Winter Getaways in Hawaii

Living room at the new Andaz Maui at Wailea

Living room at the new Andaz Maui at Wailea

 

The Aloha State tends to lay low when it comes to hotel developments, but the summer of 2013 was jam-packed with announcements from the unveiling of Andaz Maui at Wailea to news that Montage Hotels & Resorts will also be setting up shop in Maui. Here’s a quick overview to help get you up to speed as you plan your clients’ winter getaways to the islands.

RELATED: 2013 Hawaii Tourism Growth Continues to Surpass 2012, But at Subdued Pace

Andaz Maui Debuts

The five-star Andaz Maui at Wailea resort officially opened its doors in July. Andaz, which means “personal style” in Hindi, is the high-end, lifestyle branch of Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. The Maui hotel has 290 rooms and suites, ranging from 456 to 2,321 square feet, as well as seven, three- to five-bedroom villas.

About 70 percent of all rooms at the Andaz face the ocean. Among the suites are two Premiere Suites, which are one-bedroom units that can connect and form a two-bedroom suite. Each Premiere Suite comes with a soaking tub in the center of the room, affording guests an impressive ocean view while they soak. Butler service is also available.

There are two restaurants here, including Morimoto Maui, named after executive chef, and former Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto, perhaps one of the most well-known celebrity culinary pros out there.

There is a 15,000-square-foot spa, gym, lobby lounge and meeting space. The spa has 10 treatment rooms, including one couples room. Andaz also houses a ballroom that can accommodate up to 200 people. Agents should reach out to Anita Rahman ([email protected]; 011-808-243-4733), director of sales and marketing, with any queries.

RELATED: Share This – 5 Hawaii Travel Videos to Inspire Your Clients

Montage’s New Maui Resort

In August, Montage Hotels & Resorts announced an expansion of its luxury hotel collection with the addition of Montage Kapalua Bay. The resort, presently operated as The Residences at Kapalua Bay, is undergoing a multimillion-dollar improvement beginning this fall, with plans including 56 Montage branded residences offered for sale and the introduction of a 50-room all-suite Montage hotel.

Montage Hotels & Resorts has already assumed management of the property. While the improvement program is being completed, the property will continue to operate as The Residences at Kapalua Bay on an interim basis.

Agents should contact David Hoffman ([email protected]; 808-662-6500), hotel manager for the Montage Beverly Hills, who is spearheading the task force team in Maui.

Upgraded Volcano House Reopens

In July, the popular Volcano House hotel on Hawaii Island officially reopened following a closure that included $4 million in retrofitting and safety upgrades by the National Park Service and an additional $3 million in renovations and refurbishments by concessioners/owners, Ortega Family Enterprises. The newly unveiled property is the only hotel located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park within view of the spectacular glow of Kilauea’s Halemaumau Crater.

The restored Volcano House is the oldest hotel in Hawaii, dating back to 1846. The current edifice was built in 1941 and today features 33 historic guest rooms, The Rim restaurant, Uncle George’s Lounge and two gift shops. The newly refurbished guest rooms offer free Wi-Fi. Agents should make sure to suggest a room that affords views of the Kilauea volcano. Rates start at $285 per night.

If clients are looking for a more rustic, outdoor experience, agents should recommend Volcano House’s Namakanipaio Campgrounds. About three miles from the hotel, this campsite is nestled amidst a eucalyptus grove 4,000 feet above sea level and includes 10 refurbished one-room, wooden camper cabins.

Ideal for travelers seeking a camping experience without setting up a tent, the cabins sleep up to four people and feature a full bed and twin bunk beds, bed linens and towels and an electric light (no electric outlets). Each cabin has an outside fire pit and barbecue grill. Nearby is a newly refurbished community bathroom with toilets and hot showers. Camper cabins are $80 per night.

Agents should reach out to Dan Bayne ([email protected], 808-687-7113), director of sales–retail and corporate for Aqua Hospitality.

Park Shore Waikiki Unveils Enhancements

In August, Aqua Hospitality unveiled the newly renovated Park Shore Waikiki, an Oahu hotel that faces Waikiki Beach. This property underwent a $10.7 million enhancement to emerge as one of the area’s most stylish boutique hotel experiences for both leisure and business travelers.

The facelift included full transformations of the lobby, guest rooms and outdoor areas. Guest rooms boast a modern, contemporary design with tropical accents. Sleek furniture, dark woods and granite counter tops combine with a warm color palette for a relaxed and stylish setting.

Clients will appreciate special in-room touches such as Kohler fixtures, 42-inch flat-screen HDTVs and colorful island artwork by contemporary Hawaiian surf artist Heather Brown.

The new hotel experience also includes a refreshed pool area with new lounge seating and landscaping, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Agents should contact the aforementioned Dan Bayne for inquiries on this resort as well.

More from Aqua

Aqua Hospitality continued to expand its Waikiki portfolio in early September with the addition of the Aston Pacific Monarch, a condominium resort just a block and a half from Waikiki beach, which was previously managed by competitor Aston Hotels and Resorts. Effective October 16, the company will assume management of the property, which will be flagged under its Aqua Hotels and Resorts brand.

Pacific Monarch comprises 216 spacious, recently renovated suites with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to dramatic ocean or Waikiki views and Hawaii’s cool, soothing trade winds. The 34-story hotel’s accommodations include one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and studios with kitchenettes equipped with microwave, stovetop and mini-refrigerator.

Clients can enjoy an ocean-view rooftop deck with pool, spa and sauna, as well as an expansive hospitality lounge and street-level restaurant specializing in Japanese cuisine. From its Kuhio Avenue site, Pacific Monarch is within walking distance to the area’s best beaches, shops, dining and nightlife.

 

Diamond Head Suite at Aqua Hospitality’s Park Shore Waikiki

Diamond Head Suite at Aqua Hospitality’s Park Shore Waikiki