Halekulani

Don’t be mistaken by it’s laid back vibe, Oahu is an unbelievably rich cultural explosion! Every expert on the local scene has got their fair share of favorite places to find amazing art, food, design, fashion, and spots for viewing the vast natural resources; ranging from endangered sea turtles, to stargazing in Waimea Valley.
A fusion of culture, breath-taking sites, and one very cool place to spend a vacation, "the gathering place" as Oahu is known,will make you want to never leave!

Honlulu, the capital of the Hawaiian Islands whcih is on he sooutheastern shore of Oahu beckons beach-lovers, adventurers, surfers, and those in search of the idyllic island life. Honlulu boasts one of the most famous beaches in the world: Waikiki Beach. Here, on any given day the presence of true Hawaiian life occurs simultaneously alongside the mass of visitors that flock to the area. The exceptional Waimea Bay has tantalized surfers for decades with it’s larger-than-life breaks. The waves can soar up to 50 feet from the right winter storms, however the bay is generally smooth, calm, and waveless during the summer months. The East Shore is filled with gorgeous jungles and pristine spots along the coast. The calm waters are perfect for outrigger canoeing, and the freediving is incredible. If you have no fear, have yourself a plunge off “da Big Rock,” which is a massive rock formation that juts into the bay.

While some of the best hotels in Honolulu can promise luxury, striking views, and the warm Hawaiian spirit, the place to stay is Halekulani. With a name that translates as “House Befitting Heaven,” you will feel just that when you enter the lobby. This luxurious, palatial resort spreads across five acres of beachfront splendor. It has been a Waikiki staple for almost 100 years. Nearly a century of exquisite service, benevolent hospitality, and well-appointed décor, it is the embodiment of island luxury. All the while it carries an understated grace, an elegance that speaks for itself, without ever being ostentatious.

If you like to eat, that’s a very good thing in Honlulu. There is an abundance of good food to be found in this city, and from morning til night, you will be a very well-fed vacationer! The Polynesian food is a total staple, and you’ll find tons of places that do it right. In this climate, where the volcanic soil makes for fantastic produce, you will be savoring a whole lot of it. The spot “Town,” is loved for being classically Hawaiian, serving only locally sourced foods, and awesome cocktails in a relaxed setting. The menu is ever changing, so you can always expect something exciting. For breakfast, a fave among surfers is “Café Haleiwa,” where the omelets are unbelievable. No trip to Oahu would be right without a visit to Haleiwa Joe’s. A hipster joint that gets packed nightly, with locals, surfers, and tourists, it features Hawaiian-fusion cuisine, and very elaborate cocktails. Japanese cuisine courtesy of “Nobu” and “Morimoto” add some sophistication, and make excellent use of all the fresh, locally caught seafood, as well as the area’s Japanese heritage.

The Polynesian Cultural Center will deliver a feast for the eyes in everything imaginably Polynesian. You can experience the classic luau, where you will be served poi, kalua pua’a, and poke as you delight in the live entertainment of classic hula dancers and Samoan fire-knife dancing.

A beach-side haven, with luxurious hotels and picturesque sites at every turn, Honlulu is simply paradise, in every sense of the word. You will find local art everywhere, and with surroundings this gorgeous it goes as no surprise that people are continuously inspired here.

Valentine's Day Getaways

The world is filled with seductive spots that will make celebrating Valentine's spectacular. Most certainly you can stay locally, wherever you may be, and book in the most luxurious hotel in your city, for a more laid back, stay-cation type of celebration. If that’s up your alley, be sure to check out our collection of the best hotels in the world. However, if you’re not aiming low-key, and want to really set off the fireworks for the occasion, here are some premier destinations for love. Booking your reservations with us, at any of these properties will ensure an even sweeter Valentine's Day getaway because of our Exclusive Complimentary Perks!

San Francisco is a prime spot for romantic endeavors. There is always plenty to do and see, and there is no end to the extraordinary places to eat. With some incredibly intimate boutique hotels that will definitely up the charm, such as the brilliantly elegant Clift, this town promises an exciting trip for V-Day. Clift manages to capture all of San Francisco’s artistic roots and timeless edginess within a single hotel, with it’s famous design elements orchestrated by the one and only Philippe Starck, and it’s equally impressive collection of modern furniture pieces from the likes of Dali, Marguerite, and William Sawaya.  For the most opulent, brazenly luxurious way to savor the city by the bay, head to the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. The level of service, and the attention to detail will satisfy even the hardest to please. An added bonus is that you really cannot beat those Bay Area sunsets on the coast!

Step into another time and state of mind with your loved one in Edinburgh. There is more than enough history to keep the city magical, with the elegant architecture of castles in the distance. All the while it is a beaming, culturally-rich metropolis offering any modern amenity you could dream of. The Royal Mile is an excellent place to amble down slowly, drinking in the sites. The Balmoral Edinburgh by Rocco Forte is a stylish, five-star hotel that will have you in the city’s hot seat during your entire stay. A leading example of European luxury, a Valentine’s Day spent here will be unforgettable!

The entire nation of France just exudes romance, cliché or not! If you’re looking for cozy, and a destination that makes staying in all the more alluring, the magic of the French Countryside awaits you in Provence. Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Provence, where you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous views of the rolling hills, sip delectable wines, have the opportunity to play golf at one of finest golf courses in France, and enjoy the exceptional spa facilities which are renowned as some of the best in Europe. Make it the perfect Valentine’s Day treat by reserving one of the exclusive VIP couple’s suites at the spa!

With less than a month to plan, get booked, and go, Valentine’s Day is creeping quickly upon us! Have you got your romantic vacation booked yet? 

Aman

Aman Resorts are perfectly placed in select destinations. They are set into idyllic natural surroundings, built with spectacular architecture, and created to ensure guests the most authentic, tranquil vacation imaginable. Maybe even more than you imagined! The idea is quality over quantity, and there are only a select number of rooms per resort. The essence of exclusivity is the foundation of Aman Resorts. The word Aman is Sanskrit for “peace,” and their resorts are the absolute defining essence of it!

Amangiri, in Canyon Point, Utah is a spectacular resort nestled into a valley that gazes out onto the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument. Highly awarded, it is very well known for being one of America’s top destinations for luxurious enjoyment of Utah’s southern desert climate. This resort was made for savoring the pleasure of the natural surroundings, as it was literally built into the landscape. While the structure holds a very commanding presence, it does not overwhelm and is in perfect harmony with the environment, maintaining a very intimate sophistication. The property’s main building is the central Pavilion, and it encompasses a stunning swimming pool on the exterior, which too, was built into the natural stone formations. This may be the resort’s most impressive element, as it’s views are utterly astounding. With a limited number of suites, each showcases the area’s incredible desert views. The Aman Spa at Amangiri is also no stranger to accolades, especially for such features as it’s floatation therapy pavilion, steam room, water pavilion with accompanying sauna, and the cold plunge with the step pool. The additional fitness centre and yoga pavilion also lend to the spirit of therapeutic wellness and serenity!

For nature enthusiasts looking for the finest way to savor all of Yellowstone National Park, you have to stay at the Amangani. Set into the historical landscape, the Yellow Stone resort sits atop a high mountain valley, East Gros Ventre Butte in Jackson Hole. Gazing out from the resort, you will find meadows, the Snake River Valley, and then the spectacular Tetons in the distance. This resort calls to mind the greatness of the American West, with a modern flair. As one of America’s premier destination resorts, Amangani has been awarded numerous times, making Conde Nast’s Gold List more than three times, received recognition in Conde Nast’s Gold List as “Best for Design – North America,” it has been named one of the “Top 30 Small Resorts in the US,” and placed among the “Top 20 United States Hideaways” on Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report in 2011. While the winter season is glorified by the excellent skiing, which Jackson Hole is famous for, throughout the year you can enjoy all of the incredible natural vistas the area holds.

How could you possibly enjoy the untamed, untainted beauty of the British Virgin Islands more than in perfect union with your surroundings? With a stay at Amanyara, on the gorgeous island of Turks and Caicos. This exclusive and exceptionally luxurious resort consists of private villas and pavilions set into the tropical landscape, surrounded by ponds and elegant gardens that have been cultivated within the natural rugged stone of the headlands. Beyond all of this lies the powdery, white sand and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, where some of the best diving in the world can be found. The resort’s swimming pool features exquisite vistas of the ocean, from a sprawling terrace. Amanyara’s spa is also worth noting, as it offers stunning views of a reflection pond, and is surrounded by gorgeous vegetation. Morning outdoor yoga classes are complimentary, and are held every morning in the spa’s yoga sala. Contemporarily classic, refined and peaceful, this is the epitome of paradise.

Aman Resorts may not be widely known but that is definitely not their goal. Their aim is to create luxury in an intimate setting, where personal attention can be a maximum part of the service. This brand wants to be set apart from the crowd of five-star hoteliers, to offer something different, something more along the lines of exclusivity and tranquility, wherever in the world they are located.

Acqualina

Perfectly situated between Miami Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, sits the elegant Acqualina Resort & Spa, Sunny Isles Beach. Miami’s premier ocean resort, out of the way from the frenzied party scene of South Beach, and designed to pamper guests in every possible way; this is how you enjoy Miami in optimal opulence.

A palace that echoes with Mediterranean influences, this resort holds a calming, luxuriant ambiance. With 4.5 sprawling, oceanfront acres and gorgeously landscaped gardens, the resort offers 400 feet of coastline right outside. It is one of the few resorts in all of Miami that can deliver extravagance, serenity, and privacy perfectly executed to such a degree. Innovative as well as tranquil, for families the children’s program based on marine biology will stimulate any child’s need for fun and intelligent stimulation! And booking a reservation through WhataHotel! promises an even greater sense of luxury because we offer Exclusive Complimentary Perks when you reserve with us, which you will not receive through other sites.

To say the status is excellent is kind of an understatement. Countless awards have been bestowed, both from industry leaders, as well as those in the category of “reader’s choice.” When an establishment acquires the AAA Five Diamond award, you know your stay is going to be just that good. Other accolades have been the Travel & Leisure World’s Best Awards 2008, Fodor’s Choice Gold Award 2010, and Andrew Harper’s 2011 Reader’s Choice Award.

After a day spent enjoying the white-sand beach, and the intoxicating warmth of the Miami sunshine, retreat back to the spa for the “Escape From the Beach” treatment, to further induce a state of relaxation. The resort’s glorious spa draws both visitors from all over the area, as well as those who travel there for simply enjoying the spa. ESPA has built a reputation as one of the finest spas in the world, and with their first North American location, they have solidified their presence outside of Europe. This spa is unlike any other, and is designed to take the spa experience to an elevated level. With foundations in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian holistic science, this spa has signature treatments that are as rejuvenating for the body and mind, as they are for the spirit. Different from anything else in Miami, guests are warmly invited to unwind and relax in the ESPA atmosphere with complimentary access to the stunning Crystal Steam Rooms, Experience Showers, Finnish Saunas, and will receive a $40 spa credit for each night that is spent at the resort. The ESPA spa at Acqualina has received a multitude of awards in it’s own right, such as being named one of the Top Spas in the Americas and Caribbean by Conde Nast Traveller, being named “Miami’s Best Day Spa” by Allure Magazine, and placed among the top ten of Spa Finder’s Reader’s Choice Awards.

Offering four different dining options, Acqualina presents sophisticated, yet relaxed cuisine with incomparable settings. The exclusive Costa Grill is open for lunch daily, from 11:00am to 6:00pm, and serves only resort guests, residents, and members. On Friday and Saturday evenings, when the weather permits, beachfront dinners can be enjoyed at this casually serene spot. The renowned Il Mulino New York presents an exquisite new location here in Miami, from the New York landmark restaurant. Formal, yet vibrant and exciting, you can savor the best of New York’s Italian legacy indulgently in the tropics. For an intimate dinner, how about being served on the beach at a private, candlelit setting, with cuisine from Il Mulino?

Here you can find more of the best hotels in Miami.