Imagine the first week of December 2011, with the cold looming over skyscrapers of Minneapolis. Great time to get away, right?
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| Room at Outrigger Reef on Waikiki |
This was the plan as owner of Riverdale Travel, Sandy Anderson, and myself boarded Delta Airlines on our way to Honolulu, Oahu for some much needed R&R. The Outrigger Reef would be our home for the next 3 nights, located right on Waikiki Beach. A great property with a casual vibe and plenty of activities going on around the hotel, I loved it! This hotel has 3 restaurants, however we only ate at 2 of them. The Ocean House restaurant located right on the beach is a great choice to sit and overlook the ocean and the food was excellent. the Shore Bird is the hotel Bar and Grill with free Karaoke every night beginning at 9:30pm. Great atmosphere!
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| Hiking in the rain forest |
Although the beach is such an amazing place, Oahu has much more to offer. Sandy and I ventured into the Rain forest on day 2. Winding paths, clay-like mud, and some absolutely beautiful plants. Our 2 hour hike, was very informative and It is a great way to get up and away from the hotel and move your body...yes some people do actually do that on vacation! Watch out for the mosquitoes though, they bite!
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| Duke's Waikiki |
No better way to unwind than with a few drinks at Duke's bar and restaurant located in the Outrigger Waikiki hotel. Every night this place was packed with tourists and locals alike. Patio Had live music playing as the sun set on the horizon, everyone dancing around having a great time. Known as the most popular hangout on Waikiki, they also happen to have incredible food! Breakfast buffet, salad bar, and entrees that make your mouth water, you can't go wrong here. One evening I had a tuna steak with a side of rice (which included the salad bar as an appetizer), I could have stopped at the salad bar and been extremely satisfied with my meal. The tuna was perfectly seasoned and seared to perfection! A perfect gem in the heart of Waikiki.
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| Moana Surfrider a Westin Resort at Waikiki |
Of course time had to be spent on the beach! On day 3 we moved to the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort just a few buildings down from the Outrigger Reef. This hotel distinctly different in every manner, aimed more towards the upscale luxury market. With plantation style architecture, it embraces a sophisticated look and vibe, with a nightly piano player as you walk in. There is a fine dining restaurant located on the property as well as pool bar, that makes some great drinks with quite a kick. Be sure to order the tropical itch to get your complimentary wooden back-scratcher.
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| Dinner at Roy's |
We spent the evening at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. Some of the best food I have tasted in my few years around here! We split the appetizer sampler, with beef skewers, egg rolls, bok choy and sushi, all of which were impeccable. We then split the red snapper entree, the fish was tender and flaky and utterly mouthwatering (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). Can't leave out the Hawaiian Martini; this fruit infused cocktail is refreshing yet potent, a couple of those and you will end up back at Shore Birds singing karaoke all night.
This property is ideal for R&R, or a wedding (we saw atleast 3 weddings happening during out stay). Not to mention, next door you have Duke's! We decided to mosey on down for breakfast, and quickly learned that you have to get there early. A wait for breakfast at 10am, you know it's good. With everything from bread pudding to eggs Benedict, this buffet did not disappoint. I still crave it two months later.
In all, a great trip with fabulous drinks and food! One for the books for sure, and can't wait to go back to dukes!
-Chelsea B.
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