Waikiki Parc Hotel

The Waikiki Parc, a sister property of the Halekulani, offers clients a modern and sophisticated alternative to the more traditonal luxe hotels. It is a fine example of "Honolulu Chic" with open, uncluttered public areas. The lobby area is decorated tastefully with bright works of art lit by both natural light and a variety of interesting light fixtures. Twice weekly the hotel hosts their "Cityscape Mixer", a one-hour sunset wine reception attended by guests and staff.

The guest rooms are not large, but they are elegantly appointed. They are tastefully decorated with an "accent wall" which gives the impression of a larger room. The beds feature a "swoon pillow" (pillow top mattress) and an elegant wooden headboard with built-in direct lighting and individual reading lamps. Although every room has a balcony complete with patio furniture, the best views are from the rooms on floors 17-23.

Guest amenities include restaurant signing privileges at the Halekulani, a fitness center, an outdoor pool which is small and surprisingly ordinary compared with the rest of the hotel and the Lotus Experience which allows guests to rent a Lotus for $125/hour.

The hotel boasts one of the finest restaurants in the city, Nobu Waikiki, and is within walking distance of the recently opened Waikiki Beach Walk, a pedestrian-friendly area with over 40 restaurants and bars on Lewers Street.

Turtle Bay Resort and Ocean Villas

This resort is about 45 minutes drive from the center of Waikiki. The resort is a grand get-a-way from the busyness of waikiki but not so far away that you cannot get to easily. At the Turtle bay they do not have an ABC store.
The resort is 35 years old now and she is still a grand lady. The resort is very well maintained, spread over 880 acres. She boasts a 4 bedroom suite that is so lovely, you can order a private chef to cook what ever you like. All rooms weather standard or full suites ,have partial ocean views or full ocean views. You can order Baby sitting, you can use wireless for free, or if that is not enough you can also go horseback riding. The resort has a helicopter pad. A Golf course and on Fridays a Luau. You never need to leave the resort, it has everything at your fingertips.
ENJOY
Cecile

Hyatt Regency Waikiki

I stayed at the Hyatt in November and discovered some pleasant surprises and some things to consider when booking your clients there. Prior to staying there, I had heard multiple warnings to the effect that the Hyatt is not on the beach. And, this is true, but it is literally right across the street from the beach. I can't imagine that these few extra steps pose any kind of serious deterrent to dipping your toes in the sand.

The hotel's location on Kalakaua Ave has some definite benefits. The second floor pool area is a perfect place to relax, lean over the balcony and watch the sun set over the Pacific. The rooms are spacious and from my 34th floor perch I had a perfect view of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach.

I've always believed that staying in a Hyatt Hawaii property is a little bit like staying in a mall. It is expansive, there's escalators leading everywhere and you're surrounded by toney storefronts selling everything from kitschy Hawaiian t-shirts to red-carpet-ready jewelry. So, it's definitely not for your guests seeking an intimate retreat setting, those with mobility issues or those who can't resist the captivating siren song of $200 sandals (that's right Cecile, I'm talking to you).

If the shopping doesn't loosen your purse strings, unfortunately the Hyatt has devised a number of little ways to nickel and dime it's guests. As many hotels in Hawaii do away from in-room minibars and make more of your amenities gratis, just about everything you touch in your room is going to cost you extra -- from the $1.50 it will cost you for your in room cup of morning coffee (even if you supply your own coffee) to the $3.40 they charge for using the in-room safe. I was especially rubbed the wrong way by this safe charge, since the only thing I put in there was my wallet, which contained about $2 at the time. By my calculations, it cost me $1.40 more to keep my wallet safe than it would have cost me to have it stolen.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOTEL IN HAWAII

On our Ethan Allen Travel Group fam trip to Hawaii we kept the best hotel

for last....KAHALA HOTEL.

We arrived at the Kahala Hotel in a large bus with a small group and

felt real special

The Most Beautiful Hotel in Hawaii

On our Summit Travel Group Fam Trip to Hawaii, we kept the best hotel for last which was the KAHALA HOTEL.

We arrived in a large bus with a small group, which made us feel special!!

Even though it was raining it was enchanting experience from the moment we disembarked the bus.

The lobby area is very spacious and luxurious with its wooden floor and floor to ceiling windows which lead to a lanai overlooking the beach, a very pretty pool and the most wonderful site is the dolphin lagoon, in which guest can interact with the dolphins. On the beach is a gazebo where wedding ceremonies are performed.

For rooms accommodations I would not suggest the courtyard rooms, unless your clients like to watch cars driving up to the hotel.

You have a choice of the standard room, which has a view of golf course, ocean view, oceanfront, dolphin lagoon and spa rooms. The standard room is 550 sq. feet in which the beds are very comfortable and inviting and in the bathroom the bathtub and shower are separate and lovely Hawaiian music playing in the rooms, which was very soothing.

On the beach you can relax in a cabana, sway in a hammock or enjoy the numerous ocean activities that the hotel offers. The hotel also has a full spa and children programs.

Complimentary coffee maker and coffee is offered in room, (not like the Hyatt Regency in which they have coffee makers in room but they charge for the coffee).

The Kahala hotel is 10 minutes from downtown in which they offer complimentary shuttle to the shopping area and downtown, which return every 30 to 45 minutes.

If you have any clients staying at the Kahala a must is the buffet breakfast, it is to die for.... with its fluffy-light potatoes, crepe pancakes and made to order eggs.I am ready to go back...

Oahu Fam November 2007

Other than taking the walking tour from hell on Friday morning, inspecting the Outrigger hotels was good information in knowing what not to sell. The Outrigger Reef on the Beach has been completely renovated so I would not hesitate to put my clients there. The location can't be beat, you literally walk from the their outdoor restaurant onto the sand. Their other properties, the Wyland and the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beachwalk are forgettable.
Of course any time you can sell the Halekulani or the Kohala it is assured your clients will have a fabulous experience.
We stayed at the renovated Hyatt Regency but I'm not sure where the millions of dollars went. The hallways are floor to ceiling bland beige, I didn't even notice any artwork on the walls. The closeness of entry doors to each other and the extremely loud closing mechanisms ensures that you will know exactly what time your neighbors get home at night or leave in the morning. The bathrooms must not have made the remodelling cut, in my room the tilework showed signs of age. And talk about nickel and dime your guests to death. I have never stayed in a hotel room where the coffeemaker is sitting on the desk but you have to buy the coffee from the mini-fridge! Every hotel we inspected provided complimentary in-room coffee.

The Hanohano Room at Sheraton Waikiki

What a spectacular view---30 stories up to Waikiki's spectacular dining establishment. A glass elevator takes you up to this restaurant.which has magnificient views of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head. I cannot stress enough about the view! Although we did not eat dinner, we did have a luscious dessert "Bananas Foster" which was made tableside. The restaurant has a piano player entertaining you with your favorite songs on request. Dance to live music from 8:30 to 11:30pm nightly. Plan to make time to just sit and enjoy the view.