Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head

The Lotus Honolulu is peaceful and secluded, designed to offer guests a luxury Zen experience, with plenty of Buddha statues, hand-carved wood furniture, open space, and sliding glass doors and windows open to the perfect Hawaiian climate. The hotel's renovation has combined chic and hip with restful, relaxed, and welcoming, and the airy "living room" lobby avoids the harried, "must sightsee now" feeling that typifies many hotels in major tourist destinations. The ocean air and natural beauty of the island add to the atmosphere and decor, and beautiful views are everywhere, from guests' private balconies to the open air hallways with Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean visible in the distance. Ultra-civilized afternoon wine tastings typify the laid-back sophistication of this lovely retreat tucked away off the beaten path.

The serene Lotus Honolulu is located on Oahu's Gold Coat, just a 10- to 15-minute walk from Waikiki's busy strip, and a mere minute down the path from Sans Souci/Kaimana Beach, one of the island's best swimming beaches. Quiet and surrounded by palm trees and bright, fragrant tropical plants and flowers, the hotel sits right next to Kapiolani Park with its jogging trails, tennis courts, and picnic areas. Views of Diamond Head and the ocean are spectacular. All in all, it's a great choice for travelers who don't want to stay in the thick of Waikiki's tourist activity.

Rooms at the Lotus Honolulu are bright, airy, and open, with a modern, tropical retreat vibe. Dark hardwood floors, white walls, chic brown and turquoise upholstery, and large windows with beachy shutters give the uncluttered guest rooms a villa in paradise feeling. Ocean View Premium rooms have the best views of the water, and two balconies from which to enjoy them; guests may also request a room with a view of Diamond Head. Rooms come with Starbucks coffee machines and free coffee pods, 42-inch flat-screen TVs with cable and movies on demand, and iPod docks.

Every afternoon, the Lotus Honolulu holds a free wine tasting for guests to meet and mingle, or relax with a good book in the Zen-inspired lobby. Bikes -- beach cruisers -- are free for visitors to take for a ride into town, to the beach, or around the jogging paths in neighboring Kapiolani Park. The hotel sponsors daily yoga classes in the park, and provides beach chairs and towels at Kaimana Beach. Continental breakfast is served daily for an extra charge, but there are plenty of nearby restaurants where guests can have a hot breakfast.