We just returned from the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and we are SO happy we made the choice to stay there. This was our first big trip with Chloe and it offered the perfect mix of being family friendly and also chic and stylish! Situated one block away from the infamous Waikiki Beach, we were so happy to be in a prime time area like this. We could grab snacks and wine from the ABC store just downstairs, get Acai bowls down the street at a cute place and could grab a chair at the beach within 10 minutes! We also could walk down any surrounding street to find a trendy restaurant to hit up at night! So much YES!

We stayed there for 3 nights but could have stayed a full week as it was very easy to get comfortable there. It makes for a great place to base yourself and explore the rest of the island if you were looking to do that as well

THE GROUNDS

We arrived late at night and it felt like we were entering a fancy home of a relative- familiar and comforting yet upscale! The lobby was decked in newly renovated decor and it didn’t hurt that part of this decor included splashes of pink;) (my fav and not ashamed). It had a very open concept feel with the lobby, restaurant and pool being in close quarters of eachother. You could essentially feel the breeze from outside while checking in- my kind of vibe! The team there was also fantastic and catered to all of our baby travelling needs ie: crib, water for bottles, extra fresh towels. We were able to check in and get into our room in less than 10 minutes. After a 11 hour flight, my body couldn’t be more thankful.

The hotel had everything you needed on the first floor which made it have a boutique feel. Who really wants to walk 5 KM to go to the front desk or to another restaurant!? I loved that it was all in close quarters but at the same time felt very spacious. I never had to go searching for a pool chair or restaurant seat.

THE ROOM

The room itself was also a dream. Our balcony looked onto the beach so we were able to sit with our morning coffee and take in all the Aloha vibes…all while Chloe continued to sleep. Best of both worlds! We stayed in the Ainahau Tower which boosts incredible views and has renovated rooms.

The linens and pillows might have been my favourite part of the room. I take the quality of hotel bedding very seriously and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani was UP there. It made the jetlag disappear almost instantly and we slept incredible all 3 nights!

Robes were also provided in each room which was nice to throw on in the mornings before we went outside on the balcony!

IMPORTANT TIDBITS

I am excited to have partnered with Marriott to create this post but all opinions are my own

The Modern Honolulu

The Modern Honolulu is where the term VIP must have originated from because when you are there- you feel just that and nothing else. It offers perfect balance of laid back luxury and sophistication in Waikiki on the beautiful south shore of Oahu, Hawaii. In 2010, after $240 million worth of renovations, it reopened as The Modern. It is pretty much the only boutique style hotel at the moment on the Waikiki strip and it has everything you need on site- that we found it almost hard to leave the place!

THE GROUNDS

The design concept of The Modern is best described as contemporary minimalism with a tropical twist. Clean white and ivory interiors are accented with lush botanicals, rich wood, and little pops of color. Basically- we came home and decided our life goal was to have a backyard like this hotel. The best thing out of the whole hotel is the lobby which houses an art installation made of broken surfboards behind the check-in desk. The artist, Herbie Fletcher, created this piece using boards broken-in-action and signed by legendary surfers themselves.  Outside guests can lounge on white hotel rafts in the infinity pool surrounded by palm trees and sand and drink coconut mojitos at one of the outdoor bars. Inside, Morimoto Restaurant offers sushi in a bright, chic setting , the trendy “Study” bar is discreet and has guest enter through a bookshelf and the pool restaurant is actually one of the best places we ate at.   Its a busy hotel yet you never feel crowded because there are so many areas to discover.

THE ROOMS

The hotel offers 364 guest rooms- some with sweeping views of the marina and others with partial views of the main street of Waikki skyline. Rooms are minimal yet stylish, each with a sliding cedar door and a potted orchid. There’s a big, comfy white couch if you want to keep your bed nice and fresh and clearly my favourite part of the whole thing- a UKELELE!!  Rooms have big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and bathrooms with big glass showers. Bathrobes are provided. Also a huge bonus for me always.

5 things to do here

#1. Buy something from their Gift Shop

This shop is filled with the most dreamy items. No cheesy souvenirs to be found here. They also have a custom room diffuser scent that they use in the hotel which was oh so tempting!

#2. Eat their Banana Waffles

Honestly- BEST BREAKFAST EVER!! I normally let my fiance eat my leftovers but I am pretty sure I did not offer him ONE single bite of these guys.

#3. Have a Mai Tai

Yes- their drinks were not cheap but they were worth it and so pretty.

#4. Watch the Weekly Fireworks from the lounge area

Every Friday the Hilton next door ( also a fav hotel of mine) puts on fireworks on the beach. Get cozy in the lounge

#5. Do One of their Yoga Classes by the Pool

Not all the time does a work out make you feel like you are away but there is always an exception to the rule and this is it. I equally enjoyed the instruction and ambiance

IMPORTANT TIDBITS

Bonus Feature?

Free Infused Water, Free Sunscreen at the pools and Ipods available to borrow during your stay!

Best way to book?

Directly on the website HERE

Last bit of Hawaii photos!
When I re-look at them- it feels like it was 9 years ago and I’m ready to go back. Pictures can be annoying to take in the moments sometimes- posing and adjusting your angle, asking randoms to take a picture…. but when you have the chance to relook at them and it brings you back to the moments- the feelings, the smells, the air….it’s worth every second of it all.

I’m ready for my next adventure…..

Hilton Hawaiian Village

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is not only a hotel located on the prime area of Waikiki beach- it is actually a destination in itself. If you are visiting Waikiki beach and are not staying here- I can guarantee that you will want to not only change your accommodations but you will want to visit the 22 acre resort for one of the many attractions it has on site. It is just a 10 minute walk one way to Ala Moana shopping centre and 10 mins along Waikiki Beach in the other direction to get to the heart of Waikiki which makes it an ideal location to stay!

THE GROUNDS

Built back in 1962, the resort has constantly been changing, expanding and adding to its already impressive property. You enter the resort and are met with a Tiki lined street and Polynesian style buildings making you instantly feel like you are in Hawaii. After a 10 hour flight- let just tell you that this feels like heaven! The expansive open air lobby and check in desk make getting your hotel room a breeze. After checking in- you will be given a map to help you located the 20 + restaurants on site (yes- 20!!). With Benihana, CJ Deli and Lanikai Juice- there is something for everyone. The resort also has stores like posh stores Louis Vuitton and LeSportsac, a  massive lagoon where you can rent paddle boards or water bikes , weekly fireworks on the beach and over 7 pools. If you are a Gold or Diamond Hilton HHonors member, the Hilton Hawaiian Village provides a complimentary continental breakfast in the Rainbow Terrace, which we took advantage of and I suggest you do too!

THE ROOMS

When it comes to room choice- you definitely have your pick here with over 4,000 rooms. The resort houses more than 5 different towers filled with different rooms types and each of the towers have something special about them. The Tapa, Diamond Head and Kalia Towers offer sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu coast line and the famous Diamond Head Crater. The  Ali’I Tower offers you SPACIOUS suite like rooms, separate check in and your own private pool. The Rainbow tower is the best tower for premier views of the aqua blue lagoon. It also is a landmark in itself showcasing the colorful rainbow design sprawling up the building that the Hilton Hawaiian Village is almost known for.  Since we are a Hilton HHonors member- we got upgraded to the Ali’I tower- where we felt like BALLERS! Just one of the many reasons to become one!

5 Things to Do Here! 

# 1- Have an infamous Blue Hawaii drink while watching the Sunset.

The drink was actually created at this hotel back in 1957 by one of their bartenders so its safe to say they have the perfect recipe!

#2- Eat at Tropics Bar and Grill!

They have live music every night right on the patio and their food is delicious! It is also situated right on the beach!

#3-Get engaged!

Ok, ok..not an “average activity” but I did during my stay and to any of the guys out there thinking of popping the question- I can attest that it was the PERFECT backdrop for it.

#4- Be a kid and use the Waterslide pool!

When your hotel has a waterslide in one of their pools..you utilize it

#5. Get yourself a Lappert’s Ice cream Cone

Do not ask questions- just do it!

IMPORTANT TIDBITS

Bonus Feature?

Become a Hilton Honors member and reap all of the benefits. If you are a member- you can earn 10 HHonor bonus points for every $1USD spent at hotels in the Hilton Portfolio. You can also earn AirMiles at the same time. DOUBLE WIN

Best way to book?

Directly on the website HERE

This post  was sponsored by AIR MILES and its partner Hilton Hotel & Resorts

Some snaps from our time in Honolulu!

Although some people find Honolulu to be congested and overpacked- we found it to be the perfect blend of everything we would want in a trip- big city energy, trendy restaurants at every corner, cool and iconic hotels…all lined up against the ocean. What we particularly loved most is that you could be in the centre of Waikiki where all the action is and then after a short hour drive north could be in a remote area where you are surrounded by lush greens, juice stands and bed and breakfasts. It was the best of both worlds forsure and we have been ready to go back since the moment we landed home in Toronto.

Check out what to do in Honolulu if you have a day there HERE

If there is one thing you need to know about Kauai- it is that you need a car. The island is small enough to circle and in order to discover the true beauty of this tropical and magical place- you need some wheels to get you around. The second thing- is that you need a Wrangler. The island is meant for adventuring and the Wrangler does just that. I rented my car from National  and couldn’t be happier! I am an Emerald Club Member with them and at certain locations- this membership has soo many benefits. The Kauai airport is one of these locations so I bypassed the rental counter and went directly to the Emerald Club Aisle and choose my car and got 2x the AIR MILES Reward Miles! 

Let me show you where National Car Rental and my Wrangler took me on the island and get ready to get AIR MILES Reward Miles while you’re at it!

#1. Hit some of the World’s Best Beaches!

Kauai is home to some of the world’s best beaches! With my Wrangler- I was able to find them all!

Here were our favorite ones:

Polihale State Park– If you are looking for a beach that is off the tourist grid- go here! It is on the west side of the island and is the furthest point that is accessible before the Na Pali Coast! Also the best place to watch the sunset as this is where it sets!

Hanalei Bay- This beach has been named the “Top Beach in America” and for good reason. It’s a dream! We found when we were there it was never super crowded and it was a great place to laze around and take in the air. There is also a beautiful pier on the right hand side that is fun to walk out to!

Hideaway Beach- It is definitely harder to find hence the name but once you reach it- you realize it’s worth the GPS confusion and the small hike to get there. Mark at the St Regis and just outside the parking lot to the right- you will see a small entrance!

#2.  Scope out some of the islands best local foods!

I miss a lot of things about Kauai now that I am at home- but what I miss most is all of the fresh, amazing foods!  Right after we picked up our car from the LIH airport (one of the Emerald Aisle National Car Rental locations)- we hit an Acai stand. You can find good Acai bowls , poke bowls, sushi, tacos, and fresh fruit pretty much every 5 miles but I would recommend hitting Makai Sushi in Poipu ( 5 star rating on yelp!!!), Anoha Juice Bar ( conveniently  in the same supermarket as Makai), Pacos Tacos in Ka’paa ( we went here 3 times), Kauai Juice Co and the Dolphin Fish Market for…JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

#3. See the countryside and take the back roads!

Some of our favorite rides were the ones that were inland, surrounded by trees and were close to the mountains. We got to see the REAL Kauai on these drives – pink, bright flowers, loads of different trees I’ve never seen before and other fun things like the Coconut Plantation Field! A lot of scenes from Jurassic park were filmed on the ranches on the countryside and we definitely felt like we were in a scene of the movie at certain times! Thankfully no mean dinosaurs though

#4. Hit the cute and bohemian town of Ka’paa

Our favorite neighborhood by a mile was Ka’paa town! We drove our car out here in the mornings and did our runs along the beach. When the sun went down, we drove out there and had a dinner or a Mai tai. Our mid mornings were filled with coffee runs at Java Kai (on the strip) and we took in leisurely strolls into some of the cute stores.  It is the most colorful town I’ve ever seen and it is not to be missed

#5. Take in the Na Pali Coast from ALL of the angles you can

The Na Pali coast is not easily accessible. Its safe to say you need several modes of transportation to see it. We were a little spoiled and got to see it twice during our 7 days there  and we thank the sweet heavens for it because it was the mosttttt beautiful! The first time we took our car to the West side of the island and from there hopped on a boat with Kauai Sea Tours. We got super lucky as the sea along this coast is known to be choppy and especially not favourable in the winter months. While we were out there- it was smooth, sunny and mesmerizing. The coast looks like a scene from another world.  A few days later we drove our Wrangler to the airport and hopped on a helicopter and got a birds eye view of the coast via helicopter. I highly recommend doing this if you can. We were able to see the hidden waterfalls that were tucked into the rugged mountains, the curvy cliff edges that met the bright blue water and even a rainbow!

Make sure to sign up for AIR MILES HERE!

This post was sponsored by AIR MILES and its partner, National Car Rental

Hey guys! I just wanted to share a quick update –our video from Oahu + Kauai is now live!

We had an incredible time (understatement) on this trip but what also makes a trip WAY more fun is when you get engaged on it! The love of my life proposed to me on Waikiki beach on the second day of our 10 day journey so look out for some special engagement footage and some extra mushy kiss stuff because…you only get engaged once and it’s allowed!

If you are curious as to what to do if you find yourself there- see my post on Oahu here where I share all my favourite restaurants, hotel recommendations and more. If  that doesn’t get you feeling some wanderlust- I also shared some photos from Kauai!

]]> https://thedaydreamdiaries.com/4168-2/feed/ 1 https://thedaydreamdiaries.com/kauai-photo-diary-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kauai-photo-diary-1 https://thedaydreamdiaries.com/kauai-photo-diary-1/#comments Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:55:49 +0000 https://thedaydreamdiaries.com/?p=4071  

Kauai…or as I pronounced it and changed it to: Ka- WOWWWWWW– Eeee was one of the most special places I have ever visited.

We may or may not have spent the last week looking up real estate and re-evaluating our life plans in order to spend more time there. Just kidding family members who read this blog!

Kauai- also called the “Garden Island” was just that- a magical, lush, amazing massive garden that had beauty hiding in every single corner. Even when the rain welcomed us on some days- we still found ourselves falling in love with the place. Every drive was a visual treat and we found ourselves getting really intimate with the nature surrounding us. There’s an undeniable calmness and peace in every little town we visited, every mouth dropping beach we relaxed on and every hike or run we completed.

More photos coming soon!

A DAY IN OAHU WITH AIRMILES, NATIONAL CAR RENTAL & HILTON HOTEL & RESORTS

Aloha!  I just returned from my trip to Hawaii and couldn’t wait to share my insiders take on what to do if you find yourself there.  Oahu- the busiest and most metropolitan Hawaiian island- offers the best of both worlds- bustling restaurants, shops and sightseeing yet at the same time you can find pristine and secluded beaches and beautiful hiking areas that make you feel like you are the only ones on the island! The island is small too so you can cover a lot of ground in a day! Here is what I would suggest getting up to if you are only there a short while.

Wake up nice and early to get started with your day! If you are coming from the East Coast- chances are you will still be jetlagged and waking up early will feel natural! Open up your balcony and catch the sunrise. If you are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort like I did (highly recommended) – you will have a view of the entire strip, their infamous lagoon, the marina filled with boats……….or if you are lucky- both. I am a Gold Hilton HHonors member and because of that I was treated to a complimentary room upgrade and complimentary Wi-Fi access.

MORNING 7:30AM
Take a walk down the main strip of Waikiki on your way to breakfast. So much better seeing the street before the crowd arrives! Catch the famous statue of Duke where tourists and locals alike place fresh flowered leis on him daily. He is an iconic figure of Hawaiian culture and not to be missed.

The day will be long so get yourself a good breakfast. Heavenly- tucked away on a quiet street off the main strip- is the cutest place pretty much alive.  They use all local ingredients and put modern twists on traditional Hawaiian dishes like a Loco Moco breakfast (egg and hamburger patty)

Between your healthy yet delicious breakfast and the energy of Waikiki- you are ready to get into your car and explore! I rented our car from National Car Rental. When I rent with National Car Rental– I actually get MORE AIR MILES Reward Miles through each rental. You definitely need a car to get around the island and we are so glad we had this beauty!

10:00AM

DIAMOND HEAD HIKE

Head up to Diamond Head State Park and get ready for a view like no other. This hour hike round trip is of medium difficulty. If you are in decent shape- you won’t find it hard but keep in mind there are some steeper steps and dirt so I would suggest packing some running shoes to make it easier! Entrance to this hike costs $5.00 per vehicle. Doing it in the morning is best as it is an openly exposed trial and it can get busy in the afternoon

ROAD TRIP

11:00AM

Continue your drive up the beautiful coast and take in some of the scenery. The drive from Diamond Head to your next stop is the most beautiful in my opinion and continuously at every turn makes your jaw drop.  Some stops along the way include ETERNITY BEACH (if you had more than one day in Oahu- I would suggest coming back here for a whole day ), CHINAMAN’S HAT ( a small island off the coast that you can spot from the distance….and in not shocking news- looks like a top hat!) and lastly- THE BYODO TEMPLE. The temple sits at the back of a mortuary called the Valley of the Temples. It’s a replica of an ancient temple in Japan of the same name and makes you feel like you are transported there. SO worth it for a quick moment of zen!

NORTH SHORE BOUND + LUNCH

1:30PM

You are starving at this point and you are in luck. By this time- you will be in the Mecca of food trucks- one of the most famous being GIOVANNI’S SHRIMP TRUCK which dishes up some of the best garlic shrimp on the island. The truck is situated just before the famous North Shore Pipeline and their popular ‘shrimp scami’ is the most popular dish. If shrimp isn’t your thing- there is a variety of other food trucks in the court (BBQ, Fresh Juices, Snow Cones).

SURF WATCHING

2:00PM

Continue the drive up to the North Shore where the best of the best surfers come and take on the waves. Some of the waves here are up to 20 feet high so it is serious business. It is truly mesmerizing watching them and the best free tourist attraction!  You can also grab a fresh coconut off the side of the road to quench your thirst as there are many of these kind of stands here

EXERCISE BREAK

4:00PM

Head back to Waikiki and hit the beach! After seeing all the surfers and action in the North Shore- you are inspired to try things out yourself. Waikiki beach is a safe and perfect spot to do some paddle boarding, boogie boarding or surfing. We rented them directly from the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort for an hour and were so happy we did! We started off in their infamous lagoon and got the hang of the board and then ventured out to the actual ocean once we felt ready! Surfs up, dude!

SUPERFOOD & SIESTA

5:00PM

Ok- you are tired- we get it. Before you take your siesta- grab an Acai bowl from the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort’s LANIKAI JUICE. Acai is a traditional Hawaiian super food smoothie bowl that a lot of surfers indulge in to keep their energy up. In our opinion- it is just the most delicious thing in the world.

Make your way back to your beautiful room and let the warm ocean breeze fall over you. The beds at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort are like sleeping in a heavenly cloud so it’s easy to unwind.

SUNSET & FIREWORKS

7:00PM

Grab a drink from of the 7 hotel bars and catch the sunset (we had ours from Tropics Grill!). Having a Mai Tai or Blue Hawaii while watching the sky turn orange, pink or red- is pretty much the best thing ever.

7:30PM

Its fireworks time! Every Friday- the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort  puts on a fireworks show right on the beach so by staying here- you literally have the best seats in the house.  The show lasts about 10 minutes and lights up the entire beach.

DINNER & STROLL

8:30PM

Take a stroll into the main area of Waikiki and grab a bite to eat at BILLS SYDNEY! This is a must. Great atmosphere- island vibe meets retro café. Like many places in Waikiki- Bill’s sticks to all their items being organic and local. The shrimp, arugula spaghetti is to die for!

If you have some more time the next day, make sure to check out some secret gem’s of Oahu which you can read more about HERE!

I can’t wait to head back to this beautiful and vibrant island! When I go back I will be staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort again and using my AIR MILES Card to get Reward Miles while I travel! If you aren’t an AIR MILES Collector yet- get on it and sign up HERE!

This post  was sponsored by AIR MILES and its partners National Car Rental & Hilton Hotel & Resorts

#1-Horhitos Mobile Taqueria

This Mexican-Hawaiian fusion taco truck was by far my favourite meal of the trip. At $3 a taco- how could it not be!?!? As somebody who lived in LA and experienced some real deal mexican food- it is safe to say Horhitos beat them all by a mile. The mahi mahi fish tacos and the shrimp tacos are absolutely to die for. I went here 3 days in a row for lunch- NO REGRETS

#2-Kiehi Caffe

We did our research on restaurants and foods to try in Maui but when we got there- we also wanted to ask some locals what they suggest. Every single person that worked at our hotel had the same answer off the bat “You need to go to Keihi Cafe”…”Get the loco moco at Keihi Cafe”…”Keihi Cafe has the best breakfast”. We went…we tried..we conquered.

#3-Thai Food by Pranee

This is not only one of the best food joints in Maui- it is actually THE best thai food I have ever eaten in my life. It is situated close to Hana and after the long drive- it hits the spot in so many waves. The food normally runs out so I advise going early!

#Eskimo Candy Seafood Market & Cafe

Two words: POKE BOWLS ( fresh tuna chopped with amazing sauce and avocados). I almost regret going here because I fell so hard for these things and have unable to have them at home.  They may not look amazing visually but this is a classic case of “Don’t judge a book by its cover”

If you are looking for Poke specifically, make sure to check out the Best Poke in Maui round up

#5-Coconut Fish Cafe

If adding another taco joint onto this list is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. Coconut Shrimps’ Mahi Mahi tacos were everything I had hoped they would be- fresh pineapple, fresh fish and fresh lime juice.