As you step aboard the plane for the 10-hour flight to the Hawaiian islands, you’ll feel a sense of calm. Once landed, the friendly ‘aloha’ and lush flower lei welcome you to paradise!

Magical Maui
He’d been all over the world but the great aviator Charles Lindbergh once said: ‘I’d rather spend two days in Maui than months anywhere else.’ And it’s easy to see why.

Sitting by the pool at the Westin Maui surrounded by swaying palm trees and lulled by the sound of cascading waterfalls, it’s safe to say there’s no other place I’d rather be.

A day by the pool will only be interrupted by a lomi lomi massage – lomi being the Hawaiian word for rub – a rhythmic massage designed to invigorate and inspire. At dusk, we’ll take a stroll along Ka’anapali Beach with tiki torches lighting the way. Perhaps I’ll try my hand at hula dancing or attend a lei making class before enjoying a Polynesian luau feast and a Mai Tai cocktail. Heaven!

The kids will love it
The resort is perfect for children – they’ll love the 36-metre water slide! Every day, there are wet and wild slide races to take part in and the Westin Kids Club holds an assortment of activities led by the Director of Fun. Kids will love learning about Hawaiian culture and traditions, and playing the PlayStation game Rock Band!

Kids favourites include Star Gazing & Hawaiian Smores and Dive-in Movies, both offered by the pool deck area. There’s also the daily feeding frenzy of the koi fish and five swimming pools to frolic in – all supervised, of course.



Take a dive or take a hike
The whole family will enjoy snorkelling at one of America’s top beaches or you can head out on a catamaran and go on a snorkel trip. You can explore Black Rock, Waukea-Makena Beach and the reefs south of Lahaina. Or you can combine snorkelling with hiking at the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve at La Perouse Bay. For those who wish to explore deeper depths, scuba diving is available.

Top Maui Eats for Under $15

• CJ’s Deli & Diner If an Angus beef, caramelised Maui onions, cheese and bacon burger makes your mouth water, head to CJ’s for the best burger on the island. Locals and tourists flock here. Visit www.cjsmaui.com.

• Westin Maui’s ’Ono Bar & Grill. At ’OnO, kids eat free with each paying adult. Situated poolside, this tropical bistro offers an array of delights from breakfast to dinner. Try the quesadillas – they’re delicious!

• Westin Maui’s Moonlight Lounge Feast on pupus, or Hawaiian canapes, and enjoy a cocktail on the outdoor pool deck under the stars at the Moonlight Lounge.

While in Maui

• Take a drive up Haleakala, the dormant volcano that rises more than 3000 metres above sea level. The best time to visit is at sunrise and have your camera ready.

• Swing the clubs at one of the two nearby 18-hole championship golf courses.

• The fascinating Whalers Village Museum is a short walk from the Westin Maui.

• Head to lush Hana by taking Highway 360 to the least developed parts on the island.

• Take the Sugar Cane Train ride that crosses a 99-metre curved wooden trestle.

Awesome Oahu
They call The Royal Hawaiian hotel on Oahu the Pink Palace of the Pacific. First opened in 1927, the coral pink Spanish Moorish-inspired building stands out along Waikiki Beach. The hotel has long been the hotel of choice for the rich and famous. You can imagine all the great visitors – from the Rockefellers to the Beatles, as well as Hollywood luminaries such as Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood and Dean Martin – sitting at the world-famous Mai Tai Bar with cocktail in hand, enjoying the delicious scent of frangipanis blown in by the breeze.

Life’s a beach
The hotel has been given a new lease of life with a multimillion-dollar refurbishment. Modern facilities blend well with old world charm and elegance. The lobby and common spaces open out to a tremendous view of the ocean and Diamond Head.

Head to the beachside bar for what is said to be the best sunset views in Hawaii. During the day, book yourself a private cabana on the beach. Your every whim will be attended to by a cadre of staff. The only thing you’ll need to worry about is how you can ever leave!

Pamper yourself
The new Abhasa Waikiki Spa offers luxurious massages, wraps and other treatments in a tropical garden oasis. Yoga and pilates classes are also available. Pampering and indulgence sit comfortably alongside spectacular service at Hawaii’s first luxury resort, making The Royal Hawaiian a once-in-a-lifetime idyllic escape.