Now your toddler can have their own study exchange in Japan… you can come, too
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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Inside Maui's Adults-Only Hotel Wailea: Serenity And Exquisite Cuisine
The view of the Hotel Wailea pool and West Maui. Travis Rowan / Living Maui Media The first things you notice are the waterfalls, cascading alongside the walkway to the lobby of Hotel Wailea located hillside in this beach resort area of South Maui. What you don't see is the beach: the seven famous area beaches are a few minutes away by car. But guests who routinely vote this hotel among the best in Hawaii have other reasons for that selection: it's adults only; intimate-only 72 suites- and a gastronomic wonderland. Recently, with suite renovations, new wellness options and culinary enhancements, those reasons have increased even more. The view from a Celebration Suite. Travis Rowan / Living Maui Media The sense of privacy, however, remains the same. The hotel, Hawaii's only member of the exclusive hotel group Relais & Chateaux, was built as a private Japanese members' club and you still feel that sense of being tucked away, surrounded by gardens within 15 acres but with ocean and other island views. Since children (well behaved) are allowed in the restaurant but not as hotel guests, there's also an overall sense of tranquility and quiet; romantic couples are the occupants of the pool, not children jumping in and splashing. The hotel's Salmon Sashimi ©John Troxell For the most privacy around that pool, there are four cabanas available by reservation for a fee or walk in if they're available and they're prime spots to begin an experience of the culinary offerings. This may be the only place you'll see a Snake River Farms Ribeye listed as a side dish along with other main offerings such as a poke bowl with sashimi grade ahi, a mahi mahi sandwich with chimichurri crème fraiche and sambal-marinated shrimp summer rolls with cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, nuoc mam dressing and peanut sauce. The beach setup including picnic by the Beach Concierge. Hotel Wailea Beachgoers have the option of hotel transfers by request to any of the local beaches such as Palauea Beach, a secluded beach good for swimming and snorkeling to see coral, colorful fish and sea turtles and Po'olenalena Beach Park, also good for swimming and snorkeling with a long expanse of beach for strolling. If they want to make a day of it, they can order a beach picnic curated by a local gourmet store including a choice of meat or vegetarian sliders, cured meats, cheeses, crudites and fruit set up with a tent and chairs by hotel staff. Miso Poached Lobster with lemongrass red curry, micro cilantro, heirloom carrot, peanut crumble, local squashes, and kaffir lime-scented rice served at The Restaurant at Wailea. ©John Troxell On property, the main restaurant, The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, is the alfresco setting with killer views for elevated breakfasts such as Eggs Benedict with Ahi and Ricotta Pancakes with seasonal fruit and likikoi cream. But it really shines at dinner with a three course prix fixe featuring dishes such as Hamachi Crudo with watermelon aquachile and avocado mousse and Snow Crab Fettucine with crispy garlic, lemon zest, miso onion and black truffle. The Birdcage Restaurant The Birdcage restaurant. Travis Rowan In the center of the main building, just past reception, the circular Birdcage is the setting for blazing sunsets and dinners featuring items prepared with the Japanese Binchotan Grill. It really is also a birdcage: totally open air with birds perched on the ceiling ledge, chirping and occasionally flying around. The dishes are composed of top level ingredients simply but expertly prepared, items such as a sashimi trio of Ora King Salmon, Big Island Ahi and Japanese Hamachi, Japanese A5 Wagyu, Miso Glazed Salmon or locally caught Mahi Mahi on the grill and an unusually delicious mélange of mushrooms, Shishito peppers, broccolini and bok choy. Other Dining Experiences The leafy setting of The Treehouse dining experience. Hotel Wailea Those two are only part of the dinner options, though. As Sous Chef Nicolas Loa explains, he especially enjoys putting together the multi course, culinary jazz riff dinners for the property's other dining experiences: the seven courses in the single table Treehouse shaded by mango and avocado trees; the five course menu served for two to eight guests in a table in a corner of the garden and the five courses available for two in the Chef's Kitchen Table in the middle of the kitchen. The Restaurant's Strawberry Tart. ©John Troxell The Chef's Kitchen Table Being at The Chef's Kitchen Table has particular advantages: not only can you watch the preparation of your dishes— offerings such as an amuse trio of Duck Mousse Tartlet, Tomato Caprese Crostini and Tempura Prawn Roll, Fettucine with miso onion cream, sage, guanciale,chili flakes and lemon preserve and Snake River Farms Ribeye with Pommes Puree, Ali'I mushrooms and sauce Bordelaise-you also see the preparation of dishes heading out to The Restaurant. And if guests are lucky and see something else being prepared that looks tempting, the chefs may give them a sample of it as well. Other Hotel Activities Rowing an outrigger canoe. Hotel Wailea When not eating or hanging out by the water, guests have the option to try other hotel hosted activities: an expedition to experience sunset atop the sacred volcanic crater Haleakalā; tooling around the island in a reproduction of a 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster; rowing an outrigger canoe or a variety of wellness activities. There are daily wellness classes such as aerial yoga, core workouts, tone & stretch, and yoga and pilates fusion and in-room spa treatments such as a body polish, Lomi Lomi massage and after sun replenishing treatment. A new addition is the supply of vitality treatments to be used by guests on their own in their rooms: HigherDOSE Red Light Facial; a Photobiomodulation Red Light Therapy belt that straps around your waist to reduce inflammation, relieve pain (it works), relieve jet lag and improve sleep and Lymphatic Drainage with JetBoots among them. The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, the setting for breakfast and dinner. Travis Rowan / Living Maui Media At most, these devices will heal whatever ails one's body. At the very least, they'll rev it up to prepare for the next meal. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes These Are The Places To Go In Maui Right Now By Laurie Werner Forbes Another Reason To Go Now To The Pristine Hawaiian Island Of Lanai By Laurie Werner Forbes Kaua'i's Serene 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay Debuts A Sweeping Wellness Plan By Laurie Werner Forbes Hawaiian Cuisine To Be Showcased At The First Mauna Lani Culinary Classic By Laurie Werner . As part of that beach experience, hotel staff can set up a tent, chair and elaborate packed picnic composed of sliders, a selection of cured meats and cheeses, vegetables with dips and sliced fruit because every culinary hjastronomic excellence is a key hotel feature, one of the reasons that it's the only Hawaii member of Relais & Chateaux with its culinary requirements.
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
ONYX Hospitality Group Reinforces Long-Term Commitment to Key Market Japan Through Targeted Development Strategy
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 July 2025 - ONYX Hospitality Group, the prominent management company in Southeast Asia specialising in hotels and resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences, is reinforcing its long-term commitment to Japan as a key strategic market through a targeted development initiative. As part of its broader vision for growth in Northeast Asia, ONYX will embark on a focused Japan Sales Mission from 29th September to 3rd October 2025, aimed at strengthening trade partnerships and laying the groundwork for future growth in the region. Amari Pattaya This initiative centres on one-on-one meetings with key partners, reflecting ONYX's strategic focus on consultative engagement and its dedication to cultivating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships within the Japanese travel trade. 'Japan is a market that rewards consistency, depth, and cultural alignment,' said Mr Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of ONYX Hospitality Group. 'Success here relies on strong, ongoing partnerships with travel agents and tour operators, and we are fully committed to nurturing these relationships. This sales mission is a key part of our long-term strategy to tailor our offerings to the evolving needs of Japanese travellers and steadily grow our presence through thoughtful, partner-led development.' The sales mission and partner engagements will focus on showcasing ONYX's key properties in Thailand, highlighting the Group's strong presence in a region highly appealing to Japanese tourists. Thailand remains a top destination for medical and wellness tourism, golf travel, as well as long-stay and retirement segments - niches that are especially popular among Japanese travellers. ONYX Hospitality Group is uniquely positioned to cater to these markets through its diversified portfolio across key Thai destinations. Bangkok and Phuket consistently rank among the top preferred destinations for Japanese travellers, creating exciting opportunities for several of ONYX's flagship properties across its Amari, OZO, and Shama brands. Properties that are already well-regarded by Japanese travellers include Amari Bangkok, Amari Phuket, Amari Pattaya, OZO North Pattaya, and Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok. This diverse portfolio reflects the varied preferences of the Japanese market, ranging from the warm hospitality and comprehensive services of Amari, the contemporary appeal of OZO, to the spacious serviced apartments offered by Shama. Beyond well-known destinations, there is growing interest among Japanese travellers in emerging areas such as Chonburi Province, located on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast and home to popular beach towns like Bangsaen and Pattaya. This opens further potential for properties such as Amari Pattaya, OZO North Pattaya, and the newly opened Amari Bangsaen, located approximately 85 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and close to Pattaya. Similarly, Khao Lak, in Phang Nga Province north of Phuket, represents a promising market for Amari Vogue Krabi, located nearby in Krabi Province. This reflects rising interest in secondary Thai destinations. The upcoming activities in Japan aim to further strengthen the profile of ONYX's established key properties while also exploring opportunities to tailor offerings at emerging destinations, meeting the evolving needs of the Japanese market and deepening engagement with the travel trade. Further enhancing ONYX's strong portfolio and proactive efforts, robust air connectivity between Thailand and Japan - including direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka - enhances travel convenience, supporting frequent visits by both leisure and business travellers, as well as long-stay visitors. As part of ONYX Hospitality Group's strategic growth, the upcoming Japan sales mission will highlight properties under the newly established ONYX Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust (ONYXRT). This REIT was set up through a filing with Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission and initially includes four high-performing leasehold properties: Amari Bangkok, Amari Pattaya, OZO Pattaya, and OZO Phuket - all demonstrating strong average occupancy rates above 80%. Featuring ONYXRT properties in the Japan sales mission underlines the Group's integrated approach, combining operational excellence with asset optimisation to maximise value across its portfolio. The sales mission reinforces ONYX Hospitality Group's long-term commitment to the Japanese market by strengthening strategic relationships with leading wholesalers, OTAs, and retail agencies. It will highlight ONYX's commitment to aligning its offerings with the evolving preferences of Japanese travellers, while gathering valuable market insights to inform future product and marketing development. By maintaining a consistent and engaged presence, ONYX aims to secure sustainable growth and deepen its footprint in this important market over the years to come. For more information on ONYX Hospitality Group please visit: Hashtag: #ONYX The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Business Insider
9 hours ago
- Business Insider
I went to Japan during peak season. This is my one big tip for escaping the crowds.
If it seems like everyone you know has gone to Japan, you're probably right. The country is experiencing record tourism this year, with 14.4 million visitors in just the first four months of 2025, a 24.5% increase compared to 2024, according to The Japan Times. As with any popular tourist spot, the crowds can be overwhelming. My fiancé and I saw them firsthand when we visited Tokyo and Kyoto in March, just as Japan's famous sakura season was about to start. While exploring the famous attractions, we realized there was an easy and affordable way to enjoy the sights and escape the masses. The secret was in Japan's gardens. Tucked between the skyscrapers On our second day in Tokyo, my fiancé and I spent the morning wandering the packed stalls of Tsukiji Market. That night, we had tickets to visit TeamLab Planets, another big tourist attraction. What we needed in between was a moment of zen, especially as the jet lag started to creep in. We found it at Hama-rikyu Gardens, residing alongside Tokyo Bay. It costs just 300 yen, or about $2, to enter. The landscape garden, which dates back to the 17th century, felt serene and idyllic amid the bustle of Tokyo. We walked past seawater ponds that quietly glistened under towering skyscrapers as birds chirped from a beautiful field of yellow flowers. My favorite part was the teahouse, located on an island within the garden. My fiancé and I swapped our sneakers and boots for the provided slippers and brought our matcha to a bench outside to relax and watch the water. We found similar refuge the following day as we made our way through Harajuku, a Tokyo neighborhood also known to attract huge crowds. As we walked past throngs of people at the famous Meiji Jingu shrine, we came across the Inner Garden. Measuring over 890,000 square feet and older than the shrine itself, the garden has something beautiful to see no matter the season. The beloved iris garden — featuring over 1,500 plants — blooms in the summer, while the centuries-old Japanese maple trees turn stunning shades of orange and gold during autumn and winter. While the shrine was free, the Inner Garden required a separate entrance fee of 500 yen, or about $3. The extra cost seemed to keep out much of the crowd, as the garden was fairly empty when we visited. We easily found a bench by Nan-chi Pond and enjoyed the peace as we watched the water lilies. Hidden Kyoto gems At times, the crowds felt even larger in Kyoto, which is significantly smaller than Tokyo but just as popular with travelers. We could barely move as we shuffled through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove with our fellow tourists, many wearing brightly-colored kimonos and sandals from nearby rental stores. Thankfully, a friend had recommended that we visit Ōkōchi Sansō Garden, located at the end of the forest. The 5-acre garden — which once belonged to the late samurai film star Ōkōchi Denjirō — costs 1,000 yen, or about $7, to enter. It features views of Kyoto City below, which my fiancé and I admired with no one around us. It seemed like we had the entire estate to ourselves as we strolled by the gardens, shrines, and traditional villa. The visit concluded at the teahouse, where we sipped free cups of hot tea and gazed at the bamboo groves from the large open windows. We discovered another beautiful garden while visiting Nijō Castle, which I was surprised to find had far fewer crowds than many of the Kyoto attractions we visited. The castle, with its stone walls and moats, was one of the sightseeing highlights of our entire trip. We paid 800 yen, or about $5, to enter the castle and an additional 500 yen, or about $3, to enter the Ninomaru Palace. This gave us access inside the palace, complete with stunning 17th-century illustrations painted on the sliding doors, as well as the Ninomaru Garden. The garden has a teahouse overlooking its pond, which we admired as we ate a delicious seasonal parfait. It was a lovely reprieve after we'd spent the morning lined up with hundreds of other tourists to see Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto's famous golden temple. All the moments in the gardens, enjoying sweets or drinks and taking in Japan's unique beauty, are among my favorite memories from an incredible trip. It showed me that while crowds are an inevitable part of traveling, you can always find some zen among the hidden gems.
