Summary
“I’ve been all over the world — this is one of the most beautiful places in the world,” he told GoTravelDaily.
Confession: I’ve never been a huge fan of Hawaii — and I completely recognize how ridiculous that sounds. Perhaps I’d been scarred by “scary” childhood memories of being enveloped by schools of fish along its 1,200 miles of coral reef. Or perhaps I just wasn’t enough of a beachgoer to appreciate its 750 miles of coastline. Maybe I hadn’t ventured beyond the super touristy areas to start to understand what the Aloha State is truly about.
However, that all changed this summer when I revisited the island for the first time in more than three decades, drawn back by the allure of vacationing with — surprisingly — global music sensation Bruno Mars.
Traveling more than 11 hours by plane from Newark Liberty to Kona International Airport with the expectation of hanging out with one of the world’s most famous singers may have seemed like an unrealistic endeavor, but experiences like this are what Accor Live Limitless’ Beyond Limits program makes possible. After all, the hotel company’s loyalty program offers its members the chance to duck behind the velvet ropes and score front-row seats to incredible experiences in extraordinary settings around the world.
This particular offering checked off both factors in the most astounding ways. Not only would I be joining the opening celebration of the pop-up bar for SelvaRey Rum, which Mars co-owns, but the entire adventure would be set on the 32-acre beachfront Fairmont Orchid on the serene Big Island’s Kohala Coast (which was not affected by the devastating fires that impacted Maui).
What unfolded during my five-night Hawaiian getaway turned out to be a surreal series of jaw-dropping events — so incredibly out of the realm of expectations that even an entertainment and travel journalist like me, who has been at the frontlines of thrilling experiences for more than two decades, was constantly left in awe.
It all started while I was hanging out at the newly decked-out beach hut that housed the SelvaRey Rum Bar pop-up, awaiting my first taste of Mars’ brand award-winning rum. Unexpectedly, Mars himself stepped behind the bar right — standing right across from me! — pouring me a (very generous) shot of his coconut rum.
“One for you,” he said, handing me a glass, in a moment that felt like a crazy celebrity dream. The Honolulu-born Mars broke the boundary between superstar and traveler by asking how we all were, as I found myself replying, “Loving your home state!” It was then that I completely wiped away my old impressions and began to understand the islands as a local like Mars does.
“Hawaii is paradise,” the 37-year-old singer told GoTravelDaily exclusively after the event. “And Fairmont Orchid is a beautiful hotel right on the water — it’s the kind of place you think of when you envision tropical luxury.”
The appeal led him to fly all the way out to the 50th state during his packed touring schedule to celebrate the pop-up bar’s opening. “SelvaRey is all about giving people that feeling, wherever they are, so it made perfect sense,” he said of the collaboration. “I selfishly had to be there to experience it myself and make sure the drinks were flowing.”
We moved over to the 15,000 square-foot Plantation Estate, transformed into a tropical party scene — and soon enough, Mars was on the stage, just a few feet from me, playing the conga drums and then belting out his hits “Just the Way You Are” and “Treasure.”
Reeling from the intimate experience, I talked to the singer afterward about the trip. Here are four lessons Mars taught me about what makes his home state such a definitive vacation destination.
Hawaii as a Beautiful Destination
With so many other beach getaways closer to the east coast, it was always difficult to justify flying so far to Hawaii just for more sand and waves. However, when I arrived at the all-outdoor Kona airport (I never imagined standing by a baggage claim while breathing in fresh island air!) and drove through the lava fields to the resort, setting my eyes on the perfectly framed beachfront view, a fervent energy filled me — a feeling that Mars echoed.
Moreover, when asking him what made him feel that way, he said, “Hawaii is a special place with so much to offer and such a rich culture. If I had to pick my favorite thing, it would be its beautiful beaches.” That idyllic setting is what drove him to link his passion project with the state where he grew up. “For me, a SelvaRey Rum Bar on the beach is a fun way for people to enjoy my favorite aspect of Hawaii.”
The Beach Isn’t Just a Destination, It’s a Mentality
Spending his childhood on Oahu, Mars is intrinsically connected to its laid-back lifestyle. “It’s so easy to go to the beach in Hawaii, so I would be there all the time growing up,” he said. Now, whenever he returns to his home state, he has one priority. “I’m finding time to go to the beach and get in the water.”
Despite being plagued with seasickness and a fear of fish (seriously!), I found myself magnetically drawn to the ocean. I went on a canoeing and snorkeling excursion in Pauoa Bay with the team from Fairmont Orchid’s Hui Holokai Beach Club and sailing with Maile Charters on a private sunset cruise. Incredibly, I also jumped in to swim under a hidden waterfall with Hawaii Forest and Trail on its Kohala Waterfall Adventure, enjoying the infectious energy of splashing around in the fresh waters. Whether I was skimming the waves or immersed in them, there was a spirit that drew me in, connecting me more deeply with the setting than ever.
There’s a Magic to the Hawaiian Waters
Moreover, this unique connection to the natural beauty of Hawaii is something that all visitors can appreciate. Mars emphasized the importance of embracing the essence of the islands through its waters and beaches.
Hawaiians are Eager to Share Their Culture
Consequently, Mars advised, “The classic tourist mistake anywhere you go, not just Hawaii, is only eating at tourist spots. Hawaii has some local gems, so ask around… you can’t go wrong.”
His personal favorite is Zippy’s, a local institution that started in 1966 in Honolulu and now has 22 locations on the Big Island, Oahu, and Maui. Mars admitted he goes straight there “as soon as I land” since it has “food I grew up on” that “you can’t get anywhere else.”
During my time there, I found locals pointing me to favorites like Mrs. Barry’s Kona Hawaii Cookies and Punalu’u Bake Shop.
However, it wasn’t just about the food. Ka’iulani Blankenfeld, Fairmont Orchid’s Director of Hawaiian culture, generously shared all aspects of the essence of island lifestyle, from inviting us to a traditional canoe blessing to sharing the stories behind the dances in a hula class, always with a warm spirit that welcomed us in. Consequently, I found myself sinking deeper into the mindfulness of Hawaiian life, stopping to smell the flowers in the resort’s gardens and exhaling a bit deeper after a traditional lomi lomi massage at the Spa Without Walls.
Island Life is About Living in the Moment
Above all else, what Mars taught me was to go with the flow in Hawaii. “It’s tough to have a bad time in Hawaii,” he said. “You can take it easy and relax, or pack the schedule with activities and shows.”
Following that simple mix indeed made the trip worthwhile. There were moments I just sat back, enjoying the sounds of ocean waves on a calming sound machine (yes, a wonderful in-room perk!) and looking out at the tropical birds chirping on the balcony. However, I also filled my days with activities like taking an aerial tour of the island with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, soaring over dazzling waterfalls and flying deep into verdant valleys.
When I asked Mars what his favorite Hawaiian itinerary was, he simply said: “The beach, Zippy’s for food, and back to the beach.” Spoken like a true Hawaiian.
