Aloha, Baby! Heavenly Hawai’i Awaits

Take Your Golf Game to the Pacific Islands

Chris Duthie

As much as golfers revere the desert surrounds of Baja, Vegas, Phoenix and Southern California, there remains one Big Kahuna destination that most golfers unilaterally crave: Hawai’i.

That’s especially true in November and December—traditionally Hawai’i’s “shoulder” season—when beaches and golf courses are less crowded and the islands’ resplendent resorts offer some remarkable stay-and-play enticements. Here’s a fabulous foursome that will tempt you to say “A-LO-HA!” to wet and frigid Colorado:

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island’s sunny Kohala Coast is celebrating its 50^th season as one of the world’s most esteemed destinations. Guest perks include golf- and ocean-view lodging, fine dining, tennis, spa, fitness center, surfside recreation and privileged access to Mauna Kea’s celebrated Robert Trent Jones Sr.- and Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed golf courses. The landmark resort’s Fall Into Winter package includes a fourth night free after staying three nights, daily buffet breakfast for two, $300-$1,000 resort credit and no mandatory resort fees. Starting at $589 per night, it’s valid through Dec. 18.

On Maui, the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua offers several attractive packages including the Golf in Paradise, which features deluxe accommodations, daily buffet breakfast and two rounds of championship-caliber golf every day. Its AAA Five Diamond Award-winning amenities include luxury guest rooms, six restaurants, spa, beach recreation, tennis, multi-tiered pool area, premier golf academy and 36 holes of golf, including the Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw-crafted Plantation Course, site of the PGA Tour’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions (Jan. 7-10). Golf in Paradise starts at $939 per night and is valid through Dec. 18.

Lauded St. Regis Princeville on Kauai’s dazzling north shore is another escape-worthy recommendation. Nestled on a seaside bluff ringed by mountains and tropical forests, this extraordinary enclave is renowned for its sumptuous accommodations, five-star cuisine, spa, athletic center, 5,000-square-foot infinity edge pool, hiking, ziplining and Troon Golf-golf managed golf course, brilliantly orchestrated by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and ranked among America’s Top 50 Resort Courses by Golfweek. Its Makai Golf Trail package starts at $350 per person and includes unlimited golf for two, sleeve of balls, custom ball marker and a 15-percent pro shop discount.

Turtle Bay – Palmer Course

Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s legendary North Shore just completed a $40 million renovation that included installing 30,000 square feet of solar panels plus detailed remodeling of its ocean-view guestrooms and luxury cottages. Other enticements include farm-to-table dining, five miles of unspoiled beach, spa and fitness center, tennis, ocean sports, horseback riding, 12 miles of hiking/biking trails and 36 holes of George Fazio and Arnold Palmer golf. The Unlimited Golf Package includes practice balls and golf cart, and you can upgrade to a weeklong Titleist equipment rental for $55. If there is a non-golfer, an $80 resort credit may be used for spa, surf lessons, helicopter tours or other activities. Available through Dec. 31.

Photo (c) Chris Duthie

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Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.