Dine
among the Orchids at Halekulani on Oahu
On the
bright side in travel, an economy
downturn often means greatly reduced rates at posh
resorts and
hotels you may have only dreamed of staying. Now is your chance to
taste life as
lived by the rich and famous.
Set on a former
coffee estate, Strawberry Hill’s twelve
airy cottages hover high in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, overlooking Kingston and the Caribbean Sea . Enjoy an elegant suite with
private balcony, the finest cuisine, a consultation and nature massage
in the Living Spa, plus
free
use of sauna, plunge pool and yoga shala. The spa’s new Living Lounge
houses a
private
wine bar exclusive to hotel guests and spa clients. A 60-foot
negative-edge
swimming pool, nature trails, bird-watching, and mountain bike rides
highlight this fertile region’s natural beauty. www.islandoutpost.com
Royal Hawaiian Hotel. After a complete renovation to this pink Waikiki landmark, the 1927 re-opening package honoring
the
original opening year has been extended. Four
nights’ minimum stay
in a Royal Grove suite
costs $1,327 through June 1, 2010.
Included is
dinner for two at Azure; two Mai Tais
at the
world famous Mai Tai Bar; exclusive Royal Hawaiian gift. A
multi-level shopping arcade contains everything from designer clothes
and
puki shell jewelry to slack guitar music and lei making classes. www.royal-hawaiian.com
At The Venetian Resort Hotel
Casino, an outstanding all-suite Italian
showcase, the
lobby's lavishly painted ceilings and sparkling chandeliers are works
of art. Romantic Italy bursts forth at Grand Canal
Shoppes, on popular gondola rides, and ornate Doge’s Palace Casino. A
Venetian
Luxury Suite by the private Venetian Garden pool deck now costs $149 per night. www.venetian.com
Encore, Steve Wynn’s latest dazzler, presents an
ornate
entrance, tall towers, numerous restaurants, 5
pools and glass-roofed gardens. Sip drinks at Botero under the
'floating bar.' Then hit the dance floor extending to a cascading
waterfall. Resort Suites now $169 p/night with a $75 resort
credit. www.encorelasvegas.com
