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Kauai for Luxury Travelers
How to fun on the Hawaiian island of Kauai when
money is no object.
The mountains of Kauai are voluptuous, the color of emeralds, and the
sea flashes blue diamonds at the sky. An extravagance of rainbows crowns
the days, while the colors of sunset are the golds of a Midas treasure.
The human imprint on Kauai is light, but the touch just as luxurious.
The grandest hotels are tucked gently, unobtrusively into the verdure.
Here, the discerning traveler will find privacy in the midst of plenty,
and service born from a traditional spirit of quiet, generous hospitality.
The hotels offer every modern amenity, and do so with style. High-powered
executives will find computer ports, Internet access and full business
capabilities at many properties. Most of the luxury accommodations are
located at Princeville and Poipu.
At the Princeville Resort, the enormous chandeliers and sumptuous
furnishings of the reception area are trivialized by the magnificent
mountains, waterfalls, and Hanalei Bay beyond the glass walls. It's as
if the hotel came first, then put out a casting call for Paradise, and
Hanalei won the audition.
The Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa exudes the gracious ambience of
Hawaii's plantation era while specializing in epicurean cuisine, and
European and Hawaiian spa treatments. It consistently ranks among the
top tropical resorts in the polls and reports of international travel
magazines.
In addition to the finest resorts, Kauai has a number of luxurious
estates and exclusive beachfront homes available for those requiring
that extra degree of privacy.
Because of the number of celebrities, business shoguns and affluent
travelers who come to Kauai, the dining experience is memorable, and
the atmosphere unparalleled. Classic Italian restaurants include the
romantic Dondero's Restaurant under the stars, overlooking Shipwreck
Beach; and dazzling La Cascata which substitutes terrace views of
Hanalei Bay for the Bay of Naples.
Hawaii Regional Cuisine and Asian fusion food can be enjoyed at Bali
Hai Restaurant in Hanalei, and Tidepools Restaurant in Poipu. The fine
hotels each employ master chefs and offer exceptional dining experiences.
Accustomed to a discriminating, discerning clientele, most resort dining
rooms have extensive wine lists.
Gaylord's at Kilohana Plantation is housed in the 1930s mansion home
of a former plantation manager. It is known for its gracious ambience
and creative cuisine. Enjoy the charm and unhurried pleasure of another
era while dining on the lanai overlooking the manicured gardens of this
sugar fiefdom. The family dining room, set as if for visiting royalty,
is available for private occasions.
Another dining option is a catered affair with a bottle of champagne
overlooking the ocean on the lanai of a suite at a beachfront resort.
High-powered people often don't have time to shop until they're on
vacation, so the shops of Paradise are bursting with jewels, art,
fashion, antiques and home accessories.
Unique things to look for are antique Asian treasures; custom jewelry
designed and made on the island; bold Hawaiian quilts that complement
contemporary furnishings; vintage aloha shirts; paintings and ceramics
by local artists with international reputations; and furniture and art
objects carved from rare native woods that grow no place else on the
planet. Expect to pay from hundreds to thousands of dollars for a Ni'ihau
shell necklace, made from the tiny lustrous shells of the "Forbidden
Island" that lies off the shore of Kauai. Not expensive, but grown and
made on Kauai are creamy coconut-based soaps, estate coffee from Hawaii's
largest coffee estate, and some nice crispy baked cookies.
The gift shop of the Kauai Museum carries traditional Hawaiian crafts,
including Ni'ihau shells and Hawaiian quilts. In Lihue, Hilo Hattie is
headquarters for local arts and crafts. The colorful little town of
Hanapepe has so many art galleries they schedule an art walk on Friday
evenings. Somehow, the blink-and-you-miss-it village of Kilauea manages
to have two showcase shops, the Kong Lung Store with its high-end
fashions and furnishings, and the ethereal Lotus Gallery owned by a
gemologist and jewelry designer.
Along the Royal Coconut Coast, the town of Kapaa is crammed with shops.
A standout is Kela's Glass Gallery that carries the most stylish and
extensive collection of handmade glass in the state.
The two exceptional shops among many at Hanalei are Yellowfish Trading
Company which specializes in Hawaiian trinkets and treasures of bygone
days; and Ola's, a gallery featuring the work of acclaimed local and
international artists.
As expected, the fine hotels have shops and galleries geared to the
tastes of the discriminating traveler.
Kauai is a sanctuary for the rich and famous, many of whom buy homes and
stay on. The thing is, it's usually hard to spot them, because Islanders
respect the privacy of their guests, and because the natural beauty of
the island and the traditional aloha spirit of the people embrace everyone
with the same royal treatment.
See Also
Luxury Hotels on Kauai
Activities on Kauai
Photos of Kauai
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Related Links
Kauai Island - Main Menu
Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii for Visitors
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