Stay Oceanfront in Historic Lahaina at Lahaina Shores Resort

Lahaina Shores Beach Resort in Maui is the only oceanfront condominium resort in historic Lahaina town, making it a unique and popular place to stay in Maui.  The resort, located in West Maui along historic Front Street, is within walking distance to all of Lahaina’s shopping, restaurants and art galleries.  Plus, the oceanfront location gives prime access to Lahaina’s beaches and the perfect spot to watch the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets only Maui creates. 

The plantation style design of Lahaina Shores Resort features an open air lobby with direct access to the beach, pool, and lounge chairs.  One of the things I loved about the resort was how relaxed it was.  Time seemed to move a bit slower, and the hustle and bustle of the world seemed to melt away. 

199-rooms are available at Lahaina Shores Maui, with oceanfront and mountain view options available.  During my Maui vacation, I stayed in an oceanfront studio.  Offering unobstructed views of the ocean and a large, private lanai, the condo exceeded my expectations.  With over 540 square feet of living space, the unit felt spacious, the queen bed was comfortable and made with crisp, clean linens, and you can really save money on food by utilizing the full kitchen.  Furnished with granite counters and modern appliances, the kitchen, as well as the rest of the furniture and case goods were in excellent condition and created an inviting place to stay. 

Lahaina Shores is also equipped with air conditioning.  This might be standard within mainland hotels, but in Hawaii many properties are open-air, so make note of this amenity. 

For my money, Lahaina Shores Maui is well worth every penny.  The location, accommodations and amenities combine to create one of the best values in Lahaina. 

Drums of the Pacific One of the Best Maui Luaus

Located on the grounds of the Hyatt Regency Maui on the Sunset Terrace, Drums of the Pacific combines a beautiful location with an entertaining Polynesian luau.  The shores of Ka'anapali Beach create a spectacular backdrop for the luau, especially as the sun sets and the sky turns stunning shades of golds and pinks. During the three hour experience, I enjoyed not only the setting but the show was engaging and the food and drink was plentiful.

My evening at Drums of the Pacific Luau began with a shell lei greeting and fresh mai tai.  Be sure to get to the luau at the 5:30 check-in time so you can get your photo taken with some of the cast.  Afterwards, performers are demonstrating arts and crafts, before lighting the luau torches.  Of course, the traditional Imu ceremony, where they unveil the main dish of the luau – Kalua Pua'a (roasted pork) – was a sight to see.  Soon enough, dinner begins and although there are quite a few people at the luau the buffet service line was expedited rather quickly.  Many choices lined the tables, with traditional Hawaiian flavors apparent in the huli huli chicken (barbecued with flavors like brown sugarcane, ginger, and soy), lomi lomi salmon, poi, taro rolls, and of course, the pork.  Save room for dessert though, as there is a table filled with delights such as macadamia nut luau cream pie and haupia with toasted coconut.  Service at Drums was very attentive.  Our waiter kept the drinks flowing and never hesitated to ask if we needed anything extra. 

After dining on the delicious dinner served at the Drums of the Pacific in Maui, there was a short break which allowed me to stroll the grounds of the Hyatt.  As luck would have it, an impressive sunset was painting the sky and it added to the Maui magic of the moment. 

The show itself began around 7pm.  Featuring aspects of culture from all of Polynesia, the Drums of the Pacific incorporated dances, songs, and stories from all of the Polynesian islands.  My favorite moments of the luau were those based on Polynesian legends, including a story of a man who had to walk backwards home to escape death and be reunited with his true love.  Each group of island dancers was superb.  The cultures of Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga, and Rarotonga were all highlighted, creating a very authentic Hawaiian Luau.  The fire knife finale was a hot way to end the show, which was engaging and entertaining from start to finish. 

Go Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Are you ready for a night celebrating the best in country music? If so, Country Tonite is the show for you. Their two hour production blends the best of hits from yesterday and today, creating a timeless production. 
 

The energetic Country Tonite Pigeon Forge show features a talented cast of vocalists, singers, dancers and one funny comedian. From the start of the show, homage is paid to country music legends. Ernest Tubb’s “Walking the Floor Over You,” Pasty Clines’ “Fall to Pieces,” George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Dolly Parton’s “Working 9 to 5” and Hank Williams’ “On the Bayou” get the night started right. Kid performers join the show during “Hello Darlin’” and “Tiger by the Tail,” and the band really gets going during the performance of “Orange Blossom Special.” Their comedian really brings the funny during a “Cletus Take the Wheel,” a song about bass fishing gone wrong. A moving gospel segment featured excellent vocals on tracks like “Amazing Grace” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” but the entire cast really shined on “Old Time Religion.” Before the second half of the show wrapped up, a little bit of new country kicked things up a notch with Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” and Brad Paisley’s “When I Get Where I’m Going.” 

The country hits continued during the second half songs like “Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose” by Dwight Yoakam, “Swingin’” by John Anderson and the banjo pickin’ was a highlight of Earl Scruggs’ “Roll in my Sweet Babies Arms.” Bluegrass songs like “Blue Moon Kentucky” and “Man of Constant Sorrow” were some of my favorite Country Tonite moments as they combined the very best of the talents of the musicians and vocalists. I also really enjoyed the Johnny Cash segment, during which all the Cash favorites were performed, as well as the bluegrass spin on songs like “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé. A few more renditions of radio favorites like Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim” and Lady Antebellum’s “Just a Kiss” filled the theater before a patriotic segment to close out the show. 

From start to finish, the Country Tonite show really delivers. It’s an affordable, family oriented show that is one of the area’s best.