Hotel at a Glance: Sheraton Kauai Resort

The 4-star Sheraton Kauai Resort basks in the beauty of the Hawaiian island it calls home. No buildings on the property are built taller than a coconut tree, so the surrounding views of the ocean and hills are never obscured. Rooms face either the ocean or the resort’s lush gardens, which are filled with palms, flowering bushes, and other eye-catching flora. Whatever the view, guests can admire them from their rooms’ adjacent patios or balconies.

• Midcentury and contemporary furniture, such as tripod lamps and bed frames with clean Danish-inspired lines, fill all guest rooms.
• Fluttering canopies hang above some beds, which enhances rooms’ tranquil atmosphere.
• Dine beachside at RumFire, one of the resort’s onsite restaurants, where you can sample Hawaiian and international cuisines.
• Aulii Luau: At this festive event, guests can admire the hula, fire dances, and other examples of Hawaiian culture, all while eating local dishes and sipping cocktails.
• Take a dip in one of two outdoor pools.
• Kids eat for free at this family-friendly resort, which also hosts activities for children, such as craft time.

Kauai Island, Hawaii: Garden Isle with Waterfalls, Green Valleys, and the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”

Kauai is the oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain—and arguably one of the greenest, thanks to its lush tropical forests. From waterfalls spilling over jagged cliffs to the misty mountains framing the beaches, the peaceful landscape here inspired Travel + Leisure to rank Kauai as 1 of the top 10 islands in the world. It’s where you’ll find the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”—the 14-mile-long, 1-mile-wide Waimea Canyon. More colorful than the comparable Arizona site, the gaping gulch mystifies visitors with red lava beds, green overgrowth, and brown walls that change hue with the light.

Along the shore, Kauai’s reef-protected waters make it popular for surfing, boogie boarding, and snorkeling. Several adventure-tour companies rent out sea kayaks for exploring shoreline caves or the rivers cutting through the island’s interior rainforests. Oceanfront golf courses offer a more laid-back alternative for outdoorsy types.

The Na Pali Coast, “one of Hawaii’s most spectacular natural attractions” according to Frommer’s, is a 16-mile stretch of sea cliffs that tower above the Pacific. It’s possible to take a helicopter or boat tour of this landmark, but one of the best ways to experience it is by foot on one of the hiking trails. Kalalau Trail, one of the most popular, starts at a sea-level beach and then climbs steadily uphill along the coastline with sweeping views along the way (albeit with sometimes treacherously narrow pathways).

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.