I always knew I wanted to visit Hawaii on my honeymoon. When I was a little girl, I’d beg my parents to make a detour at the airport, instead of wherever we were going. Twenty years later, I know it was well worth the wait.
My husband, Jason, and I left for our trip of a lifetime mere hours after cutting the cake so we could wake up in paradise. For two weeks, we did just that and had a bonanza of "pinch me" moments: helicoptering around the Jurassic Park waterfall, sunset-watching on the lanai (balcony) and consuming our weight in fish tacos and fruity cocktails. In a word: heaven.
Photo courtesy of The St. Regis Princeville Resort
Kauai: Ultimate Relaxation
After months of wedding planning we needed R&R with no set itinerary. We heard that Kauai is perfect for shaka (relaxing), so we booked into the St. Regis Princeville, overlooking Hanalei Bay. Rooms have contemporary Hawaiian decor and peekaboo showers — with a flick of a switch they become clear or opaque for privacy. The resort is an oasis of absolute relaxation and we relished every moment to do so. Here, even normal activities like lounging by the pool felt like an elevated experience. It’s no wonder it’s a favorite retreat of George Clooney! (room rates start at $1,200 a night and include breakfast; stregisprinceville.com).
Photos courtesy of The St. Regis Princeville Resort
Up in the Air
On a helicopter ride, we soared above the Napali Coast, a 17-mile stretch of cliffs, waterfalls and lava tubes on the northwest shore. Our pilot shared the history of the verdant island and Hawaiian culture as we soared and dropped hundreds of feet in dizzying succession over Waimea Canyon. The ride was more daring than we anticipated — I gripped Jason’s sunburned arms so tightly they turned white — but it was a trip highlight.
Photo Credit: Stefania Sainato
Photo Credit: Stefania Sainato
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui
By the Shore
Beach bums like me are in their glory with Kauai’s more than 80 strands. We especially loved Hideaway Beach near the hotel. Getting there was an adventure: Using ropes, we hiked to a glittering cove with peaceful solitude — it was like being in a screen saver! We also went to nearby Pu’u Po’a Beach. Its offshore reef and calm waters are perfect for snorkeling.
Photo Credit: Stefania Sainato
Travel Tip: Factor a resort fee into the total cost of your stay (most hotels charge between $25 - $65 per night).
Next: Where to honeymoon in Maui ►
Maui Adventures
After all of our indulgent shaka, we were ready for more adventure on Maui. We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea on the south coast. This resort is aloha (living in harmony) personified with a two-to-one guest to hotel staff ratio. One pampering perk: The pool’s hourly surprises — everything from popsicles to "shots" of aloe vera cream to Evian spritzes. The adults-only Serenity Pool features cabanas with their own TVs and an Instagram-ready view of Haleakala, Maui’s largest dormant volcano. Go in the fall for couples season promos like beer tastings, trunk shows and cooking classes (room rates start at $499 a night; fourseasons.com).
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui
Ride the Wave
Outrigger canoes first came to Hawaii 2,000 years ago, when the Polynesians sailed to the islands in search of land. These vessels are still used for transportation and fishing, but their primary function now is leisure (outrigger canoe racing is the state’s official sport). We took the resort’s outrigger canoe classes. And we tried stand-up paddleboarding. We soon learned it requires intense core strength and balance. Once I was able to stand up without wiping out, I figured out how to move the board over the waves.
Photo Credit: Stefania Sainato
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui
House of the Sun
Legend says the demigod Maui pulled the Hawaiian Islands from the sea and lassoed the sun atop the highest peak, Haleakala. The ancient Hawaiians revered it as a spiritual place. Today, more than 1.3 million visitors watch the sun rise from the rim. We drove to the dormant volcano at 3 a.m. After a series of hairpin turns through cumulus clouds, we reached the top. I will never forget peering down into the crater and watching the sun rise beyond. It seemed close enough to cup in our hands.
Last Supper
A marquee event was the 12-course tasting menu at Spago Maui, Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant at the Four Seasons. We savored Hawaiian delights — tuna poke in sesame cones and whole-roasted local fish — and hallmark Puck dishes, such as Wagyu beef with quail eggs. Just when we couldn’t fit one more bite, out came chocolate lava cakes topped with macadamia nut ice cream — we were goners.