There’s nothing a few days poolside can’t cure. Summer coming to an end — and the proverbial shoulder season beginning — means lower airfare and more to spend on lodging. Here are a few lounge-chair destinations to consider. For a complete list on each island, go to localgetaways.com.
Kauai
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
While this iconic property has been known for location, location, location for decades, offering up the best view of the famously picturesque Hanalei Bay and surrounding mountains (think movie sets), the latest iteration by the mission-driven luxury lifestyle 1 Hotels brand is a complete transformation. With an eye toward sustainability and blending in with the already gorgeous natural surroundings, the flagship nature-and-wellness-focused luxury resort offers up three equally tranquil saline pools featuring natural rock stone and layered greenery for a sense of an ancient paradise. The adult-only infinity pool with jacuzzi hosts multiple cabanas and loungers, as do both ocean level main and lagoon pools.
Koloa Landing Resort
In addition to Koloa Landing Resort’s award-winning signature pool, complete with an infinity-edge, swim-through grotto, water slides and jacuzzis, the resort also boasts a family lagoon pool that has an in-pool island, meandering lagoon, basketball hoop, tidal pool and poolside BBQs. Seeking serenity? There’s also a smaller, tranquility pool for guests over 18 with a cascading waterfall for a quieter escape.
Grand Hyatt Kauai
This sprawling resort situated on Shipwreck (Keoneloa) Beach has been the long-time no- brainer for families. Is it because of the world class spa? Award-winning cuisine? Nope, most likely it’s the multi-tiered pool complex with a 1.5-acre salt water lagoon, waterslides, lazy river and adult-only pool.
Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences
The infinity pool at Timbers Kauai boasts one of the best views of the Pacific from Kauai’s East shore. From the pool deck, it’s nearly impossible to differentiate where the pool ends and the ocean begins. Quite and private, enjoy serenity as you float in the large main pool or lounge in the adjacent hot tub. When looking for a pool break, Timbers Kauai features access to 17 miles of trails, a beach club, a spa, an on-site restaurant with fresh ingredients from the Farm at Hokuala, and access to the Ocean Course, a Jack Nicklaus signature course boasting the longest stretch of oceanfront golf in all of Hawaii.
Oahu
Sheraton Waikiki
Also known as the three-pronged tower in the middle of Waikiki Beach, this hotel has taken advantage of her front-rowand-center positioning on one of the world’s most famous bays by creating an infinity pool overlooking the waterfront. Here, one can float and imagine the history of your surroundings, where Duke Kahanamoku and his buddies famously introduced surfing to visitors on boards and outrigger canoes. Today, this bay is an international hub and still as beautiful as ever. At sunset, grab a cocktail and enjoy the fact that there’s nothing between you and the ocean.
Aulani, A Disney Resort
Disney’s Aulani resort pulls out all the stops, with nine different pool and whirlpool experiences, including a lazy stream and fully enclosed saltwater lagoon with reef fish.
Maui
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Many Bay Area travelers choose the Kapalua resort for the cooler weather and world-class golf courses, however, Kapalua also boasts six azure-hued bays, home to colorful wildlife and opportunities for snorkeling, sunbathing and surfing within a 10-minute drive. The Ritz-Carlton offers a three-tiered, 20,000-sq.-ft. saline-heated pool system open 24 hours a day with an abundance of cabanas and umbrella-shaded daybeds and daytime food service.
Wailea Beach Resort
First there was Grand Wailea, which brought throngs of families to Maui’s South Shore for the headline-grabbing pools and slides (three-story lava tube!). Then, in 2018, the Wailea Beach Resort opened next door with the Nalu Adventure Pool, offering family-size cabanas, splash zones, and four water slides — including the island’s longest at 325 feet. The resort also includes a serene adult-only pool with cabanas that seem to float over the water, two all-ages oceanfront pools with hot tubs and a new adult-only pool and wellness experience called Olakino. Day passes are available for those who plan ahead.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Pirate-themed, sandy-bottom kiddie pool? A swim-up grotto and walk-through waterfall? All can be found at Hyatt Regency Maui. Poolside service is available throughout the day and if you turn your chair in the right direction, you can watch the game at the poolside restaurant and bar.
Hawaii Island
Hilton Waikoloa Village
It’s fair to say that in 1988 Christopher B. Hemmeter blew the minds of locals and visitors alike when he opened the Hilton Waikoloa Village, a 1,240-room resort at the cost of $360 million. His vision included a lagoon where guests could swim with dolphins, a Disneyland-style monorail, boats traveling on a waterway to transport guests to their rooms, a crashing waterfall under which one could walk, multiple swimming pools with slides for days. Today, the property remains a family favorite with the largest pool on the island — with a 75-foot water slide, to boot — plus four interconnected pools with pint-sized slides and an adult-only “no splash zone” pool.
Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa
Looking for a multi-level fantasy pool with a 200-foot water slide at a moderate price? This oceanfront property is the ultimate family getaway in Kona. Ideal for families and multiple generations traveling together.
Why Pools?
A few, pretty-much-proven scientific reasons why pools are good for your health.
Blue Mind research suggests that since our bodies are made of 70% water, we immediately feel at peace when we are in or near water.
Immersing yourself in water during exercise helps increase blood flow to the brain, which can help improve memory, mood, cognitive function, concentration and help reverse brain damage caused by everyday stress.
Swimming teaches useful breathing techniques to use when we encounter stressful situations and allows us to get air into our lungs, which can help with preventing hyperventilation and panic attacks.
Swimming releases feel-good chemicals into our system called endorphins. These endorphins can help our body deal with pain and stress not only in that moment but also in the hours following.
