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TODAY'S ADVENTURE
Best Things To Do in Burlington, Vermont (in 48 hours)Every time I visited Vermont, when I was younger, for some reason, we always bypassed Burlington. No idea what the reasoning behind it was. But regardless, I finally made it, and with my family. So it was an extra bonus for me to share it with them. So we spend 48h in this city and here you have the best things to do in Burlington, Vermont.
Burlington is a tiny city of around 25,000 inhabitants. It is also home to one of the oldest universities in the US – University of Vermont. Almost everything there is to do is right off of Main St and Church Street Marketplace.
If you are staying anywhere off of these streets, you won’t need to go much further.
Main Street also brings you directly to Lake Champlain and the waterfront area, which is also teeming with restaurants, cafes and a great boardwalk.
It’s easy to get around Burlington simply by walking. From the University of Vermont to the waterfront is about two miles with shops, restaurants, cafes, and plenty of places to stop and enjoy small parks and benches.
Burlington is said to be #2 for best bike city in the US, with Portland Oregon being #1. Since I haven’t been to Portland I can’t say if that is true. However, I have been to many other cities in the US that say they are biker-friendly and nothing compares to Burlington.
Not only are there tons of bike routes and complete respect for bikers. The actual bike road takes you all the way to Canada. Since you can’t really do 48 hours to Canada and back, you can enjoy the causeway going to the islands that are on the other side of Lake Champlain.
Lodging – when you first arrive, settle into your hotel room and get acquainted with the area. It is highly recommended to stay right on Main Street or Church Street area. This way you won’t need to have a car to get around.
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn right on Main Street
Day 1
The first day should simply be to enjoy the city and the waterfront. There is always something going on to keep you busy.
get out and start walking. Church Street is designed just for that. It’s a pedestrian mall like area. But there are also great little parks to sit in and enjoy the fresh air.
Lake Champlain is absolutely gorgeous. You can either take in the view or enjoy sipping drinks at one of the numerous restaurants.
Day 2
The second day should be a leisure breakfast at any of the delicious restaurants and cafes.
This should be the majority of your day. You can rent a bike and get on the bike route going towards the islands.
The route to the bike ferry which will help you cross Lake Champlain over to the Islands is about 10 miles in each direction. Once you get to the other side, head over to Allenholm Farms where they have fresh and local food for lunch. It’s a perfect place to take a long break. They also have a petting farm and the best maple creamies (soft ice cream) you can taste.
This whole ride, depending on your level and speed can take anywhere between 3-5 hours. By the time you are back to your hotel it’s time for dinner.
Here’s our full bike rental tour of Burlington
More info for visiting Vermont
The post Best Things To Do in Burlington, Vermont (in 48 hours) appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: Best Things To Do in Burlington, Vermont (in 48 hours)
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/things-to-do-in-burlington-vermont/
Published Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2023 12:28:42 +0000
HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
We’re still several weeks away from turkeys appearing on supermarket shelves en masse and familiar holiday tunes playing on the loudspeakers in stores. However, now is the time to get serious about booking holiday travel — particularly when it comes to flights.
To avoid paying a premium for holiday travel, it’s key to lock in your holiday airfare sooner rather than later: Book Thanksgiving flights by the first couple weeks of October, and Christmas and New Year’s flights by the end of October, according to a seasonal forecast from booking app Hopper.
But how soon you book isn’t the only factor to consider as you solidify your end-of-year travel plans, whether you’re headed home for Thanksgiving or to the mountains for some late-December skiing.
The type of ticket you book, when you travel and even the credit card you use to lock in your travel plans can be critical pieces of your holiday travel experience.
Waiting too long to book is one common mistake. Here are seven other mistakes to avoid in booking 2023 holiday travel.
Being inflexible with travel plans keeps you from being able to take advantage of the lowest possible airfare.
For those of us with full-time, in-person jobs, or family members with work or school requirements, flexibility is often easier said than done — particularly when it comes to the short Thanksgiving holiday period.
Anything you can do to open up your airfare search can help, though.
Let’s say I’m a college student or young professional in Washington, D.C., who needs to return home to Austin for Thanksgiving.
Based on my schedule, I may feel like I have to fly out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) — the closest airport to the city — no earlier than 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before the holiday and fly back on the Sunday after.
With all those parameters for my search, the cheapest airfare currently available goes for $645 on American Airlines, according to a quick search on Google Flights.
Watch what happens, though, if I rearrange my schedule and timing and search all of the Washington, D.C., region’s airports.
Here’s a $449 round-trip flight on Southwest Airlines departing from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). It still departs on the Wednesday before, just earlier in the day; it also still returns on Sunday.
That’s a 30% savings just by removing a bit of rigidity from my plans.
Any other flexibility you can find in your plans can help, whether it’s departing on a different day or — for the ultraflexible travelers — flying from a different location where the fares are cheaper.
In both 2021 and 2022, the single busiest day of the year for U.S. airports was the Sunday following Thanksgiving, according to Transportation Security Administration passenger data.
That’s not too surprising: Millions of travelers head home on that day.
With airfare dictated by supply and demand, you’ll frequently see the worst prices on the busiest days surrounding major holidays.
At Thanksgiving, Hopper suggests flying on the Monday before the holiday and returning on the Monday (or later) after, thus avoiding the peak days before and after Turkey Day.
Hopper likewise cautions against flying home Dec. 26, the day after Christmas.
For example, let’s say I’m hoping to fly one of the ‘”Big Three”‘ airlines from Chicago to Miami at Christmas; ideally, I want to depart Dec. 22 (the Friday before the holiday weekend) and return Dec. 26. The cheapest round-trip option with nonstop flights on those dates we found: $477 on United Airlines.
However, if I can shift to some slightly less busy days, departing Dec. 21 and returning Dec. 27, I can save more than 30% with this $325 round trip.
Booking or putting a hold on holiday flights soon is ideal. However, if your plans aren’t set in stone or you’re otherwise not ready to take the leap yet, the worst thing you can do is forget about booking and just “check back in a few weeks.”
Several sites have services that will alert you to price fluctuations in airfare.
Suppose I’m planning to book a flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Denver International Airport (DEN) for Christmas and am not prepared to pay for this $470 round-trip journey on United Airlines just yet. In that case, I’m going to use Google Flights’ “Track prices” option.
As soon as I do that, Google Flights will monitor any fluctuations in my itinerary and email me alerts for any changes.
Another common mistake travelers can make is using the wrong credit card to book a flight, hotel or other trip element.
There are a couple of factors to consider when deciding which card to use. You might want to use a card that earns the most rewards for airline or hotel purchases or a card that might help put you over the top with elite status as the year winds down.
Most important, though, is selecting the card in your wallet with travel insurance benefits. Numerous cards will reimburse you for covered trip cancellations, trip interruptions or other issues. This can potentially save you hundreds of dollars if you get stranded somewhere and face an unexpected night in a hotel.
Often, cards with trip insurance benefits will pay for expenses even when a flight is canceled, for instance, due to weather — which airlines typically won’t cover.
In most cases, there’s a key stipulation: You generally have to book all aspects of the trip with that card in order to be eligible for an insurance claim.
On many occasions, we’ve heard stories from TPG readers who have made a trip insurance claim with their card issuer after a cancellation and unexpected hotel night. It was not until later that they realized they had booked their flight with a different card and were, therefore, not eligible for any reimbursement.
Here at TPG, we’ll be the first to say it: Using points and miles is a great way to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of travel.
However, treating your hard-earned points and miles like the currency they are is critical to avoid handing over too many at once.
With many airline and hotel loyalty programs now using dynamic award pricing models that are less predictable, you could end up paying way too much in points or miles for a flight during the pricey holiday season if you’re not careful.
As enticing as it may be to avoid paying for that Thanksgiving flight, using all your points for holiday travel will mean there’s nothing left for a vacation in the new year. This would be especially unfortunate if you had been saving up for a long-haul business-class seat or other redemption that could give you a little more value for your points.
When in doubt, consult TPG’s awards-versus-cash calculator, which will help you compare prices in dollars and points to decide how to book.
Overpacking for any trip can cost you, but during the frantic and already-expensive holiday season, it can tip flight costs well beyond your budget.
Proceed with caution when booking a basic economy ticket or a flight on an ultra-low-cost carrier. It can be an appealing way to save some money on the base fare, but it can end up costing you money for a small suitcase even if you didn’t plan to check a bag.
On budget airlines, luggage costs for both carry-on and checked bags can rise at the airport compared with online. The same applies to United Airlines and JetBlue, as both do not allow free, full-size carry-on bags on basic economy fares.
If you’re checking a bag, be mindful of your bag’s weight, particularly at Christmas, when you may be returning home with gifts in your luggage. Checking multiple bags or bringing a bag of more than 50 pounds typically incurs a significant expense.
That said, this is where the right travel or airline credit card can pay for itself: It can often provide multiple family members traveling on the same reservation with free checked bags.
If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s the value of having an “out” with your travel plans.
That’s been especially true around the holidays. The COVID-19 pandemic upended travel three years ago, and the omicron surge threw a wrench in many travelers’ plans one year ago. Not to mention, bad weather plus Southwest Airlines’ meltdown also caused travel nightmares one year ago.
One of the best ways to be prepared for any wrench in your travel plans — before or during your trip — is to book reservations you can cancel for either a full refund or full trip credit.
For airlines, the three “legacy” carriers (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines) will generally give you full trip credit if you cancel even a nonrefundable main cabin ticket. They also don’t charge change fees on regular economy fares.
However, on many airlines, basic economy tickets tend to be a lot more restrictive in terms of ticket changes (which typically aren’t allowed unless you pay) and getting money back (even trip credit).
Southwest Airlines will give you, at a minimum, full trip credit on all tickets as long as you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure.
Changing your plans is much more difficult when you’ve already invested prepaid, nonrefundable money in hotel reservations and car rentals.
Though choosing to “pay now” when booking these trip elements can be an enticing way to save some money, proceed with caution when prepaying.
Generally, most standard hotel reservations and car rentals will allow you to cancel, penalty-free, up until a day or two before your trip.
This allows you to both adapt to unexpected twists and turns and to cancel and rebook your stay if you later find a better price.
By the way, award flights or stays booked with points generally do not have the trappings of prepaid, nonrefundable reservations. If something comes up, you can typically cancel and get your points or miles back.
Related reading:
Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a beginner or expert travelerThe best travel credit cardsThe 18 best places to travel in 20236 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel withoutTODAY'S ADVENTURE
Schnippers NYC: Affordable, Delicious, Kid Friendly Restaurant in NY?Can you really get the words affordable, delicious, and kid-friendly into one sentence when describing an NYC restaurant? I honestly didn’t think that is a possibility. Sure, kid-friendly exists here, but affordable as in less than $10 for a delicious huge meal that a child will devour? Have to admit, it is a challenge. Or it was until I found Schnippers Restaurant in NYC and here’s my full review.
After having non-successful dining out experiences with my kids, either because the restaurant was a bit too posh for young kids or the kid-friendly themes were huge rip-offs, I was literally throwing my arms up in the air.
And if anyone knows NYC, even though it is considered a ‘walking city’ this is usually said by people without young kids. So the idea of simply walking around and hoping to find good eats is way more challenging with two picky eaters.
The deduction is the way of life for me when it comes to finding fun places to eat with my boys:
1. What will make any kid happy – hamburgers, mac, and cheese, pizza, hot dogs
2. Affordability – I actually have no qualms paying top dollar for good food. But there is always a huge ‘I don’t want to eat it after it was ordered and sitting in front of the kid scenario with my boys, which makes me ill to my stomach after I find out the dish is around $25 that could’ve been spent on something truly worthwhile.
3. Fun atmosphere and casual – what parent doesn’t love it when their kids can be kids and do their thing without worrying that the customers will freak out
4. Location, Location, Location– in NYC location is truly relative to where you are. Since we were near the UN building on the Eastside (mid-area), it would be outrageously inconvenient to look for a restaurant on the Upper West Side, where you would need to take a subway or bus or taxi. By the time we would arrive there, I’d just want to go home from the headache of getting there in the first place.
Recommended Read: Food Trucks in New York
Why Schnipper’s NYC Came on my Radar and Should Be On Yours Too
In NYC you don’t go to an actual restaurant for pizza, since the best pizza joints are small and on every corner. And quite frankly, after eating pizza for the past two days, I was ready for another meal. Hamburgers became the new mantra in our house all of a sudden, and I searched feverishly on the web where to get all the above elements for a fun dinner out with my boys.
Looking in the area of where we were, Schnippers ranked high on all the websites I normally look for recommendations. So after too many signs from the Universe to give it a shot, we headed out.
Schnippers actually has three locations, and one was literally a two-block walk from where we were staying. The Lexington Avenue spot was right on.
Schnippers was just right. The fact that you order at the counter and don’t have to spend too much time waiting for a waiter to take your order, was an automatic high-five for me.
Schnippers NYC Menu
There is a wait service though. They bring you your order to the table. And the staff is great. Super friendly, not at all like a fast food place. The feel of the restaurant is fast food, but the food is delicious, old-fashioned US-style and you can spend as much time as you want at the table! And there is alcohol.
Also, I don’t know about you, but I love to hear what the signature dishes of each restaurant are. And even this was simplified for you. The waiters wear the top choices on their backs.
And of course, I had to try one of each. Mac & Joe is a mac and cheese dish with sloppy joe on the side. My baby loved the mac and cheese and I finished off the sloppy joe.
Schnippers Sloppy Joe and Mac & Cheese
Recommended Post: Carnegie deli review
Did I mention that the portions are enormous?
Old-fashioned, hearty, huge burgers with all sorts of toppings were by far their specialty. I’m not a big burger fan, but OMG these were the juiciest burgers I’ve ever tasted. And in this particular location, they have their classic burger with special sauce and caramelized onions. We ended up ordering two burgers for my son, which is amazing, he never eats that much (well he had a little bit of help from me).
There is a huge assortment of sandwiches, but I got the chicken grilled sandwich with sweet potato fries that came with a special sauce. I think this was my favorite by far.
I tried the salted caramel shake, which I think is an acquired taste, and also for people who are into the salty-sweet combination. I’m more of a sweet sweet combination gal.
Related Read: theme restaurants nyc
And of course, I also look for a place to eat with a fun backstory.
Schnippers is known to serve good old-fashioned American food.The founders are the Schnipper brothers, Andrew and Jonathan. And they are considered amazing bosses and owners. The staff was telling me that they are always hands-on and do most of the cooking and chatting up with the customers. We arrived a bit late to meet them, they usually work the lunch hour we came for dinner.Before opening up Schnippers the bros traveled the country trying all sorts of local food and that’s how they came up with the Schnipper’s Menu.Schnippers has three really convenient locations. Their most famous one in Times Square. If you are in that area, definitely head over for yummy food. We went to the Lexington Ave. one, but they also have one on the Lower East Side as well.
But the best burger can only be found at the Lex Ave location.
Address: 570 Lexington at 50th, New YorkPhone: 212 826 8100Hours: M-F 10:30 AM – 10 PM; Sat & Sun 11 AM – 9 PMPrices: from $3 to $10 Schnippers -Kid Friendly Restaurants in NYC – Review
The post Schnippers NYC: Affordable, Delicious, Kid Friendly Restaurant in NY? appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: Schnippers NYC: Affordable, Delicious, Kid Friendly Restaurant in NY?
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/schnippers-nyc-restaurant/
Published Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:00:20 +0000
HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”9454″]
One of the most famous beach destinations in the U.S., Waikiki offers a winning blend of convenience (thanks to its location adjacent to Honolulu), a range of accommodations to suit various budgets, excellent restaurants and a family-friendly, if sometimes crowded, beachfront.
You could splurge on an expensive stay at a luxury resort like the famous and historic Royal Hawaiian. Or, you could opt to stay at The Modern Honolulu — one of a handful of full-service hotel options in the area that offer guests a high-quality experience at relatively affordable prices near the boundary of Waikiki and Honolulu.
The hotel originally opened in October 2010 as the Edition Honolulu (Ian Schrager’s boutique Marriott-partnered brand). About a year later, though, the owners parted ways with Marriott and rebranded it as The Modern Honolulu. These days, the hotel actually has a partnership with Hilton Grand Vacations, so you can redeem Hilton Honors points there; however, the award rates are exorbitant.
Here’s what you need to know about staying at The Modern Honolulu.
Over a decade since it first opened as an understated but trendy Edition, The Modern Honolulu still showcases decor that, while starting to look slightly worn, evokes a sense of Schrager’s pared-down aesthetic.
The interior design features natural tones and textures, while the overall ambience remains laid-back yet polished. The Sunrise Pool area is particularly inviting, with its romantic lighting, wooden deck and elegant white umbrellas creating a classic vacation backdrop.
Related: The best Edition hotels in the world, according to Marriott Bonvoy loyalists
Although its location at the edge of Waikiki might feel a bit removed from the area’s other vacation resorts, a short walk will take you to the heart of the action. Despite being right off Ala Moana Boulevard, there was adequate soundproofing, so noise wasn’t a problem from my fourth-floor room.
Adults-only areas and a lack of kids club-style activities mean The Modern Honolulu is best geared toward couples or solo travelers looking for somewhere a little swankier to stay than your average beachfront hotel.
The Modern Honolulu is at the northwestern edge of Waikiki, between the sprawling Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Ala Moana shopping center. You can walk along either the beach or the road, or you can take a quick car ride to the bustling heart of Waikiki, which offers numerous restaurants and more shopping opportunities.
You can reach The Modern Honolulu from Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in approximately 20 to 30 minutes; Uber and Lyft rides cost about $30.
If you prefer to use public transportation, the number 20 bus runs every half hour or so most days between the airport and the corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Hobron Lane — less than a block from the hotel. Budget at least an hour for this journey, depending on the time of day.
For the best rates, book directly with the hotel. Introductory room rates at The Modern Honolulu start around $159 before taxes and the resort fee. During peak holiday travel, however, room rates soar to $500 per night.
You can also redeem Hilton Honors points to stay here, but when we checked the price calendar there were no standard room awards available. Premium room awards are plentiful but expensive, ranging between 71,000 and 358,000 points per night.
For my two-night September weekend stay, I paid $194 per night for a standard city-view terrace king room. All room rates at the hotel include a mandatory daily resort fee of $35 plus tax. This fee covers various amenities such as internet, two bottles of water per day, fitness and cultural activities, a 10% discount on the daily $24.95 self-parking fee and 25% off the rental of a daybed by the pool.
Even though I had a rate marketed directly by the hotel but via a corporate booking site, the property wouldn’t allow me to add my Hilton Honors membership number to the reservation since I didn’t book directly through a Hilton channel.
I paid for my room bill using the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, which earns 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel purchases. If you have a Hilton credit card, though, you might want to use that instead to rack up even more Hilton points for your stay.
The Modern Honolulu instantly transports you to a vacation state of mind. The hotel buzzes with cheerful sun-seeking travelers mainly from from the mainland U.S. and Australia. Inside, the lobby sports a nautical theme, adorned with a surfboard mosaic. However, the peculiar octopus-headed mural in The Grove restaurant may catch you off guard.
Guests looking to hang out in the lobby can head over to the Study, which has a desk and chairs, a sofa and two computers with a printer, and is also a good spot for meeting up with friends before hitting the town.
Spread across three levels, the hotel’s public areas offer ample space for relaxation. One level is dedicated exclusively to adults, featuring a fitness center and the serene Sunset Pool for grown-up chill time. The lush tropical landscaping creates a jungle-like ambience in the heart of the city.
Emerging from the dimly lit hallway, I was greeted by an expansive city-view terrace king room (340 square feet), flooded with sunlight. The pleasing contrast of the white walls, desk and daybed against the warm, rich wooden shutters created a visually striking combination. The comfortable king-size platform bed gave me a peaceful night’s sleep, although some pillows were noticeably lumpy.
The light switches were intuitive, and there were plenty of power outlets on both sides of the bed. The single chair tucked under the desk is functional for work, though it shared the tabletop with the microwave, coffee machine and TV. There was an empty minifridge so you could store your own food or beverages, an ice bucket and a Keurig coffee maker with Hawaiian Paradise coffee pods provided.
While my room overlooked a parking lot, I could still catch glimpses of the mountains to the north and the Pacific to the south. Although I would have loved to spend more time in this outdoor space, the rusted chairs and the noise from Ala Moana Boulevard were distracting, so I spent most of my outdoor time by the pools.
The bathroom featured a large single sink with ample counter space, a toilet and large-format Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries in the shower-tub combination. There were plenty of towels, but the hotel didn’t provide guests with any further noteworthy bathroom amenities.
While I didn’t bother escalating it to the front desk, the shower drain struggled to keep up with the powerful water pressure from the shower head. This necessitated frequent pauses during my showers to allow the water level to drain properly.
The Modern Honolulu has just a single poolside bar and restaurant called The Grove. While the taste of everything I ordered was enjoyable, the experience would have been elevated with ceramic dishware and metal utensils instead of disposable containers, utensils and cups.
Breakfast is available each morning from 7:30 to 11 a.m., and it features several choices, such as smashed avocado toast on pumpernickel rye bread with a poached egg ($18). For those craving something sweeter, the signature Chantilly cream French toast is a satisfying option ($14).
The all-day menu includes a range of tasty dishes, including three flatbread pizzas ($15 each), fish tacos made with the catch of the day ($18) and barbecue mango and Thai chili pork ribs ($30).
Happy hour takes place daily from 3 to 6 p.m. and includes light happy hour appetizers ranging from $5 to $15, accompanied by the delicious burrata and beet salad ($18). The sashimi-grade ahi poke nachos proved to be a highlight ($14).
Cocktail cravers will appreciate the Modern’s selection of specialty drinks, such as their unique “deconstructed” mai tai and the refreshing frozen coconut mojito ($17 each). During happy hour, the bar offers a signature cocktail and a variety of wines available by the glass at lower prices.
Without a large dinner menu, The Grove is probably better for enjoying drinks and appetizers during happy hour. Then, head into Honolulu or Waikiki for a full meal.
menities and service
The Modern Honolulu’s focal point is its outdoor areas. One of the highlights is the adults-only, 6-inch-deep Sunset Pool. Here, you’ll find lounge chairs both on the deck and in the water. The hotel has even added sand around this pool area to create a beach-like ambience.
Down one level, the Sunrise Pool is where most of the activity takes place. A pool bar, a convenient towel stand, outdoor showers and daybeds are available. The attentive staff members cater to the needs of the numerous vacationers and were always on hand to provide complimentary water.
In addition to the pool areas, the hotel houses a decently equipped fitness center. During my two visits, I never experienced any wait times to use the equipment, which included various cardio machines like treadmills and ellipticals, as well as free weights and stretching balls.
Daily housekeeping is available, and I scheduled my service for a one-hour afternoon slot since I had work to do in the morning. As I left my room and walked to the elevator in the afternoon, the cheerful housekeeper asked if I was ready for service.
At the driveway, I encountered a team of bellhops who offered to assist me with my luggage. Although I typically prefer handling my bags, their help was greatly appreciated as I maneuvered the staircase between the lobby and driveway with my hands full.
The Modern Honolulu’s spa has unfortunately been closed for several years, and there are no indications of it reopening in the near future.
While there were a few families enjoying the pool, the overall atmosphere at the hotel primarily caters to couples. However, during lunchtime, children can order from a dedicated kids menu. The menu includes hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken fingers and cheeseburgers. These entrees cost between $9 and $10 and come with a side of fries.
The Modern Hotel Honolulu provides convenient access to popular attractions such as the Ala Moana shopping center and the main stretch of Waikiki Beach. Just a block from the hotel, you’ll discover the highly rated Tropical Tribe Ala Moana, known for its delicious acai bowls. Additionally, the hotel recommends Luxure Nail Spa & Hair Salon, offering affordable manicures for $20 and pedicures for $30.
Lappert’s Kauai Pie ice cream has long been my favorite for a cold treat after a day in the sun, featuring a delightful blend of coffee, macadamia nuts, coconut shavings and chocolate swirls. This ice cream parlor, known for its island-inspired flavors, is only five minutes from the back pedestrian entrance of The Modern Honolulu, within the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Local vendors sell handcrafted Hawaiian items, including leis and jewelry, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s shops as well. As I arrived on a Friday evening, I settled on the complex’s grass near the beach and enjoyed a fireworks display.
ccessibilityThe hotel’s main entrance has a flight of stairs leading up from the driveway, so guests with mobility needs can enter through the parking garage via a fairly steep ramp.
Once in the lobby, you can reach all the hotel’s public areas by elevator; however, there are several unavoidable steps to the adults-only Sunset Pool.
At the family-friendly Sunrise Pool, the hotel offers an electric chair lift for step-free access to the pool.
Finally, the hotel does offer a variety of mobility-accessible room and suite types with features like roll-in showers or accessible tubs, but you should call directly to ensure that the room type you book includes the features you might need.
The Modern Honolulu’s spacious rooms, attentive staff, casual but delicious food and beverage options, and beautiful pools made it an appealing home base for a stay in Waikiki. However, it’s time for the hotel to refresh the worn room furniture and consider adding to its dining venues.
For those seeking a cost-conscious hotel just outside the hectic center of Waikiki, though, The Modern Honolulu is still a great option. With its proximity to one of the world’s most renowned beaches, comfortable accommodations, great city views and clubby but not over-the-top pool ambience, the hotel is a definite crowd-pleaser for couples visiting Hawaii.
Related reading:
17 spectacular hotels in HonoluluThe best hotels in Oahu, from luxury resorts to iconic hotelsMy top 5 things to do in Oahu, HawaiiBest hotels and resorts in HawaiiI had sworn off Hawaii during the pandemic — here’s why I went back (and plan to again)The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles