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Although part of Santa Cruz's [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Los Angeles interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard's hotel renovations tend to follow a pattern - or, rather, dazzling patterns, created by bold colors and Moroccan-influenced textiles and tiles. After reviving the Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs and the Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara, the celebrity designer has put a rosy bloom on another formerly dated desert inn and created Indian Wells' first boutique hotel. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Most resort lobbies serve merely as places of transit, perhaps with a desultory bar for biding time between the beach and better dining options. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, however, has discovered a unique recipe for attracting local patrons as well as guests to its Lobby Lounge: weekend dim sum. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It was a lucky break in permitting. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Kualoa Ranch, a 3,800-acre emerald swath of Oahu's Windward Side, has appeared on screens large and small many times. Its impossibly lush valleys and steep green mountains play supporting roles in the "Jurassic Park" series, "50 First Dates" and "Windtalkers," as well as the TV series "Lost," "Magnum, P.I." and "Hawaii Five-0," among others. But it took a former chef from Santa Cruz to shine a unique spotlight on Kualoa's agricultural bounty. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It's time to take a Hint - or some other reef-friendly sunscreen - when you go to Hawaii. Although a new state law banning sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate does not go into effect until 2021, why wait to limit bleaching and other damage to coral reefs caused by those chemicals? [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The millions of visitors Hawaii receives each year can have a big impact on the marine environment, but high-volume hotels and resorts continue to do their part to reduce plastic waste. Among newer initiatives: [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

One look at the Instagram account of national spearfishing champion and expert free diver Kimi Werner (@kimi_swimmy), makes it clear why the Maui native has attracted some 176,000 followers and a host of corporate sponsors. Now living on Oahu's North Shore, the photogenic 40-year-old - who also has become an established chef, artist and jewelry designer - shows ease underwater that even a mermaid might envy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While the debut of the rebranded Westin Hapuna Beach Resort gave Hawaii Island some welcome non-lava news, several modestly priced lodgings around the Aloha State recently revealed new looks, too. Options for ultra-luxury resort condos have also expanded. Some highlights (rates include taxes and fees): [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The dramatic volcanic eruption in a remote corner of Hawaii Island that began in May and quieted in early August has changed the landscape for visitors and residents across the island, now drying off from Hurricane Lane's historic rainfall on its windward side. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sure, you can find Hawaiian-style poke just about anywhere these days, while outrigger canoes ply waters all along the West Coast. Experiencing the islands' ocean-inspired cuisine and culture in their unique original setting, however, is not to be missed. Here are some newer ways to sample what's special about the Aloha State: [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, which debuted nearly 25 years ago on Laurance Rockefeller's visionary Mauna Kea Resort, never quite attained the luster or loyal clientele of first-born Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. After selling some of the Prince's crown jewels - a 96-room oceanfront wing and private villa - the current owners wisely invested $46 million into a property-wide transformation. The new Westin Hapuna Beach Resort may no longer have a royal title, but it better reflects the uncommon beauty of its throne above one of Hawaii Island's best beaches. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Overflowing rivers caused by heavy rains on Kauai's North Shore last week slowed progress on rebuilding areas damaged by epic rainfall in April. Still, officials hope to restore access to the northernmost stretch of the picturesque region this fall. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Harbor House Inn's commanding view of the Three Sisters, a group of sea stacks on the Mendocino coast, hasn't changed in the 102 years since a lumber company built the structure to showcase the beauty of its milled redwood. But after weathering many years as moderately priced lodgings, popular with divers on the hunt for abalone in the cove below, the inn was in need of more than a fresh coat of varnish. Enter Edmund Jin, owner of a Fremont home furnishings company and an avid free diver, and his wife, Eva Lu. They closed the hotel in 2015 for a $10 million transformation. Reopened this spring, Harbor House Inn's five rooms, four cottages, lavish gardens and handsome dining room now rival the million-dollar view - with a similar elevation in prices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Millions of visitors have threaded themselves into Seattle's Space Needle since its opening at the 1962 World's Fair, beckoned by a panoramic vista of the city skyline and Puget Sound. Thanks to an ongoing $100 million renovation begun last year, the views are even better now - and so are the selfies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With about 240 mom-and-pop businesses spread among 24 buildings within the official boundaries of the Pike Place Market Historical District, it's easy for a novice visitor to overlook some gems. Malia Lustica, a Seattle native and concierge at the nearby Thompson Seattle, recommends these less obvious spots for wine tasting, evening entertainment or wetting one's whistle. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

If you're hitting Pike Place Market on a weekend, especially in summer, expect daunting lines at iconic institutions throughout the day. The good news is those behind the counter have had plenty of practice expediting orders. Here are five of the most popular stops: [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

On a sunny summer weekend, the Thompson Seattle may seem like "a rooftop bar with a hotel attached," as one front desk employee quipped. It's true that the Nest, a sprawling indoor-outdoor aerie offering captivating views of Puget Sound and artisan cocktails, draws an avid flock of locals and visitors. But travelers will find plenty of other reasons to make a nest of their own here, including the many rooms with equally dazzling vistas to enjoy in private. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For visitors, Seattle's sprawling Pike Place Market has long been the site of three quintessential photo ops: fish vendors lobbing the daily catch in the air, coffee pilgrims lining up at the original Starbucks and - for those not easily grossed out by old chewing gum - people posing by the grimy mosaics of the Gum Wall. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Santa Barbara's ubiquitous Spanish Colonial architecture and Southern California beach scene, not to mention celebrity residents, can give it the feel of a Hollywood back lot. Spending a day exploring the deep roots and modern blossoms of its often-overlooked Chumash history provides both a dose of Native American reality and insights into "Island of the Blue Dolphins," as cinematic a tale as there ever was. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Call it deep spring cleaning, or maybe an unscheduled facelift: After winter mudslides swept through Montecito and the nearby Four Seasons in Santa Barbara, the latter closed for nearly five months for restoration and repairs. The iconic hotel that debuted in 1927 as the Biltmore reopened June 1 with its Spanish Colonial charm intact - and a fresh glow for summer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An ash-laden eruption Thursday may have prospective travelers to the Aloha State wondering what to expect this summer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Everyone who has ever been to the beach has also had sand end up somewhere they wish it hadn't. Straw beach mats provide some protection but fall apart quickly, while less-sturdy towels rarely shake free of all the scratchy particles. Fortunately, an Australian company has created a line of durable mats with fabric originally designed to prevent sand from flying into military helicopters during landing and takeoff. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Formerly the Hilton Executive Tower, the new Duniway Portland takes its name from 19th century newspaper and women's rights advocate Abigail Scott Duniway, who as a child left Illinois to travel the arduous Oregon Trail with her family. The boutique high-rise hotel tries to capture some of her trailblazing spirit with eclectic modern design and lively public spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Island music means different things to different people. Still, no one can deny the impact that two concert series have had on the genre. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For the many Bay Area buyers of luxury vacation homes in Hawaii, money might be no object - but style is. Whether they spend $4 million or $14 million on their island crib, these work-hard, play-often types seek a blend of informal living areas with high-end finishes, according to interior designers working in the state's most exclusive resorts. Here are four trends that are convincing such well-heeled Californians to add an Aloha State address: [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There's no need to go with the Lava Flow. Hawaii's top lounges have elevated cocktail hour with innovative recipes and [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

On Kauai, history comes in as many layers as the lava that formed the island 5 million years ago. Modern efforts to peel back some of those layers have revealed a wealth of geological, biological and cultural treasures, creating a scenic South Shore itinerary that also highlights Kauai's capacity for reinvention and renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Don't text on your cell phone or focus on your digital camera while crossing the street in Honolulu - as of late last year, you'll be subject to a $35 fine, as well as the vagaries of traffic. Fortunately, there are plenty of new distractions for visitors to Oahu and the other Hawaiian Islands this year. Some highlights: [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Given that Waikiki's old Pacific Beach Hotel was mostly known for its massive aquarium and Japanese clientele, it's fitting that the final touches of its $115 million transformation will come from a sushi master, "Iron Chef" Masaharu Morimoto. Morimoto Asia Waikiki, the signature restaurant of the recently renamed Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, is set to open Feb. 15 on the second floor of the high-rise hotel, while his more casual Momosan Waikiki, serving small plates and ramen along with craft beer and sake, is expected to open on the street level in March. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Logging of Douglas firs helped build Vancouver's economy. The Douglas, an Autograph Collection hotel in the city's new entertainment complex on False Creek, adds a handsome, forest-themed plank to its modern moneymaker: tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When it comes to describing the beauty of the California coast, sometimes it's best to let the pictures speak for themselves. Andrea Lammet mostly takes that approach in "Highway 1 California: The Dream Road Along the Pacific" (Firefly Books, 287 pages, $30), a coffee-table compendium of luscious landscapes, seascapes and other views along or near the famous highway. While her focus is primarily on natural wonders - from coast redwoods near the highway's northern terminus in Leggett to La Jolla Cove and San Diego Bay - a few man-made landmarks earn captions with intriguing facts as well as adulation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

If you're headed to San Diego and worried about having a place to stay, just give it a minute. More than half of the 34.9 million visitors to the city in 2016 stayed overnight - a number that has been rising steadily for seven years - fueling the push by area hotels to expand, renovate and add new services. Here's what's new with San Diego digs: [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When Del Mar Racetrack's horse racing season begins, so does the stampede for rooms at L'Auberge Del Mar, a posh nook in Del Mar. Winter is ideal for appreciating the hotel's trifecta of outstanding dining, recently refreshed lodging and relaxing spa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cambria's Moonstone Beach has always been a gem of the Central Coast, but the same can't be said for the motels and inns that line it. The past few years, however, have seen a steady polishing of rough edges and rebranding. Formerly the Mariner's Inn, Cambria Beach Lodge is the latest to sport a new gleam. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall - those are the marching orders of a typical Beijing itinerary. But before reconnoitering the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, plot a day exploring more contemporary art in the Chinese capital. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The light has returned to Mountain Shadows. A discreet haven for Hollywood types in the 1960s, the golf course resort outside Scottsdale eventually lost its luster and closed in 2004. Now a $100 million rebuild by the developers behind nearby Hotel Valley Ho and the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain has restored the star quality, if not the stars. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Opened in 1928, the Peninsula Hong Kong modeled itself on the grand hotels of Paris and London. Now it's the flagship of an international chain that has set its own standard of luxury, one based on unique experiences as much as opulence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The most popular time for Africa's safari season is May through October, when dry weather drives wildlife to migrate in spectacular numbers or seek out watering holes close to camps. But due to the logistics and costs involved, now is the time to plan a safari, especially to experience one of the new or newly renovated lodges listed below. (Note: Rates are nightly, based on double occupancy and typically include all meals, drinks, game-viewing drives and park fees.) [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The holiday ice rinks in Union Square and Embarcadero Center are a sign of the season, typically without freezing weather, in San Francisco. But the city by the bay isn't the only burg to surprise visitors with temporary rinks. Here are four more temperate tourist destinations where you can glide on the ice - or at least a synthetic version thereof. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

After nearly 50 years as a championship golf course and dining destination, Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline, Nev., has a new calling card: South Lake Tahoe's most sumptuous resort. The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe debuted in June, after a $100 million investment that included major restoration efforts for the area's sensitive ecosystem. Now the hotel is ready to lavish equal attention on its first wave of winter guests. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An avid collector and dealer in Japanese ukiyo-e prints, architect Frank Lloyd Wright also practiced his own art in Japan, winning acclaim and disciples with the debut of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo in 1923. Although the hotel was rebuilt in the 1960s, several sites remain where visitors can explore Wright's intertwining of Japanese aesthetics and materials with his organic, open-floor designs and attention to details. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

If metamorphosis were an Olympic sport, Tokyo's Imperial Hotel might be a two-time gold medalist. Frank Lloyd Wright won acclaim across Japan for his bold design of the hotel's 1923 incarnation, which not only replaced the original 1890 structure but also survived the Great Kanto Earthquake on opening day. After the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the owners took down Wright's edifice of volcanic bricks to erect a much larger, modern high-rise. Now the hotel is readying for the attention the 2020 Games will bring by celebrating both its architectural heritage and legacy of innovations in a new lobby exhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]