Our retired neighbors would never dream of vacationing without their four-legged love child Jake. I swear Jake—a bichon frise–has seen more of this country than I have. However, up until about a month ago, the pampered pooch had never been to paradise. Because of what they thought would be complicated pet preparations, my neighbors never considered Hawaii a viable vacation destination.
That all changed when my neighbors received free tickets to Oahu. It was only then that they learned that some hotels in Hawaii offer amazing amenities for traveling pets. They read a review actress and dog owner Cameron Diaz wrote about the doggie services at one Oahu hotel. After some additional research they felt comfortable taking Jake to the “Aloha State.”
The Kahala is one of the state’s most luxurious resorts. It has received rave reviews in several trade publications for its stellar accommodations, most notably for its pet program.
Here’s a taste of what you’ll get if you bring your fur baby to The Kahala:
A bellman will greet you and your pet by name at the hotel’s entrance. Once you are checked-in, you will be escorted up to your room and while you dine on complimentary fresh fruit your dog can munch on fresh-baked peanut butter flavored biscuits with his or her name inscribed on each. The hotel also offers dog-walking, pet pillows alongside your bed, and a card that you can use to teach your dogs commands in Hawaiian. (For example, “sit” or “stay” in Hawaiian is “noho.”)
The charge for the luxury accommodations: $150 per pet. Did I mention Elizabeth Taylor’s pooches are among the hotel’s high-profile guests? The resort’s manager started a similar program while he worked at the Beverly Hills Hotel and regularly contended with celebrities bringing their designer dogs to the property.
The Kahala is located about 10 minutes from the heart of Waikiki in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the state. If five-star luxury is out of your price range consider checking out the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani in Waikiki or W Honolulu where cats and dogs under 40 pounds are welcome. You have to pay an extra $25 a day at the W plus a $100 cleaning fee at the end of your visit, but upon arrival your pet gets a special water bowl, a pet-sized bed, and a goodie bag packed with a rawhide treat or chew toy. If you are traveling to the Hawaiian Island of Maui you can have your pet pampered at the Four Seasons Resort, which allows small pets as extra amenities.
Jake came back from his Hawaiian vacation relaxed (though not tanned) and refreshed. That dog’s got some life.
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