No better place to escape winter gloom than Hawaii
All it takes is one early November snowfall advisory to get some of us dreaming about a warm and sunny beach holiday.
The Hawaiian Islands, a favourite escape for winter-weary western Canadians, has several special packages on offer in Maui and Oahu to save a little cash.
Here are a few to start plotting your winter escape:
Oahu’s North Shore is home to the 850-acre Turtle Bay Resort, set on 19 kilometres with oceanfront hiking and biking trails, and lots of activities. The resort, about an hour from Honolulu International Airport, is offering a free night when you book four nights, good until Dec. 15. Continental breakfast is included, and children eat for free at the Kula Café.
You’ll be at the centre of Maui’s action and enjoy the convenience of Lahaina when you stay at The Plantation Inn, one of the island’s most popular B&B’s. Plantation- style design and decor give it a charming, retro feel, but with all the modern amenities.
The adults-only inn is just two blocks from the harbour and bustling Front Street for shopping, dining and a taste of Hawaii’s history. The inn is offering a romantic Moment in Time package, which includes a deluxe lanai room, daily breakfast for two, a couples’ dinner at Gerard’s Restaurant, daily rental car and a bottle of champagne on arrival. The three-night price is US$905.
Ka’anapali Beach Hotel’s Sunny Side Up package in Maui has savings of more than US$400 on a four-night stay in an oceanview room. Included is buffet breakfast and dinner for two at the Tiki Terrace, lunch for two at the Tiki Grill, two-day rental of snorkel gear or umbrella with chaise lounges, plus a gift package with a cooler and two towels. Cost is US$1,314. Offer valid through March 2018.
Be among the first guests to stay at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach when it opens in December 2017. Formerly the Pacific Beach Hotel, the property has undergone a $115-million transformation. Located on busy Kalakaua Avenue in downtown Waikiki, the 839-room resort embraces Hawaii’s cultural heritage in spirit and decor. To celebrate the opening, the Sneak Peek @ Aloha Chic package is US$289 a night, including buffet breakfast for two.
EXPLORE BY JEEP
With its exotic mix of mountain and volcano-meets-beach terrain, the Big Island of Hawaii is geographically perfect for exploring with a rough and ready vehicle like a Jeep.
A new service by two local Kona residents aims to make getting around and enjoying the island easier from the minute you land at the airport.
Big Island Jeep Rental will have the Jeep — your choice of a two- or four-door vehicle — waiting when you arrive. A couple of add-on ser- vices include picking up groceries if you’re arriving on a late flight, and they also will recommend restaurants, secret beaches and the best hikes. Upon request, they can stock the vehicle with beach chairs, body boards and bike and roof racks.
There is a minimum five-day booking and advance booking is highly recommended.
ALL- IN- ONE BAG
Finding a stylish and well-made long weekend getaway bag that’s compact but can still fit your casual clothes, dress shoes, toiletries, electronic gadgets, plus a suit or party dress, can be challenging. But a new piece by Swiss Gear makes the packing puzzle easier.
The Getaway Everything Duffel has a sturdy, low-key, sleek design with a casual grey denim look. The best part is it doubles as a garment bag. When you unzip the ends and the top it lays flat and has space with a hanger to stow your suit, tie and dress shirt or dress. Zip the sides back up and you can fold or roll your more casual things in the bag, plus a few pair of shoes. Two zippered pouches are handy for tucking away smaller things like phone cords, ear buds or travel documents.
The bag retails for $90 and is sold at bestbuy.ca, CAA retail stories, Amazon and some independent retailers.