T + L: 12 Best Tropical Vacations in the U.S.

Above, Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that we're creeping towards summer, now's the time to start planning for a tropical vacation. Some places are already good, weather-wise, for such a vacation. 

Travel + Leisure has posted an article of 12 of the best tropical vacations in U.S. One of them is surprising, since it is in the desert of Nevada.

I have been to several of them over the years: Key West, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island, Hawaii and Las Vegas (yes, this one's the surprise). 

They begin with:

When you're dreaming of a tropical vacation, but both time and money are in short supply, you can find what you want without going too far. Whether you're on the East or West Coast, a tropical destination is just a few hours away. There are islands, beach towns, and resorts that will satisfy that longing for balmy weather, palm trees, and icy cocktails topped with fruit and tiny umbrellas.

Pack a swimsuit, shades, and sunscreen and leave the passport at home when you travel to one of these tropical vacation destinations in the U.S.

 To read more, go here.

2 Hilton Hawaii Flagship Properties Merge Sales Teams

Above, Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two years ago, I wandered around one of Elvis Presley's favorite Hawaii hotels in Waikiki, the Hilton Hawaiian Village and spent some time at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island.

Now it has been announced that the two Hiltons are merging their sales teams.

Above, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort's Rainbow Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to Pacific Business News:

The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is merging its sales team with that of the Hilton Waikoloa Village in order to streamline the booking process for group and meetings, conventions and incentives trips. 

Hilton’s Area Director of Sales and Marketing John Hawley will oversee the newly formed sales team. 

The merger is intended to give travel planners a “one stop shop” to compare the options of the two villages, which represent the brand’s most popular MCI spots in Hawaii.

To read more, go here. 

Last Night In Hawaii

Above, a crescent moon over Waikoloa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last night in Hawaii didn't go off as planned.

I was to take a date on a sunset dinner cruise, but due to high winds and choppy seas, the cruise was canceled. That was disappointing.

We did manage to salvage the evening. We all went to Romano's Macaroni Grill a couple of blocks away from our hotel. There, we enjoyed some fine Italian food and the restaurant's staff gave one of our party a little celebration of her birthday.

After dinner, we prepared for tomorrow's departure. I decided to wander around the hotel's grounds where a luau was being held. At the time I observed (and photographed) the luau, they were having their "audience participation" portion of the show.

Above, audience participation at the Marriott's luau. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good trip and we marveled at how fast the week went by. And, it was under budget. We even got ourselves some good tans. But, it will be good to get back home.