Several representatives of Starwood’s Hawaiian hotels came by Travel Agent’s New York offices recently to bring us up to date on the latest buzz from a wide range of the company's properties.
Fresh off a $188 million renovation, the Sheraton Waikiki recently launched an amenity store called Gift, which lets guests stock up on snacks, beverages (including wine and beer), sunblock (always good for a day at the beach) and collectibles. Agents can arrange for amenities to be sent to their clients’ rooms with personalized messages.
The hotel also recently opened 106 club-level rooms on its 30th floor, where guests get upgraded inroom amenities and access to the Leahi Club Lounge. And for destination weddings, Sheraton Waikiki has partnered with the State of Hawaii Department of Health and is home to Oahu’s first satellite Marriage License Office, making it very easy to file paperwork before the nuptials.
Starting this month, the Royal Hawaiian will be exhibiting historic photos of the property that have been held in archives. (We hear pictures of the original Waikiki Beach Boys will be included in the collection.)
The Moana Surfrider recently completed the renovation of its Tower Wing with locally-inspired furniture, artwork and color schemes.
The Sheraton Kauai completed a $16 million renovation last year and has been launching new programs and activities, including bike rentals for exploring the island. Next month, the resort will host “Rumfest,” a celebration of local rums. Meanwhile, the only beach luau on the island, which is hosted at the resort, is celebrating its one-year anniversary.
The Westin Princeville turns five this year, and will be hosting a jazz and wine festival. Nearby, the St. Regis Princeville is offering a “Family Traditions” program that offers personalized in-room amenities for families depending on kids’ ages. (Amenities can include snacks, child-sized robes, slippers and a step stool for the youngest guests.)
At the Westin Maui, Freddie Sconfienza, bartender at Tropica restaurant and bar, was named Star Mixologist of all Starwood Hotels and Resorts in North America. (We hear his Dragonberry Bomb is a must-try.) The Westin Kaanapali, meanwhile, is focusing on sustainability, using compostable materials for outdoor dining and offering refillable water bottles to guests. (There is also an herb garden that guests can use for cooking in their own in-room kitchens.) The hotel is also offering cultural immersion classes, like lessons in the Hawaiian language and star navigation courses.
The Sheraton Maui if offering two new apps for guests—one is a virtual concierge service that lets guests make restaurant reservations or signal the valet that they need their car; the other is a digital photo album that can be printed out for sharing.
The second annual Kaanapali Fresh Food & Wine Festival will run from August 30 through September 1 this year to kick off the multi-island Hawaii Food & Wine Festival—the first time ever that the HF&WF has launched on a neighbor island. Chefs at the resort partnered with local farmers, and will be showing off both traditional dishes and Hawaiian ingredients in international meals.
Stay tuned to TravelAgentCentral.com for more news from Starwood's Hawaiian hotels!