My First Trip to Hawaii – Oahu (Part II)
Thank you to everyone who read the first episode of my trip to Hawaii and commented on social media! If you missed the first part, this trip started in Maui before I flew to Honolulu, the vibrant capital of the Aloha State, located on Oahu Island.
Oahu named “The Gathering Place” embraces the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population. The island was part of my itinerary because of its contrast between tradition and modernity which makes Oahu so special! As soon as you arrive in Oahu, you instantly notice the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures thanks to the architecture, the culinary scene, and the diverse range of events happening on the island.
I only spent 3 days in Oahu to celebrate my birthday and I could not have dreamt of experiencing the island a better way. As a birthday gift, I was generously accommodated for 2 nights in a luxury suite at Trump International Hotel Waikiki. Located near the heart of Waikiki’s vibrant entertainment, shopping and dining scene; Trump Hotel Waikiki is the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel on the island of Oahu awarded for the third year in a row. If you love fashion, you won’t get lost since the hotel is close to the famous Luxury Row, the International Marketplace, and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
I arrived at the hotel a few hours before the check-in, which allowed me to enjoy a lunch at Wai’olu Ocean Cuisine open-air restaurant located on the 6th-floor lobby level. Wai’olu Ocean Cuisine features a new seafood menu but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the restaurant also had a vegetarian menu with a lot of vegan choices. From the vegetarian menu, I ordered the sushi, the spring rolls, and the edamame hummus. In need of a sweet and refreshing drink, I paired my meal with the Ilikea’s Mai Tai cocktail, which was awarded the world’s best Mai Tai.
The spring rolls were delightful, they tasted crispy and savory! Of course, hotel dining options include also a lavish international breakfast buffet and a la carte breakfast menu at In-Yo Café, and the BLT Steak Restaurant for meat lovers. That being said, for those in need of intimacy, note that a 24-hour room service and in-suite private hotel chef is available upon request.
After this delicious lunch, I stepped foot inside my spacious and residential-style one bedroom suite that features ultra-luxurious accommodations including floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive views of the coastline, fully equipped gourmet kitchen with premium appliances, spacious Italian white marble bathroom with deep soaking tubs, and a washer-dryer unit.
Let me tell you that this suite surpassed my expectations; I enjoyed the convenience and comfort of home with five-star hotel services. Moreover, going to Waikiki Beach took me less than 2 minutes and I was provided with an insulated Trump beach bag, a towel, bottled water, and fresh fruits. I had also the option to rent a beach chair and an umbrella to make the best of my time on Waikiki Beach. I finished up the day enjoying the fireworks show happening each Friday evening in Waikiki Beach.
On Saturday, I drove to the windward side of Oahu in Kaneohe to explore Ho’omaluhia, one of the five Honolulu Botanical Gardens. Planted with rainforest trees and shrubs from Asia, South America, and Africa; Ho’omaluhia is an impressive botanical garden rightfully named “a peaceful refuge”. Many of the plants are endangered and rare so it is our duty to adopt a responsible behavior when visiting the garden.
The majestic Ko’olau Mountain backdrop, acres of greenery, and the lake create a wonderful setting for outdoor activities and enjoyment at Ho’omaluhia. The facilities include picnic areas, walking paths, campsites, and even an art gallery. To make the most of your visit, come prepared with walking shoes, insect repellent, and rain gear. Rain showers are frequent at Ho’omaluhia even if I was very lucky on that day wearing a mini dress and flip-flops!
From Ho’omaluhia, you are 20 minutes away from the paradisiac Lanikai Beach. The big challenge when you arrive there is to find a place to park, especially during the weekend. If you go early in the morning, you will find free spaces at Kailua Beach Park parking located on Kawailoa Road few blocs before you reach Lanikai Beach. Otherwise, you can park in the residential area on Aalapapa Drive but you have to carefully read the parking signs to avoid any bad surprise.
On my way back to Honolulu, I went to the renowned Diamond Head, which offers a panoramic view of the city. Hiking Diamond Head to the top of the crater is a fun activity to do while observing birds such as cardinals, doves, and sparrows. Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for a safe and leisurely round-trip hike. Take note that portions of the trail involve steep stairways so no need to rush!
A hat, sunscreen and plenty of water are recommended because the weather is always hot there. That being said, there is a food truck at the park entrance serving pineapple juice and snacks, which is your last chance to refill if needed.
On Sunday, I enjoyed a healthy breakfast in bed, went to the Fitness Center, and swam at the Infinity Pool featuring a large deck and a hot tub overlooking the coastline and Fort DeRussy. It was pleasant to take this time to relax before catching my flight back to Canada.
Trump Hotel Waikiki has many vacation package offered for couples and families to enjoy a regular guest room with kitchenettes, two or three-bedroom suite, including complimentary WiFi, no resort fees, and twice daily housekeeping service. Visit the Trump Hotel Waikiki website to find the best deal for you and have a wonderful stay in Honolulu 🙂
