Hi hi! I hope everyone has been doing well :). I initially had this post planned for yesterday… but the vacation hangover has been real over here (adjusting to the time change, being on a schedule, unpacking, etc…) and I just didn’t get it finished. All that to say… what. a. trip. It was everything we hoped it would be, and more. And while it wasn’t without it’s “moments” (what trip isn’t with little ones), the memories we created, and the time we spent together, in what I consider to be one of the most beautiful spots in the world, were priceless….
I stayed away from social media during the day… and only opened the apps to upload photos at night (and even then, designated 15 minutes to do so)… and was more present on this trip than I have ever been before… and it truly made the experience so wonderful. I know it sounds silly, but I took in everything… and moments that might have bothered me pre-pandemic, just didn’t this time around. I (we) felt so fortunate to be able to take the trip, that minor nuisances just didn’t matter.
I shared our lodging and some favorite restaurants below, in case you’re planning a trip to Oahu sometime soon. I do want to note that we’re pretty chill on vacation… we don’t force ourselves to go out to meals if we are feeling too tired… order in when we want… cook if we feel like it… so I don’t always have a wide range of restaurant recs when we’re in Hawaii…..
We also split our time between the sleepy little coves of Ko’olina and the hustle and bustle of Waikiki… and I designated the difference below….
LODGING
Marriott Vacation Club: We’ve stayed here a few times and it’s so family friendly… several different kiddo pools, one with a slide… lots of family activities… and a great beach in front of the property. We typically get a room with a kitchen, since there are BBQs… and it gives us the option to cook if we want….
Four Seasons: This is our other favorite hotel in the Ko’olina area… beautiful property… with two pools that are designated for families. No water slide… so it does cut down on some of the pool chaos (haha). They also have a beautiful beach in front of the property, and the restaurants on site are absolutely delicious with the best craft cocktails.
Sheraton Waikiki: We stayed here when we headed into the city and it’s great. Very different from Ko’olina… chaotic with families, so if you’re prepared for that, you’ll be fine. They have a large pool area, with a waterslide… and a beach in front of the property as well. They have a great coffee shop inside the property, and Rum Fire has beautiful views of Diamond Head at happy hour. I highly recommend this property for adults only as well… since their signature infinity pool is only open to those 16 and older (someday we’ll get there, haha). The hotel is also within walking distance to some of the other great waterfront properties that have live music at happy hour.
RESTAURANTS
Ko’Olina
Mina’s Fish House
La Hiki
Waterman’s
(take-out pizza)
The restaurant at The Aulani (it was closed when we went, but we’ve been in the past for dinner and breakfast)
Honolulu
Arvo (great avo toast)
Sunrise Cafe (to-go avo toast and acai bowls/smoothies)
Uncle Bo’s
RumFire
Sushi (we did take-out this time)
Moana Surfrider
Bogart’s (breakfast)
KO’OLINA
(Kept it comfortable and casual for today’s travel outfit… leggings, top, sweatshirt, sandals)
(Immediately changed into a swimsuit upon arrival and headed to the beach… suit, shorts, scrunchi, hat, beach bag)
(Night 1 sunset… nothing beats a Hawaiian sunset…)
(Not sure when she became a teenager… set)
(Enjoyed morning walks and beautiful views each morning… shorts, tee, hat, sneakers)
(So. Good. At La Hiki Kitchen)
(Goal for day 1 was to build a hole big enough for the both of them… mission accomplished.)
(Love this stripe coverup shirt… lightweight and not too oversized… and this has been a go-to white suit (bottoms) for 3 seasons now… sandals)
(Enjoyed watching the girls run around in front of the water, while the sunset, with beverage in hand, nightly… shorts, top, sandals)
(Another day, another swimsuit and cover-up combo… but also love this customizable pouch… keeps all your goodies free from sand and fits a lot of the beach essentials…. bathing suit)
(Celebrated our 12th anniversary at Mina’s Fish House… amazing craft cocktails, views, and food!)
(Then snapped some photos down by the beach at sunset… my dress, TJ’s shirt, girl’s dresses)
(Mermaids + sandy naps… swim top, bottoms, coverup, sunglasses chain (and connectors), girl’s suits, girl’s sunglasses)
(Maybe one of my favorite evenings was this pizza picnic on the beach while watching the sunset… my set)
(Snow cones were a highlight of the trip…)
(Mixed and matched a few favorites from the trip for our last day in Ko’olina… swim top, swim bottoms, coverup)
(One of my favorite ways to wear this pink swimsuit was as a bodysuit…. shorts, linen top)
HONOLULU
(One of our all time favorite breakfast spots… Arvo…)
(One of the most iconic views…)
(Lots of afternoon naps like this…)
(Swimsuit… and breast petals that I wear with it)
(Night 1 in Waikiki… headed to the Moana Surfrider for some music, the sunset, and a good happy hour… skirt (other option here, here), bathing suit, sandals))
(Morning walk for to-go avo toast from the sunrise shack… shorts, tank)
(Last day spent in the ocean…. swimsuit, skirt, sandals, girl’s suit)
(We were so tired on the last night that we enjoyed the views from our room and enjoyed some takeout on the balcony… romper)
(One last stop at Arvo on the way to the airport…)
