I've traveled to all the Hawaiian islands, but the striking landscapes of the Island of Hawaii-lush rainforests, lava fields, pristine beaches, and even snowy summits-keep me coming back. In between the volcanic rocks often hide secret oases of crescent-shaped white-sand beaches with water calm enough to spot wildlife. One such spot is Mauna Kea Resort. The sprawling development dates back to 1965, when businessman Laurance S. Rockefeller developed Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on an empty plot of land along Kauna'oa Bay.
"Would you like a glass of bubbly?" the captain asked while helping me settle into a floating blush pink Fiat 500, named Sorbetto. The four-seat 15-foot replica of the legendary Italian car is one of just 500 produced in the world (a small plaque under the steering wheel confirms Sorbetto is number 33). It now whisks Beach Club guests across the lake as part of the renovated hotel's recent enhancements. So, for 30 minutes, I soaked up the Florida sun, sipped my chilled sparkling wine, and waved at curious onlookers pointing at our small but mighty floating Fiat 500.
Its striking entrance-a footbridge suspended above the Ayung River Valley that ends with a rice bowl-shaped rooftop looking out to tiered rice paddies and gardens-is an architectural masterpiece. The resort has recently emerged with a number of updates: last year, the spa underwent a significant renovation, led by a trio of international firms from Australia, Japan, and Indonesia, that transformed it into a 53,496-square-foot wellness sanctuary.
The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud Bali is a purposeful destination where mind, body, and spirit come together in quiet harmony, honoring the island's spiritual roots.
"As an example, they have great beaches. You see that whenever they're exploding their cannons into the ocean," Trump told reporters. "I said, you know, instead of doing that, you could have the best hotels in the world right there."
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s plans to transform Sazan Island into a luxury resort reflect a significant investment in Albanian real estate, highlighting their continued influence post-Trump administration.
