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Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Aston’s bringing the gifts

Friday, July 17th, 2009

By Nadine Kam

Martin & MacArthurcorkscrew

Gifts for guests from Aston Waikiki Beach Tower and Martin & MacArthur.

Aston Waikiki Beach Tower is celebrating its 25th anniversary by bringing the gifts to its guests, including a $2,500 shopping spree at Neiman Marcus for one lucky guest, who will be surprised at check-in. To qualify, the guest must stay at the condominium resort during its celebration months of October and November 2009.

If you have any trepidation about spending that money, just invite me along. I’ll have no trouble urging you on!

There will be other gifts as well. Each traveling party (one gift per room) will be presented with an exclusive, handcrafted, Martin & MacArthur Koa wood wine stopper and corkscrew set. And every 25th registered guest will receive a custom Martin & MacArthur Hawaiian Koa wood platter valued at more than $500. The round platter includes a display stand to showcase its gleaming colors, from near black through reds, orange and russet tones to yellow and gold.

For information about booking a stay in the luxury condominium resort, visit www.AstonHotels.com or call toll-free 866-774-2924.

Inside Marciano and the Moana Lani Spa

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

By Nadine Kam

marciano

Nadine Kam photos
A peek inside the Marciano boutique, which opened this morning at Royal Hawaiian Center.

Ventured into Waikiki this morning for a peek inside the newly open Marciano boutique, the first in Hawaii, at Royal Hawaiian Center.

marciano dress

The brand is known for glamorous, sexy clothing, and a spot check on prices revealed dresses at about $188 and tops starting at $40. The palette is strong on red, black and hunter green and there was also a selection of lace tops suitable for the soon-to-arrive holidays. Just thought I’d remind you of those. Somehow, the span between October and December always feels condensed, and always a fine time for a little stress relief, which brings me to:

>>>><<<<

ahhhh!

An ahhh! moment: Agasa Yamana, left, and Reiko Tokushige Rogers, CEO and Executive Producer of Studio Rim Hawaii, Inc., relax in the women’s lounge at Moana Lani Spa. Or, try to. Reiko is recording her thoughts about the palatial spa.

The Moana Surfrider’s celebration of the opening of its Moana Lani Spa this morning. I was stressed getting out the door this morning, thinking of the eight stories I have due by Friday (actually three are due Sunday but do I want to work Saturday?), but all that faded away just walking through the spa, which may be the biggest on this island, covering 16,000 square feet. Only Ihilani may be bigger, and I’m sure someone will correct me if it is.

There was a huge crowd waiting to get in the door, but once in, seriously, the place is so big that exploring the rooms, I rarely saw more than six people at once.

the view

The view from one of the men’s massage therapy rooms; likely the last I’ll see of it. Don’t worry. The views are just as good from the women’s rooms.

The amenities:
>> 2 Oceanfront couples treatment suites
>> 8 massage therapy rooms
>> 2 body treatment rooms
>> 1 Vichy shower water therapy room
>> 3 facial rooms

The Westin WorkOut fitness center is built, but the last step is placing the machines which I was told would arrive today. Exercisers will have a view of Kalakaua Avenue, which can be just as entertaining as anything on TV, making workout time fly by.

orchids

Orchids at the pedicure station.

Most of the rooms have incredible views of the beach, and I didn’t want to leave, threatening to come back with my laptop computer, only to be told no computers are allowed in the spa. For good reason! Work has been presented as a “lifestyle” to those of us who can’t separate the two, but even when it’s fun, the wear and tear is there.

If you need to relax, call 237-2535 or visit www.moanalanispa.com

starting young

Jovana Ihilani Ignjatovic visited the spa with her parents. Her first two names translate as “majestic heavenly splendor.” Her last name is Serbian. She was most interested in a nearby Jacuzzi but her parents thought it was best to keep her away from the water.

candice

The spa carries Kauai-based Malie spa therapy products, as well as ComfortZone products. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii director of public relations Candice Kraughto shows her stash of ComfortZone lip products, at $24 to $25 each. She may be the only person to carry her cosmetics in a Tiffany box instead of a makeup pouch. I’ve known Candice a long time. She’s one of the few who remember I once had a vintage/consignment shop called Hippie Chicks. She always bought the most beautiful things and I asked before if she kept any of it. She didn’t, but if she did, I’d probably buy it back! Iguess some things never change. She’s carrying a Louis Vuitton Alma bag in ivory.

A quick video of India

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

By Nadine Kam



I borrowed a few snippets of video and stills from Amy Tomita, who works at Neiman Marcus, to put together a 2-minute video to go with the Travel piece on India in today’s paper. It just gives a little feel of what it’s like to be on the ground there, and I guess what was a little depressing is that their road surfaces are better than ours.Thanks Amy!