Last week I had the opportunity to stay at Terranea Resort. This resort is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, one of Southern California’s most scenic and coveted coastlines overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. The 102-acre estate features 582 guestrooms and suites, including spacious bungalows, casitas and villas. The resort has a casual Californian vibe with Mediterranean styling. The hotel features multiple dining venues from casual to high end and an ocean front bar. There is even a 9 hole par 3 golf course. The hotel has multiple pools each with a great view of the ocean from the cliff-side.

The service level here is very high. For example, all guests checking in receive a complementary glass of sparkling wine. The hotel was well staffed to provide a high level of service for all guests. My guest room was nicely decorated with a large TV, balcony, and a large bathroom with separate shower and tub. One negative was there was only 1 sink in the bathroom and a limited amount of counter space.

Both the positive and the drawback of this hotel is the location. It is about 30 minutes from the highway, with lots of traffic lights so staying here while trying to explore the LA area is difficult. By contrast, because it’s very secluded it makes a great getaway. I would recommend this hotel to anyone trying to stay in the Palos Verdes area, to get away from the hustle and bustle of LA or play the beautiful Donald Trump golf course which is 5 minutes down the road. For people looking to get out and explore LA or the OC but looking for beach time, I think you would be better served staying in Santa Monica or Laguna Beach.

By booking the Terranea Resort with Nick Running Travel, clients receive free breakfast daily, room upgrade on arrival if available, $100 Resort credit, free Wi-Fi and more. For a limited time we also can offer the following promotions:

July 4th Special:
Stay at least 2 nights during the 4th of July holiday and receive an extra $100 credit for rooms and $200 credit for suites. NOTE: To qualify you must stay the night of July 4th.

Summer Escape:
For travel until September 3, 2018 receive 25% off normal nightly rates.

Now that the Masters has ended it’s officially golf season. Unfortunately though for many places, the weather hasn’t allowed you to rid your game of the accumulated dust.. How about heading to your favorite Hawaiian Island and enjoy the sunshine on the course and post-round drinks at the beach. I’ve included my favorite course on each island and the best hotel to stay at to make your trip complete. Make sure to book your trip with Nick Running Travel to get the VIP perks and benefits at all the noted hotels.

Hawaii (Big Island):

Hualalai Golf Course

Just outside of Kona, this Jack Nicklaus signature course winds through the black lava fields and along the ocean. The finishing stretch of holes hugs the coastline making you think twice about every shot. This course also plays host to the PGA Champions tour during the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in January.

Where to Stay: Four Seasons Hualalai

The only way to play this course is to know a member or stay at the Four Seasons. This hotel is set on Hawaii Island’s exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast, this showpiece oceanfront luxury resort in Hualalai captures the essence of Hawaiian design, culture and tradition. The hotel offers seven swimming pools, beachfront access, three restaurants, and a state of the art fitness facility and spa. As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, clients of Nick Running Travel receive special amenities and perks, feel free to reach out to us for details.

Maui:

Kapalua Plantation Course:

Consistently ranked as the #1 golf course in Hawaii, playing The Plantation Course is sure to be on every golfer’s bucket list. Designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, the course was designed on a grand scale in keeping with its location on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains and offers ocean views from virtually every hole. With dramatic elevation changes, this course offers plenty of downhill tee shots. You’ll feel like one of the pros when you hit one of the longest drives of your life on the severely downhill 18th hole. The Plantation Course is the site of the PGA TOUR's Sentry Tournament of Champions each January featuring an elite field of previous year's PGA TOUR winners.

Where to Stay: Ritz Carlton Kapalua

The Ritz is set on Maui’s northwest side away from the traditional resort areas of Wailea. Just up the shore from Ka'anapali Beach the Ritz sits on the pristine 22,000-acre Kapalua Resort, giving guests exclusive access to amenities and activities such as Hawaii’s largest nature preserves with two marine sanctuaries, golf and miles of hiking trails. A complementary resort shuttle can take guests to great local restaurants like Merriman’s Kapalua, Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar and The Plantation House. As a Ritz Carlton STARS and Virtuoso member clients of Nick Running Travel receive:

Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily Gourmet Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
$100 Resort or Hotel credit
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Lanai:

Manele Golf Course

Built high above the shimmering waters of Hulopoe Bay, this Jack Nicklaus Signature course is Lanai’s premier golf course. Built on lava outcroppings, the course features three holes perched on cliffs, enlisting the Pacific Ocean as a water hazard. Tee shots over natural gorges and ravines must be precise, but golfers are rewarded with ocean views from the fairways and even the chance of whale sightings. Be sure to take note of the archaeological ruins that border the greens and the breathtaking views beyond.

Where to Stay: Four Seasons Lanai

Four Seasons Lanai was just completely remodeled from the ground up to become the new premier Hawaiian destination. It sits on the southeastern shore of one of Hawaii’s last unspoiled island. The hotel has nine different bars and restaurants, snorkeling, diving and sailing. The hotel can also arrange ATV rentals, horseback riding and helicopter tours. As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, clients of Nick Running Travel receive special amenities and perks, feel free to reach out to us for details.

Oahu:

Ko Olina Golf Club

Home to the LPGA's annual LOTTE Championship, Ko Olina Golf Club is recognized as one of Oahu's premier golf courses. Located on the western coast of Oahu, Ko'olina offers a challenging 18-hole championship course with exceptional water features, multi-tiered greens, and no parallel fairways. Located on the sunny West Coast of Oahu, just a short drive from Honolulu and Waikiki.

Where to Stay: Halekulani

Situated on five prime oceanfront acres, Halekulani has been a Waikiki Beach landmark for almost 100 years. Each tropically elegant guestroom features a large lanai that opens to views of the gardens, the Pacific Ocean or Diamond Head. Sunbathe or watch the surfing action on famed Waikiki Beach; relax by the dreamy swimming pool, made up of 1.2 million mosaic tiles; or indulge in the Pacific Islands inspired treatments at SpaHalekulani. As a Virtuoso member clients of Nick Running Travel receive:

Room Upgrade at the time of booking, subject to availability
Daily breakfast for up to two in-room guests.
$100 / $200 Hotel Credit depending on room type
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Kauai:

Princeville Golf Course

Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., who brilliantly integrated the wild beauty of the north shore of Kauai. Taking advantage of wilderness areas, natural water features and the dramatic coastline, the course winds its way through magnificent stands of trees and rolling landscape and views that will astonish you with their unforgettable beauty.

Where to Stay: St Regis Princeville

Located in the 9,000 acre resort community of Princeville at Hanalei, this luxury resort on Kauai resides on the northern shore of the "Garden Island" and provides visitors all the amenities expected from an island destination considered to be one of the most spectacular in Hawai'i. Guests of our Kauai resort reside in a bastion of tropical sophistication featuring cuisine that celebrates local flavors along with an array of diverse activities. Don't miss the nightly champagne sabering at sunset from the St. Regis Bar. As a Virtuoso member clients of Nick Running Travel receive:

Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
$100 Resort or Hotel credit.
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

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Site Visit: Terranea Resort

The Best Courses to Golf in Hawaii