Seeking luxurious eco-lodge anywhere on the islands of Hawaii.

June 2, 2008 2:23 PM

Seeking luxurious eco-lodge anywhere on the islands of Hawaii. My wife and I are considering spending a week on a kind of working vacation (we're finishing a book) to Hawaii. We've only been once before, for a conference in Honolulu.

We're experienced global travellers, and try to avoid masses of tourists and the associated tat and traps. On the other hand, we love the luxury. A couple of our favourite trips include a private game reserve in South Africa (staff to visitor ratio? 3:1) and a palace in Venice. We enjoy hiking, swimming, cycling and general outdoorsy stuff, but also enjoy a fancy tub to clean ourselves in at the end of the day.

So, I'm seeking a posh eco-lodge or small hotel somewhere in Hawaii. It must have reliable Internet access, and should feel like a tranquil retreat. Any suggestions?

posted by dbarefoot to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

If you don't need the service and trappings of a hotel or lodge, there are a lot of high-end vacation rentals on the North Shore of Kauai that could work. Haena, Anini, maybe Hanalei (the latter is probably too crowded for what you want). I'm pretty sure most of the booking companies are happy to gouge their customers by helping set up cleaning and massages and concierge services.

If you're really going for tranquility, even a few blocks inland will get rid of most tourists. I also remember driving by a posh place near Secret Beach that was way out of my budget but looked phenomenal (see here). I never stayed there so I can't vouch for it personally, but it certainly looked fantastic and Secret Beach is nice and not very crowded.
posted by genug at 4:30 PM on June 2, 2008

What does "eco-lodge" mean to you?
posted by decathecting at 4:50 PM on June 2, 2008

To me, eco lodge means a smallish lodging situated in a natural setting, generally surrounded by green space to do activities like hiking, snorkling, biking, birdwatching etc. To pick two random examples, I'd probably stick both Londolozi and Sapo Dorado in this category.
posted by dbarefoot at 5:13 PM on June 2, 2008

@genug: Thanks for that. That does look awesome, but $2250 per night is probably about 8 times too expensive for us.
posted by dbarefoot at 5:14 PM on June 2, 2008

Though I wouldn't call it Eco-lodging the sea-ranch cabins at Hotel Hana-Maui fit all your criteria
posted by Xurando at 7:01 PM on June 2, 2008

Waimea Plantation Cottages on Kauai, get an ocean front room, make sure you call them to specify you want one of the rooms that opens out on to the ocean, there's half a dozen of them.

They have wifi, but if you want some flexibility, rent a couple EVDO/GSM/GPRS laptop connect cards and stay anywhere.
posted by iamabot at 10:12 PM on June 2, 2008

You're looking for secluded, uncrowded, exceptionally luxurious, well-staffed, with wi-fi, and no more than ~$275 a night (don't forget 11.415% tax). Tricky. There are many more choices at your price if you're willing to forego being waited upon hand-and-foot. I would suggest a private cottage rental for best value. North shore of Kaua`i or in/near Volcano on the Big Island are nice.

For example, Nohea is a lovely, foresty cottage in the village of Volcano (just outside Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island), for ~$205 for 3+ nights + tax. But no staff to speak of, although you can easily arrange things with a phone call. Also the Volcano Mist Cottage.

Keep in mind that you don't really have to worry about being "surrounded" by green space for activities - in Hawai`i, nature activities are all around you and never far away.
posted by pandanom at 4:51 PM on June 4, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]