| Last year my family and I decided to go on a luxurious two week trip to Hawaii. We had received a large inheritance from my husband's father and wanted to do something very special. Our trip budget was $40,000 and our goal was to take a trip that was much better than our average trips. We took advantage of First Class air travel, the best ocean facing rooms for both the kids and us, and the best of private tours, dinners, and experiences the island could offer.
We stayed at the Mauna Lani Resort on the Kona Coast. This is a beautifully manicured property which touts all the best of services. It may be that we hold the vendors we choose to a higher standard because of my work, or maybe we expect the best of service for the amount of money we spend, but we were a bit disappointed. We expected palm trees, beautiful beaches, a tropical atmosphere, and lots of activities for all of us to do; its Hawaii! We can get this by flying coach and staying at a non-resort property as well. But, for the location we chose, we had high expectations. Finding the balance between being picky versus being care-free in paradise is certainly subjective; however I just wanted the best for my family. For most, I guess the general aesthetics are enough. In my work, I am fortunate to see many beautiful places and things, so service really stands out. |
