Oahu sets the bar for pampered beach vacations

By Whit Honea

At the beach in Oahu. Credit: laszlo-photo.

There’s a reason that the island of Oahu is called the Heart of Hawaii. Those on the island have a commitment to the finer things in life, and this has a lot to do with Oahu’s reputation. A Hawaii vacation is often synonymous with the ultimate in relaxing, gorgeous beach vacations, but how about adding a glass of wine and a unique massage to the itinerary?

Indulge in these restful Oahu retreats and take your beach vacation to new heights.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa

Located on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa offers total pampering for those who enjoy shopping on their Hawaii vacation. The Na Hoola Spa offers “The Ultimate Retail Therapy” — a spa treatment created for the power shopper that includes a massage using heated blankets and stretching techniques that concentrate on the muscles used most when shopping. No need to worry about shopping till you drop!

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki also offers a wine tasting tour every Wednesday. Guestson the tour can enjoy four featured wines while walking through the property, complete with stops to sample tasty treats at Na Hoola Spa, The Elegant Dive, The Colony Restaurant, and Ciao Mein.

Sheraton Waikiki

Sheraton Waikiki features the Helumoa Playground: two fresh water pools, a huge water slide, two large whirlpools, and an interactive fountain for the kids — all with views of Waikiki Beach. For guests age 16 and over they have the Edge of Waikiki, an Infinity pool where they offer Yogaquatics on the Edge in addition to an amazing view that appears to stretch on forever. Yogaquatics is an original form of water aerobics inspired by yoga.

Also at the Sheraton Waikiki you’ll find the bar RumFire and their popular Night Cap, a late night happy hour from 9:30 to 11:30 featuring food and beverage specials, including fantastic local cocktails to top off an ideal Hawaii vacation.

Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk

Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk introduced “The Liquid Artistry of Waiolu” in their Waiolu Oceanfront Lobby Bar, which features specialty drinks created from the freshest ingredients. Trump also houses the BLT Steak (Bistro Laurent Tourondel) restaurant which specializes in prime cuts of beef and fresh seafood.

The Spa at Trump offers authentic Hawaiian healing to your blissful beach vacations through the art of ho’oluana, the island call to relax.

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

The luxurious Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa — which was built in 1901 and is billed as the “First Lady of Waikiki” —features the weekly Wine Wednesdays at Beachhouse at the Moana. Beachhouse at the Moana takes their wine as seriously as guests take their beach vacations, which is to say they enjoy it immensely.

The Moana Lani Spa rests on a natural health spring. A place of tranquility, it combines the traditions of Hawaiian healing with modern spa technique that unites for a very relaxing Hawaii vacation.

Beach vacations have their fill of sun and sand, but nothing beats dusting it off at the spa and washing it all down with a glass of wonderful wine. With itineraries like these, a Hawaii vacation in Oahu may be one of the most relaxing beach vacations you ever have.

Whit Honea is a travel writer living in Seattle with his wife and two children. He packs light and travels often to far-away places, exotic lands and more than a few theme parks.