amilies staying at the Outrigger
Wailea Resort will get a little more than the usual Hawaii dose of
sand, sea and surf.
Of course, officials at the resort want families to enjoy that
aspect of their stays, but they also want them to learn a little
something about the islands, as well.
With that goal in mind, the Outrigger Wailea has tailored
packages and activities -- particularly for families -- around
Hawaii's culture and history.
"It's a whole mind-set at the property," said Tim Alex,
marketing manager for Outrigger Hotels and Resorts.
The resort even has a director of Hawaiian culture, who works
with the staff on giving guests free, personalized tours.
"Hawaii is a place steeped in culture. [The programs] extend
past grass huts and hula skirts and get into things like native
Hawaiians' respect for the land and for the sea," Alex said.
"We have a lot of different programs, but whenever possible we
tie in cultural experiences."
One of those programs is Outrigger's Ho'olokahi Hawaiian option
for families, which introduces guests to Hawaii's languages, arts,
crafts and traditions through various family-friendly
activities.
"The Hawaiian cultural activities are a real value-add," said
Coleen Nadvornik, an agent with Los Gatos Travel in Los Gatos,
Calif. "Outrigger Wailea scores high on the list of customer
satisfaction."
Nadvornik should know. She's sent more than 50 families to
Outrigger Wailea with her recommendations.
"It's perfect for families," she said. "Especially those that
want to be in the middle of the action and want value and quality
without the high prices."
The property recently extended its family package, Kids Connect
Free & Eat Free Too, through Dec. 18.
The plan offers families two connecting rooms for the price of
one, plus free meals for children age 12 and younger. The free
meals apply to the children's menus only.
The package is priced at $425 per night for oceanview rooms,
$475 for oceanfront and $525 for deluxe oceanfront.
Commission is 10%. No minimum stay is required.
For families staying three or more nights, the resort gives each
child a free Island Explorer Kit -- complete with a backpack,
compass, binoculars, sunglasses and educational booklets.
The kit and its activity program, co-produced with the
University of Hawaii, includes information on family day trips such
as humpback whale-watching in Lahaina Harbor or the
Lahaina-Ka'anapali antique, steam-powered railroad tour.
"Personally, that's my favorite program," Alex said. "The Island
Explorer Kit offers families an idea of what the Hawaiian culture
is all about."
Meanwhile, the resort's day camp is in tune with the family
theme. The Cowabunga Kids Club, for children ages 5 to 12, is
designed to get families involved in Hawaiian culture through fun
and educational activities, Alex said.
Activities include learning to speak Hawaiian; making leis;
learning about outrigger canoes; exploring fish ponds and tidal
pools; playing Hawaiian musical instruments; making Hawaiian
crafts; whale- and turtle-watching and searching for geckos and
seashells; and creating crafts and art objects found in the
environment.
The camp -- priced at $50 a day ($60 for 2003) -- includes
lunch, a T-shirt and craft materials. It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mondays through Saturdays; 24 hours' advanced notice is
required.
For those off hours when parents may want a little time to
themselves, child-care services are available around the clock for
$12 per hour for the first child. There is a three-hour
minimum.
The rate is $14 an hour between midnight and 6 a.m.; additional
fees apply on holidays.
For information on child-care services, contact Christine Taylor
at the Nanny Connection at (808) 875-4777 or visit www.thenannyconnection.com.
One of the biggest advantages for families, according to Kathy
Dziedzic, marketing manager for the Outrigger Wailea property, is
the size of the guest rooms, which are a minimum of 480 square
feet.
"One of the advantages of this hotel is that we have big,
family-friendly rooms and we have a lot of connecting rooms," she
said. "Connecting rooms are perfect for families -- that means two
separate areas, two TVs, two Nintendos."
All rooms at the resort have either a king bed or two double
beds; rooms with kings have a sofa-sleeper. Amenities include
coffeemakers, data ports, irons, minirefrigerators, hair dryers and
age-appropriate, in-room movies. Free cribs are available upon
request.
Resort officials point out that 80% of rooms at the property
have ocean views.
And Outrigger is encouraging agents to check out those ocean
views first-hand by offering agent discounts, including:
• Fifty percent off regular published rates at most Outrigger
hotels in Hawaii all year.
• A two-night stay with the first booking of four nights or
longer for agents completing a short course on Outrigger. Future
bookings get a $5 bonus credit applicable to stays or
merchandise.
• A $50 booking bonus (above commission) for each stay of five
nights or longer at select Outrigger properties, including the
Outrigger Wailea Resort, through Dec. 18.
Agents should contact Jennifer Sesoko by phone at (808) 921-6807
or at [email protected] for more on agent
promotions.
For additional information, call (800) 367-2960 or visit www.outriggerwailea.com.
Family Travel editor Kaleel Sakakeeny can be reached at [email protected].
Outrigger set to spin spooky tales
HONOLULU -- Strange encounters with the unknown, haunted houses
and temples, ancient bones, goblins and ghosts in the graveyards --
all will take center stage at Outrigger Hotels & Resorts this
Halloween.
Outrigger will present the free, family-friendly Spooky Tales of
the Islands at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach on Oahu Oct. 28
and at the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach on the Big Island Oct. 31.
Author Rick Carroll, the creator of "Chicken Skin, True Spooky
Stories of Hawaii" and its five sequels, will be on hand to share
some of Hawaii's strangest and spookiest stories.
The stories have been collected from native Hawaiians,
journalists, authors, scientists and even skeptics -- all of whom
claim to have experienced the inexplicable in Hawaii.
In addition, those in attendance will be invited to share their
personal experiences with the unexplained.
Rates for October at the Outrigger Waikiki on Oahu begin at $150
per night, while rates at the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach on the Big
Island begin at $189 per night.
For additional information or reservations, agents should call
(800) OUTRIGGER or visit www.outrigger.com.