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Tags: Hawaii Hotels / Hotel Renovations / Hawaii Hotel Deals / → All Tags

The Whaler in Hawaii Has a Brand New Look and Brand New Rates

Where: 2481 Kaanapali Parkway [map], Lahaina, HI, United States, 96761

When a resort spends eighteen months doing reconstruction and renovation work, you want it to be obvious that something has changed, and The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach in Hawaii seems to have gotten that bit all figured out: they've plonked a three-tiered fountain in the middle of their lobby so every guest can see that things are different.

Of course, this is not the only renovation or addition that The Whaler has made. Their garden courtyard has been re-landscaped and they've also re-paved the deck around the pool.

The jet spa has had some work done on it too: the way they describe it is "the jet spa was enlarged to better accommodate guests", which makes us a bit unsure about whether it now fits more guests in or it just holds, uh, larger guests. After your spa experience, in any case, you'll be able to lounge around on new poolside furniture.

To celebrate the renos being done, The Whaler has got a special deal happening: From July through to August 23, you can get the Summer Preview Rate which starts from $259 a night for the Garden View studio. Please test the enlarged jet spa for us if you stop by.

Tags: Hawaii Hotel Deals / Hawai Hotels / Escape the Economy Hotels / → All Tags

Aston Hotels Offers a 'Vacation Bailout' For Your Trip to Hawaii

Economic downturn putting your Hawaiian getaway in danger? The Aston Hotels and Resorts chain (formerly known as ResortQuest) has got a "vacation bailout" going on with discounted rates across its 25 properties across Hawaii.

Room rates have been cut by up to 40% so the bailout includes deals like $235 a night at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach, $163 a night at the Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages and $124 per night at the Aston Waikiki Sunset. Curiously, there's also a $88 per night rate advertised for the Aston Maui Lu Resort which we thought had closed down last November.

What kinda made us giggle is the lengths these guys go to in proving that you really can afford this vacation: they say that because their condo properties include washers and driers, you can cut down on your extra luggage fees because you can just wash your clothes regularly. As they put it, you can have "the freedom to do a load while lounging poolside". We're not sure that alluding to household chores is quite the way to sell a vacation deal, even in tough economic times.

Tags: Hotel Packages / Hotel Fitness / Hawaii Hotel Deals / Orchid Resorts / → All Tags

Hike Your Holiday Away in Hawaii

Where: Kauai, HI, United States

Feeling a bit couch-potato-like or just like a vacation that gets your muscles working? The Orchid Resorts & Escapes group have put together just the package for you at Pure Kauai. The resort's Pure Kauai Adventure Boot Camp package works out to be a 5-day trip involving both a bit of pampering and a fair bit of exercise.

Included in the package is a host, all transportation on Kauai, meals from your private chef, three day-long hikes, private yoga sessions and either weight training sessions or Pilates. You can also pay a bit extra to get a daily massage in your room (after the hikes you'll probably need it). As far as the daily hikes go, you'll be taken on different routes including a Na Pali hike, a Sleeping Giant hike and an excursion on the Hanalei Ridge Trail.

The accommodation choices include the Bali Hai Oceanfront (the cheapest for this package, at $3,000 for the week per person based on a twin share), right up to the Kohola Point house where you can stay with up to five of your friends ($3,500 for the week based on 6 people staying).

Sounds like a way to have a week-long vacation, a bit of fun, but not too much guilt, as you quickly work off any calories you consume. Unless, of course, you're the kind who wants to just relax while on holidays, then we're not recommending a Kauai boot camp for you.

[Photo: msprague]

Related Stories:
· Kauai Hotel Reviews [HotelChatter]
· Hiking Stories [Jaunted]

Tags: Hawaii Hotel Deals / Four Seasons Hotels / → All Tags

Book'em, Dude: The Four Seaons Lana'i 4-for-3 Deal

Where: Lana'i City, HI, United States, 96763

[Ed. Note: Alex Salkever is the editor/founder of Hawaii placeblog / travelblog Hawaiirama)]

Last year the Four Seasons group took over the only two resorts on Lanai last year and sunk big bucks into renovations. The resorts are a kind of yin and yang. Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay is beachy, peachy, faux Mediterranean and located on stunning Hulupoe Bay. The Lodge at Koele is styled as a faux English hunting lodge, landed in the crisp, green upcountry above Lanai City amidst towering pine trees and mountain vistas.

Both were already considered among Hawaii's toniest and are perennial A-listers in competitions for top resorts in the world. Which makes the deal launching on May 10 a very sweet one. Both resorts are offering a fourth night free with a three night stay from now through December 2007.

High-end resorts often utilize these promos to lure in customers without having to drop rack rates. But for the luxe properties, usually the promo package is stay five or six nights and get one free. Rarely do they offer something akin to a 25% discount on four nights.

Best of all, there doesn't appear to be any catches. In fact, four nights is perfect for Lanai. The place is magnificent but sleepy and its a perfect juxtaposition to more packed hotel areas on Maui or Oahu.

[Photo: Dave S in NYC]

Related Stories:
· Four Seasons Resort, The Lodge at Koele reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay reviews [TripAdvisor]