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Sunday, June 10, 2012

This is where I am…snapshots of The Fairmont Kea Lani

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Aloha everyone. It’s me, checking in from our little corner of the island world.

Honestly, I feel so grateful every day I wake up in these beautiful surroundings. The Fairmont Kea Lani, in Maui is our family’s favorite vacation spot and today I thought I would share a few photos with you, in case you’re still undecided about your next vacation.

In Hawaiian, Kea Lani means “heavenly white,” and visually, this hotel stands out on the horizon like a gorgeous white light. Here is the view from our balcony this morning at dawn. (Yes, my body is still on California time and I’m waking up way too early)

The resort opened in December 1991, and was designed by Jose Luis Ezquerra, an expert on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean architecture and archaeology.

 

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The arches. The dome-shaped ceilings. There’s an exotic, eastern feel about this tropical setting that I absolutely love. In this photo, you can see the arches all the way down this hallway. This is the path we take each morning to get to the elevator.

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When we enter the sprawling lobby the first thing we hear is the soothing sound of rushing water that comes from two fountains and a waterfall. The lobby is filled with natural light and the atmosphere feels bright and airy.

It’s impossible to capture the expansive lobby in one shot. The photo above shows the main fountain.

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And this is the other side of the lobby. There’s a garden overflowing with tropical flowers and bamboo, a garden statue and bench. A waterfall is on the other side.

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We walk past this area everyday to get to the pools. A touch of serenity, don’t you think?

In the lobby, you can’t miss the large murals on the walls; the artwork is by renowned artist Herb Kawainui Kane and his paintings depict scenes from the Discovery of Hawaii by Spanish navigator Juan Gaetano, the first known European to visit Hawaii and chart the islands in 1555. 

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Each painting tells a piece of the Hawaiian islands story and I love the colors and beauty of his art.

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Wide arches, round shapes, and Mediterranean light fixtures are everywhere I look.

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But as magnificent as the hotel is, the 22 acres of tropical landscape are even more breathtaking. The paths all lead directly to the beach. I wish I could show you all the meandering walkways, lush with greenery.

But the best news? We were thrilled to discover that our room had such an amazing view. The sound of the ocean is everywhere.

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And we can’t get enough of it. In fact, Michael slept out on the balcony last night because he loves listening to the waves.

What is it about the sea… that is so comforting?

 

 

Aloha from Maui,

Leslie

 

(all photos taken by L. Harris)

 

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