Hawaiian Vacation – Why not!

Why Hawaii? Why not!

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Why not! With Hawaii on my short bucket list (as an avid traveler always has a longer or even never-ending bucket list of destinations to explore), I wanted to get the input of someone in the know. Leslie, a travel lover and writer who calls the Aloha State her second home, has written the post below highlighting her tips on Why Not Hawaii. I look forward to exploring all of Hawaii’s beauty on one of my next adventures. Cheers from Juneau, Alaska! Mahalo Leslie.

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If you’re still sifting through travel magazines and blogs in order to pick the perfect spot for your yearly week long vacation, it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee. Kona coffee, that is. You could make plenty of arguments for other getaway spots on islands or on the coast of some beautiful country, but that’s not the point I’m getting at. Hawaii vacations are those unforgettable, totally repeatable, and one-of-a-kind trips that will leave your mouth watering for more. I don’t have to convince anyone of anything, there are enough blogs and photos out there that do the convincing themselves. But, I will tell you what I personally have loved about my Hawaiian vacations and how you can make the most out of yours.

The first factor you want to take into consideration is convenience. Going to that far distant island you read about in Travel and Leisure and staying in a freestanding cottage held up by stilts is idyllic, but the buck stops there. The first plus in my book here is that, if you are coming from the mainland, you get all the perks of an island-resort-style vacation, but without the stress of traveling to another country. Renew your passport or don’t. Check your bags or don’t. But at least you know that you won’t be waiting in those awful lines at customs and getting hassled for trying to bring your lei home. Travel to and from Hawaii in that sense, is a much easier trip than most destinations.

Next up on our list of perks is hospitality. This extends way beyond your luxury resort experience at whatever hotel you go with (we’ll get to prerequisites in a moment). In Hawaii, your take home message is kindness. The locals in Hawaii are always willing to spend a little extra time in their day to help you figure out where you are or recommend a local lunch spot for you and your crew. If you’re nice back, and don’t act too entitled, you’ll receive the treatment of a local Hawaiian and be pleased with the results. Now, if you don’t have such luck with the locals, what you can always count on is quality hotel accommodation. My family and I are huge fans of Aqua Resorts, a collection of hotels with locations in Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai. Each resort has a distinct set of qualities, from grandiose luxury to affordable boutique. We’ve been to a few of the resorts and been extremely pleased. The main thing to keep in mind when hotel searching, is that all your fixings are included in the price of your room. This shouldn’t be too hard, as Hawaii is covered with exquisite resorts.

But don’t be fooled by a cheap price and good deal package. Make sure you know what you’re paying for and that all of your amenities are included. It’s a must for the lazy days you plan (or don’t plan) to stay around the hotel and relax by the pool or at the spa. Plan your trip wisely, but remember this: it’s truly hard to screw it up out in the Aloha State of Hawaii.

So here’s to more good times and good stories. Keep abreast of my next adventures and recommendations, including my future Hawaiian adventures via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.

**Sponsored post written by Leslie, a traveler at heart with a second home in Hawaii.