The Perfect Four-Day Weekend: Kona

King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel lobby

Room with a view:  652

Hulihe'e Palace on Ali'i Drive

The perfect four-day weekend doesn't have to scream “luxury” to be enjoyable, but it should include a direct flight, stylish accommodations, plenty of sunshine, some culture, and a few great meals that don’t break the bank.  I just took one and here’s what I found on the big island of Hawaii:

King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is newly-renovated and in the heart of Kailua-Kona village.  Beachfront- and just “slippah steps” away from ocean activities, shopping, and dining- the King Kam is perfect for those not wanting a rental car for their visit.  The guestrooms are modern Hawaii-design with simple tropical patterns and colors and most have views of the adjacent beach and bay.  The white sand beach is a perfect starting place for stand up paddling, kayaking, swimming or snorkeling in Kailua Bay’s aquarium-like waters.

A stroll down the village’s Ali’i Drive takes you past the historic Hulihe'e Palace and a collection of shops for visitors but keep going to find Lava Java for Kona coffee and a hearty breakfast or drop by Huggo’s on the Rocks for big tropical drinks and pupu’s (light breakfasts and lunches served, too).

The King Kam’s location is also perfect for catching local flavor:  the adjacent Kailua pier is the starting place of the annual Ironman Triathalon and for the morning swims of triathletes-in-training and wannabes, and the KTA super market that stocks Hawaiian delectables from poke to orange-guava soda pop is just a block away.

I’m home now tanned and relaxed, drinking freshly-brewed iced Kona coffee and dreaming of my next visit.

Keauhou Store

Keauhou Store built in 1919

This was Kona's true department store

Sake, the Boston Terrier, loves resting in an original store case

One of the great new finds in the Big Island's coffee country is the Keauhou Store along the Mamalahoa Highway.  Lovingly restored by Kurt and Thea Brown, this 1919 structure- a true department store in its day- is now part upscale and local grocery and museum.  Highlights include Thea's homemade cookies and an historic display of business artifacts and merchandise from the store's nearly 100-year run.  We loved the antique apparel-  shoes and socks, too- and the "back office" complete with office equipment from the days of Mr. Yoshisuke Sasaki, Keauhou Store's founder.

Keauhou Store

78-7010 Mamalahoa Highway

Holualoa, HI 96725

808-322-5203

Birba Palm Springs

I love Birba and it's also a fitting icon for this simple and chic outdoor restaurant on North Palm Canyon Drive.  In this food wasteland- and after six years of living here I'm still befuddled by the lack of decent restaurants- pops up this small cafe specializing in thin crust pizza and salads.  I mean, so simple, right?  Marco and Tara, also the owners of Cheeky's and the Peppertree Inn, bring their food sensibility and just a dash of Italy to this uptown block.  It's not without its flaws-  the roasted chicken should be left on the farm and the decomposed granite in the garden creates a dusty mess on the patio (get the artificial turf, Marco!)- but that said, it's the hottest thing going in Palm Springs right now without any attitude at the front door. I'll be singing its praises until they tell me to leave (I drank there last night and I'm returning tonight for dinner with friends).  PS:  The boy watching is best after sundown and do get a cozy spot on the bench in the garden.

Shorts

"Eleven Fifty Six"

One of the two finest events held in Palm Springs annually is the Palm Springs International ShortFest and it begins on Tuesday.  It offers the most amazing collection of short films selected and packaged by the team that brings you the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January.  This year's event received coverage in today's New York Times and if it's anything like this year's film festival, it's sure to be brilliant...and sold out!  Opening Night is.

Housemade Limoncello

Limoncello 2011 shown with the secret liquid ingredients

Nothing reminds me more of Capri than a sip of limoncello.   It's easy to bring that Capri feeling home by making limoncello from scratch and it's a breeze.  There are many recipes on the internet- I prefer the ones which advise to soak the zest of lemon rinds in grain alcohol for 30 days- but you can make a simple batch by using fresh lemon juice and it's drinkable the same evening!  The secret is in the sugar, grain alcohol and vodka proportions.  I add sugar to-taste, and equal proportions of liquors.  That's the magic and all you need to know.  Oh, it's better sipped, not quaffed...and in very small tasting glasses.  Ciao!

The Smoke Tree

One of the desert's minor miracles, the smoke tree blooms just once a year in late spring/early summer.  This year, this week is their time.  From a bush that looks dead for 11 months comes the most brilliant of lavender-blue blossoms.  Then, like a puff of smoke, they're gone.

SOHO House West Hollywood

SOHO House terrace

The Photo Boudoir

We made our first visit to SOHO House this weekend in LA – for drinks and dinner on Saturday and an early breakfast on Sunday.  The verdict:  WOW!  The location is spectacular- it occupies the top two floors of the 14-story, 9200 Sunset Boulevard, the design- English chic, and the crowd- oh so LA and industry-focused.

Our favorite spots:  The Photo Boudoir- a little secret along the hallway connecting the dining room and lounge and the screening room for the private viewing of your next rough cut.

Thank you Sue Hancock for your gracious and generous hospitality (we also loved walking across the street to Sierra Towers for a good night’s sleep. Wink, wink!)

Summer Secret

The tube

I'll let you in on a little secret of mine and it's called Bain de Soleil.  There's even a website and it, of course, waxes on about the most famous tan of all time, Coco Chanel's.  Happy Summer!

http://www.baindesoleil.com/baindesoleil/index.jsp

For the Love of Books

The passing of decorator Keith Irvine brought back memories of the night I met his wife, Chippy, at a book signing in San Francisco (noted above in November 1990). This began my collection of author-autographed tomes.  A few of my favorites are shown above.  I'm not all for collecting and clutter, but my books and my watches are my priceless possessions.

Thursday Travel: Arizona

Sedona

Chapel, Tlaquepaque

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

         

We couldn't think of a better way to beat the heat in Palm Springs than driving to Arizona!  Arizona- with places worth visiting at 6,000 ft. and higher- and with cooler and lighter air, makes it a desert dweller's paradise. Check out Prescott, Sedona and of course, the Grand Canyon and you'll return home both amazed and refreshed.

Design Worth Driving For

Pillow by TRINA TURK

A Hawaii legend in the interior design business called today and asked for resources for a new Rancho Mirage project she's doing.  I told her I'd be happy to make a list so she'd avoid driving to the ends of the earth in our summer heat.  Then I thought, why not share my list with all of you?  Here it goes:

Palm Springs (all within walking distance of two blocks):

House 849

http://house849.com/

BLVD Boulevard

http://www.boulevardps.com/

Christopher Anthony

http://www.christopheranthonyltd.com/store/furniture_search.php?FRID=ZmqaaWximJmW&dibs=1

Not Neutral

http://www.notneutral.com/

Trina Turk Residential

http://www.trinaturk.com/c/501/Residential.aspx

Design within Reach

http://www.dwr.com/

The Galleria

http://palmspringsgalleria.com/

Cathedral City

Hedge Gallery

http://hedgepalmsprings.com/

My Way a Deux

You've got to give Barbara Sinatra some credit for taking the time and energy to write yet another book about Frank.  After all, I consider my friend Kitty Kelley's work to be the ultimate tome.  But let's include Barbara's soon-to-be-released Lady Blue Eyes in our summer reading list.  She just might be Palm Springs' best PR.  What with all the booze, women, legends and feuding, don't you want to make a visit?

The Ace Palm Springs

The Ace's french toast

The Ace's very simple breakfast menu

There's something that just feels right about having breakfast in a coffee shop and the Ace Palm Springs delivers. Once a Denny's and now the King's Highway Diner, the very simple menu here is the perfect start to a day in the desert.

Hotel Jules, Paris

I've always been a fan of Grace Leo, after all she brought us the Hotel Montalembert (and if there were Facebook in 1992, I'd have told the story about my visit and the escapades of a then-wife of a famous fashion designer and her lover staying in the suite next door to mine).  But it's a new world and a new century and GLA Hotels has created two more properties in Paris-  still terribly chic, but a bit more affordable.  Today, we bring you Hotel Jules.

http://www.dwell.com/slideshows/hotel-jules-paris.html?slide=1&c=y&paused=true
http://www.glahotels.com/hotel/jules_france/

Wednesday Wine: How about a bottle of Rose tonight?

The LA Times reports wine sales up 7% in 2010, and for the first time the US drank more wine than the French.  How about a bottle of refreshingly crisp rose tonight?

2009 Quivira Vineyards Grenache Rose Wine Creek Ranch Dry Creek Valley

Average Price: $17.99

Style:	Rose
Grape Type:	Grenache
Region:	Sonoma

ST 87

WS 90

Expert Reviews

Rated: 87 by Josh Raynolds, May/June '11

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Dark red.  Assertive aromas of raspberry, mocha, anise and woodsmoke.  Energetic and bright, with flavors of red berries, herbs and rose pastille that could use more heft.  Finishes on a gently sweet note, with soft tannins and decent persistence.

Expert Ratings

Wine Spectator: 90 points