Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Win OHANA stay with L&L

OHANA Hotels & Resorts
In the lobby of OHANA Waikiki East

Dine at one of more than 180 L&L Hawaiian Barbecue restaurants or log onto www.hawaiianbarbecue.com before Dec. 12 and you may win the ultimate Ohana Hawaii Getaway or become one of 30 winners of a three-night complimentary hotel stay with OHANA Hotels & Resorts.

The ultimate Ohana Hawaii Getaway comprises roundtrip airfare for two from a major West Coast hub courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines, and a six-day car rental with a five-night hotel stay at one of four Oahu OHANA properties or the Keauhou Beach Resort in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island. The Oahu choices are the OHANA Waikiki East, OHANA Waikiki Malia, OHANA Waikiki West or OHANA Honolulu Airport Hotel.

One grand prize will be awarded from among all entries received from legal residents of California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Connecticut, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, New York, Utah, Oregon and Washington.

Visit www.hawaiianbarbecue.com for complete contest rules. Must be 21 to enter. No purchase necessary. Winners will be randomly selected and notified via email during the week of Jan. 2, 2012.

Keauhou Beach Resort double room.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Alaska Airlines onstop from California to Kona

Alaska Airlines has added more nonstop Flights to Kona International Airport. The new daily nonstop flights from San Jose and Oakland, Calif., will start on March 12, 2012.

Currently, the airline serves Kona with three flights a week between Oakland and Kona, and four flights a week between San Jose and Kona.

A complete list of fares and daily routes is available at www.alaskaair.com or by calling (800) 252-7522.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Canoe surfing at Outrigger

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach photo

True to its name, the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is sending guests out to sea for an exhilarating experience via the hotel’s "Canoe for Two" Package.

Through Dec. 21, 2011, two guests can enjoy the unique experience of surfing the Waikiki shore break on a Hawaiian outrigger canoe. The package includes a photo CD of the session that’s easy to upload to email, Facebook or Twitter.

Outrigger canoe surfing is one of the earliest and purest forms of surfing, as the native-to-Hawaii canoes gracefully catch each surge for the ultimate adrenaline rush. Experienced steersmen navigate through surfers and stand up paddlers, as the 400-pound canoe carves through the troughs. While waiting for surf, paddlers often spot turtles, dolphins and tropical fish from the canoe and the setting boasts spectacular views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. The safety of the canoe and experience of the steersmen make canoe surfing a perfect family-friendly activity, as guests of all ages are taught to paddle and provided life jackets.

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is situated on central Waikiki Beach, overlooking famed surf break “Canoes.”

Guests of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach can also enjoy the Fee Free Escape program, which offers an array of complimentary amenities including free high-speed Internet access, free local and long-distance domestic telephone calls to the U.S. Mainland and Canada, daily newspaper, use of the fitness center (open 24 hours) and various cultural activities and much more.

The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach "Canoe for Two Package" starts at $239 per room, per night, for two persons sharing and is available through Dec. 21, 2011. Additional room nights can be purchased at the hotel’s Best Available Rate. Rates and specials cannot be combined with other offers and are subject to availability and change. Additional restrictions may apply. Hotel reservations can be made by contacting your preferred travel agent or call toll free 1-800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 (long distance charges apply). Or, visit www.outriggerwaikiki.com or e-mail reservations@outrigger.com.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Kamaaina special at Aqua Lotus Honolulu

Aqua Lotus Honolulu is offering Hawaii residents a Kamaaina Special for stays through Dec. 23, 2011.

The rate for the Kamaaina Special is $159 per night for a Diamond Head View room. When booking the special, kamaaina also receive a 50 percent discount on valet parking and WiFi Internet access is free.

Aqua Lotus Honolulu is adjacent to San Souci Beach along Waikiki’s “Gold Coast.” It is the closest hotel to Diamond Head at just .5 miles away and within easy walking distance to major attractions and activities such as Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and Waikiki Shell.

Amenities include:
>> Complimentary morning coffee service in the lobby
>> Use of a selection of beach amenities
>> Concierge
>> Private lanai
>> Wireless Internet access
>> iPod docking station
>> Mini-refrigerator
>> Electronic in-room safe

The special is based on availability and offered through Dec. 23, 2011. Valid driver’s license or ID with a Hawaii address is required upon check-in. There is no minimum night requirement. The special is valid for new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other offer.

For reservations, book online at www.AquaLotus.com or call Aqua at (808) 924-6543, or toll free at 1-866-406-2782.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Edition Waikiki becomes Modern Honolulu overnight


In a move that left visitors stunned, The Edition Waikiki changed hands overnight to become the Modern Honolulu, with management of the property changed by owners M Waikiki LLC, from Marriott to Aqua. Aqua manages 16 hotels and resorts in Hawaii.

The change came at 2:30 a.m. Aug. 28. While guests slept, new signage went up, and Marriott managers were barred from reentering the property.

Marriot had a 30-year contract and contested the move, deeming it illegal. On Aug. 31, a New York court ruled in Marriott's favor, ordering management duties returned to Marriott. But M Waikiki preempted the exchange by filing for bankruptcy, citing losses of more than $6 million since its opening Oct. 15, 2010.

Going forward, reservations are now available via a new website, TheModernHonolulu.com.

The Edition Waikiki is still listed on the Edition website, but a reservations link to the property is no longer functional.

Stay tuned. This story isn't going away soon.

IF YOU'VE ALREADY BOOKED THE EDITION:

Marriott is waiving cancellations fees and offering to relocate guests to JW Marriott Ihilani Resort, Waikiki Beach Marriott or another Marriott hotel.

Guests who were at the hotel at the time of the takeover will receive Marriott Rewards points for their room stay following the takeover, but don't expect points going forward.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Food memories at Moana

The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa is offering its 110th anniversary getaway package until Dec. 18, 2011. The package includes an exclusive room rate of $110 for the fifth night and $110 resort credit which can be used at the Moana Lani Spa, A Heavenly Spa by Westin or in one of the resort’s dining outlets.
 
For reservations, call (866) 716-8112 or visit www.moana-surfrider.com and ask for Rate Plan 110BDAY.

Courtesy Moana Surfrider

The hotel is marking its 110th anniversary from 11:11 a.m. to 11:11 p.m. March 11 with an “Eleven”-themed program of festivities to mark eleven decades of history that have graced the hotel dubbed “The First Lady of Waikiki.”

Through 11:11 p.m. that day, The Beach Bar will be offering four half-priced anniversary cocktail specials from the Signature Moana Menu. They are the Moana Mai Tai, Tropical Itch served with a Moana backscratcher, Paradise Peach Cooler served in a bamboo cup, and Moana Coconut served in a signature coconut shell.

At the Beachhouse at the Moana, executive chef Rodney Uyehara will cook up a 110th anniversary four-course Tasting Menu, offered from 5:11 to 9:11 p.m. daily through March 31, featuring a first course of pan-seared prosciutto scallop and’Nalo greens with poi vinaigrette. The second course is Mayer Farms Steak Diane served with Big Island baby spinach and Oregon morels, a main course of roasted veal Oscar served with foie gras and King Crab tempura, and dessert will be a dark rum creme brulee. The cost is $110 per person, not including tax or tip. To reserve, call 921-4600.

To close the day, from 6:11 to 9:11 p.m., the hotel has partnered with Rosenthal Wines and Southern Wines & Spirits to host a tasting reception and wine pairing on the Diamond Lawn, featuring modern interpretations of menu items popular at the Moana Surfrider over the past 11 decades. There will also be entertainment by Amy Hanalii Gilliom, Jeff Peterson and Chino Montero, and the Kamaka Fernandez Trio. Tickets are $110 per person and VIP tables are available for an additional cost. Call 923-2861.

Dishes from the decades-inspired menu are as follows:
1900: Veal cheeks with applewood bacon polenta, Nalo micro greens and natural jus.
1910: Risotto station with chicken and asparagus, and lobster with sweet Kahuku corn and gourmet Hamakua mushrooms.
1920: Kurobuta pork sliders with Thai chili mango relish and candied apples topped with Maui pineapple jus.
1930: Pan seared onaga, saffron basmati rice pilaf with Figaro sauce and ikura.
1940: Duck breast a l’orange with gingered Goji berries and taro scallion pancakes.
1950: Filet Steak Diane flambé with fine herbs buttered gnocchi.
1960: Filet of mahimahi on warm Okinawan sweet potato salad topped with caviar cream.
1970: Roasted rack of lamb with tomato apricot chutney, garlic pommes puree, and minted demi.
1980: Shrimp and scallops “Newburg Style” vol au vent, North Shore prawns, and corn sprouts.
1990: Canapés with minted cantaloupe, and honeydew and watermelon pearls in a green tea-infused essence.  Beggars purse with pipikaula, smoked salmon, crabmeat on mushroom caps, and Thai ahi tartar with baby squash and baby shrimp on cucumber.
2000: Ahi nicoise tasting with sashimi grade ahi, olives, and fingerling potatoes with wasabi aioli.
2011: Crepe Suzette Station with flambé crepes, Ka‘u orange Grand Marnier, black cherry jubilee sauces, and vanilla ice cream. Westin “Heavenly” cheesecake with assorted fruit toppings, assorted macaroons, French pastry style guava chiffon, tiramisu, coconut and chocolate cake, chocolate éclairs, cream puffs, chocolate operas and raspberry mousse cake.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Vow renewals at Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk

Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk is sweetening Valentine’s Day by providing legally married guests the opportunity to renew their romance with a complimentary vow-renewal ceremony.

Incorporating Hawaiian-style elements, including the exchange of lei and dancing to "The Hawaiian Wedding Song," this non-denominational ceremony will take place on the resort’s Grand Lanai at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14, 2011.

With a lei symbolizing the unbroken circle of love, couples will repeat the word "aloha," with alphabet representing:
"A" Akahi (Kindness)
"L" Lokahi (Harmony)
"O" Oluolu (Polite)
"H" Haahaa (Humility)
"A" Ahonui (Patience)

A “Kamaaina Romance” package is also being offered through Dec. 22, 2011. Hawaii residents can book an upscale suite complete with champagne or sparkling cider and chocolates, plus dinner for two at either Roy’s Waikiki or Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Waikiki Beach Walk, with rates starting at $234 nightly for a two-night stay and $279 for a one-night stay.

For the Kamaaina Romance package, enter the promotional code "PK1" for a one-night stay or "PK2" for a two-night stay at www.EmbassySuitesWaikiki.com, or call 1-800-EMBASSY.

Sweetheart deals at SpaHalekulani

SpaHalekulani photo

Couples are invited to indulge in two-hour Valentine's experiences at SpaHalekulani during February, beginning with the spa's signature foot-pounding ritual and continuing with a couples 75-minute massage or facial.

"Sweethearts' Rendevous," which includes a relaxing soak in a Japanese furo or a steam bath, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a gift basket containing SpaHalekulani's coco-passion lotion and wash, a scented candle and Halekulani chocolates, will be available for $562, discounted from $672.

To schedule, call 931-5322 or 931-5323.

This month, guests also can enjoy a variety of complimentary weekly classes on the art of love and renewal. The sessions, from 11 a.m. to noon, are:

» "The art of massage": Learn basic massage strokes Feb. 8 in Halekulani Garden Terrace.

» "Renewal, a Daily Ritual": Epicuren educator Helga Desmet demonstrates daily proper care of the body and face Feb. 16 in Halekulani Garden Terrace.

» "Oxygen ... Pure and Powerful": Learn why oxygen facials are more than a breath of fresh air, Feb. 23 in Halekulani Kiawe Room.