Hawaii - The Food (and Drinks)

 I'm struggling to write about my favourite meals in Hawaii. I don't really need to say much. The pictures say it all. I'll just tell you where they were taken.

Blood Orange Mimosa & Superfood Wrap for breakfast (with ocean views) at the Verandah Cafe, Moana Surfrider by Westin - our first meal in Hawaii

An All-American meal complete with Mac & Cheese on the side at the Hard Rock Cafe

We loved it so much, we went back a second time - Hot & Spicy Korean Style Chicken & Rice at the Steak Shack on Waikiki Beach (and it was only about $8)

A "Healthy" Food Truck we stopped at when driving around the island of Oahu - we had a shrimp salad thingy with a side of rice that you could swap for quinoa if you were so inclined

Full Aussie Breakfast at Bills Sydney in Waikiki! 

Bircher Muesli with Pinapple, Melon & Shaved Coconut at Bills Sydney

Yummy Tuna Salad at the Tropics Bar & Grill, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort

Strawberry Smoothie also at the Tropics

Eel Avocado Roll at Morimoto, The Modern Honolulu (must do!)

Shrimp Tempura Two-ways: with Spicy Kochujan Sauce & Wasabi Aioli and Ranch Sauce (still can't decide which was better). Morimoto at The Modern.

Angry Chiken with Finger Peppers and Spiced Jus that made us very Happy. Morimoto at The Modern.

NY Style Pepperoni Pizza Slice on our last day there, because I couldn't leave America without having one of these! Food Court at the Ala Moana Mall 

My pool-side companions: a Lava Flow, my sunnies and an easy-read

Another variation of the Lava Flow at Duke's Barefoot Bar at the Outrigger

 Highly recommend Morimoto which is a great place for dinner before a night-out on the town with its trendy vibe and contemporary food with manageable portions (seriously, the portions in Hawaii were way too big for me). The Steak Shack was the best place to grab a bite on the beach. And of course we went to the Cheesecake Factory and while the Cheesecakes were great the food and drinks there were nothing to write home about (even more disappointing after the one hour wait). Oh and yes, we did go to Leonard's Bakery for Malasadas, a portuguese doughnut-type thing (absolutely divine) aaand we got a Red Velvet Cupcake to go (don't judge us, we were on a holiday!) Sorry, we scoffed those down before even taking a photo.

Hopefully this post has satiated your appetite for foodie must-dos (or should I say, must-haves) in Oahu.

Hawaii - The Hotel

We aren't usually the kind who spend too much time in the hotel while on holidays. We usually don't worry about paying extra for a view that we're not going to look at because we're out sightseeing anyway. And we only do the token dip in the pool on the last day to just kill time before flying out. But this time we knew we wanted a relaxing holiday where we would lay by the pool and wake up in the morning and have a coffee (or a Mimosa) whilst enjoying the view from our room as we plan what to do (or not do) the rest of the day. So, when I came across the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort and read that they had not 1, not 2, not 3 but 5 pools on the property, I knew we had found the perfect retreat. And with the ocean in their backyard, we were spoilt for choice as to where to spend lazy afternoons. And don't even get me started on the view from our room on the 32nd floor of the Tapa Tower....

View from the Lobby

Our Room

The colours of the ocean we woke up to every morning

The view from our room on the 32nd floor

The view

Sipping cocktails on the balcony

Panoramic shot of our view at dusk

Lunch at one of the restaurants in the hotel by the beach

Hotel Grounds

Pool 1

Pool 2

Pool 3

Pool 4

We didn't get to try Pool 5 because that was always the busiest one as it had water-slides and was filled with kids the whole time. And there was also a man-made lagoon on the property which we didn't get to try. But you know, there's only so much relaxing you can do on a 7-day trip. Plus it's a good excuse to go back. Although, the hotel is very crowded and busy most times, this is just a sign of how popular it is and because of the beautiful view and great location right on Waikiki beach and close proximity to everything you'll need during your stay and the 5 pools - I'd highly recommend staying at the HHVBR if you plan to go to Oahu. We booked our hotels and flights on Expedia, we got great rates so I also recommend you try researching your next holiday on Expedia to compare prices. They have great deals year round specially if you bundle flights and accomodation. Bon Voyage!