A large room with all the amenities you need. Easy, quick transportation to Los Angeles International Airport. And a big breakfast to keep you going on your next flight. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites LAX Hawthorne makes for a fine spot for anyone heading into or out of one of the busiest airports in the U.S. I had the opportunity to stay there last month after a long day of flying from Hawaii to Los Angeles. I had a flight the next morning from LAX to Toronto and didn’t want or need a super-luxury brand. Instead, I opted for Read more
March 2018
CLEARWATER BEACH, FLORIDA – One of the best beaches in the United States. And a quiet, modern and super-convenient place to stay with tons of space. I recently had a night at the 629 Bay Hotel in Clearwater Beach, Florida, thanks to the folks at booking.com, which paid for my stay. It’s not a traditional hotel in many ways, but there are lots of nice amenities and bright, clean rooms. The initial approach is a little strange if you’re used to a traditional hotel. There’s no big lobby and not much in the way of signage at the property, which Read more
In 1968 we took our first family trip to Hawaii. I loved surfing at Waikiki Beach and hanging out with the Hare Krishna singers in front of the old International Market Place in Honolulu. And I loved body surfing at Poipu Beach and gazing at the grandeur of Waimea Canyon on Kauai. But where I really fell in love was at a crescent-shaped beach on the west coast of Maui called Napili. We stayed at a small hotel on Napili Beach called The Mauian in that summer of ’68. It was a lovely, family-friendly spot with two-storey units right on Read more
Two new experiences on a great Hawaiian island. I’ve been to Oahu at least seven or eight or maybe even 10 times. But I’d somehow never stayed the night anywhere other than Waikiki Beach and had only driven to other parts of the island a couple of times. This time I decided I needed to see a little more, so I managed short but wonderful visits to the Makaha area and the windward coastal areas between Kaneohe and Turtle Bay. My Dad and my sister were with me on most of my Oahu visit, so we made a point of Read more
Fabulous food. Sumptuous surroundings. And a truly Hawaiian feel. The relatively new Four Seasons O’ahu (it opened in June, 2016) is one of the top resorts on the planet, a beautiful and lush property in the booming Ko Olina region of Hawaii’s most populous island. It’s less than an hour’s drive into Waikiki and a half hour from Honolulu, but it’s truly a world away. My sister and I were treated to a fantastic night at the resort, which sits alongside a circular lagoon next to the Disney Aulani resort. It’s a great part of the island, relatively dry and Read more
