Hilton Hawaiian Village - Even More Rooms!

I am still having trouble deciding on where to stay during my next trip to Hawaii.  We visit Hawaii so often that it makes sense to find a hotel chain and stick to it. We haven't done that in the past because we haven't found a hotel that we really loved, but we are getting close to making that decision.

Speaking of hotels, the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki has just announced that they will begin construction on two new vacation timeshare towers in 2013, launching an aggressive expansion that will add 550 units to the resort’s timeshare holdings by the end of the decade.  They will also be doing some renovations to the existing Rainbow Tower as well as building some new swimming pools (finally an adults only pool!) as well as a new bar/restaurant.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village’s total lodging capacity currently comprises 3,627 guest rooms, timeshare units and suites in seven towers.  The good news is that these new towers will create more jobs and offer more options for visitors to the Islands.  The photo below (courtesy of Hilton Hawaiian Village) shows the entire site with the new towers once they have been built.

I love the location of the Hilton; its next door to the Hale Koa hotel which has my favorite bar - The Barefoot Bar! Can't wait to see Rex and crew when we go back!

Only A Few Days To Go!

The Seattle weather today almost fooled me into thinking winter was over! No doubt, the chilly weather will be back, but not where I am headed in just 3 sleeps. That's right, I can almost see Diamond Head in my dreams I am that close to leaving for Oahu. I'm not sure if its because of the line of work that I am in, or if I am just a little bit too organized, but I have a spreadsheet ready with a complete itinerary for our trip, in order to maximize our time in the Islands. I have even scheduled in shopping time at Ala Moana, and drinking time at the Barefoot Bar! I have the important things covered. Oh, and I forgot, dinner at Alan Wong's of course!

If anyone actually reads my posts I would love some suggestions on what else to include in my itinerary - so readers - please send me your thoughts - someone has to be reading this!

Mai Tai Anyone?

I am detoxing from alcohol for the month of January, and 3 days in its proving to be difficult! I have been having a few drinks over the Christmas period while on vacation, and it has caught up with me on the scales. So one month alcohol free should be plenty before I head to Hawaii and enjoy myself, more often than not at the Barefoot Bar at the Hale Koa Hotel. One of my favorite drinks while in Hawaii is the Mai Tai. "Maita'i" is the Tahitian word for good - and good is the operative word for this delicious beverage.

Here is a Mai Tai recipe you can try at home, courtesy of Les Hong, Chuck's Original Steak House.

Ingredients
1.5 ounces sweet and sour mix
1.5 ounces light rum
.75 ounce orange curacao
.5 ounce falernum or orjeat syrup
1 ounce dark rum or Demerara dark rum
Garnishes: half of a fresh lime, pineapple

Pour first 4 ingredients over crushed ice; stir.
Top with the dark rum, garnish and serve.
Makes 1 serving.

If anyone has a recipe for a Mai Tai that they would like to share, please send to me at natalie.hawaii@gmail.com

Barefoot Bar - Hale Koa Hotel

I had lunch with my good friend Debbie today and we were reminiscing about Hawaii, as she has family that still live there. I was telling her about my trip that we have planned for February, and she mentioned that she loves the Barefoot Bar at the Hale Koa Hotel. I have mentioned this bar before, but after our chat I thought it was definitely worthy of a whole story, especially as how I have probably spent $$ equivalent to the price of a small car on beer and cocktails there! We lived within walking distance, so it was hard not to go there on a regular basis - there must have been some kind of magnetic pull that lured us there every week - or perhaps it was the cheap drinks, great service by Rex the bartender or the fabulous view. Either way this bar has to be on your Hawaiian itinerary next time you travel - and if you are a local and have not yet discovered this place - GET OVER THERE NOW!

The Barefoot Bar has actually grown in size since I first went there in 2005, and now there are a lot more tables in the bar area for big groups and families. However my suggestion is that you sit at the bar. Its often hard to get a seat, but get there early and you should be fine. The same bartenders have been working there forever and they make awesome cocktails. The best part of the Barefoot Bar is the price! Beer is super cheap - John, Jimmy and I have spent the entire day at the bar and only spent $100 - bargain right?! Because the bar is at the Hale Koa Hotel it is very safe; you can only stay at the hotel if you are in the military, so you are surrounded by lots of military guys and their families on vacation, which I found rather comforting. Some of the other bars in Waikiki can get a little crazy after dark but I find that this is not the case at Barefoot - they take care of you.

Here are two of my favorite shots from the bar. I have a photo of Rex the bartender and I somewhere - will post as soon as I find so you know which bartender to ask for the best Long Islands in town! When we go back in February, this will be my first stop after we jump off the plane - ahhh I can't wait!

John & I - You can see the food area behind us - good cheeseburgers and nachos - yum

Jimmy at the bar - oh so happy

Jimmy is Getting Married!

Our good friend and long time drinking buddy, Jim Long III popped the question to his girlfriend Sammi a couple of months ago - and so - they are getting MARRIED! Congratulations Jimmy, we are so happy for you!

Johnny and Jimmy have been friends for quite some time, and I think when I showed up in Hawaii that made it hard for the two of them to share the love. I was the third wheel.... but now - its looks like we can go on double dates! When we move back to Hawaii that is!

The top 3 experiences I remember with Jimmy are:

1. 'Live Nudes' walking along Kuhio Ave (not actually real live nudes - just Jimmy screaming out for some)

2. Drinks/photos at the Barefoot Bar - there were too many funny times to share them all here - but Jimmy has an obsession with cameras and taking photos - especially of himself!

3. Going on the submarine ride at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where I almost died from being in a confined space and Jimmy and Johnny tried to comfort me (while laughing at me together)

We love you Jimmy - and can't wait for the wedding on February 14, 2009.

Here's some pics of the good old days!




Jimmy and the camera



Good times at the Barefoot Bar