I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m prissy. I’ll be the first one to call myself a princess, a girlie girl, and sometimes even a spoiled little brat. I prefer the finer things in life and choose the exotic over the ordinary. I like to indulge in good food, great wine, and designer duds. I occasionally spend recklessly and splurge on superfluous items that make me fleetingly happy. I’m a Manhattanite, and I have discriminating taste (and a bit of a ‘tude).

So when I was invited to Oahu for a “girlfriends getaway” press trip, I had my doubts. The promise of fabulous food, superb shopping, and sensational spa trips sounded suspicious. Could a faraway Hawaiian island really boast such superior experiences? I’d be the judge of that. (It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.)

Pig Out … on Pig and Other Delectable Feasts
I like food. A lot. I have a pretty substantial appetite and can eat most large men under the table. It’s a talent I’ve cultivated. And unlike the picture of the dainty, feminine girl I painted earlier, this Lauren is not afraid to get down and dirty with a plate of meat. And Oahu certainly offers a vast array of luscious cuisine for tourists with open minds and empty bellies.

Where to Eat in Waikiki
Waikiki Beach is one big stretch of restaurants. And there’s an option for every palate. Whether you’ve got a hankering for Chinese, Mexican, steaks, burgers, or seafood, you’ll find delicious food on every corner of Kalakaua Avenue, the sprawling street parallel to Waikiki Beach. Doraku Sushi‘s menu is full of innovative, unexpected, and artfully crafted items. And the lobster Cobb salad at BLT Steak in the new Trump Waikiki could make a grown man cry.

I had a memorable dining experience at Wolfgang’s, located on the third level of the Royal Hawaiian Center on Kalakua Avenue. Chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Zweiner has brought a touch of NYC steakhouse style to the island of Oahu. His USDA prime-grade black angus beef is dry-aged on site to ensure superior marbling, tenderness, and flavor, and then carved to order by Wolfgang’s in-house butcher. The chef cooks it at your requested temperature and serves it piping hot. I dug into my medium-rare hunk of beef with determination and veracity. It sizzled as I sliced it. (Love that sound.) The creamed spinach was rich and buttery, and the cottage fries were crisped to perfection. I shared a bottle of merlot with my new writer friends and toasted to a luxurious four-hour meal. Now that’s how you do it.

You’ve Got to Try Poi … Once
I was a little skeptical when I heard we were going to a restaurant inside Macy’s at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. But I put a smile on my face and stuffed a bag of pretzels into my purse … just in case. The Pineapple Room is Chef Alan Wong’s second restaurant in Honolulu. The casually elegant eatery serves classic fare with a Hawaiian flair. The food was fantastically original and extremely tasty. (The stir-fried soy beans were positively addictive.) And at the urging of my waiter, I even sampled Hanalei Poi served with Kalua pig and Lomi tomato. I’ve heard some pretty nasty things about poi, a purple substance made from the root of taro. But served with a heaping portion of pork, it wasn’t so bad after all. Though one bite was all I ventured to eat.

When in Doubt, Go Where the Chefs Eat
There’s a hidden hole-in-the-wall located in the heart of Honolulu. It’s a place where locals go for ice-cold beers and hearty, greasy, soul-satisfying comfort food. And if that description is not enough to tempt you, consider this: This is where Hawaii’s’ most renowned chefs come to hang after work. Whatever you do, don’t skip the Side Street Inn, and make sure to order the pan-fried island pork chops and fried rice. The stick-to-your ribs grub will haunt your dreams.

Make a Truck Stop
If you find yourself on the North Shore of Oahu, grab a bite at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck in Kahuku. One of many food trucks, Giovanni’s is the original and sets the standard. Choose from shrimp scampi, lemon and butter, or hot and spicy. Be prepared to wait in line, compete for a picnic table, and get really, really messy. It’s impossible to pop these peel-and-eat shrimp without getting your hands a little dirty. But isn’t that half the fun?

Where to Get Lei’d
Of course, no trip to Hawaii would be complete without attending a luau. There are a plethora of luau options to choose from throughout Oahu, including the Ali’i Luau at the incredible Polynesian Cultural Center. But if you want to remain in Waikiki, check out the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This vast city within a city is both overwhelming and impressive. Enjoy the beautiful buffet as tantalizing traditions come to life before your eyes. The performers at the Waikiki Starlight Luau engage the audience with interactive entertainment, live music, and dancing.

Get Your Fix
Obviously food is a huge passion point for me. But so is caffeine. I cannot function without my morning (and afternoon … and evening) cup of joe. And if I can snag a latte, even better. While the famous green Starbucks logo can be found all over the island, I suggest trading in your fancy-schmancy venti for a simple large at the Honolulu Coffee Company. Whether you want a plain cup of Kona coffee or a more intricate bar drink, the quality and attention to detail is unmatched. A select group of expertly trained baristas can even make foam art in your latte—creating a tropical leaf that’s almost too pretty to sip. If you want a healthy and satisfying breakfast or snack, order an acai bowl. The nutrient-rich berry blend is mixed with fresh fruit, granola, and honey. You can find a Honolulu Coffee Company inside both the Westin Moana Surfrider and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, at the Ala Moana shopping Center, and in downtown Honolulu.

Shop Till You Drop … From Heat Exhaustion
I’m a born-and-raised New Yorker (okay, I’m from Long Island), so I tend to be a bit jaded when it comes to upscale shopping (if you hadn’t noticed). Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, SoHo. Been there, bought that. I lived in L.A. for a brief moment and stalked celebs around Rodeo Drive. I wasn’t sure that Hawaii would be able to compete with the two coastal shopping capitals of the continental United States.

Oh. My. Gucci. I was so, so wrong. Oahu is a shopper’s paradise.

Cruising on Kalakaua Avenue
Whether you’re in the market for diamonds, denim, sunglasses, or souvenirs, you’ll find anything and everything along Kalakaua Avenue.  Lined with palm trees and freshly cut green grass, Kalakaua fuses nature’s beauty with contemporary architecture.

Fancy a stop at Fendi, Hermès, Cartier, or the Apple Store? They’re all centrally located within the Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikiki’s largest indoor-outdoor shopping mall. Having completed a $115 million renovation in 2008, the super-nice supercenter features a dynamic mix of world-class retailers, restaurants, and entertainment destinations. It’s more than a mall—you can stop by the Royal Grove to learn about Hawaiian heritage and culture. You can also take complimentary music and hula classes (if your arms aren’t too tired from toting the newly scored loot!).

Take a bottle of water on the go because you’re not yet done on Kalakaua. (Hydration is essential.) Tiffany & Co. and Chanel are among the high-end stores farther along the amazing avenue. And may we suggest you stop into one of the many ABC Stores for essentials and knickknacks. These local tourist spots sell everything from sandwiches to sunscreen to macadamia nuts to Hawaiian shirts to champagne. Now that’s what I call one-stop shopping.

Praise to Ala Moana Center
Located just 20 minutes from Honolulu International Airport, Ala Moana Center houses more than 290 stores and restaurants and is an upscale shopping venue for tourists and locals alike. Neiman Marcus, Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, and Miu Miu are just a few of the fabulously recognizable names.

Ala Moana also boasts shops that offer a more authentic Hawaiian experience. Blue Hawaii Lifestyle features locally sourced natural and organic confections, artwork, books, and beauty items. In the back of the hippie-esque boutique, there’s a juice bar and café where you can order healthy, revitalizing snacks and drinks.

Martin & MacArthur offers gorgeous, heirloom-quality handcrafted koa wood furniture, as well as home accents and island art. Koa wood is found only in Hawaii and was once reserved exclusively for royalty. (It’s sort of the moi of woods; if you don’t get the reference, read my previous post!)

Finally, Philip Rickard sells beautiful traditional Hawaiian heirloom jewelry. Its gorgeous engraved gold bracelets, which range in price from $1,650 to $10,000, are chic and timeless pieces meant to be passed on from generation to generation. (Fun fact: Gwen Stefani has commissioned multiple pieces for personal use and for L.A.M.B. fashion shows.)

Explore the International Market Place
You can’t miss the International Market Place in the center of Waikiki (also along Kalakaua). While it doesn’t boast high-end boutiques and chains, it does offer a completely different experience. Here you can browse carts filled with crafts, clothes, and jewelry; haggle with local merchants and find bargains on cool, eclectic souvenirs for all your jealous friends who are stuck on the mainland. Because shopping for others can feel good too. Who’da thunk it?

Get the Royal Treatment
After a few hours of shopping and other activities, your body will probably feel sore—especially if you’re as out of shape as I am. Luckily for me, I had an appointment for a “Shopaholics Treatment” at the spa at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. I felt the warm “aloha” spirit as soon as I walked in the door. The cozy robe, padded slippers, and cushy lounge chairs were incredibly inviting. The aptly named massage treatment, which caters to Oahu’s well-heeled tourists, concentrates on the muscles used most while shopping: feet, lower back, shoulders, and head. Moist heated blankets provide deep penetration and soothing warmth. After 50 delightful minutes, I was pretty much mush … or poi, given my magenta sunburn. Other standout treatments at the Hyatt include a traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, a macadamia-nut body scrub, and a Hawaiian Noni wrap.

As it turns out, Oahu is quite the destination for finicky, persnickety tourists like myself. But that’s not to say there isn’t something for the adventure seeker. Check back on Monday. I’ll tell you about all my athletic attempts and oceanic escapades. It wasn’t always pretty (it’s hard to look graceful when falling off a paddle board). But even a snob like me has to admit that it was an absolute blast.