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Tags: Honolulu Hotels / W Hotels / Castle Resorts / → All Tags

The W Honolulu Now Known as The Lotus at Diamond Head

Where: 2885 Kalakaua Ave [map], Honolulu, HI, United States, 96815

Earlier this year the W Honolulu had its last days in the W Hotel collection but in case you were curious as to what happened to the hotel, we got the scoop. The hotel is now part of Castle Resorts. It's official new name? The Lotus at Diamond Head.

The website is less slick than the W's website (there's a bunch of Castle Resorts and condos to choose from) but rooms at The Lotus start at around $139 a night for a Diamond Head room. There's also a restaurant and bar onsite and WiFi is free in the lobbies. But no pool.

We didn't see much different from the hotel's day as a W (even some of the website pics are the same) so if you are cool with staying at a hotel that's not right on the beach, the price is right, right here.

Tags: Edition Hotels / Hotel Hype / Honolulu Hotels / Bill Marriott / Ian Schrager / Hotel News / → All Tags

First Edition Hotel Now Opening in Honolulu, So They Say

Where: 1777 Ala Moana Blvd [map], Honolulu, HI, United States, 96815

Marriott may have cancelled their plans for The Edition Chicago hotel but they must want us to know they are still very serious about their Edition Hotels brand, the love-child of Ian Schrager and Bill Marriott. They just aren't quite sure when the due date is.

For a while now, we thought the DC Edition would open first. This we liked because DC is like a four-hour car ride from us. But it looks like we may have to travel a heck of a lot further than that.

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Tags: Hotel Surf Schools / Marriott Hotels / Honolulu Hotels / Hawaii Hotels / Hotel Services / → All Tags

Surfing Hotels U.S.A. :: Surf School at the Waikiki Beach Marriott

Where: 2552 Kalakaua Avenue [map], Honolulu, HI, United States

While the Shorebreak Hotel in Surf City aka Huntington Beach, Calif., won't be open until sometime later this spring, there are still several hotels out there where you can learn to tackle some waves--whether it be your first time surfing or if you're just looking to ride the ultimate high.

The Waikiki Beach Marriott in Oahu, Hawaii has just launched a new surf package where guests can enroll in surf school on Waikiki Beach.

Here, where legendary Hawaiian surfers have honed their skills and shared them with the world for more than 100 years, you'll be up and riding under the supervision of seasoned, professional instructors.

The package includes accommodations for two, use of surfboard, leash and jersey, and the all-important surf instruction--two and a half hours at the Faith Surf School with surfing instructor Tony Moniz. The surf school was recently voted Best of Honolulu in 2008 for Best Surf Lessons.

Rates start at around $309 per night. The surf school instructions are valued at about $75 per person.

Know of another hotel with a cool surfing package? Dish it out dude.