StarBulletin.com

Girls getaways


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POSTED: Sunday, April 26, 2009

IT doesn't take much to make guys happy. Give them a fridge stocked with beer, a bowl of chips, sports of any kind on high-definition TV with surround sound, and they'll be content for hours.

We ladies, however, enjoy being pampered. The more pleasures we can pack into a day, the better! Here are six such fabulous escapes on four islands ... for girls only, please!

 

Girlfriends Renewal Getaway

» Where: Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Oahu

» Inclusions: Two daily $40 Moana Lani Spa gift certificates good for any treatment but nail services; 10 percent discount on spa products; complimentary use of the Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, relaxation and renewal lounge and workout center ($40 value); use of Apuakehau and Hoo Ipo spa suites, if available, when booking treatments for two ($35 value); “;Superfoods”; amenity of fresh blueberries, pecans and a chocolate treat; complimentary valet parking or self parking; 25 percent off food at the Beachhouse at the Moana, The Veranda (breakfast and/or afternoon tea), and Beach Bar; 2 p.m. early check-in and 2 p.m. late check-out; and a seasonal spa gift ($10 value; it's currently a bar of made-on-Kauai Malie soap)

» Cost: Kamaaina rates start at $189 per night, single or double occupancy, for city accommodations and $250 per night for Banyan Ocean accommodations through Dec. 25

» Phone: 921-4640 (ask for rate plan KAMSPA)

» Web site: www.starwoodhotelshawaii.com

» Of note: Moana Lani Spa is Hawaii's newest resort spa and Waikiki's only oceanfront spa. Among its signature treatments is Ka Ua Lomi, a gentle “;rain massage”; incorporating the warm waters of a Vichy shower.

 

Private Sunset Dining and Jazz

» Where: A private lounge aboard the Star of Honolulu, which cruises nightly off Waikiki.

» Inclusions: Seven-course French-style dinner that changes seasonally (the spring menu features canapes, asparagus soup with lemon cream, bouquet of baby greens, poached live Maine lobster, peach sorbet intermezzo, prime tenderloin of beef and strawberry shortcake Napoleon); two drinks per person and a bottle of champagne for every two people; live jazz show; souvenir photo; and a cake decorated with a lei. Add-ons include fresh flower leis, a sushi bar and mobile DJ service or a karaoke set-up. Special requests also can be accommodated; these include specific brands of liquor and other live entertainment (masseuse, magician, balloon artist, etc.).

» Cost: Kamaaina rate is $177.75 per person (minimum 20)

» Phone: 983-7884

» Web site: www.starofhonolulu.com

» Of note: Recently completed $1.5 million renovation of the ship's interior includes upgrades to the four dining rooms, two private lounges, restrooms and lobbies.

 

Sand, Sea & Spa

» Where: Hanalei Colony Resort, Kauai

» Inclusions: Five or seven nights in a two-bedroom, ocean-view condominium; gift of sunscreen, after-sun lotion, bottled water and beach towels; and for each person: a half-day program at the on-site Hanalei Day Spa and choice of either a Napali Coast boat tour or a horseback riding excursion.

» Cost: Kamaaina rate is $1,920 for five nights and $2,085 for seven nights, double occupancy, from now through May 31 and Sept. 9 through Dec. 20. From June 1 through Sept. 8 and Dec. 21 through Jan. 4, 2010, the price is $1,955 for five nights and $2,125 for seven nights. Ask about rates for three or four people.

» Phone: (800) 628-3004

» Web site: www.hcr.com

» Of note: This low-rise property is on five beachfront acres near the end of the road in Haena, Kauai's northernmost town. In keeping with this tranquil setting, units do not have televisions, stereos or phones.

 

Hula Girl Getaway

» Where: The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, Big Island

» Inclusions: Accommodations in two ocean-view deluxe rooms; full daily breakfast for four; surfing and stand-up paddling lessons, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and outrigger canoe rides with the resort's beachboys ($65 value per person); one manicure and oceanfront massage per person; daily yoga session, hula lesson and amenity (e.g., cookies and coolers)

» Cost: Starts at $1,538 per night for two rooms through Dec. 20

» Phone: (800) 845-9905

» Web site: www.fairmont.com/orchid

Of note: Revolving around Hawaiian history and culture, the resort's Beachboys Program offers “;talk-story”; sessions; ocean activities; and hikes to ancient fishponds, shelter caves and petroglyph fields.

 

Girlfriends Getaway

» Where: Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Hoomaluhia, Big Island

» Inclusions: Two nights accommodations; meals; meditation; yoga; journaling; movement classes; one spa service; hikes throughout the 50-acre property; sunset champagne and chocolate-dipped fruit and/or afternoon tea; evening talks, classes, crafts and games.

» Cost: Kamaaina rate is $925, single occupancy; $640 per person, double occupancy. This package is offered periodically throughout the year; the next one will be in July. Call or check out the Web site for details.

» Phone: (808) 889-6336

» Web site: www.hawaiiislandretreat.com

» Of note: This brand-new green retreat features solar-powered electricity; organic shampoos, conditioners and lotions; composting and water conservation systems; and organic gardens that produce much of the food that is prepared for meals.

 

Ladies Who Luxe

» Where: Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay or The Lodge at Koele, Lanai

» Inclusions: Roundtrip interisland transportation on a private jet from Oahu or a private yacht from Maui; airport transfers; five nights accommodations; a personal concierge; daily breakfast; five-course dinner and wine pairing; refrigerator stocked with beverages and snacks; daily use of a poolside cabana; “;Getaway Survival Kits”; containing sunscreen, a p.i.n.k vodka and martini set, entertainment magazines, a $500 shopping pass at select retailers in Lanai City and Benefit's BADGal cosmetics, stashed in a chic Tory Burch tote; private seaside yoga session, a surf or stand-up paddleboard lesson and a golf or tennis lesson; gourmet cooking class; private spa experience; custom perfume-blending experience; two certificates for a return two-night stay.

» Cost: Starts at $56,000 for two people through Dec. 18

» Phone: (800) 321-4666

» Web site: www.fourseasons.com/lanai

» Of note: The ultimate indulgence!

 

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Bulletin have won multiple Society of American Travel Writers awards.