island nomad

luana spa retreat

a few years ago i read a very evocative story in the newspaper about living in a yurt (the article is long gone but you can read this one to get a sense of what it is like). the coziness of the round structure and the thought of gazing at the stars through the skylight completely captured my imagination. sigh.

lucky me, it turns out there are a handful of yurt vacation rentals around the islands! the luana spa retreat in hana has a yurt located on its property with a panoramic view of hana bay. it sounds like a romantic getaway especially when you consider that there is a separate bath house (complete with outdoor shower) and that you can indulge in a massage at the spa which is just steps from your hideaway.

click here to read the reviews on tripadvisor before you go.

there is also this fabulous yurt nestled on the grounds of the kona kine coffee farm on the big island. it is luxed out with all the modern amenities you could want and features a wraparound deck with views of the pacific and nature as far as the eye can see. take a peek at the photo gallery for a little tour.

kona yurt

there is a three night minimum so do double check your dates on the availability calendar, but that just means you will have more time to lounge on the deck and soak up the view while you enjoy the complimentary organic coffee grown by the yurt's owner.

monkeypod treehouse

the big island seems to have become a haven for fans of modern architecture. case in point, the fabulous monkeypod treehouse located in the puna district. if you're seeking privacy, this looks like a wonderful and luxurious retreat stocked with modern furnishings and features a screened living room, 500 foot deck & an outdoor shower.

if space is an issue, there are 2 master bedrooms so there is plenty of room to invite family or friends to join you on your island getaway. and, after a day spent exploring the nearby beaches and lava fields, your body will appreciate the memory foam beds and 500 thread count sheets when slumberland comes a calling.

rates range from $125 a night in the low season to $175 during the holidays.

get away to turtle bay

i have nothing but fond memories of time spent on the north shore when i was growing up. as much as i love the hustle & bustle of waikiki and its mix of people from all over the world it's impossible to resist the soul of the north shore.

if you're looking to escape for a few days, save the plane fare and head up to turtle bay to relax in one of their ocean view rooms:

• rate: from $199 a night (exclusives promotion)
• book it: by thu, nov 16th
• blackout: oct 26th & 27th

for those of you who love the north shore because it is the antithesis of waikiki, you should be aware of the controversy brewing over the new owners' attempts at expanding the property. click over to keep the north shore country to learn more about what's happening and how you can help.

aqua waikiki wave

on our last trip home, we considered staying in waikiki for a night until hotel sticker shock nudged us back to hale ohana. my inner circle knows that the w hotel is more my style (if not always in my budget) but even after attempting to find more reasonably priced accomodations that wouldn't creep me out via priceline, i abandoned my search and opted to take a day trip to kaua'i instead.

we may have carried on with our waikiki plans had i known that the aqua waikiki wave (formerly the aston coral reef) was undergoing renovations to transform itself into a modern boutique hotel. the updated rooms feature a flat screen television, dvd player, stainless steel mini-fridge & microwave making the rate (as low as $109 a night) a downright bargain considering the hotel's central location on kuhio behind the international marketplace.

recent tripadvisor reviews have been positive although do keep in mind that a few amenities like free wi-fi (sweet!) are not available yet and the spa & fitness center won't be ready until the end of december.

honokaa hideaway

for those of you thinking of heading to the big island with the latest airfare deal, avoid the overpriced, tourist-filled resorts and go explore one of my favorite places on earth: the hamakua coast. the proprietors of waianuhea offer all the comforts you would expect from a small b+b inn like homemade breakfasts and afternoon wine tastings, but non-luddites will appreciate rooms stocked with modern luxuries like dvd players and lcd tvs.

the inn is also off the grid, powered solely by solar panels, so you know that you are treading lightly while visiting one of the most beautiful spots in the islands. the reviews over at tripadvisor are stellar and, more importantly, the tex drive-in is down the road which means the best malasadas on the island are just minutes away.

beat that waikoloa!