Zen Tranquility Amid Beachfront Tropics

Sandwiched between the Diamond Head volcano's enormous crater and the palm-dappled shoreline of Sans Souci Beach on the island of Oahu, The Lotus at Diamond Head cossets sun seekers within a peaceful, secluded oasis a short walk from Waikiki's main strip. The gentle concave sweep of Mamala Bay rolls elongated waves through a shallow, turquoise basin, making the beachfront a long-boarding wonderland long preferred by Hawaiian royalty. Surf spray mists the complimentary lounge chairs and towels in a private beach alcove, and down a short walking path, the oceanfront at Sans Souci State Park stitches endless ripples of lacy froth onto Oceana's prom dress.

Carved wood embellishments, folding window screens, and colorful floral arrangements unfold in the hotel's hushed interior. Within 51 expansive guest rooms sprinkled sparingly across 12 floors, spotless white linens blindfold goose-down bedding for off-hours games of pin the tail on the TV. Elegant blond wood furniture balances subtle, Asian-inspired decorative touches, such as floral prints hugged by oversize mats and geometric wall insets reminiscent of shoji sliding doors. Open-air lanai-style patios stretch the 455-square-foot rooms for even closer views of the hulking volcano and glittering ocean. Nearly 300 feet away, two restaurants sequestered within an adjacent hotel welcome guests from The Lotus at Diamond Head with charge-to-room service, with offerings of Asian-inspired alfresco fare beneath a huge, labyrinthine hau tree at Hau Tree Lanai and a menu of traditional Japanese cuisine served by kimonoed waitresses at Miyako.

Natural Oceanside Splendor Along Hopping Waikiki Beach

Oahu's southeast hand cradles a bevy of lush parks and sun-soaked beaches, cushioned in a quiet pocket just outside Waikiki shopping, dining, and nightlife. The Diamond Head crater towers over landscapes in every direction, gazing down upon Sans Souci, Diamond Head, and Waikiki shorelines like a grandfather mystified by tiny progeny. Hips revolve around sun rays in hula performances across Waikiki beach, and surfing sensations and spar-stabilized outrigger canoes splash through salty currents. Alternately, trekking an hour or longer across the island to the eye-piercing cerulean beaches of the north shore sequesters sandy toes in near solitude, except during November and December, when wave whisperers take over for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Within the verdant Kapi'olani Park, agile limbs dash across soccer, softball, and tennis courts, and in the park's enclosed Honolulu Zoo, creatures from hippos to kinkajous reenact contentious congressional sessions.

Bereft human mannequins and grumbling bellies both find solace at local shopping hubs, from haute couture designers and fine dining at the outdoor Ala Moana Center to gift vendors, steel-drum performances, and street fare at the banyan-shaded International Market Place. After-hours hotspots light up Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki, and a short drive to Chinatown in downtown Honolulu unmasks lofted and underground dance bashes. Oahu's monarchic past and proud surfing history come to light through the spun-marzipan columns of the royal 'Iolani Palace, the educational markers along the Waikiki Historic Trail, and the remains of ancient heiau temples dotting the landscape.