MAIN Travel Hawaii Travel Honolulu Kahala Hotel & Resort

Poolside at the world famous Kahala Hotel.

It's exclusive, family friendly, and one of the few luxury hotels on the planet with its own dolphin lagoon.

As a result, many guests find the Kahala Hotel & Resort nothing short of a vacation fantasy become real, located about 10 minutes from the hubbub of Waikiki.

"This is where the rich people go," say the local taxi drivers, but if you're planning one major splurge in Hawaii, make sure to make it the Kahala.

Even a single night's stay at this 5-star hotel may become one of your most cherished memories. Be warned, however.

You may never want to leave.

The Kahala's star attractions

Counted among the guests in a who's who of luminaries who have stayed at the Kahala are President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Arnold Schwazenegger, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Drew Barrymore, and countless more VIPs who have considered the Kahala their "home in Honolulu" at one time or another.

There's little wonder why.

Kahala rooms and suites feel much like private beach homes (decorated by a top interior designer) where guests can instantly let their guard down, and relax amid sweeping views of Diamond Head, Koko Head, and the Kahala's own private palm-tree studded beach.

Family-friendly Kahala

Regardless of celebrity, you'll find the hotel staff bending over backwards to work their magic, as each guest is welcomed with a lei, along with a warm "Aloha" usually reserved for a long-lost friend. Happily, there' s nothing stuffy about the world-class service or the amenities, and the Kahala remains Honolulu's perfect family-friendly destination.

In the morning, kids (and adults) can enjoy the free hula lessons provided in the hotel lobby. In the afternoon, make your way to Kahala Beach, featuring a floating bouncy house very popular with kids and teens.

Finally, for an experience they'll never forget, have your camera ready as kids get a chance to swim with the dolphins, located in the Kahala's own backyard lagoon hosted by Dolphin Quest,

Meanwhile, sit back and relax in your own private beach cabana, complete with wait service delivering drinks and light meals as you laze the day away. At night, relax out on your own private lanai - intentionally left unlit to enhance your view of Hawaii's spectacularly starry nights.

Exciting and serene

If you get bored with all the pampered serenity, head over to any one of five equally world class on-site restaurants to rub elbows with other guests or maybe catch site of a celebrity, or two.

Then there's always the free transport into town (check the front desk for the complete daily schedule) for trips to Honolulu's top attractions, world-class shopping, and the "bright lights, big city" of Waikiki.

If you're feeling extra-adventurous, grab a bicycle (provided free for guests) to check out the surrounding neighborhood. And, be sure to take in a self-guided "millionaire's row" tour of Kahala beachfront houses as you make your way through to the scenic hike at nearby Diamond Head.

That's the Kahala

In short, you don't have to actually be a millionaire to feel like a million bucks at the Kahala - at least for a brief stay - and with kids in tow you'll know that the memories will last a lifetime.

For tucked away in a quiet area of Honolulu is one of the city's (and maybe the world's) best hotels where "every guest is high-profile - the highest profile - as far as we're concerned," says the hotel's general manager, Thomas Pauley. "That's the Kahala."

More about the Kahala Hotel & Resort around the Web:

The Kahala Hotel & Resort - The official site, with information on special rates and weekend stays, dolphin swim, restaurants, spa reservations, virtual tour, and Oahu travel destination guide.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort - Honolulu, HI - Star-rated reviews from the Yelp community, with photos, contact information.

Kahala Hotel & Resort Review - Frommers.com guide with an overview of reservation costs and featured amenities.