3 minute read
Girls just want to fun.
Our home base in Hawaii was the shopping mecca and world-famous sands of Waikiki Beach. It’s the ultimate playground for a girls’ trip, mixing Pacific island beauty and a vibrant cosmopolitan centre with world-class entertainment options around every corner. In a nutshell, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Waikiki catered to our every wish. Delicious cuisine, luscious cocktails, sunsets to die for, weather that had us lying pool and ocean-side for hours on end, and our personal favourite, shopping! All these ingredients made for an unforgettable vacation experience. In fact you’re bound to be planning your next trip back on the plane ride home.
Shop and shop some more
Ala Moana Shopping Centre - A great place to start your shopping journey, especially when the sun is shining is Ala Moana, the world’s largest open-air shopping centre with (get this) over 350 stores. Luxury brands like Chanel sit side-by-side Gucci and Tiffany & Co. You’ll find Banana Republic, Coach plus big-name department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. Our personal favourite was Nordstrom - the range and pricing options were amazing.
Ala Moana Centre - open air retail paradise
Ross Dress For Less - If you liking hunting through rack upon rack of clothing, this is the place to go to. It is bursting at the seams with clothing, shoes and more. We picked up an amazing bargain or two here. Well worth a fossick.
Island activities
Holokai Catamaran – Friday Night Fireworks Cruise No girls’ trip is complete without the wonder of a night-time cruise on a catamaran. The 60-minute voyage operates on a Friday night and offers a free open bar and on-board music. The grand finale is the stunning fireworks display operated by the Hilton Hawaiian Village that explode in colour while you enjoy the best seats in the house. The guava cocktail was a huge hit and had us all dancing on the deck.
Moniz Family Surf School - Hawaii is the spiritual home of surfing, so what better place to ride your first wave! A surfing lesson was in order, so we hooked up with the Moniz Family Surf School, owned by well-known local surfers Tony and Tammy Moniz.
Surf's up on Waikiki
Wining and dining
Roy’s Waikiki - An evening dining at Roy’s Waikiki was an absolute pleasure. Chef Roy Yamaguchi takes the freshest local ingredients and mixes them with bold Asian flavours to create “Hawaii-inspired Euro-Asian cuisine”. We enjoyed mouth-watering sashimi, tetsuyaki served on a hot plate and Hawaiian-style crab cakes. The pineapple and lime martinis were also our pick of the stay.
Island Vintage Coffee - If you need a coffee fix, this place is a must. In fact we made more then one visit. The café offers great coffee and a wide selection of breakfast and brunch cuisine. A personal favourite was the veggie bagel loaded with fresh avocado, pesto and sunflower seeds served on a fresh bagel, or the acai bowl featuring fresh fruit, granola and island honey. They also offer a variety of egg and sandwich options. Be prepared to queue, though, as this place is very popular. But the wait is worth it.
Where to stay
Moana Surfrider - There is something magical about the Moana Surfrider. Known as the First Lady of Waikiki, it was the first hotel to open on Oahu in 1901. The hotel is located on the oceanfront in central Waikiki, so it’s a short stroll to virtually everything.
Moana Surfrider, Waikiki Beach
Prince Waikiki - The Prince Waikiki luxury hotel offers newly renovated, modern rooms overlooking the ocean and the marina. The rooms are spacious, luxurious and have floor-to-ceiling windows to let the light stream in. The hotel offers signature experiences including a daily cultural ritual in the lobby. The infinity pool overlooking the ocean and marina is breathtaking.
Poolside bliss at Prince Waikiki
