I stayed at a resort with one of the largest pools in Hawaii. Its other amenities were so good that I barely swam in it.
Honestly, I care about having a pool more than I do a great view from my room or a rainfall shower. I love swimming, and I'm even happir when I can enjoy comfy lounge chairs and poolside service between dips.
Such lounging is exactly what I anticipated as I wheeled my carry-on past the pool during a late-night check-in at The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i resort in Lihue after a long travel day from the Midwest.
Per its website, this Royal Sonesta is home to Hawaii's largest single-level outdoor pool. I couldn't wait to take a dip and lounge poolside with a book the next day.
Much to my surprise, I kept skipping the pool
From above, the resort's massive pool is shaped like a flower with lounge chairs and palm trees in the above-ground center that guests can swim (or walk a narrow path) to get to.
Surrounded by cabanas, hundreds of chaise lounge chairs, and massive stone creatures spouting water, it was picture-perfect.
The next morning, as I walked to breakfast, I was already calculating when I'd dive into that splendid pool a flight below me. Then, I found myself walking in the opposite direction, toward other parts of the resort.
Its lush tropical foliage, amazing upper-level coffee bar with gazebos overlooking the pool, and direct access to the nearby Kalapaki Beach lured me in.
The uncrowded beachfront with a quiet cove was just a five-minute walk from my room.
For the first two days of my stay, I nearly forgot about the pool I'd been so excited about.
Finally, on day three, I changed into my bathing suit and headed to the pool. I dropped my stuff off on a lounge chair and stepped into the water.
After 30 minutes, I got out — I was itching to enjoy more of the property and swim in the ocean right nearby. This was the last time I went in the pool during my four-night stay at the resort.
Throughout my trip, I had a blast on the property and other spots nearby, including the beach.
I swam in the ocean and lounged on the mostly empty, peaceful sands. I enjoyed tasty meals at Duke's Kauai, just minutes away. The restaurant's ice-cream-cake-like concoction, Hula Pie, was incredible.
Honestly, I had more fun watching koi fish in the property's pond and the island's famous chickens outside my patio door than I ever have at a pool.
Still, it looked nice — and I did order Mai Tais at the bar overlooking the pool.
I didn't care much about the pool because I found so much to enjoy on and near the property
From now on, I may pay more attention if a resort has ocean (or even lake) access rather than focusing on whether it has a pool.
Swimming in an ocean can be superior to a man-made pool, especially if the surrounding area isn't busy or is exclusively reserved for nearby hotel guests.
I still love private resort pools — and they can be a great way to dodge crowds at public beaches. However, there's far more space to spread out in an ocean, the water feels less artificial, and nothing beats the experience of waves massaging your body and salt water exfoliating your skin.
So, yes, it turns out that what drew me to the resort in the first place ended up not being my favorite amenity.
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Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business Insider
I stayed at a resort with one of the largest pools in Hawaii. Its other amenities were so good that I barely swam in it.
Each year, I spend about 60 nights in hotel rooms — but I'll only book a stay after I've scanned a property's website and socials to confirm it has a pool that looks like the epitome of relaxation. Honestly, I care about having a pool more than I do a great view from my room or a rainfall shower. I love swimming, and I'm even happir when I can enjoy comfy lounge chairs and poolside service between dips. Such lounging is exactly what I anticipated as I wheeled my carry-on past the pool during a late-night check-in at The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i resort in Lihue after a long travel day from the Midwest. Per its website, this Royal Sonesta is home to Hawaii's largest single-level outdoor pool. I couldn't wait to take a dip and lounge poolside with a book the next day. Much to my surprise, I kept skipping the pool From above, the resort's massive pool is shaped like a flower with lounge chairs and palm trees in the above-ground center that guests can swim (or walk a narrow path) to get to. Surrounded by cabanas, hundreds of chaise lounge chairs, and massive stone creatures spouting water, it was picture-perfect. The next morning, as I walked to breakfast, I was already calculating when I'd dive into that splendid pool a flight below me. Then, I found myself walking in the opposite direction, toward other parts of the resort. Its lush tropical foliage, amazing upper-level coffee bar with gazebos overlooking the pool, and direct access to the nearby Kalapaki Beach lured me in. The uncrowded beachfront with a quiet cove was just a five-minute walk from my room. For the first two days of my stay, I nearly forgot about the pool I'd been so excited about. Finally, on day three, I changed into my bathing suit and headed to the pool. I dropped my stuff off on a lounge chair and stepped into the water. After 30 minutes, I got out — I was itching to enjoy more of the property and swim in the ocean right nearby. This was the last time I went in the pool during my four-night stay at the resort. Throughout my trip, I had a blast on the property and other spots nearby, including the beach. I swam in the ocean and lounged on the mostly empty, peaceful sands. I enjoyed tasty meals at Duke's Kauai, just minutes away. The restaurant's ice-cream-cake-like concoction, Hula Pie, was incredible. Honestly, I had more fun watching koi fish in the property's pond and the island's famous chickens outside my patio door than I ever have at a pool. Still, it looked nice — and I did order Mai Tais at the bar overlooking the pool. I didn't care much about the pool because I found so much to enjoy on and near the property From now on, I may pay more attention if a resort has ocean (or even lake) access rather than focusing on whether it has a pool. Swimming in an ocean can be superior to a man-made pool, especially if the surrounding area isn't busy or is exclusively reserved for nearby hotel guests. I still love private resort pools — and they can be a great way to dodge crowds at public beaches. However, there's far more space to spread out in an ocean, the water feels less artificial, and nothing beats the experience of waves massaging your body and salt water exfoliating your skin. So, yes, it turns out that what drew me to the resort in the first place ended up not being my favorite amenity.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business Insider
I stayed at a resort with one of the largest pools in Hawaii. Its other amenities were so good that I barely swam in it.
Most travelers have an amenity that either makes or breaks a hotel reservation. For me, it's the pool. Each year, I spend about 60 nights in hotel rooms — but I'll only book a stay after I've scanned a property's website and socials to confirm it has a pool that looks like the epitome of relaxation. Honestly, I care about having a pool more than I do a great view from my room or a rainfall shower. I love swimming, and I'm even happir when I can enjoy comfy lounge chairs and poolside service between dips. Such lounging is exactly what I anticipated as I wheeled my carry-on past the pool during a late-night check-in at The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i resort in Lihue after a long travel day from the Midwest. Per its website, this Royal Sonesta is home to Hawaii's largest single-level outdoor pool. I couldn't wait to take a dip and lounge poolside with a book the next day. Much to my surprise, I kept skipping the pool From above, the resort's massive pool is shaped like a flower with lounge chairs and palm trees in the above-ground center that guests can swim (or walk a narrow path) to get to. Surrounded by cabanas, hundreds of chaise lounge chairs, and massive stone creatures spouting water, it was picture-perfect. The next morning, as I walked to breakfast, I was already calculating when I'd dive into that splendid pool a flight below me. Then, I found myself walking in the opposite direction, toward other parts of the resort. Its lush tropical foliage, amazing upper-level coffee bar with gazebos overlooking the pool, and direct access to the nearby Kalapaki Beach lured me in. The uncrowded beachfront with a quiet cove was just a five-minute walk from my room. For the first two days of my stay, I nearly forgot about the pool I'd been so excited about. Finally, on day three, I changed into my bathing suit and headed to the pool. I dropped my stuff off on a lounge chair and stepped into the water. After 30 minutes, I got out — I was itching to enjoy more of the property and swim in the ocean right nearby. This was the last time I went in the pool during my four-night stay at the resort. Throughout my trip, I had a blast on the property and other spots nearby, including the beach. I swam in the ocean and lounged on the mostly empty, peaceful sands. I enjoyed tasty meals at Duke's Kauai, just minutes away. The restaurant's ice-cream-cake-like concoction, Hula Pie, was incredible. Honestly, I had more fun watching koi fish in the property's pond and the island's famous chickens outside my patio door than I ever have at a pool. Still, it looked nice — and I did order Mai Tais at the bar overlooking the pool. I didn't care much about the pool because I found so much to enjoy on and near the property From now on, I may pay more attention if a resort has ocean (or even lake) access rather than focusing on whether it has a pool. Swimming in an ocean can be superior to a man-made pool, especially if the surrounding area isn't busy or is exclusively reserved for nearby hotel guests. I still love private resort pools — and they can be a great way to dodge crowds at public beaches. However, there's far more space to spread out in an ocean, the water feels less artificial, and nothing beats the experience of waves massaging your body and salt water exfoliating your skin. So, yes, it turns out that what drew me to the resort in the first place ended up not being my favorite amenity. Travel is supposed to be full of surprises, right? I sure learned that lesson at this hotel because I'd take another bite of that Hula Cake over a pool dip.
Business Insider
15-07-2025
- Business Insider
I've traveled to all 50 states. These 10 have the best food.
The food in Texas is in a category of its own. Between Texas' massive size and strong state identity, it can sometimes feel like its own nation. So, it should come as no surprise that there's nothing quite like the Lone Star State's culinary landscape. When I dine in Texas, I don't try to reinvent the wheel. Tex-Mex is a must-have, especially when I'm in San Antonio, and Texas barbecue is, of course, a mandatory order. I also like to stop by neighborhood food trucks, as I've found that locals usually have the best grub. Hawaiian cuisine is a fusion of Asian, American, and Polynesian flavors. Foodies everywhere should bump America's 50th state to the top of their travel wish list, because there's so much more to Hawaii's food-and-drink scene than Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians. The state's cuisine fuses Asian, American, and Polynesian influences, reflecting its position as the most geographically remote island chain in the Pacific — and the result is delicious. The fresh food in Hawaii is the best of the best, and the rest of the country is catching on. Even though chefs around the US are making their own variations of island staples like shave ice and poke, I have yet to find anything that compares to the local Hawaiian cuisine. Maine lobster is one of my all-time favorite meals. Having Maine lobster on a brisk July night is my ideal summer evening. I traveled with Outward Bound, an outdoor educational program, off the coast of Penobscot Bay in early high school, and after two weeks of living off packed granola, I rewarded myself with a lobster lunch. I've been hooked ever since. In my early 20s, I developed an allergy to seafood, but I loved Maine lobster so much that I was in denial and continued eating it for about five years. Even though I spent many clambakes sick in the hydrangea bushes after helping myself to a seafood platter, it was worth every bit of queasiness. Louisiana has crawfish boils, king cakes, and beignets galore. I love the flavor-packed food in Louisiana, from Cajun-inspired bites to local delicacies. Whenever I'm in New Orleans, I come prepared for a crawfish boil by bringing a paper bag, seasoning, and an appetite. I also go out of my way to grab some of the Big Easy's famed beignets and sweet king cakes, an oval-shaped pastry served during the city's Carnival season. Nevada is home to one of the most underrated culinary scenes in the country. Las Vegas gets the bulk of culinary attention in Nevada because of its resorts and fine-dining restaurants. Of course, it's worth visiting, but Reno deserves some of the spotlight, too. I first visited Reno on my way to Lake Tahoe in 2018 and was blown away by the vibrant Southwestern city. After spending time there, I felt like I'd stumbled upon a diamond in the desert. I went on the Reno Food Tour to taste all the city has to offer and had a Francophile brunch at Chez Louie in the Nevada Museum of Art. It was incredible. Tennessee's Southern food was at the forefront of my mind throughout my trip. The food in Music City is divine, and it's best washed down with a splash of sweet tea or Tennessee whiskey. When I visited Nashville in 2019, I had some of the most memorable meals of my life at Merchants on Broadway and Lockeland Table in East Nashville. New York has foodies covered — no matter what they're craving. If you name a cuisine, odds are you can find it in New York City, the ultimate cultural melting pot. Even though I'm a New Yorker, I'm still impressed by how easily I can find incredible food at all hours of the day and night. As someone who's grabbed escargot at 2 a.m. at L'Express in Gramercy Park and had post-club dim sum at Wo Hop in Chinatown, I can assure you that New York City is a paradise for foodies. Maryland has the best crab in the country. If it's fresh seafood you're after, Maryland is your best place to find crab in the lower 48 states. The state gets its blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay — and though they're mouthwatering, they're very messy to eat. Maryland crabs have tomalley, a special "mustard" sauce, inside. My go-to place to bite into the delicacy is Cantler's Riverside Inn in Annapolis. Alaskan fish are some of the freshest I've ever had. Alaska is the final seafood-centric state I added to my list. If I wanted fresh fish in Alaska, I had to work for it. I learned just how difficult it is to reel in a king salmon during my trip along the Inside Passage. Luckily, I was more successful catching halibut and lingcod, which later became some of the most delicious dinner entrées I've ever had. Plus, feasting on the king crab at Cape Fox Lodge in Ketchikan rivaled my beloved blue crab from the aforementioned Chesapeake Bay. South Carolina has one of the best dining scenes in the country. I'll never stop coming back to South Carolina for Southern cooking. Charleston is routinely ranked as a top culinary destination in the US, and after spending a mere 24 hours strolling through the cobblestone streets, it's not hard to understand why. The state is especially known for its fresh, delicious oysters. If you get a chance, I recommend ordering wood-fired Sewansecott Oysters when you're there. This story was originally published on July 18, 2022, and most recently updated on July 15, 2025.
