Hawaii is one of the ultimate honeymoon spots. We love it because it’s easy for traveling since it’s a domestic location, but it’s easy to forget sometimes, as you could feel like you’re in your own little world, far removed from anything resembling reality.
If you’re aching for some Aloha spirit after you tie the knot, follow this travel guide from Yenta Alison’s honeymoon to the islands of Maui and Kauai.
The Wailea Marriott was recently renovated and in pristine condition. The rooms are spacious, clean, and filled with the new and fashionable furnishings. There’s nothing like sleeping with the window open and being lulled to sleep by the rocking and rolling waves that are just a few yards away from the balcony. The hotel provides many pools for relaxation, but nothing takes you to your happy place more than the infinity pool, equipped with posh cabanas, gorgeous views, and a very friendly staff that wants nothing more than to fill you up with drinks and grub. With no wedding dress to fit into anymore, this is a good thing! When inside the pool, there’s confusion about where the pool water stops and where the ocean tides begin because of the way it’s designed, it appears that the pool and ocean are one. This cool illusion is perfect for relaxing and romance. Oh, and it’s adults-only!
There’s a great walking path in Wailea that lines up with all of the resorts. A morning walk or a sunset stroll will provide you with fresh air and beautiful sights. It’s fun to exit the paths and check out the hotels along the way. Make sure to also check out the Grand Wailea, The Four Seasons, and the Fairmont Kea Lani. All of these properties along this walk are magnificent and can provide you with dinner options during your stay on the Wailea side of the island.
Like what you see below? This could be your final destination if you choose to brave the Road to Hana. This famous, windy drive takes you to some of the most beautiful parts of Maui where you can trek through lush jungles, swim through waterfalls and pools, enjoy fresh fruit off the side of the road, and take in postcard views. This day-long drive takes you to a surreal black sand beach with awesome rock formations and the bluest water. Driving the Road to Hana is a fun adventure that has many great photo moments.
Island hop! Check out another one of Hawaii’s treasures. Maui has a little more action, but if you want an even more laid-back, tropical experience, visit the island of Kauai. This is the giant pool at the Kauai Marriott in Lihue. Lounge chairs and towels galore give the guests a pleasant experience. The unique scalloped pool, known as one of the biggest in the state of Hawaii, is family-friendly, so if you’d like to experience both kinds of vacations, that’s why we suggest island hopping. Think of it as a Hawaii buffet: you get a little bit of everything.
Also, it’s always a good idea to check out the local food. We love living like the locals and eating at family establishments. Sometimes the little shacks on the side of the road will serve you the most delicious food, like Shrimp Station, which is off of Kaumualii Highway in Waimea. For something cool and refreshing, you can’t go wrong with shave ice! Amateurs will not only call it shaved ice (no past-tense “ed”), but they will also classify this treat as a snow cone. It. Is. Not. I don’t know why it’s not, but it just isn’t. Shave ice is very fine granules of ice that are flavored with delicious syrups that usually taste like their real, inspired food. For example, watermelon tastes like watermelon and passion fruit really is passion fruit. Some people like to put ice cream at the bottom of their shave ice. There are many places on the mainland that try to imitate Kauai shave ice, but it’s no contest. Some favorite shave ice spots are Koloa Shave Ice or Shave Ice Paradise in Hanalei.
Do something adventurous that would be unique to your location! Take a helicopter ride over the beautiful mountain ranges, cliffs, and jungles of the Garden Isle. Even though you sign your life away prior to taking flight, it’s not at all scary and you get, literally, a bird’s eye view of the whole island. You can appreciate Kauai’s beauty even more when you see parts that can only be accessed by foot or boat. Because Kauai is one of the rainiest spots on Earth, the island is filled with lush jungle areas that can’t be seen via car or main roads. There’s nothing cooler than zipping around and getting up close and personal inside — yes, inside — an inactive volcano. Oh, and for all of you movie buffs, you get to see the famous Jurassic Park waterfall.
Check out Spouting Horn. It’s a giant blow hole that’s one of those natural miracles. Every few seconds, with the waves, a big spray of water will come up and out of a hole in the beached rocks with mighty force. Okay, I’m not really selling it, but trust me. It’s a cool 15 minutes to spend time and see what it’s going to do.
And if you’re in the mood for beautiful views and a nice drive to match, you should definitely visit Kilauea Lighthouse. It’s a picturesque landmark and a great place to get the giggles with your newlywed; the area is filled with birds called boobies. I’ll leave it at that. What?! Okay, so I have a 5th grade sense of humor. It’s funny.
Speaking of birds, everywhere you go on Kauai there are roosters! They are friendly…ish. By that I mean, they are used to humans and won’t necessarily attack, but they’re not exactly giving out hugs and handshakes either. On Kauai, “Why did the chicken cross the road?” is a serious question and not the lead up to a joke. They are in shopping center parking lots, national park sites, and on the sides of the road. It’s not everywhere you can see a hibiscus bush and a rooster inches from each other.
Go to a luau! It may be cliche, but so what! Most hotels have them once or twice a week and it will cost you additional money, but it’s dinner and a cultural show so that seems to justify the extra dollar amount. And it’s not even that these luaus feed you the best dinner of your life. But it’s kind of like going to Italy and not trying the pasta. You get a lei and a mai tai. Fun times.
Also, take a surf lesson! If you’re going to learn how to surf, can’t beat the Hawaiian beaches as your classroom. There are private and group lessons and surf school tuition varies. We attended Kauai Surf School and had a great time. It’s safe and comfortable… until the next day when you feel like your arms are going to fall off. Standing up on the board is a feel-good accomplishment and being one with the ocean is, like, totally awesome, dude. Plus, taking goofy pictures in your rash guard is worth the salt water in your eyes.
And if all you want to do is relax and turn off the world, by all means, go find a hammock and indulge. Mazel tov and aloha!
