Heavenly Hotel Hana Maui - Rejuvenate the Soul!

From the moment you arrive at the front desk you feel welcomed with genuine Hawaiian Aloha! I've been enjoying this alluring resort since 1990 and I consider it one of the most unique resorts in Hawaii and even the South Pacific. My first longer stay (that was 3 nights), was my honeymoon in January 1991. Prior to and after that, we did the usual, when you live on Maui, you usually go to Hana for 1-2 nights at the most. I've enjoyed many 2 night stays at the Hotel between 1991 and 2010. I am a BIG FAN of the Sea Ranch Cottages w/ jacuzzi spa on the deck. The best ones are the 2 bedroom oceanfront suites w/ jacuzzi tub for a family or 2 couples.
The bed and pillows are so comfortable, that one morning I could not peel myself out of bed until 8am (I usually get up at 6am or earlier). I would rate the bed at a 10! Room service was fast and delicious. I enjoyed one dinner (fabulous preparation of fresh fish and fresh vegies), and one breakfast (eggs benedict with fish.. my FAVORITE). YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY. As usual the staff in the dining rooms were friendly and attentive and the wine selection made my mouth water! I enjoyed a 2004 Heitz CabSav over a 2 night period. As they say in Hawaii, "Broke the mouth"! On Friday nights, the staff of the Hotel perform Hawaiian song and dance for the guests (a dinner show). The old timer ladies are so much fun to watch. Every night, except Friday, there is Live Hawaiian music in the Paniolo Bar from 6:30-8:30. That would be the only thing I would change. Keep the music playing at least until 9:30!
THIS stay, was beyond a shadow of a doubt, the most delightful, relaxing and FUN ever. Somewhat of a Sabbatical (even though I did do some work), I managed to partake of many of the activities that YOU will want to enjoy when you come for more than 2 days (yes, you must come more than 2 nights!). 2 Thai Massages that are the very best. My therapist was Cynthia. I sit at a desk all day and really need to be stretched out. This is so relaxing and you are engaged in the process (versus just lying there being massaged). There is some of that too! I also enjoyed a Watsu water treatment, which is floating in water while you are being massaged and softly stretched. OMG for both of these treatments! The one hour horseback ride in the pastures in front of the Sea Ranch Cottages is gorgeous and just enough to make your bum a little sore (for someone who does not ride!). I went on a kayak/snorkel tour with Hana Bay Kayaks that was spectacular. The weather WAS stellar the whole 6 days I was there and the water as flat as a pancake! I've know Kevin Coates for years. My final big adventure was Maui Stables 3 hours horseback ride in Kipahulu. Not only is the scenery picture perfect, but the guide we had, Keone Smith, was a wealth of knowledge about Hawaiian history (some I had never heard before and I've lived here for 36 years... just as old Keone is!). Keone was witty, funny, cute, very interesting to listen to.. the perfect guide, the perfect day, the perfect Maui horseback ride! Well, honestly, the very last wonderful adventure was driving my cute little Miata back home to Kula with NO CARS in front of me. A beautifious day, convertible top down, the sound of the varied thrush birds in the trees, jungle breezes freshening my face and whispering, "be sure to come back soon, Melissa". As the owner of McCoyTravel.com, I stay at many many hotels in Hawaii (all islands), Tahiti and Fiji. This Hotel, this experience, ranks so high on my "experience richter scale", that I am writing my very first review on TripAdvisor in a long time! Hawaii is a wonderful place to visit with Maui being very much "The Magical Island", voted best island on earth by Conde Nast. And Hana, with it's healing, theraputic, rejuvenating energy, melts the stress away, puts a smile on your face and helps you once again discover the essence of YOU! Hotel Hana Maui embraces you, welcomes you, and welcomes you back "home". Aloha.. Melissa

Mele Kalikimaka: Maui Winter Wonderland

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka

Today is a day you wish you were here on Maui (or happy you are here!0. Although it's hard to tell what it is doing down there, at sea level, I have a pretty good idea. I can see the Pride of America (NCL) cruiseship in Kahului Harbor (yes, even from 3,500 way up here in Kula). Kahakuloa, off to the north, is as clear as a bell and the white foamy coastline tells us that surfers are happy today. Looking


northwest from here, I'm sure the humpback whales are frolicking in the pristine waters off Lahaina (and Lanai). For those of us who live in Hawaii, the island of Lanai offers us one of the most enchanting expressions of the Christmas spirit in Hawaii, The Four Seasons Lodge at Koele. Situated at approximately the 4,000 ft elevation on the top of Lanai, the Lodge at Koele's Great Hall is decorated richly and warmly and displays one of Hawaii's most stunning Christmas trees. (The picture attached here is at the gorgeous Four Seasons Wailea, Maui, with my best friend Sue!

I'll be back again soon. Ya'll come back now, ya hear!
Aloha
Melissa

Aloha my friends.....

Kula Maui Summer Sunsets are back and they make your hearts skip a beat! The sunset on the top was taken from approximately the same area in August of 2007 and the one on the bottom was taken last night, July 20, 2009. What is it about sunsets that we love so very very much?
I think it is because they are passionate and the colours meet our eyes and cause our soul to be excited about life! They make us feel good. Endorphins maybe? Are sunsets addicting? Will we travel 1-2-3 hours to go sit and watch a sunset, in any number of "her" moods? And then, those that live on the east coast (let's say Hana) or the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island, swear by sunrises. Not only that, they say sunrises are much more spectacular! Well, I'm a sunset girl (but give me a Hana sunrise anytime and watch NEXT for some spectacular photos of Hana Easter Sunrise at Fagan's Cross from 2007). When I work with a McCoyTravel.com client, I am motivated to talk to them about being able to see sunsets from where they are staying. It's a "me" thing. Going to Bora Bora? Sunset over Otemanu or out to sea, or none at all?
Have a fabulous day. For those of us who live in Hawaii, we say "Lucky we live Hawaii". For those that don't, by all means, come on over and fall in love with the Island of Aloha, whether Maui, Oahu, The Big Island, Lanai or Kauai.
Fond Tropical Regards
Melissa

Sweet Serenade of a Kula Mockingbird in the early AM. Melissa's wake up call each morning.

Orchid at Mauna Lani.. Sand and Sun and Relax

Happy 4th of July from the Orchid at Mauna Lani on the Big Island of Hawaii. I love this beach! It's a little protective cove that you can float in, snorkel in, kayak from out to watch turtles underneath your kayak or on shore (this area has "tons" of hawaiian green sea turtles that drag themselves on shore to "sun"). Dragging your beach chair or chaise into the water to sit on is FUN. PERFECT for small children. And they have beach "drink" service too. Brown's Restaurant is one of the nicest locations in Hawaii for dining. You are a stones throw from the ocean. Call us 1-800-256-4280 for McCoy Exclusive better than 50% off pricing with multiple upgrades/amenities. 50% off on the Club Floor (delicious food) and even the 2 Presidential Suites. Hawaii is calling (well Tahiti or Fiji could be too!). We can help you with these fantastic pacific destinations, Mexico (super values too) and beyond. The McCoy Team cover these islands like a blanket :). We know the resorts and we know the right people to help make YOUR vacation the best!

Kilauea Volcanic Eruption - Big Island August 2008

Aloha! We are blessed with incredible diversity in the Islands of Aloha!
This helicopter flight was spectacular. You MUST take the earliest of flights for the best viewing. Thank you in advance if you decide to call us to make your booking for the experience of a lifetime
1-877-256-4248 in Hawaii.
Mahalo
Melissa McCoy

Earth Wind and Fire, Melissa McCoy, Waikoloa August 2008

Aloha with memories of August 31, 2008 at the Marriott Waikoloa, Big Island, Hawaii. Guess who I ran into walking back to my hotel from an Earth Wind and Fire concert at the really NEAT Waikoloa Nights concert venue? Well, it WAS some of Earth Wind and Fire! The traffic was so backed up trying to get out of the parking lot, that even members of the band hoofed it back to the hotel with guitars strung on their backs. Silly me, asked if they played music locally! It would never have occured to me that the band would be walking on the same sidewalk as me. Here we are, after getting cleaned up, at Waikoloa Marriotts evening cocktail venue, Hawaii Calls. I asked them if I could buy them a drink for "bragging" rights :) I've never been a band groupie (a resort groupie yes). But I could NOT pass up this opportunity. Their concert was so much fun. Rita and Arnie and I danced away (Rtia works for Waikoloa Golf and Arnie is the GM for Roy's in the Kings Shops). So here, finally, almost a year later... just because I have started this Blog, I'm sharing some of my travel history. The next morning I went on an amazing Helicopter Adventure over the Big Island's active volcano. My next Blog will be about that adventure... And remember, this IS a commercial for McCoyTravel.com, here in Hawaii. We are a neat fun bunch of experienced Dream Weavers for your next fabulous vacation to Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti.. the World. 1-800-256-4280. A Hui Ho!