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Escape to ... Hilton Hawaiian Village [Part 1]
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Paradise, Hawaiian style
This Thanksgiving, I’m giving thanks for tropical breezes, a perfect sunset and the impeccable service and friendliness of the staff at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa.
Not exactly the stuff of Norman Rockwell, I admit. But this year I’m experiencing a non-traditional Thanksgiving. Like millions of Americans, I’m traveling for this holiday. But rather than heading to a family gathering, we decided to visit Hawaii.
Our first full day on Oahu begins with the curtains in our suite at the Hilton Hawaiian Village [www.HiltonHawaiianVillage.com] billowing in the morning breeze. Getting out of bed is difficult, if only because the mattress and pillows are so absolutely positively perfectly comfortable that I seriously consider committing larceny by stealing them. I resist temptation, partly because I know a mattress won’t fit in the overhead compartment of the airplane, and partly because I discover that both can be purchased at www.HiltonToHome.com.
After a quick breakfast (nobody wants to waste time when the white sand of Waikiki Beach beckons), we head down to the Pacific Ocean, amid lush tropical gardens, waterfalls, exotic wildlife and priceless artwork. I count eight “alohas” from the friendly staffers who pass by as we explore the resort’s 22 oceanfront acres.
We can’t cover all the territory because we have a 10 a.m. surfing lesson with Clyde Aikau, the legendary big-wave rider who has taught the Kennedy family and Hollywood’s biggest names the finer points of handling a board.
Clyde (the Duke Kahanamoku Surf Classic Waimea Bay champion and the Eddie Aikau Quicksilver Big Wave Waimea Bay champion) has ridden waves as big as 60 feet tall – and lived to tell the tale [check out http://live.quiksilver.com/2008/bigwave/history]. On this day, he also managed to survive the perils of instructing three surfing novices: My wife, my 13-year-old son, and my 9-year-old daughter.
After some land-based instruction on proper paddling and standing techniques, all four head into the ocean with their boards. On the beach, it’s a perfect day. In the water, things are a bit treacherous with some wicked currents and a stiff wind. But, thanks to Clyde, they all manage to get up and hang 10 (or five at the very least) and get a small taste of what it must be like to face off against a monster wave – and conquer it.
“They all did great,” says Clyde, who has the shoulders of a bodybuilder and the patience of a saint. In fact, he’s so confident of everyone’s new surfing expertise that he gives my wife a few tips on some nearby locations where beginners can catch the perfect-for-them wave.
All of that paddling burns up plenty of calories, so we make a beeline for the Super Pool Barbeque and sip perfect daiquiris along with our lunch in the tropical sun.
The day is only half over, and the adventure is just beginning at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa, which offers its guests absolute paradise in the form of:
- A unique "Village" destination resort concept.
- 5 pools, including Waikiki's largest Super Pool, and separate pools at the Ali'i Tower and Kalia Tower,
- Diverse dining options, with 20 restaurants and lounges.
- The exclusive Ali'i Tower, featuring concierge and private facilities.
- Exotic wildlife and botanical gardens.
- Romantic seaside sunsets.
- The Lagoon Tower, offering condominium-style suites on the beach.
- The Mandara Spa, the largest spa on Waikiki.
- The Rainbow Express Keiki Club children's program.
- Daily activities, ranging from Hula lessons to wildlife feedings.
How amazing is this resort? Don’t take my word for it – just look at what others have had to say (and this is merely a partial list):
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NEXT IN THIS SERIES: 20,000 leagues under the sea (well, not quite).
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