From the newly engaged to honeymooners and anniversary celebrants, all types of couples heed the call of Oahu.
“Oahu is one of the few tropical islands that has a cosmopolitan city on one side and a Hawaiian paradise around the rest,” said Noelani Schilling-Wheeler, executive director of Oahu Visitors Bureau. “This opens up opportunities for romance travelers to experience Hawaii in a unique way.”
Given Oahu’s range of hotels, travel advisors can easily customize trips for couples. A Honolulu splurge at The Royal Hawaiian, Halekulani or Kahala Hotel & Resort sends upscale clients to cloud nine, while visitors on more moderate budgets snuggle up in boutique digs such as Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head and Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club. When twosomes want to renew their vows, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts offer free, Hawaiian-style ceremonies on the beach.
The island’s rural resorts show the love with an assist from Mother Nature. Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina capitalizes on the west side’s beauty with an adults-only pool and intimate dining under the stars. Turtle Bay Resort, meanwhile, ignites passions on the North Shore with pastimes including horseback rides through lush forests. Sullivan Estate, a private hideaway, offers his-and-hers spa treatments, chef services and weddings enhanced by Hawaiian traditions.
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina indulges couples with such romantic amenities as an adults-only pool.
Credit: 2018 : Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko OlinaIsland activities captivate couples further. In Honolulu, visitors can hike and snorkel in the sunshine, then savor restaurants and live entertainment in the evening. Millennials gravitate to Salt, a creative Kakaako hub, while more mainstream culture lovers find inspiration at landmarks such as Honolulu Museum of Art and Shangri La.
Oahu’s seductive countryside also helps visitors make memories, whether they plant a legacy tree at Gunstock Ranch or take a helicopter to a secluded bluff for a picnic. Or couples can treat themselves to two-wheel explorations with Bike Hawaii and immerse themselves in windward landscapes during Kualoa kayaking and ziplining adventures.
Advisors looking to tap Oahu’s romance market should reach out to couples in their own communities, Schilling-Wheeler said. For starters, they can post a dedicated romance page on their website, issue monthly e-newsletters with romance updates and take part in local bridal shows. By keeping current with the island’s alluring offerings, agents can excel as experts in Oahu romance.
The Details
Oahu Visitors Bureau
www.visit-oahu.com
