The rains were coming in torrents by the time we climbed the hill to reach the Lodge at Koele in spite of a quiet, calm sea on the passage from Maui.
A porter met us at the door with an umbrella and guided us inside to the hushed and tranquil aura of another world, another time.
Magnificent stone fireplaces flanked the giant entrance hall, diners glanced up from their conversations in the adjacent room. I must have said something unwittingly. Such as, "Wow!" Who knew that rugs could be woven this large. Everything appeared to be collectible and antique, yet warm and in keeping with the location on top of a mountain in Hawaii.
The gorgeous wooden floors hewn from native woods gleamed along the passageways and guided our exploration beyond the great room. To the left was a large yet surprisingly homey bar outfitted with sumptuous leather chairs and a view of the broad verandas which graced the full length of the hotel. Who minded the rain? We would just sit a spell and "soak" in the ambiance.
To the right, we found the concierge and reception desk hidden into an alcove just before we reached the game room, with a treasure trove of manly parlor games and trophies of the hunt. More views from the front windows revealed the manicured lawn bowling and croquet fields, vacant for now due to the rains, greening themselves in the showers even as we watched.
Around the corner the library was brimming with volumes and comfortable seating arranged perfectly for pondering your tone or gazing distractedly into the gardens, fit for a king, inspiring your own next turn of phrase.
When lead to our rooms, we found plantation style elegance with shuttered windows, bamboo ceiling fans, four poster beds, plump down pillows, and all colors of chintz and tropical patterns which blended together into a prime example of how to be chic in the tropics.
When the rains let up we walked the extensive grounds and played a round on the undulating putting course, strolled through the Japanese gardens, spent time breathing in the scent of the orchid filled greenhouse and couldn’t even imagine how you might improve on the glory of these grounds.
Taking it all in is such a heady experience it might require you relax by the small but adequate pool. Here, a uniformed server will discreetly bring you anything your heart desires. Once energized you might decide to enter the pool house which has been outfitted with workout equipment and free weights.
Even the most well-traveled guest will respond to the sublime balance of pleasures offered at this island get-away.
This hotel is the stuff of honeymoon dreams and could cause you to insist on second, third and fourth honeymoons and one every year following that.
There's a reason it was named the best Pacific Rim hotel in the world. I do believe it is.