Honolulu Luxury Hotels & Destination
Honolulu HI Luxury Destination
The shimmery tropical beaches, striking palm trees swaying in the island breeze and beautiful sandy white beaches make Honolulu the ultimate bed and breakfast paradise. Honolulu is the prime gateway to the Hawaiian Islands and a desirable luxury hotel destination. Situated on the island of Oahu, Honolulu has everything to offer the discerning luxury hotel traveler. Luxurious accommodations, gorgeous beaches and fabulous nightlife are all within a short couple of miles of downtown Honolulu.
Honolulu Luxury Hotels
Honolulu's local beach, Waikiki, was once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty and you will be treated like royalty at Honolulu's luxury hotels. Service with a smile, superb attention to detail and luxury touches are what make a Honolulu luxury hotel vacation memorable. Honolulu's luxury hotels offer that extra bit of service that is never duplicated in a chain hotel. From the intimate restaurants to the elegantly appointed lobbies Honolulu's luxury hotels treat you as one of their preferred guests.
Honolulu History
While there is no record when the first people settled the Hawaiian Islands, Polynesians from the Marquesas arrived sometime between the year 300 and 500 A.D. The first Heiau, or temple, was built on the Big Island of Hawaii in 500 A.D. By 900 A.D., all of the main islands of the chain were settled.
Tahitian islanders arrived in 1200 A.D., conquering and enslaving the Marquesasians. The Tahitian priest Pa'ao started the 'kahuna hui' or high-priest line which initiated a ruling king for each island. As a result, social classes soon emerged and Hawaiian culture evolved.
On January 8, 1778 Captain James Cook and his crew landed on the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. Cook named them the Sandwich Islands. In his journal, Cook described natives as 'riding on the ocean's wave on wooden boards'. This coined phrase became the first written account of surfing.
With the help of foreign weapons, Ka'ahumanu I conquered the other islands. In order to keep power, Ka'ahumanu I shrewdly promoted trade with the United States and Europe. Ka'ahumanu I was succeeded by Ka'ahumanu II who sailed to England to visit the British monarch. He and his wife later died in England due to a deadly case of measles.
Ha'ahumanu III ascended to the throne and proclaimed the first Hawaiian constitution which included freedom of worship. US President John Tyler recognized the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1842. The Ka'ahumanu dynasty died out with the death of Ka'ahumanu V who failed to name a successor.
A period of rebellious unrest and meddling by United States interests followed. After the last unsuccessful rebellion, Hawaii was declared to be a Republic. This was short lived as the US sought increasing influence in the new Republic. This culminated in the resolution of annexation which was signed by President McKinley on July 7, 1898.
A period of rebellious unrest and meddling by United States interests followed. After the last unsuccessful rebellion, Hawaii was declared to be a Republic. This was short lived as the US sought increasing influence in the new Republic. This culminated in the resolution of annexation which was signed by President McKinley on July 7, 1898.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill on March 18, 1959 which allowed for Hawaiian statehood. Hawaii formally became the 50th state of the Union on August 21, 1959 after a state wide vote of over 94% in favor of statehood.
In the year 1993, the US Congress passed Public Law 103-150, known as 'The Apology Bill' which corrected misinformation regarding the overthrow of the monarchy and apologized on behalf of the United States for the "suppression of the inherent sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people.
Honolulu Attractions
Honolulu is booming with activity. For luxury hotel golfers, Honolulu offers dozens of golf courses that are located less than 20 miles from Honolulu. Many of the courses are open to the public and provide a challenge to the avid golfer. Your luxury hotel concierge is a great resource concerning tee times and pertinent course information.
Hawaiian surfing an off Honolulu’s famous Waikiki beach is a real rush. There are many other beaches to test the skills of surfers from beginners to experts. Your Honolulu luxury hotel concierge can assist and advise about equipment rentals and lessons for novices.
Diamond Head, a beautiful part of the Honolulu landscape, is a great place to mountain bike. Honolulu luxury hotel guests can consider taking one of the guided tours as many supply equipment as well as a fabulous lunch or savory snack at the end of the trail.
Scuba diving and snorkeling in Honolulu is diverse and absolutely a one of a kind, breathtaking experience. Visibility is excellent among the crystal clear waters, as dozens of tropical flounders, fish and gorgeous coral occupy the enchanting area. Luxury hotel divers can look forward to submerging down below in an effort to explore the wreckages of ships and aircraft as well as experiencing marine life ranging from seals, turtles and large pelagic fish.
Strap on some comfortable walking shoes and head out from your Honolulu luxury hotel to beautiful Manoa Falls. Classified as an ‘easy’ hike, it is well worth the effort. At the top of the trail, the remarkable falls tumble beautifully over 150 feet into a small rock filled pool. On the hike to the falls, enjoy the beautiful flowers and mini falls peeking out from amongst the trunks of the majestically bamboo forest.
Honolulu Museums
For luxury hotel visitors interested is less active pursuits, a tour of Pearl Harbor is a historic must. Approximately 4000 people per day make Pearl Harbor one of the most popular attractions in Honolulu. Pearl Harbor contains the USS Arizona memorial and museum as well as the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum. A short shuttle ride to Ford Island will take you to the Battleship Missouri Memorial and Museum and the Pacific Aviation Museum.
A look into the lifestyle of the Hawaiian monarchy can be had with a visit to Honolulu’s Queen Emma Summer Palace. This restored home is open daily with special exhibits, arts and crafts demonstrations.
Honolulu Shopping
Honolulu’s Ala Mona Center is a vast center featuring one of the largest collections of luxury retailers in the world. From high- end trendy stores including Gucci to Prada to Nordstrom Honolulu luxury hotel guests will find exquisite shopping. With over 200 stores and 70 eateries Honolulu’s Ala Mona Center is an exceptionally convenient place to shop and refuel.
The International Market Place is an open air delight where local Honolulu artisans will gladly engage luxury hotel shoppers while wandering by the many carts that comprise this quaint shopping experience. Here, authentic Hawaiian entertainment is performed five nights a week.
Shopping at Koko Marina Center in Honolulu is a chance to combine sightseeing with a rich shopping experience. The shops are set right at the dazzling water's edge. A delightful stroll through the mall provides luxury hotel guests with phenomenal, gorgeous glimpses of the crystal blue Honolulu waters. The shops are an interesting mix and the mall features an eight theatre Cineplex. Luxury hotel visitors can book cruises, surfing or jet skiing adventures at this center.
Honolulu Dining
Luxury hotel guests visiting paradise want the dining experience to match the quality of the surroundings. Honolulu will not disappoint hungry luxury hotel guests. Honolulu has attracted settlers from all over the world and they have taken advantage of the tropical climate and exotic local produce to create exceptional dining experiences.
The amazing variety of food choices ranging from typical American chains to Korean barbecues to Cantonese Yum Cha restaurants, Honolulu has it all. If fine dining is your pleasure your luxury hotel concierge can help you seek out that special place for a special celebration or romantic experience.
The sea surrounding Honolulu means luxury hotel guests will have abundant fresh fish and seafood. Freshness is ultimate at Honolulu’s Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar. The dishes are bold, tasty and beautifully presented combining a Hawaiian overlay on traditional Japanese simplicity.
Honolulu luxury hotel visitors looking to mingle with the rich and famous, look no further than Hoku's. Located in Kahala Hotel, it is one of Honolulu's icons. Tropical fish and trained dolphins swim in this Honolulu hotel’s pools. Rich cuisine combines cross cultural tastes. Of particular interest is the tasting menu offering luxury hotel guests small portions of the restaurant's most famous dishes.
French Rivera atmosphere and top notch service accompany the dishes at La Mer, an AAA Five Diamonds Awarded restaurant. Luxury hotel guests can savor dishes from Monaco enhanced with a touch of Hawaii and the Orient.
Luxury is at every turn in exotic Honolulu. Escape to paradise by planning a Honolulu luxury hotel vacation and be sure to leave the stunning island feeling pampered and rejuvenated.
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