THE WAIKIKI TERRACE HOTEL will change ownership
and undergo an $11 million renovation before its conversion to
upscale condominium units in April, when it will be rebranded the
Outrigger Luana Waikiki. Plans include converting the 242-room
hotel to 217 condominium units comprised of 186 studio suites, 29
one-bedroom suites and two 2-bedroom suites. Units will receive new
furniture and fixtures, and public areas will be enhanced.
Renovations have already begun on the property, located adjacent to
Fort DeRussy Park on Kalakaua Avenue. Throughout the renovation
period, the hotel will continue to accept reservations. Outrigger
Hotels & Resorts will begin managing the 17-story building in
December when ownership shifts to Waikiki Terrace LLC, a recently
formed Honolulu-based company. Terms of the sale were not
disclosed. (800) 688-7444; www.outrigger.comHAWAII'S HOTEL
INDUSTRY room revenue reached $1.9 billion through the
third quarter, an increase of 4.7% compared with year-ago levels,
according to surveys compiled by Smith Travel Research and
Hospitality Advisors. Hotel occupancy also increased 2.4% to 73%
through September. Statewide revenue-per-available room rose 5.7%
to $105.74 by the end of the third quarter. Compared with the top
25 hotel markets in the country, Hawaii had the highest occupancy
for the first nine months of the year, followed closely by New York
City. For September, Hawaii's hotel occupancy rose 5.6% to 70.2%.
Kauai led all other islands with an occupancy rate of 80.2% in
September.
KONA VILLAGE RESORT, a series of luxury,
thatched-roof huts on the Big Island's beaches, is offering a gift
to travel agents who book new families at the property in January,
February, June, July, August, October and November 2004. Families
must be first-time guests and stay a minimum of three nights. For
each cottage booked by a family with at least one child three years
old or older, the travel agent will receive either a $25 Macy's
gift certificate or a $25 Kona Village gift certificate. They can
be used by agents or passed along to the traveling family as a
mahalo gift. Bookings through wholesalers or service agencies
qualify. (800) 367-5290; www.konavillage.com
STARWOOD HAWAII knows that Christmas is rapidly approaching. In
addition to many special activities for the holidays, the chain
will decorate its 13 hotels and resorts throughout the Islands.
Sheraton Hawaii will sponsor the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl collegiate
football game on Christmas Day at Aloha Stadium. The Manele Bay
Hotel and the Lodge at Koele on Lanai are offering special
activities and amenities for the holidays, such as "Thanksgiving by
the Sea," "Light Lunch with Santa," and New Year's Eve fireworks.
(888) 488-3535; www.starwood.com/hawaii
RATES & DATES ...
... Pleasant Holidays is gearing up for the NFL Pro Bowl with
official fan packages Feb. 5 to 9 in Honolulu. All packages include
a lei greeting, airport transfers, accommodations at a Waikiki
hotel for four nights, breakfast orientation, transfers to and from
Aloha Stadium on game day, a VIP tailgate party, game tickets, a
tote bag and a Hilo Hattie gift certificate. Pleasant's customers
also will be entered to win a free upgrade to stay four nights at
the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina, headquarters
for the NFL players. Packages start at $859 per person, including
air from Los Angeles or San Francisco [$1099 per person from the
Midwest or East Coast]. Vacations with accommodations at the
exclusive Halekulani start at $2019. Platinum and Platinum Plus
packages include preferred-sideline seating and a VIP party with
the NFL players and cheerleaders. (800) 5-HAWAII; www.PleasantHolidays.com
... THE GRAND WAILEA RESORT HOTEL & SPA has
two new packages for one of the most luxurious properties on Maui.
"Bed & Breakfast" rates start at $396 per room, per night,
including accommodations in a terrace room with a daily breakfast
buffet. "Room & Car" rates begin at $390 with accommodations in
a terrace room and rental of a midsize car. All rates are valid
through Oct. 31. (800) 888-6100; www.grandwailea.com
... FUNJET VACATIONS is giving travelers 50%
off companion air fare to Hawaii when they stay at Starwood Hotels
& Resorts. A four- night stay is required during the following
dates: through Dec. 15 or Jan. 5 to April 30. The offer is valid at
the Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Sheraton Moana
Surfrider and W Honolulu Diamond Head Hotel on Oahu; Lodge at Koele
and Manele Bay Hotel on Lanai; Princeville Resort and Sheraton
Kauai Resort on Kauai; the Sheraton Molokai Lodge and Beach Village
on Molokai; and the Kapalua Bay Hotel and Ocean Villas, Sheraton
Maui, Westin Maui and the Westin Maui Kaanapali Ocean Resort and
Villas on Maui. The 50% discount is valued at $150 per reservation
based on a $300 round-trip air fare from Los Angeles to Honolulu. A
minimum reservation of $2,400 is also required. Packages must be
booked via VaxVacationAccess with promotional code STARHAW. (800)
558-3050; wwwvaxvacationaccess.com