If you want to stay on Oahu, close to all the attractions of Honolulu but away from the hustle and bustle of being in the centre of the town, then the Kahala Hotel Resort & Spa is just the place for you.  Situated in a secluded bay with 800ft of white sand beach on the far side of Diamond Head, in beautifully landscaped gardens with waterfalls and flowing streams, the Kahala Hotel is still only fifteen minutes drive or by complimentary hotel shuttle bus from Waikiki Beach.  This 338 room deluxe hotel is a little oasis of quiet and tranquility, with exceptional service and attention to detail. It has just completed a $52m refurbishment, ($30m on the rooms alone!) and is designed in ivory and coffee tones with natural products, warm woods and contemporary luxury.

One of the finest resorts in Hawaii since 1964, this recently renovated property offers 306 rooms in 8 different room categories and just 32 Suites with 4 Suite categories.  Each are designed to evoke a feeling of warmth, romance and understated luxury, with a mixture of mahogany furniture, teak flooring, unique tropical flower-design hand-woven rugs, and a selection of luxurious soft furnishings.

Guest Rooms all have the same layout and facilities, only differing by location, and the categories are Scenic, Scenic Lanai, Dolphin Lanai, Ocean View, Ocean View Lanai, Ocean Front, Ocean Front Lanai and Beachfront Lanai.  Lanai Rooms all have sliding patio doors opening to a private, furnished balcony with ocean views, except the Scenic rooms, which have views of the mountains and Honolulu town. The Scenic and Ocean front rooms still have sliding patio doors but only have a Juliet-style balcony, Dolphin Lania Rooms overlook the Dolphin Quest pool. All rooms and suites offer memory foam pillow-top beds, either 1 King or 2 Double beds (4-poster in the Suites), goose-down duvets, Egyptian cotton linens, oversize ensuite bathroom with large bathtub (whirlpool spa baths in Suites), bathrobes, complimentary Floris toiletries, hairdryer and separate glass shower, dual wardrobes with dressing areas, two separate vanities, a 40-inch Sony flat screen LCD TV, iHome docking station, pay-view movies, high speed internet (fee), two-line telephones, in-room safe, mini bar (on request), tea and coffee making facilities with Starbuck coffee, tropical ceiling fans and air conditioning. Some rooms can accommodate a rollaway bed for extra guests, with a fee for a 3rd/4th Adult.

The Kahala Resort offers a range of Suites, for guests wanting extra space or just want to treat themselves to a bit more luxury, including Tower, Ocean Front and Scenic Ocean View Suites.  Tower Suites have 1 ensuite bathroom, and the others have 2 separate bathrooms.  They offer similar amenities to the Guest rooms but also have a separate bedroom with King bed (a few have 2 Doubles on request) and spacious separate living room with large furnished lanai.  They offer Bvlgari toiletries, a separate powder room, 2 separate 40" TV's with on command movies and DVD player, luxurious ensuite bathroom with glass shower enclosure with rainfall shower head, dual dressing areas and all have ocean views from the private balcony.

There are also 4 Signature Suites, such as the Imperial Suites or Presidential Suite, which offers the ultimate in luxury and space.

A major attraction at the resort is the Dolphin Quest Centre, which operates in a 26,000 sq. foot lagoon.  This lagoon is home to a number of Bottlenose Dolphins, as well as numerous fish species and the rare Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.  Dolphin Quest's educational and encounter experiences are offered daily, subject to sea conditions and scientific research schedules.  There is a morning encounter for children 5-12 years inclusive, and an afternoon one for 13 year olds and above, where you will get the chance to swim and interact close up with these beautiful creatures.  Both are pre bookable, if you are interested, please call us for the details and the current prices.

For the energetic, there is a fitness centre and a swimming pool, surrounded by sun loungers, as well as tennis courts and golf nearby (green fees paid locally), and of course the 800-ft long sandy beach is right on your doorstep.  The Resort has complimentary bicycles for guest to use, jogging trails with refreshment station with water and towels, surfing and stand-up paddle board lessons.  They also have kayaks, boogie boards and snorkelling equipment for hire, along with cabanas and beach umbrellas, For those clients who want to be really pampered, the hotel has its own Kahala Spa where one can relax, and experience a range of different body and beauty treatments, with a dedicated Manicure & Pedicure Suite and Men's Spa, and a new outdoor Spa lounge area.

The resort offers four cafes and restaurants, including one of the best restaurants to be found in Honolulu, Hoku's, named after one of the dolphins at the Dolphin Quest centre, offers a contemporary mix of Oriental, Island and European Cuisine, cooked right in front of you in the open kitchen.  There is also Arancino at The Kahala, one of the top-rated Italian restaurants in Oahu, The Plumeria Beach House, set right on the beach with indoor and outdoor terraces and a casual dining menu, and The Seaside Grill, where fresh seafood, tasty grills and fresh salads are on offer.   The Verandah Lounge is an airy tea room, serving afternoon tea, sushi and tapas platters, live music and specialty and favourite drinks.  And if you want something private and romantic, you can reserve a secluded dining table under the stars, just for you and your soul mate.

The Kahala Resort offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the Ala Moana shopping center, Waikiki and the Kahala Mall, if you want to get out, explore, do some shopping or sample some of the many bars and restaurants in the area.

The Kahala Resort is not one of the cheapest hotel selections on Oahu, but you do get what you pay for, and here, you will get spacious, modern accommodations, gourmet dining and world class amenities, all in a great location.  Worth spending a bit more to get such a wonderful Resort stay?  We think so.

Click HERE to visit the hotel's own website