Imagine watching the fiery sun sink into the horizon from the vantage of a palm-fringed beach. Or envision luxuriating in a mid-afternoon nap while your hammock is gently rocked by the warm breezes. These are just two of the pleasures that await you in the islands of Hawaii and French Polynesia.
Covington Travel’s resident South Pacific specialist, Barbi Partlow, shares some of her favorite places where you can realize those South Pacific dreams:
On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the most popular areas to stay are Princeville in the north or Poipu in the south. My personal preference is Poipu, where it’s sunny most of the time. The newly renovated Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is a great choice there. The open-air lobby beckons visitors to enter, and the views to the ocean are fabulous. In Princeville, the posh St. Regis Princeville Resort is established cliff-side on the North Shore, with enviable views of Hanalei Bay. Both of these upscale resorts have had recent multi-million dollar renovations. For more modest accommodations, visitors can choose the authentic Waimea Plantation Cottages, located in the far western portion of the island. These nostalgic cottages are private seaside retreats with modern amenities for a moderate price.
- Vahine Island Resort, photo by Barbi Partlow
Just five and a half hours by plane from Honolulu, or eight and half hours from Los Angeles, The islands of Tahiti and French Polynesia beckon. The quiet and low-key Vahine Island Private Island Resort is a “Robinson Crusoe never had it so good” kind of place. Located a short boat ride from the French Polynesian island of Taha’a, Vahine‘s palm dotted motu has just six beach bungalows and three over-water bungalows.
This twenty-three acre getaway is perfect for couples that want to lose themselves in the quiet, away from it all. Free use of kayaks, windsurfing, snorkel equipment and pirogues (Tahitian canoes) are available to guests. The spacious bungalow accommodations offer island rustic decor, but with luxury guest amenities, air conditioning, and WiFi. Vahine Island is the ultimate “Fantasy Island”, and would be a great stop on your Polynesian adventure!
Hawaii and French Polynesia offer a diverse array of accommodations, from smaller, boutique-style hotels, to condominiums, and luxury beachfront hotels. There’s something for everyone, and in every price range. What’s the best option for your situation? Contact me and I can help you sort it all out and then even pre-book some exciting island activities for you.
- Barbi Partlow
Barbi Partlow entered her “field of dreams” in the travel industry in May 1991, and continues to passionately bring her client’s vacation dreams to reality. She briefly lived on The Big Island of Hawaii and also enjoyed a month-long humanitarian visit to the Fiji Islands. From these experiences, Barbi firmly cemented her love for her favorite specialty, the Pacific Islands and their people groups. Barbi holds the Tahiti Tiare, Fiji Matai and Hawaii Akamai specialist designations. Her Tahitian name is “Ranihei” and she is pictured here wearing a hei or “crown of heaven”.
Great post, thank you! We’re in the beginning stages of planning our Hawaiian vacation and doing a lot of research. One of our favorite Princeville hotels is Westin Princeville – looks so nice and they have a lot of great deals!
Glad we could help, Ramona! The Princeville area is one of my favorites too. You’ll love it. – Beverly
Aloha, Ramona! Thanks for your comments! If you need assistance with planning your Hawaii trip, I’m happy to help! I can put together a great package for you, even if you are using a timeshare for part of the time. Feel free to contact me on the link above. Mahalo! Barbi
Barbi did a great job helping my wife and I plan the “trip of a lifetime” to Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. Would go again in a heartbeat!
Mauruuru, Barbi
-Bryan
Thanks for the comment Bryan. French Polynesia is indeed a “trip of a lifetime” and Barbi has true insider’s knowledge to make it even more special! Glad you had such a memorable vacation. – Travel Maestro/Beverly