Close your eyes and take a deep breath in, hold it for just a few seconds, and then release - the stress, the anxiety, and the mental to-do list. Let it all go and imagine that you’re right by the ocean instead. You can hear the waves crashing and birds chirping away, you feel the sun beaming down on your face, and there’s a sense of relief washing over you. That is exactly what you’re going to feel the moment you step onto Fairmont Orchid.

When I’m feeling stressed and want to get away, the first place I typically opt for is Hawaii. Being from LA, it’s not an easy flight over to the islands but picking which one is . usually the hardest part. This trip, we picked Maui, for the vibes, the food, and for the Fairmont Kea Lani. It was the best decision we made for our last trip of the year.

Kauai is the 4th largest island and is often called the Garden Island. Known for its beautiful rainforests, the Napali coast, Waimea Canyon, and 111 miles of coastline, Kauai has more accessible beaches than any of the other Hawaiian Islands. There are 8 major waterfalls on the island with Waipoo in Waimea Canyon being the highest, falling at 800 feet. If you’re looking for a place to disconnect, explore and spend the majority of the time outdoors, than look no further because Kauai is it.

Waking up before the sunrise in LA is out of the question for me, as my view from my apartment isn’t anything spectacular. However, it was a breeze waking up at 6AM each morning at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. With the sunrise around 6:30AM, it gave me enough time to get my coffee, settle into our balcony, and watch the skies turn into shades of pink and orange. I couldn’t get enough of it and with the pond right below us, watching the swans and koi fish swimming around just put me in the best mood everyday. Then again, you’re in Kauai, so can you really complain about anything?

Oahu may not be as peaceful and green as Maui, according to the locals, but it sure has some great food spots. You really cannot go wrong with where you decide to eat, but if you’re stumped (or lazy) on locating restaurants, here are my 7 favorite places in Oahu.

One of the trendiest boutique hotels in Waikiki, The Laylow is part of the Autograph Collection by the Marriott and is located right across the street from the very popular - Marukame Udon.

Inspired by aloha chic, Alohilani is a blend of indoor and outdoor luxury located right across the beach in Waikiki. With a selection of views to choose from, you're guaranteed to wake up refreshed and inspired.