Given that the island of Lanai has only three hotels and two of them are Four Seasons, deciding where to stay is delightfully uncomplicated. We split our nights between the two Four Seasons properties; they offer such different experiences that any logistics involved in changing rooms are absolutely worth it.

My review of Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay highlights the long list of features that make this oceanfront resort so special for families.

The smallest publicly accessible inhabited island in the Hawaiian Islands chain and strikingly underdeveloped, Lanai feels like a remote island getaway, yet it’s only a 45-minute ferry ride from Maui. With few accommodation possibilities and 3,000 inhabitants, there are large stretches of the island without anyone on it.

Translation: a family vacation in Lanai is truly an escape from urban life and chaos of any kind.

I’ve enjoyed some of the world’s most incredible islands including Mauritius, Bora Bora in Tahiti, and Bali. All are fantastic in one way or another, but Hawaii remains at the top of my list for the ultimate tropical escape with kids.

The Hawaiian Islands have the exotic elements of a foreign locale and none of the hassle; you don’t need a passport, everyone speaks English, and you can eat and drink worry-free.

Lomilomi means “to massage” in Hawaiian and I’ve most often seen it used with food – lomilimi salmon, lomilomi pork — but my lomilomi heaven has nothing to do with food. My nirvana came at the Laniwai Spa at Aulani, Disney’s new resort on Oahu.

When it comes to massages, I’m a meat and potatoes girl. I don’t like unusual treatments and hot stones are about as wild as I get. However, the traditional Hawaiian lomilomi massage description sounded interesting and I was on such a Hawaiian culture kick that it seemed like a perfect way to continue my “cultural education”.

The first thought that came to mind when I heard that Disney was building a resort on Oahu was that it would be another Disneyland in Hawaii.

It’s not.

Disney didn’t just build a hotel, put in a Luau and call it a Hawaiian resort. They integrated Hawaiian culture with Disney quality and service in every aspect of the resort.

I’m at the new Aulani resort on Oahu this week with travel writers from around the country checking out Disney’s latest family vacation hotspot.

Stay tuned for a full report on the blog … In the meantime, I’ll share a few photo-friendly moments from our surf lesson with Hawaiian Fire, a local Honolulu-based surf school run by area firefighters for Photo Friday.

I’ve never met a traveler who doesn’t love Hawaii. Yes, it can be touristy but like all destinations that are popular — it is that way for a reason. Each Hawaiian island has it’s own brand of beauty and appeal. This magic is captured perfectly in these wonderful Hawaii photos from bloggers around the country.

In case you missed that much needed trip to Maui this year, I have some good news for you. We’re teamed up with our friends at Trekaroo and The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas to offer a free family beach week on Maui!

One lucky family will win a 5-night stay in a one-bedroom ocean view condo. The Westin has also thrown in a day at their kids club (ages 5-12) and a surprise welcome treat!

As a mother of two children, fun and educational family activities are always a top priority. Giving my children experiences that will last a lifetime is an amazing feeling, and I’m so lucky to be able to live on Oahu where there are so many family focused activities to choose from.

The island’s safe environment, tropical beauty and accessibility make almost anything possible. With so many options from the town and country …

You really don’t know what it means to get wistful about a destination until you’ve come home from Hawaii. You’ll try to put your finger on what’s triggering such an emotional response, recalling the islands’ perfect amalgam of beauty and warmth and kindness, but that’s only part of it.

Why you’ll yearn is so intangible, in a way almost private, that you’ll end up telling those who’ve never been that they just have to be there to know. The votes have been in for a long time. Hawaii is paradise.