Spend new year on Kauai

Aqua Hotels & Resorts photo

Aqua Hotels & Resorts Kauai Sands Hotel is offering a "Kamaaina Special" available through Jan. 31, 2013.

The oceanfront property is offering rates starting at $75 for a deluxe pool view room, $85 for a deluxe ocean view room and $95 for a junior suite with kitchenette. Kamaaina booking the special also receive free daily parking, free 10 a.m. early check-in and free 3 p.m. late check-out.

Located on the Coconut Coast in Kapaa, the island-style Kauai Sands Hotel sits on 6 acres of lush lawns and tropical gardens with a private oceanside jogging path and two outdoor swimming pools. The Kauai Sands Hotel is an easy 10-minute walk to the Coconut Marketplace and Kapaa town.

The ‘Kamaaina Special” is available now until January 31, 2013 (blackout periods apply). Rate quoted is based on best available rate, single or double occupancy plus taxes, and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Blackout periods apply.

A valid Hawaii I.D. is required at check-in. For reservations, book online at www.kauaisandshotel.com or call 808.924.6543.


420 Papaloa Road,  Kapaa. Call 808.822.4951.

Outrigger helps couples renew vows

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts photos

A kahu presides over guests' beachfront vow renewals at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.

Maybe you didn't make plans, but caught up in the romance of paradise, you feel compelled to tell the world about your continuing love story.

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach makes it easy to share your romance with the return of its free, beachfront vow-renewal ceremony, which invites couples to recommit to one another in a Hawaiian ceremony on the hotel’s oceanfront lanai fronting iconic Waikiki Beach and the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. The vow renewal ceremonies for guests of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach are available at 7:45 a.m. every Monday and Thursday.

More than 9,000 vows have been exchanged since the program launched in 2003 providing guests a memorable and distinctive Hawaii experience. The non-denominational Hawaiian ceremony is conducted by a Hawaiian officiant and begins with a traditional Hawaiian welcome chant. Couples are then treated to a hula and serenaded with Hawaiian song before being blessed with a gentle sprinkling of sea water and reciting vows in the Hawaiian language.

More than 9,000 couples have renewed their vows through the 

Outrigger Hotels & Resort's free vow renewal program.

The ceremony concludes with a performance of the beautiful "Hawaiian Wedding Song," accompanied by a hula. A commemorative certificate is presented to each couple at the conclusion of the ceremony to remember the day.

Vow-renewal ceremonies also take place every Tuesday and Friday at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Couples must sign up at their respective hotel’s concierge desk by 3 p.m. the day before the ceremony. In addition to Waikiki, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts offers free vow renewal ceremonies to guests on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. Each vow-renewal ceremony was created with the guidance of a Hawaiian cultural expert to provide a distinctive and culturally-rich experience to help couples celebrate their love as well as the history and heritage of the island.

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach offers rates starting from $259 per night (plus tax) and commands one of the best locations on Waikiki Beach, at 2335 Kalakaua Ave. Reserve by calling 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.

Aqua Lotus gets a facelift

Aqua Hotels & Resorts photo

The Aqua Lotus guest rooms get a clean, sleek makeover.

Guests checking into Aqua Hotels & Resorts 51-room Aqua Lotus Honolulu will find a fresh new look awaiting, with the recent completion of guest room renovations and upgrades totaling $2.5 million.

The boutique Aqua Lotus Honolulu was transformed under the direction of Kory Wong-Oglesby of deZigns Interior Planning, which took a minimalist approach with the use of clean sleek lines. A darker wood finish was utilized to help accentuate the white walls and cool color tones, with subtle tropical patterns on the upholstery and bedding.

Custom artwork of local artist/photographer Kaypee Soh compliments both the in-room aesthetic and the sweeping views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. Guest rooms also received 42-inch flat-screen LCD HDTVs, as well as upgraded bedding and linen.

For reservations within Hawaii, call Aqua at (808) 924-6543, or dial toll free at 1-(866) 406-2782. Located at 2885 Kalakaua Ave., the hotel enjoys a tranquil and quiet setting within walking distance to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and Waikiki Shell.

More information: www.aqualotus.com

The new guest bathroom.