4% tax rate), activities galore, and some of the friendliest people around! Prior to Hawaii, I remember thinking why would some people vacation at the same spot year after year when there are so many places to explore in the world? Now I understand.
Hubby and I spent a full week in Oahu and it was one of the best trips we have ever taken. A lot of it had to do with staying at The Royal Hawaiian. I am glad we splurged even though I initially balked at the expense. The Royal Hawaiian fronted Waikiki beach on one side and connected to a shopping mall on the other side. It was located in the middle of all the action and yet once you are on the beach you could hear nothing but the waves at night. Hubby and I spent many nights taking moonlight strolls along the beach. It was paradise.
Staying at The Royal Hawaiian Oahu set the tone for the whole trip. I felt like we were on our honeymoon!
This was my favorite way of accessing the beach. Besides the pink an brown color scheme, there was also the scent of jasmine in the air.
Our room was modern but warm. I loved the wallpaper. It had real Hawaiian flavor. The only downside is that the room is small(400sq) but luckily the ceilings were over 12 feet high which made the room seem bigger.
Our room had a partial ocean view, but we hardly looked outside as we preferred to actually spend it on the beach. The best part about staying at the Royal Hawaiian was that the beach was about 2 minutes from room to sand.
People were so friendly in Hawaii. There were no touts to sell you trinkets or activities on the beaches, instead people were focused on building sand sculptures.
I fell in love with the huge trees on the property. Growing up in NYC one hardly sees sights like these.
The only downside is that the pool at The Royal Hawaiian is small but so are most of other hotels that we checked out. Real estate is hugely expensive in Oahu.
Luckily the Sheraton was right next door. Because The Royal Hawaiian and the Sheraton are all under the Starwood brand, guests can use pools at both locations. The Sheraton pool was much larger with a slide to boot. Hubby and I had so much fun with the slide.
I love the grandness of The Royal Hawaiian and their color scheme. Sure I prefer clean modern look for everyday living, but when in Hawaii I want to feel like I am in a tropical paradise.
Hubby and I spent so much time just enjoying our hotel and the surrounding area that we did not explore the island fully. On the last day we booked a tour which showed us what we missed. Hananuma Bay, I will be back for you.
We did see many people who were paragliding. Apparently they can stay in the air for quite awhile. I was chatting with the wife of the man in the picture and she says that her husband has stayed up for 4 hours!
Birdeye’s view of Oahu from the highest point.
Hubby is loving the breeze at the end of Diamond Head Crater Hike. Hiking in 90+ degrees is usually no fun but worth it for the spectacular scenery.
Click here for a list of the 5 best things I ate in Oahu.
Tagged: diamond head crater hike, hananuma bay, hawaii vacation review, the best hotel in oahu, The Royal Hawaiian, The Royal Hawaiian oahu review, waikiki beach
