![]() ![]() Mesmerizing mermaid the wishing stone full#In addition to standard rooms, there are one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes and full kitchens. Facing the ocean or mountain, the guest rooms are generously sized. The hotel towers are built to look like vertically stacked outrigger canoes-essential craft in Hawaiian history. There's a striking, rainbow-hued photo collage behind the lengthy front desk all the images were shot by Hawaiian school children. But there is an intriguing difference: In Disney story-morphing fashion, its four points do not indicate north, south, east and west instead they mark the journeys that ancient Hawaiians followed: mauka (to the mountains) and makai (to the sea), left toward the feminine (side of the resort featuring smooth-finish lava) and right toward the masculine (side of the resort sporting rough-finish lava). © Laura ManskeĪ 12-by-12-foot compass rose is embedded in the lobby floor. who, according to ancient beliefs, traveled across Oahu in quest of life-giving freshwater. In the lobby's transverse corridor arch, a mural by Doug Tolentino highlights a trio of powerful gods, including Pele, goddess of fire.ĭoug Tolentino’s enormous lobby painting “Kanaloa and Kāne” illustrates two major Hawaiian gods. The lobby spotlights three distinctive ki‘i (wooden sculpture) by master carver and cultural activist Rocky Jensen two pay homage to male and female ancestors and the third, topped with an ‘io (Hawaiian hawk), symbolizes generations of their Hawaiian descendants. Filled with story-rich Hawaiian art, the entrance hall is a guest gathering spot, especially on its nearby broad terrace that overlooks, in a kind of bird's-eye view, the heart of Aulani's outdoor goings-on. When you first enter the expansive, soaring, A-frame lobby, be dazzled by Disney Imagineers' enthusiasm for local Hawaiian heritage, culture and legend-and how they have conceived a unique Oahu-based Disney lore. ![]() Created by Dalani Tanahy, kapa art bands (here, representing three realms: land, sea and sky) run along walls and across the ceiling. showcasing the work of men and women in traditional Hawaiian life. Here, count the ways this palm-tree paradise in the Pacific Ocean lavishes its pixie dust.Īulani's eye-catching lobby mural by Martin Charlot is divided into masculine and feminine sections. ![]() ![]() Yet Aulani also attracts couples, honeymooners and gal pals (on getaways sans children) who have long been Disney-devotees. Yep, as expected, the vibe is definitely family friendly. Not just another luxurious resort in Hawaii, Aulani is ardent about Hawaii. There is both a dramatic and sublime sense of place here, as everything-from architecture to art, activities to aliments-at Aulani connects to a deeper meaning and embraces the people, places, past and present, art, music, dance and foods of Hawaii. The 21-acre Aulani Resort & Spa on the leeward (west) coast of Oahu exemplifies what Disney does best as an expert storyteller with fine-tuned attention to details and a commitment to warm hospitality. So it makes sense that Disney, the consummate magic-maker, chose Hawaii as an idyllic locale in which to set a hotel. In many ways, our 50th State's allure feels magical. Open yourself to its shimmering emerald-green mountains, enticing shorelines, enchanting culture, fascinating history-and welcoming islanders who share an inviting aloha spirit. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |