See This, Skip That: Concierge Tips in the Nation's Top Destinations

— -- Even if you’ve been there before, there’s always something new to discover. That’s why your hotel concierge can be such a rich asset: leveraging insider know-how to make your vacation different and distinctive can make even a repeat visit feel fresh and new. Here, we continue our look at some of the country’s top destinations, through the eyes of men and women in the business of making travel special.

See This, Skip That: Maui

The Four Seasons Maui Resort, on the posh enclave of Wailea, is the island’s only Forbes 5-Star resort. It caters, as you’d imagine, to a sophisticated and celeb-driven clientele. But, based on my own experience, any couple or family will find a visit here to be personal and down-to-earth. This year, Shermaine Rodrigues became the hotel’s GEM (Guest Experience Manager), focused solely on the needs and experiences of guests in the hotel’s top-tier residential or ocean front suites.

She says the Haleakala National Park hike, with an elevation of 10,000 feet, is most popular in the early morning. “But visiting during sunset is equally spectacular, with very few other visitors and zero tour companies there at that time,” she said. She also likes to send her adventurer guests on the Windmills Hike, “which is almost exclusively explored by locals.”

“This is an out-and-back hike -- 10 miles round-trip -- so most prefer to cut the length in half by parking a car at both trailheads to make it a one-way adventure," she added. "While it takes some coordination because there are no organized tours, the sweeping views of the central valley, Haleakala, and the coastline make it all worth it.”

The resort’s Chef Concierge, Sam Wilhelm, likes to offer an alternative to everyone’s favorite winding drive, the Road to Hana. “The West Maui Mountain loop is equally stunning,” he says. “Drive through Kahakuloa and try Julia's famous Banana Bread, made fresh daily. Follow that up with a hike up Waihee Ridge Trail for gorgeous views of Central Maui.”

See This, Skip That: Seattle

When my 9-year-old son and I visited Seattle this summer, we loved staying at Kimpton’s Alexis Hotel, whose First Avenue location put us walking distance to a ton of attractions. The Chef Concierge here, Keith Dowsing, has been on property for 3-1/2 years, though he’s been with the Kimpton brand for more than eighteen. He likes to send guests on a water adventure. “Head to the waterfront and take a water taxi at Pier 50 over to West Seattle, known to locals as Alki,” he says. “Right next to where you [disembark], you can rent kayaks or bikes at Kayak Alki. You and the family can kayak and enjoy the views of the Seattle skyline and maybe even see some local wildlife, like eagles, harbor seals or otters.

If you decide to bike, take advantage of the bike path that leads you to Alki Beach, where there are shops and great spots for lunch. One of my favorite spots is located right where you get off the water taxi: Marination Ma Kai. The best Pork Katsu sandwich ever!” Interesting side note: in 2009, this Hawaiian-Korean spot’s Marination Mobile was voted America’s best food truck by Good Morning America!

See This, Skip That: Palm Springs