LuxuryLive – Hawaii
Aloha! It was clear from the get-go that LuxuryWise's very first own fam trip was going to be legendary, and we have our partners at the DMC Excursionist as well as Brand USA to thank for the fact that it was Hawaii. We traveled along with six hand-picked luxury travel designers to the five most important islands of the archipelago, and wow! We'd never imagined them to be so different. Here are the best, most exciting, and funniest moments of a trip jam-packed with adventures and very, very little sleep!
Luxury Live – Hawaii
Aloha! It was clear from the get-go that LuxuryWise's very first own fam trip was going to be legendary, and we have our partners at the DMC Excursionist as well as Brand USA to thank for the fact that it was Hawaii. We traveled along with six hand-picked luxury travel designers to the five most important islands of the archipelago, and wow! We'd never imagined them to be so different. Here are the best, most exciting, and funniest moments of a trip jam-packed with adventures and very, very little sleep!
Here we go! It's a promising program, with the focus always on unique experiences.
Welcome to Hawaii! Katinka Paul (with Edeltravel) is welcomed to the Andaz Maui, the first guest hotel, with a traditional lei.
Greetings from the boss: Excursionist CEO Norman Aynbinder is unfortunately unable to be there in person, but sends a delightful welcome video to the WhatsApp group!
If the lunch at a site inspection lasts longer than the tour, then you're probably at a Relais & Châteaux. It tastes great at the Hotel Wailea!
As the sun sets the Andaz Maui hosts a luau complete with a pig cooked in volcanic soil, called Kalua Pig. At this Hawaiian festival, guests can sample typical Hawaiian dishes and experience the traditions of the indigenous people. A stamp tattoo from this dapper young man certainly can't hurt either, thinks Alice Hansemann-Beier (with Argentum Reisen). She is the lucky winner of the Hawaii Fam Trip reader competition from August 2023!
As the sun sets the Andaz Maui hosts a luau complete with a pig cooked in volcanic soil, called Kalua Pig. At this Hawaiian festival, guests can sample typical Hawaiian dishes and experience the traditions of the indigenous people. A stamp tattoo from this dapper young man certainly can't hurt either, thinks Alice Hansemann-Beier (with Argentum Reisen). She is the lucky winner of the Hawaii Fam Trip reader competition from August 2023!
Our Maui adventure begins with the legendary Road to Hana. But first Alice and Katinka charge up with the water from two magnificent coconuts.
While you have to hike over some sharp rocks to get there, the rewardingly cool dip under the waterfall makes the treacherous path to the pond worth it.
Fairy godmother, organizational talent, and client whisperer: Rakela Williams, VP Product at Excursionist, knows how to handle guides, hotels, and travel advisors alike. She designed the fam trip program and deserves a big round of applause!!!
Our guide, Jasmine (pictured center), is a hoot and a half! But also the perfect companion for helping us immerse ourselves in Maui's culture. We break banana bread with her under an ulu tree and leave an offering for the gods wrapped in ti leaves. By the way: the Hulu skirts are handmade from these very leaves!
Sometimes there's a stiff breeze on the Road to Hana! LuxuryWise Editor-in-Chief Iris M. Köpke (left) and Christina Dragässer, Trade Manager GSA at Brand USA are almost gone with the wind!
"Hawaii convinced me as a destination because every island is so different and unique. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or a sun worshipper, there's something for everyone here. Admittedly, you need time and also the necessary budget to fill a trip to Hawaii with unique experiences, but every nature lover should visit this destination at least once. When it comes to hotels, the Four Seasons Sensei on Lanai stands out. It's an oasis of calm in the middle of one of the most beautiful tropical gardens I've ever visited. The way this wellness hotel calmed and recharged my batteries within a short time really surprised me. For a trip to Hawaii, which can be quite a challenge due to the time change, this is the perfect place to recharge for two or three nights before heading off to the next adventure."
Roman Melzer, Founder & Managing Director · Roman Travel Design
Off to Lanai, and for breakfast at the sensational Four Seasons Resort. What better way to start the morning than with their crunchy berry granola... !
Next stop: site inspection at the Four Seasons Sensei. Oh my, this garden!!! Surpassed only by the ten detached spa hales – small, light-flooded Hawaiian cottages.
Too cute! Part of the Four Seasons resort is a ranch that offers horseback rides for guests. Other denizens, like these very curious goats, immediately make friends with Gaby Welter (with Lux Voyages)!
And finally some food... ! If you go on a fam trip with Excursionist they won't leave you hanging, and it's sure to be delicious!
Guests at the two Four Seasons Hotels have Lanai almost all to themselves. Endless, deserted expanses, even on Shipwreck Beach. Beautiful!
Above the clouds? No, the small planes from Mokulele Airlines can't go that high, but some passengers may still whimper when they feel the wobbles...
...but the return to Maui leads somewhere over the rainbow – that's private charter flight magic!
Back on Maui, it's time for a site inspection at Montage Kapalua Bay. Their event venue is called The Cliff House, which sits right above the ocean. Gaby is already a fan!
Afterward, a fire show and a short hula dancing lesson for the ladies make it a luau to remember!
Mother Nature proves her prowess: 97 percent of the "garden island" Kauai is lush green and undeveloped.
Hang loose! After three days in Hawaii, everyone is already in full island mode. And would prefer to stay on Hanalei Beach...
Pitstop to shop at Havaiki Oceanic & Tribal Art. Real craftsmanship, not kitsch!
"This trip to Hawaii was an unforgettable adventure. From the very beginning, I was captivated by the scenic beauty and rich history of Hawaii. My highlights include the helicopter tours: on Kauai, we flew over the famous Nā Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon, also known as the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific.' My favorite hotel on this fam trip is Kona Village, a Rosewood Hotel. The amenities on this sacred ground have been lovingly restored. The freestanding 'hale' accommodations now combine modern luxury with traditional Hawaiian craftsmanship. We had a great lunch at Kahuwai Cookhouse – with the best poke I've ever had! Throughout the trip I was touched by the warm-hearted nature of the Hawaiians. The aloha feeling – a deeply felt mixture of love, respect, and compassion – was palpable every minute. Hawaii is a true paradise and I am grateful that I was able to experience it in all its splendor."
Gaby Welter, CEO · Lux Voyages
Annnd lift-off! Blue Hawaiian takes you on a helicopter flight over Kauai. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere over the Rainbow" is on the soundtrack of course!
Wow! Kauai's Nā Pali Coast is the famed film location of Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean – it's quite naturally cinematic!
Yep, we can vouch for that!
Hello Big Island, bye-bye comfort zone: we head out to sea in the middle of the night to snorkel with manta rays. An exciting birthday for Alice!
These huge animals get really close, sometimes suddenly appearing right in front of your face. They also perform a kind of underwater ballet. Goosebump alert!
"One thing in particular surprised me about Hawaii: its landscape! It is much more beautiful than I had imagined. Kauai impressed me the most. All these different shades of green are insanely beautiful! My favorite activity on our trip? I don't need to think twice: snorkeling with the manta rays! I was so scared to throw myself into the ocean at night, but I'm so glad I did it. Even though the snorkeling is not really private, the experience was so impressive, so immersive. Watching these animals 'dance' was truly one of the most amazing excursions of my life."
Alice Hansemann-Beier, Senior Travel Advisor & Birthday Girl · Argentum Reisen
While I'm no morning glory, the Sunrise Canoe Paddle at Auberge Mauna Lani was simply spiritual, as it begins with a Hawaiian ritual in an outrigger canoe.
Mauna Lani also looks impressive from above. But wait...another bird's eye view...?
Excursionist took us to visit the reopened Rosewood Kona Village...
...and spoiled us with yet another helicopter flight!
This time even with a stopover at a high-elevation waterfall. That was a precision landing by the pilot in the lush greenery!
Of course there is enough time for a short photo session. Say cheese, Roman!
Yeah...we definitely have bragging rights!
Her passion for the earth runs as hot as the fire beneath our feet! Geologist Cheryl sparks everyone's interest in the lava landscape of Volcanoes National Park.
What, almost over already? We've arrived on Oahu, the last island on our trip. And we have the honor of visiting the historic submarine USS Bowfin in Pearl Harbor – with none other than Charles Merkel, Executive Director of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association.
It's pretty cramped in here, but that doesn't seem to bother Elena Berwanger (with Onefinemoment). Her smile is as radiant as ever!
We spend the last night on the famous Waikiki Beach at the Halekulani Hotel, which organizes a Hawaiian blessing ceremony for us.
Feeling definitely blessed! Left to right: Elena Berwanger (Onefinemoment), Christine Werner (Art of Travel), and Alice Hansemann-Beier (Argentum Reisen).
Mahalo, Hawaii! Thank you for these once-in-a-lifetime moments!
You can find more details about the hotels and experiences in Hawaii on the following page.
Still have questions?
Norman Aynbinder, President & CEO · Excursionist
Christina Dragässer, Trade Manager GSA · Brand USA