A 20th Anniversary Getaway, at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

Our 20th Anniversary at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani was truly dreamy.
I thought for fun I’d just give you a little journal-style look at what we did.  (Maybe it will inspire you to plan your own romantic getaway!)

The truth is:  Getting away — just the two of us — with no agenda, no kids, and no stress…Well, we needed it even more than we had realized.

Most of you probably agree:  It isn’t easy to get away during this season of life.   Somehow I used to imagine that when we hit the BIG 20 year mark, we’d be taking off for some extravagant trip to Europe or something…haha…as if we would have “arrived” by our 20th anniversary!  (Kind of like how I thought 45 was “really old” then too!  Geesh.)

We had actually almost cancelled our plan to go away.  With summer surf travels coming up, and so many projects and things on our mind, we felt like maybe it was unreasonable to plan a trip just for the two of us.

So when the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani invited us to be their guest, we were beyond excited.

If you’ve ever been to Waikiki you know that there are many hotels to choose from.  There is everything from high-end beach front hotels, to some sketchier pads a few blocks away from the beach.  The Princess Kaiulani turned out to be such a perfect place for us.  It is just across the street from Queens beach — our favorite area of Waikiki.  It is also smack in the middle of great shops, restaurants, and people watching (my personal favorite.)  There is such a great vibe in the air down there.

Getting to your room at the Princess Kaiulani doesn’t require an extensive tour through huge hotel lobbies and three different elevators like many hotels.  (not my favorite)  Instead as you enter the resort, it feels like you’re stepping back in time to days when hotels were a little more warm and welcoming.  Entering from Kalakaua Avenue (the main street which runs through Waikiki) you are greeted with the lovely swimming pool and open air hotel lobby.  Everything about the hotel speaks of old Hawaii — photos of Princess Kaiulani herself, lush tropical plants, and live Hawaiian music in the lobby lounge.   The rooms are clean and comfortable (they put us in a King room with a gorgeous ocean view. *swoon*)   We felt so spoiled and agreed that this would also be a terrific place to return to with our boys.

Just as we were getting settled in our room, there was a knock on the door and we were surprised by chilled champagne and this gorgeous pineapple treat.  I felt like I was on a honeymoon!  Actually this was better than our honeymoon.

We spent the first evening walking to a fun dinner (after all, it was Taco Tuesday, so we couldn’t pass up a rooftop TexMex, Waikiki style!), then shopping around, and just enjoying a truly romantic Waikiki night.

The next morning was all about sleeping in (unless you count the three early morning phone calls by a certain 12-year-old who clearly had no clue 😉 ), eating a late and leisurely breakfast, and then swimming in the ocean.  Believe it or not, we rarely just get to swim in the ocean together!!  It was awesome!  We had plenty of time to walk around Waikiki, and literally goof around like we were young and free again!  (We’re still pretty good at it!)

Dave was giving a lot of #20 Tributes…^^
(and a little backwards in the mirror — nice try, babe — )

Duke says “Hi!”

For our final night the Sheraton treated us to a special dinner by the pool (complete with sushi, crab legs and prime rib!)  and then on to their signature show:  Te Moana Nui: “Tales of the Pacific.”

But before the show they offered some fun “cultural experiences,” so we thought it was time for Dave to get his first Polynesian (Sharpie) tattoo…(we hoped to shock our boys…but they know their dad just too well.)

The show — Te Moana Nui –was amazing!  We’ve seen a number of shows and Luaus over the years, and this was our favorite yet.  The talent and energy of these dancers was top-notch.  I sat there with my jaw open for most of the show!  They asked us not to take photos during the show, but when they pulled Dave up for the final song, I just couldn’t resist.
(And if you know Dave at all you know how much he was squirming loving being up on stage.  😉 )

It was such a fun night!

Later we crossed the street for a late night coffee by the ocean, and had time to just sit and talk:  Talk about marriage and memories, kids and the future.  We talked about my writing and his doctoring.  It was just awesome.

On our final morning we took a jog through Kapiolani park.  We love running together and it’s our favorite thing to run in different places.  Stopping right outside our hotel for acai and green smoothies at the Aloha Coffee bar, we realized that we had done a little of everything in our three short days.

And we felt refreshed and ready to get back to the boys and real-life.  (Well, close anyways…)

I truly wish for every married couple to get a few nights away each year.  It’s pretty incredible how much good a two or three days can do you!  The ground rules are to talk minimally about the kids (it’s impossible to not talk about them at all!) and to have as few plans as possible.  Of course an ukulele, and a little bubbly isn’t a bad idea either.  

Thank you to the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani for not only welcoming us, but for truly celebrating our anniversary with us.  We are so grateful

Thank you, friends, for letting me journal our anniversary celebration.  I hope you start booking your own romantic getaway soon!

Monica, and Dave

PS  Share in comments if you have taken any little getaways with your spouse, or if you’re planning one now.  I’d love to hear where you went, what you did, or what’s on the calendar!  (maybe just what you’re dreaming about!)