When we stayed here, it was still a Starwood resort. It truly was spectacular. The grounds and pool area are beautiful, but the crescent-shaped beach was the favorite hangout of our family of four.

The beach alone, even though it's small, is worth a stay here at the Orchid. We had it basically to ourselves in July! There are double, thickly-cushioned chaises with shade coverings you can open when you've had enough sun. There's a watersports desk where you can rent kayaks, surfboards (even though there are no waves, our kids loved pretending), and rafts to take a nap on on the tranquil lagoon. They also lend free snorkel equipment, and snorkeling here at the resort is like swimming in an aquarium. The variety and the quantity of fish is breathtaking, and the turtles literally bask on the shore. (We took a snorkeling excursion not affiliated with the hotel, and it really didn't compare.)

Another treat is the staff. There are beach boys who will play with your kids or take you out on a (free) outrigger canoe ride whenever you feel like it. Have at least one dinner at Brown's Beach House. It's definitely expensive (like most other things in Hawaii), but the ambience can't be beat--sunset over the water, tiki torches glimmering, hula dancers on the sand. It's so romantic, and the food is very good.