I did it. After receiving a call from some of my favorite past clients on the stunning remote island
of Kaua'i who wanted to see a parcel of land for sale in Kilauea, I saw an opportunity to make a visit to my home away from home. I was not sure that I could pull it off quickly with work considerations and in that I have very active and fully booked kiddos needing my mommy "uber" services regularly. However, after finding a direct Denver-Lihue flight on United Airlines for just 44,500 miles and touching base with a friend who promised a bed and a spare car, I pulled the trigger and booked the trip!
The next phone call I received from another dear friend and colleague was the ultimate bombshell.
"How would you like to stay at Hōkūala Timbers?" This property is truly special and a providential step into island luxury living.
"Really?? Absolutely!" I responded as ecstatic anticipation coursed my veins. The offer reminded me once again of the loving and thoughtful friendships with a sense of Ohana which pervade island life and the community of Kaua'i.
And while I realize how spectacular Kaua'i is as a destination, it once, and still can be, challenging to travel to for visitors. However, what was once inevitably multiple flights, long layovers and nearly a day of travel, long waits for car rentals, and then drives across the island to finally arrive exhausted and ready for bed while the beaches beckoned you, has now completely changed. Denver International Airport now offers a direct flight to Lihue, which brought me to the Garden Isle in under 6.5 hours because we caught some nice tailwinds on the way. Within 20 minutes of landing, I was toes up poolside at my stunning 3 bedroom residence, Lāola Nani, at The Timbers Resort, Hōkūala, in Lihue, Kaua'i. Hard to believe, yes, but 20 minutes from wheels down, I was toes up.
Kaua'i is the northernmost and oldest of the Hawaiian islands. It was the first to be volcanically formed over 5 million years ago which has allowed the lush green gardens and hillsides to grow naming it the Garden Isle. Its development has been intentionally controlled to preserve its natural beauty and limit the number of travelers that frequent the island county. Thus, to be able to have lived there and call it home was such a blessing of which I will always be tremendously grateful. To be able to visit the island continues to be a privilege of which I will never take for granted and should be felt by all those stepping to it shores.
To experience a stay at Hōkūala, a Timbers Resort, is to experience an effortless step into island luxury with warm aloha at every turn.
It is the little things that make an enormous difference. In this case, the staff at Hōkūala make an enormous effort to recognize and cater to needs and wishes you did not even realize you may have had. Prior to arriving, a concierge is in touch to help prepare your destination with all your anticipated necessities, saving you the trip to the island Costco or grocery store once again adding hours to vacation and foregoing the stress of grocery shopping. Upon arrival, we generously received thoughtful gifts such as local honey, Kaua'i grown coffee, sustainable water bottles, and seasonal fresh fruit. *Travel Note* please do not load up on plastic bottles - the water is fresh and delicious and a metal water bottle will help you do your part in preventing waste.
Your personal concierge also helps plan dining reservations, activities such as surfing excursions, Na Pali boat tours or kayaking adventures, and even beach days with all the chairs and umbrellas. The property also offers their private guest event calendar with hula lessons, lei making and yoga classes. They help take the pressure out of figuring out all the multitudes of options of what to plan for during your stay, because Kaua'i offers so many incredible activity options depending on your speed and travel goals. Whether you want to plan a hike along the Kalalau Trail and need to attain a permit prior to arrival, or want to take stand up paddle boards (SUP) to the historic Kalapaki Bay for a paddle surf session, they help coordinate the details so that you can once again focus on soaking in the atmosphere.
Upon arrival, my fortunate guest friends and I were greeted with gorgeous smiles, fresh floral leis and refreshing cocktails at the front desk overlooking the infinity pool, the crashing waves upon the shoreline beach and the distant Ninini Point Lighthouse.
The resort sits atop a cliffside point facing the the shoreline of Running Waters beach and wide Pacific horizon. Captivating views of the historic Ninini Point Lighthouse to the east are constantly changing with the sunrise and sunset light. The proximity to the airport just north make its accessibility unsurpassed on the island, and helps to minimize the legs of travel so that you can get started on your vacation hours early. Timbers Resort helps create an ease of travel to Kaua'i once unheard of, and allows you to arrive much more refreshed and ready to indulge in your surroundings.
Situated across from the historic breakwater and the entry way to the gentle waters of Kalapaki Bay in Lihue, Hōkūala, meaning Rising Star, is part of Timbers Kaua'i. It is a 450 acre resort community with 47 residences offering whole and fractional ownership as well as vacation options. Their Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Golf Course runs along the cliffside overlooking the waves and offers golfing paradise. All throughout the property are winding trails amongst freshwater lagoons home to incredible bird sanctuary wildlife. Guests are offered bikes to ride these trails out to Timbers private Farm which supplies local produce to the "Farm to Table" restaurant, Hualani's, products for their Spa, and cultivates a relationship with local schools to help foster island sustainability through educational programs.
Even if you are unable to stay on property, when visiting the island of Kaua'i, a visit to Hualani's Restaurant is a must. A signature mai tai with a candied rim and dehydrated pineapple wheel will kickoff any meal with a smile. Hualani's "farm to table" tasting menu is a delight and features what is in season from their Farm and helps connect you to the island while hopefully trying something new such as a sustainable fresh local catch such as Monchong or delicious buttery Opah.
~ Photos courtesy of Timbers Resort
Opening the solid core monkeypod wooden door to the luxury Leola 3 bedroom residence was an experience unto itself. Elevated ceilings and open accordion glass doors leading to a large exterior lanai brought in the perfectly warm and cool trade wind breezes off the ocean to blow off any travel weariness that may have resisted my attempts to shed. Contemporary plantation style design with bespoke furnishings, created numerous inviting lounging locales I couldn't wait to enjoy.
With our own private soaking pool, large indoor-outdoor patio, multiple seating areas and full top of the line ... kitchen appliances, wine refrigerator, large island and bar seating, we quickly settled in to our suits and robes and were giddy with anticipation of the days to come in such luxurious accommodations. We were left wanting for nothing and soaked up the evening sun over scrumptious mai tais and tuna poke.
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Ahhh... the Spa...
Timbers Kaua'i has also just taken over ownership of their in-house Nanea Spa and full fitness center. I was able to enjoy a quick workout in their full gym facility and a deep tissue Lomilomi massage with Christine which was a huge relief and such a wonderful healing experience. The island spirit is so present and fulfilling to my soul. It was yet again an important reminder to open myself to the powerful energy of the island and its people to listen to their stories, namely called "talking story". Doing so will give so much to you if you take the time to listen and allow space in your heart to respect the island and its inhabitants.
Path to Ownership
Construction for this project began in summer 2016 and the property opened in the summer of 2018 during which time I lived in Kaua'i and was able to walk the construction zones and see the first few units released for sale. It has been incredible to watch each phase continue to be released with the product continually snatched up by savvy buyers. With their multiple sale offerings including both fractional and whole ownership opportunities, Timbers can craft pricing programs to meet the needs of interested Buyers and its Owners of which I would be thrilled to discuss if you are interested.
Reciprocity Program
Being an owner with Timbers Resorts allows you the opportunity to travel worldwide to their other legendary properties within their reciprocity program including Aspen, Vail and Steamboat, Colorado, Jupiter, Florida, and even Tuscany, Italy. From full ownership to fractional ownership options, the Timbers family allows for effortless real estate and exceptional travel opportunities. I am once again thankful beyond words of being able to enjoy their Kaua'i property once again and I highly suggest making it your next destination.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Timbers owner or simply planning a visit, please let me know and I will be happy to help you make arrangements!
~ With warm aloha, Rachel
Timbers Resorts are all SUPER family friendly as well! My kids absolutely LOVED the property too during a previous visit!
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