Resort at a Glance: Royal Kona Resort

Royal Kona Resort gives vacationers a true Hawaiian experience from the moment they arrive. Ocean breezes waft into the open-air lobby; upstairs, junior suites boast views of Kailua Bay from private lanais. Four nights a week, guests enjoy an all-you-can-eat Hawaiian buffet at a traditional luau, complete with roast pig, mai tais, and Samoan fire-knife dancing.

• Take a swim in the resort’s private lagoon or the oceanfront pool.
• Dine at sunset by the light of tiki torches at Don the Beachcomber, a restaurant on the water’s edge.
• Don’s Mai Tai Bar lives up to its name, serving 10 different mai tais plus other Hawaiian specialties.
• Pamper yourself with a fresh new do at the salon before getting a full-body massage at the spa.
• Work on your backhand on one of the four lighted tennis courts.
• Walk to shops and restaurants in the nearby village of Kailua-Kona.
• Enjoy the breakfast buffet each morning; breakfast for two is included.

Hawai’i Island, Hawaii: Snorkel, Sunbathe, or Summit on The Big Island

Not to be confused with the state as a whole, Hawai’i Island is known to locals as “the Big Island.” And it is big—at least compared with the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, which, taken together, are still smaller than Hawai’i. Its relative largeness allows it to have a little something for everyone. In fact, most of the world’s climate zones can be found one part of the island or another, from humid tropics to tundra (yes, tundra).

This being Hawaii, the beaches are a big draw: sunbathers lay their towels on the white-sand shores of Kua Bay, and Waialea Bay is a favorite spot among snorkelers. Toward the center of the island, the snowy summit of Manua Kea looms over the forests and towns below. Standing at over 13,000 feet, it’s the highest point in all of Hawaii as well as one of the most popular (and challenging) hikes. In the north, the gorgeous Waipi’o Valley contains the dramatic Hi’ilawe waterfall. It’s also a designated place for the sacred cultivation of taro and poi, Hawaiian food staples that are essential to the local identity. The valley isn’t open to the public, but you can take in stunning views of it while hiking the King’s Trail.

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