Hilton Waikoloa Village

A beautiful hotel in a gorgeous setting. If you've watched Wheel of Fortune when they are filming in Hawaii, this is where it is filmed. We upgraded to an ocean view room. Well worth it.

If you haven't heard, they have an interesting way to get to your room. After checking in, one goes to a boat, which goes around the huge hotel grounds on a large canal. The grounds are so large, they really needed a way to transport guests around the property. The boat ride and canal would have been much more enjoyable, but for the huge amount of rotting algae in the canal. Phew! What a stench!

We spent a very enjoyable week there last August 08. The dolphin pool was fun. The huge swimming pool was very relaxing, and we really enjoyed walking out on the point. A perfect place for Romance, bringing families, and everything. Great sunsets. They have childcare if you just need to get away... Despite the condition of the canal, this was one of our more enjoyable Hawaiian vacations.

Lake Tahoe, River Ranch, Great BBQ, but Restaurant, yecchh..

This summer (and last) while at Lake Tahoe, we went to the River Ranch Patio BBQ several times and had really enjoyable food. It is the perfect ending when rafting on the Truckee River.

So we thought, why not enjoy the river side scenery in the evening and eat in the main sit down restaurant. A tad bit pricy, two folks over $140.00. Anyway the River Ranch's restaurant was abysmal. The wedge salad was OK, but the blue cheese dressing was watery and strange. Everything, I mean everything had a thin gruel of cream style corn. Is the Chef crazy or just Lazy? Far too many dishes used a thin gruel of cream style corn. The Cream of Asparagus Soup, was tasteless, and had the corn added. The Pork chop was very dry and overcooked, but for the cream style corn that it floated in. The Venison also lay soaking in a pool of cream style corn. Have you ever desired flavorless raw florettes of Venison? Well go to the River Ranch Restaurant.

Westin Hotel, Maui

Had a very enjoyable time at the Westin, Kaanapali Beach, Lahaina, Maui last August 2008. Unfortunately they are beginning to cut corners. Maintenance seemed degraded from just a year prior. The nice leis that were always at the entrance for arriving guests have been replaced by cheap sea shell necklaces (Made in China?).

Still meals and drinks at the very close Hula Grill were reasonable and of good quality. Be sure to catch the Hula Grill's happy hour.

Leilani's continues to be great. Eating downstairs is sure cheaper than the upstairs restaurant. If eating at the restaruant, be sure to hit the "Early Bird" specials. Great food for a reasonable price, only if on the Early Bird.

We had an unbelievably fun time parasailing off the beach. Unlike Mexico where "off the beach" really meant "Off The Beach), and then landing back on the beach (with broken ankles,etc.) here you are taken out to a boat and go up off (and back down to) the back of aboat. This is much safer. UFO Parasailing leaves from near the front of the Westin. Reasonable and a fun time.