Kahala Hotel & Resort, Oahu, Hawaii

Though the Kahala Hotel & Resort boasts that they have played host to entertainment stars, royalty and even U.S. Presidents, little did we expect that on our arrival we would be met by Secret Service agents handling security for President George W. Bush who was resting in the hotel during his one-day visit to Hawaii.

Such, however, was indeed the case as we arrived at Oahu's only AAA Five Diamond hotel.

Our check-in was handled promptly and efficiently, complete with warm towel to refresh ourselves. We were advised that due to our early arrival there would be a slight delay before we could go to our room. We were escorted to the lovely Honu Bar and Terrace where we were offered complimentary refreshments.

While we waited we struck up a conversation with another couple who lavashed praise upon the hotel, but warned us to avoid the rooms in the Diamond Head Wing which overlook the courtyard. Birds flock and settle in the large banyan tree at dawn and dusk and tend to be very noisy. Also, the rooms in this location are directly above the hotel's Tokyo-Tokyo restaurant and smells from the restaurant tend to float upwards. They had asked, and were being moved to another room.

Our first impressions of the hotel were of the friendliness and efficiency of the staff, and the beauty of the hotel itself and the adjoining property.

We have always suspected that the delay in our room's availability was because this couple was being moved to the room originally intended for us. We ended up in the room overseeing the courtyard, with no balcony and very loud birds and dusk and dawn.

Be this as it may, this was the only complaint we had about the hotel. Our room itself was beautiful.

The guest room decor integrates both contemporary design and the nostalgia of turn-of-the-century Hawaii, with Asian accents. They evoke a feeling of warmth and romance with their handsome mixture of mahogany furniture, teak parquet floors, hand-loomed Tibetan rugs, and artwork by local artists.

The bathrooms feature vintage furnishings and fixtures. A freestanding mahogany vanity sink is accented with traditional faucets and porcelain handles while the bathtub is equipped with a classic hand shower and a tub mirror framed in tile. Other features include wicker furniture, a separate shower stall, and white Italian ceramic floor tile blended with terra cotta, all of which capture the feel of old Hawaii.

The resort offers numerous choices for dining.

Hoku's is the resort's signature restaurant (named after one of the resort's prized bottlenosed dolphins). It offers innovative dining in an oceanfront setting. It is as relaxed as the islands and as elegant as the cuisine.

Tokyo-Tokyo is a stylish eatery offering lunch and dinner with a choice of "robata-style" comfortable Japanese tatami rooms, or al-fresco dining with garden views.

The Plumeria Beach Café is the resort's casual beachside restaurant offering an a-la-carte menu and lavish buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Twilight dinners, seafood buffets and live Hawaiian music are also featured.

The Veranda offers Hawaiian elegance and charm. Located adjacent to the lobby and Hoku's restaurant, The Veranda offers afternoon tea, snacks and cocktails in the evening. Providing an expansive view of the dolphin lagoon, pool activities, and the ocean beyond.

Cabanas Seaside Grill is the resort's new beachfront restaurant allows dining to the rhythm of the surf, under a star-lit Hawaiian sky, all in a private cabana. Dining is elegant. The food and service are impecable. Most menu items are intended for two, thus encouraging sharing and much interaction with your

dining companion.

The Honu Bar & Terrace is situated next to the turtle ponds. (Honu is Hawaiian for turtle.) It features sunset entertainment, hibachi satays, and casual terrace dining.

The resort's Poolside Snack Bar is the perfect place for a casual outdoor lunch.while enjoying the sun, water and fresh Hawaiian air.

During our stay, we took advantage of several of these restaurants and were delighted by each. A dinner at Cabanas Seaside Grill is a must for any couple. Not only is the food and service fantastic, but the atmosphere is one of the best in Hawaii.

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