Everybody has a secret place they don't want to share with anyone else--they say the person who finds Paradise will make sure no one else can find it. I believe we all find our faves some time in life and I'm happy as an ex rock 'n' roll tour manager who travelled the world and now a travel writer, to hip you to great locales and hidden treasures. So here they are and they will be added to and updated with regularity.
Kona, Hawaii is a great location to base on the Big Island. I've been there close to a hundred times and have stayed from days on short scuba dive breaks to months on long layabout holidays. It's a great little town, a short hop to the best beaches in the world, only a few hours to the world's only active 'drive-thru' volcano which has been mildly erupting for 25 years and is at the base of the cool Waimea high country where paniolo cowboys roam and wonderful roads wind through an exotic island. The best travel book for the Big Island (all islands for that matter) is from these folks http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html whose site also has an incredible set of links to the whole island at http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/biglinks.html. You'll find articles by me that include Kona at http://www.philtripp.com/travel_writing.php and in the Sunday Telegraph here http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22684027-5013411,00.html
WHERE TO STAY
You have a range of choices from great condos on the water and up the cooler hills, resorts galore on the North Shore and even a few cheap and cheerful hotels in town like the King Kamehameha or Kona Seaside. The Wizard folk have a great aerial guide to them at www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigresort.html.
But here are the ones I recommend.
Casa D'Emdeko Condos on Alii Drive
This is where we spend most of our time on island when we want to be close to town on Alii Drive oceanside. It's a 15 minute walk, five minute easy bike ride and has free parking, great barbecues right on the water, salt and fresh water pools neat units and a faux beach in front of the lava rocks that shield you from the pounding surf. Sunsets are superb here and there is a bar/party area as well as outdoor tables for dining by the barbies. We use Sunquest Hawaii for our rentals when we don't connect directly with the owners we know. Their site is at www.sunquest-hawaii.com/Condos/Casa_De/casa_de.html and there are full photos of each unit as well as a handy calendar and video views.
Kona Village Resort Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, Kailua-Kona 367 5290 www.konavillage.com
About 15 miles out of Kona, this the most laid back and luscious place to go to get away from town located halfway between Kona and the Kohala Coast where the resorts are. Kids are strongly discouraged in May and September when they are charged full rate! I like that. Though it now has other superluxe resorts on the lava fields around it, it's still private, spirited and unique.
The place is laid out so each hut is private and they are scattered across 85 acres with only 125 units. There are lavish bungalows and plush duplexes. No phones, no TV and no radios encourage you to disconnect, but they do have free wi-fi in the concierge office. The beach is perfect and there is a broad range of activities.
The food there is fabulous and included in some package rates. They have a daily lunch buffet that 'outsiders' can come to by reservation and going through a security checkpoint that keeps out the riff raff.
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa 78-128 Ehukai St, Kona Keauhou 930 4900 www.sheratonkeauhou.com
It sits a few miles outside of town at the end of Alii Drive, is home to an incredible nighttime display of manta rays and is a relaxing place to nest that's not too over the top. There are trams into the town and a small harbour nearby where you can take boats out for snorkelling or diving cruises in the Fair Wind mid-range and Hula Kai luxe boat. www.fair-wind.com
30 miles North is the Waikoloa resort complex with every premium brand but just a little further is a better, less-crowded option at the most beautiful beach in America.
Mauna Kea Resort 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr Kohala Coast 882 6000 www.maunakearesort.com
Recently closed due to an earthquake which spurred major renovations, it's the grande dame on the white sands of Hapuna Beach with a wonderful all-you-can-eat lobster and seafood buffet on the sands with band Saturday nights. A beautiful location, immense lobby looking out on the ocean and great restaurants inhouse. Rooms are huge and the trade winds are cooling. It's reopening in late 2008 and was the first and still the best beachside hotel in this area, opened by John d. Rockefeller in the 60s. Divine.
Hapuna Prince 62-100 Kaunaoa Dr Kohala Coast 880 1111 www.princeresortshawaii.com/hapuna-beach-prince-hotel.php
Right next to the Mauna Kea, this property appeals to the golf freak as does its sister hotel and also to the Japanese clientele who delight in dressing up. It sits a bit up on the hill and the columns of palm trees that stretch up towards Mauna Kea are my favourite screensaver and wallpaper on my computer. We were 'stuck' here during 9/11 when all flights were cancelled for days and couldn't have been happier to be stranded. Super people, super location.
RESTAURANTS
Five best meals in Kona
Keei Cafe--Mamalohoa Highway 11 133 Mile Marker, Captain Cook, HI 96704 808 328 8451 Mediterranean, Brazilian and Island styles with seafood as the centrepiece and great wine list.
Kenichi Pacific-- Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona HI 96740 808/322-6400 World class sushi and Pacific Rim Fusion cuisine with an impressive range of sake.
Kona Brewing Company--75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 www.konabrewingco.com 808 334 2739 Indoor/outdoor beer pub with outstanding pizza made from spent wheat from microbrewery on premises featuring five bottled and six draft specialties.
Killer Tacos--74-5483 Kaiwi St Ste 145, Kailua-Kona HI 96740 (808) 329-3335 Superfresh and cheap tacos and burritos with fish, kalua pig, chicken beef or bean fillings in a lino and melamine room with limited seating.
Aloha Angel in the Aloha Theatre--79-7384 Mamalahoa Hwy Kainaliu, HI 96750 www.alohatheatre.com (808) 322-3383 Indoor or outdoor patio dining for breakfast & lunch with views of the ocean, incredible egg and pancake dishes plus baked treats.
And two up the road
Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi 889-5555 Believe me this is worth the trip. Their satay potstickers, fish dishes, ribs, smoked pork and cabbage, desserts and especially their lilikoi (passionfruit) margaritas keep bringing us back.
Merrimans Opelu Plaza, Hwy. 19, Waimea 885 6822 in the upcountry cowboy town is a gourmand's slice of Heaven with Hawaiian fusion cooking including a Sashimi Caesar Salad with corn and shrimp fritters or their sauteed, sesame-crusted fresh catch with lilikoi sauce.
Plus, the 'don't miss' lunch place in Waimea that recently moved.
Maha's at 65-1148 Mamalahoa Highway 889-5755 has been a hideaway with delectable lunch only dishes from cracklng fresh salads to unique sandwiches and outstanding desserts. Family style, it's my fave lunch spot.
Also worth considering are
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill
75-5995 Kuakini Hwy 327-0209
Huli Sue's
64-957 Mamalahoa Hwy 885-2772
Habaneros Mexican, Keauhou Shopping Center, 324 HOTT
Teshimas Japanese, 79-7251 Mamalahoa Hwy Kealakekua 322-9140
Big Island Grill 75-5702 Kuakini Hwy 326 1153
Kona is Coffee Country with an annual festival in November and an incredible range of small farms selling their own beans. There are tours as well as tastings and these are five faves.
Kona Joe 79-7346 Mamalahoa Hwy Kealakekua, HI 96750 www.konajoe.com 808-322-210Kona
Blue Sky Hualalai Rd & Route 180, Holualoa HI 96725 www.konablueskycoffee.com 877 322 1700
Holualoa Kona Coffee Co. 77-6261 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa HI 96725 www.konalea.com 808 322 9937
Greenwell Farms Highway 11 Kealkekua HI 96750 www.greenwellfarms.com 808 323 2862
Mountain Thunder 73-1944 Hao St., Kaloko HI 96740 www.mountainthunder.com 808 325 2136
As a scuba fanatic for over 10 years (I started late) I prefer Jacks Diving Locker http://www.jacksdivinglocker.com as the sort of operation that is friendly, efficient, safe and somewhat pampering.
Their two tank morning dives are tops and they do Manta ray night dives http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1vB43_fHOA and even a blackwater pelagic magic trip. Great video on that http://www.jacksdivinglocker.com/charters2/PelagicMagic.htm
Another more homestyle operator I love in Kona is the family-run Torpedo Tours http://www.torpedotours.com/ 938 0405 which takes you out to places the other commercial boats don't go and equips you with underwater motor scooters called torpedos which can be used by divers and snorkelers alike to zip around the reefs. And if you're lucky, the skipper will catch a mahi mahi or tuna as happened with us and split it! Mmmm fresh sashimi...
This is the ultimate guide to local diving on the Big Island
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/ddresie/ with top FAQs on why Kona is the best diving locale.
Local snorkeling at Place of Refuge http://www.hawaiiscubadiving.com/hawaii/dive-sites/place-of-refuge.html is tops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAWJKYqK5MY
We love it for the fact that you can guarantee turtles on every dive, it's easy in and out even with tanks and a wonderful protect clear bay for marvellous times.
Hawaii Forest & Trail is your extreme sport connection http://www.hawaii-forest.com/index.asp with everything from waterfall hikes, bird watching treks, a military tank tread vehicle ride and much more.
All these activities may wear you out. Massage is the answer and we have a top lass for all styles of therapeutic massage. Touch of Heaven Massage's Sherry is our girl right in town, 937-2711 and 329-1560 75-5782 Kuakini Hwy # 3b alohasherry@mail.com It's actually in the Kona Alii Condos ground floor on Alii Drive, right next to Lava Java which is a nice coffe shop and bakery on the bay. Not to be missed but book in advance.
There are so many things to do and places to go on the Big Island. My short list for first timers is head to Hilo, spend a couple of days there but up in Volcano Village where it's cool and close to the Volcano National Park. Take a helicopter ride over the craters, drive the scenic coast route to the Botanical Gardens just north of town (and have a smoothie at What's Shakin a mile further!), head to Pahoa and the hot lava pools on the coast or do a one day circumnavigation of the Island down to Hilo lunch at Cafe Pesto in town), up to Waimea on the Saddle Road and dinner in Hawi before collapsing!
My second favourite island in the chain and where I got married just days before the Hurrican Iniki struck a bit over 15 years ago. I'll have a lot more here shortly. In the interim, check out http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mauaerials.html and my article on Maui and the Big Island from the Sunday Telegrpaph's 'Follow The Sun' special at http://www.philtripp.com/images/escape_hawaii1.jpg and http://www.philtripp.com/images/escape_hawaii2.jpg
Amsterdam--coming soon
New Orleans--coming soon
San Francisco--coming soon
Sedona--coming soon
Atlanta--coming soon
Savannah--coming soon
Charleston--coming soon
Miami--coming soon
Austin--coming soon
Phoenix--coming soon
French Riviera--coming soon
Las Vegas--coming soon
Switzerland--coming soon
Florida Keys--coming soon
And more to come