- Who? Aqua gives you the freedom to save on Hawaii accommodations

- What? Some hotels even start as low as $69 per night on select dates. And these aren’t just the plain boring rooms, some even have their renovated deluxe digs for less than $99 per night

- Where? Check-in to 12 participating Waikiki boutique, lite or beachside hotels from $99 or less per night. And we’ve got options! From the start of Waikiki near Ala Moana Center & the Hawaii Convention Center to the Honolulu Zoo and many more in between, you pick where you’d like to rest your head in Waikiki.

- When? Book and stay now through December 17, 2009

- How? Book online or call 866-406-(AQUA)2782 to book your room now!

… is over.

We’ll have another one shortly.

In the meantime, visit www.aquaresorts.com to compare hotels and shop by price.

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Sale details:

• Must book at www.aquaresorts.com between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Friday‚ August 14‚ 2009 or by calling 1-866-971-2782 between 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time
• No promo code necessary. Must book “Free Parking Deal” rate. Free parking not available on other rate plans.
• No revisions‚ no refunds regardless of no show or early check out. Offer applies to new reservations only.
• Travel dates from August 15‚ 2009 through December 31‚ 2010
• No minimum night stay
• Choose from 10 Aqua hotels in Waikiki:

Aqua Boutique Collection
(room rates start at $79-$149 night)

• Aqua Aloha Surf & Spa: parking regularly $20/daily
• Aqua Bamboo & Spa: parking regularly $20/daily
• Aqua Palms & Spa: parking regularly $20/daily
• The Equus: parking regularly $18/daily
• Ilikai Hotel & Suites: parking regularly $18/daily

Aqua Lite Line
(room rates start at $59-$99 night)

• Aqua Waikiki Beachside: parking regularly $22/daily
• Continental Surf: parking regularly $18/daily
• Island Colony: parking regularly $18/daily
• Waikiki Marina: parking regularly $18/daily
• Park Shore Waikiki: parking regularly $20/daily

Free stuff*:

• Continental breakfast
• WiFi
• Beach towels
• Weekly manager’s reception
• Local & Toll-Free calls
• Local newspaper
• In-room safe
• Microwave‚ refrigerator & coffeemaker

*Amenities vary by hotel‚ check www.aquaresorts.com for details

Offer valid on August 14‚ 2009. Parking included on “Free Parking Deal” rate. No revisions‚ no refunds regardless of no show or early check out. Offer applies only to new reservations made on August 14, 2009. Prices listed in this email do not include taxes‚ gratuities or incidental charges‚ are subject to availability and cannot be combined with other offers. Free parking sale not valid at Aqua Waikiki Pearl‚ Aqua Waikiki Wave or Best Western Coconut Waikiki Hotel.  Parking is free at our Aqua Resorts: Hotel Wailea on Maui and Aqua Hotel Molokai on Molokai.

My coworker has a Thing for the Gnome. I count 7 in her office.

Robin H and The Seven Gnomes?

I leave you with this: Diamond Head at sunset last week, as I took a stroll down Waikiki Beach.

We understand that you’ve got a busy trip ahead of you, and that every savvy adventurer needs access to the worldwide web. How else are you supposed to coordinate a snorkeling trip, get tickets to a Tahitian fire-knife show, and find a shuttle back to the Island Colony while you’re enjoying shaved-ice on the north shore?

The Aqua Island Colony knows that finding great value and having a summer blast can all come together with the click of a mouse, and if you are reading this blog, you probably know that too. So bring the ol’ laptop after-all, and Aqua will be sure you’ll make good use of it. Ask the Front Desk about getting island-wide internet access for only $9.95 per day with Hele Wireless Broadband on your next stay at the Aqua Island Colony!

Although it’s only 70 miles away and a 30 minute plane ride, I’ve only been to Maui a few times. When Aqua started managing Hotel Wailea (formerly known as Diamond Wailea Resort) in January, I was excited to check it out but I wasn’t able to make the trip until a few weekends ago. The short flight was uneventful, as was the 25 minute drive from Kahului (Maui’s main airport) to the Wailea area.

It’s no secret I work for Aqua; if I didn’t have anything nice to say I just wouldn’t say anything at all! But here are a few reasons why I loved Hotel Wailea:

Location

Hotel Wailea is about a half mile from the beach. Let me explain why that is a good thing.

First, the hotel offers a free shuttle (actually a gem car) to and from the busier part of Wailea, so you can choose to either be in the thick of things near the beachfront resorts or you can opt to have a quiet evening on the lanai of your room.

Relaxing on the lanai

Second, Hotel Wailea has a special area on the beach where you will find umbrellas, towels and, most importantly, a gorgeous yet sparsely populated stretch of sand. When you stay at a beachfront property it seems like a great idea to take a short walk from your room to the beach – until you realize 200 other people had the same idea. The Beach Club, as it’s called, is considerably less crowded than the other beaches in Wailea, and it definitely has a feel of exclusivity: it’s just you, a handful of other Hotel Wailea guests, and a few local residents who know about this gem of a beach. As all Hawaii beaches are public there is no such thing as a totally private beach, but this is the next best thing.

Hotel Wailea Beach Club at Sunset

Like most resorts in Hawaii, not all of the rooms at Hotel Wailea have ocean views. Some resorts play fast and loose with their definition of a view (”Oh, it’s a partial ocean view: you can see the ocean if you go out onto your lanai and stand on your toes and look around the corner!”) but Hotel Wailea is set up so that the buildings are pretty far apart and in places the hill is fairly steep, so you have a stadium seating effect with great views of the ocean, Molokini and Lanai. I’m not usually into paying more for a view, but it would totally be worth it here.

Ocean View

Capische? Restaurant

Capische?, an intimate, romantic award-winning Italian restaurant is located at Hotel Wailea, and oh, it was amazing. It just happened to be Restaurant Week Wailea during our stay, so we were able to take advantage of a 3-course meal for only $39 per person. I had a fresh, flavorful Caesar salad, followed by Ono with sundried tomato relish and greens, and the dessert was creme brulee. My dining companion and I agreed it was the best meal we’d had in a long time. Even if you’re not staying at Hotel Wailea, it’s worth a visit to experience the unique setting and excellent food at Capische?.

Capische in the daytime

Hotel Wailea itself

The hotel was easy to find and we were instantly struck by how quiet the resort is. It’s located on a hill above Wailea, and after a quick check-in we were shown to our room and we were instantly struck by the magnificent views. Our Luxury Suite was spacious (Hotel Wailea is an all-suite property), clean, and had a coffeemaker, minifridge and microwave. The bathroom was large, and basically divided into three rooms: one for the sink, one for the toilet, and one for a shower and separate soaking tub. I’d never really seen anything like it, to be honest, but I grew to appreciate it as it was sort of like having more than one bathroom as one person could be showering awhile another was getting ready in the sink area.

Hotel Wailea Luxury Suite

The resort is small and intimate (only 72 rooms). After getting lost (repeatedly) at Grand Wailea and Fairmont Kealani, we appreciated the simple layout at Hotel Wailea.

Did I mention it was quiet? I live in the heart of Honolulu and have become accustomed to a certain amount of street noise. It was a relief to sit on the lanai and only hear the birds chirping and palm leaves rustling in the wind. It was so quiet that the first night I slept 11 hours and the second night I slept 10 hours! So yeah, the bed was comfortable, too!

Other notes about Hotel Wailea

Hotel Wailea guests have signing privileges at Grand Wailea, a 2 minute ride by car/electric cart. We had sunset cocktails at Humu’s, and were able to charge everything to our room.

The service was very good – everyone was efficient and friendly.

The Continental breakfast is good; just enough to get you started for the day.

I didn’t take advantage of the spa – maybe on the next visit!

Hotel Wailea has some exciting changes coming (including lots of luxurious upgrades), so check back for updates!

Maui Miscellaneous

The Shops at Wailea were okay, but I’m also used to the selection of the gigantic Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu. It’s worth a stop, especially for the galleries carrying works by local artists and for Lappert’s Ice Cream.

One day we had lunch at 808 Deli in Kihei. Delicious panini/sandwiches at reasonable prices! We got our lunches to-go and ate them at a nearby beach park.

We had another great dinner at Duo in the Four Seasons. It’s a steak and seafood place (Duo, get it?) and they bring you cotton candy with the check.

One of the highlights of our trip to Maui was the Kula Lavender Farm on the slopes of Haleakala. Um, can I live there?

Wear your sunscreen! I pulled a rookie move and didn’t apply sunscreen while inspecting a road-side tide pool in Makena. In 25 minutes I got a mean sunburn on my shoulders and back. Really, I know better.

There’s lots to do on Maui but my main objective was relaxation so I didn’t really do that much. And that’s fine – that just means I have to go back! Whatever you do, everyone has fun on Maui, especially clowns!

Clown car and Haleakala

50th STATE FAIR, May 21 – June 21, 2009

Lots of food, games, a midway of E.K. Fernandez rides, and booths. Running four consecutive weekends at the Aloha Stadium parking lot. Hours: Fri. 6pm-midnight, Sat. & Sun. 12pm-midnight.

PAN-PACIFIC FESTIVAL – MATSURI IN HAWAII, June 5, 2009 – June 7, 2009

Events held during the festival include: Performing Arts Showcase, Pan-Pacific Hoolaulea, Art & Craft Fair, Annual Pan-Pacific Hula Festival, Kaze (Wind) Festival, Performing Arts Showcase, and Pan-Pacific Matsuri Parade.

KAPALUA WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL, June 11-13, 2009

This renowned event convenes all-star winemakers and sommeliers, celebrity chefs and connoisseurs from around the world in a series of exceptional wine tastings, festive evening functions and gourmet cooking demonstrations at the Kapalua Resort. Paid admission.

137TH ANNUAL KING KAMEHAMEHA CELEBRATION, June 12, 2009 – June 27, 2009

Events and activities to honor the life and times of King Kamehameha the Great. He is honored each year by the citizens of the state of Hawai‘i with parades, pageantry, sports, hula, music, dignity and respect, a legacy to a great man, to his life and to his accomplishments.

93rd ANNUAL KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY PARADE, June 13, 2009

Watch floats, Pa’u riders, and marching bands parade the streets of Honolulu at the 93rd Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade. The parade begins downtown at 9:30 Saturday morning, goes down Ala Moana Boulevard, merges into Kalakaua Avenue, and ends at Kapiolani Park.

King Kamehameha Day Parade,
photo by Flickr user cperis

MAUI FILM FESTIVAL, June 17-21, 2009

World-class culinary arts events, filmmakers panels, A-List tributes and private parties are heading Wailea’s way as the 10th annual Maui Film Festival at Wailea brings its five-day-long under-the-stars ‘Cirque du Cinema’ to the Wailea Resort from June 17th thru June 21st.

WAIKIKI ARTFEST, June 20-21, 2009

The Waikiki Artfest is located in Kapiolani Park across from the Honolulu Zoo at the Diamond Head of Waikiki. The event is scheduled from 9am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday, and admission is free. We feature the fine art and handcrafted products of more than 75 Hawaii artists, including all types of jewelry, clothing, ceramics, stained glass, wood products, soaps and candles, quilts and bags.

For more upcoming events and entertainment, please check out Hawaii’s official tourism website or one of our favorite blogs, Honolulu on the Cheap.

The official Floating Lantern Hawaii website is here: www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com

lanternfloatinghawaii’s *stunning* Flickr slideshow is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37175635@N08/show/

Kay’s photos from 2009:

My photos from 2008:

Tip: I hear you can get a unique perspective from atop Punchbowl, the National Cemetary of the Pacific or from one of the many high-rises in the Ala Moana area.

Fundraising starts weeks before the actual walk, and Aqua’s hotels held car washes, staged a golf tournament, and sold yummy homemade grindz (including kalua pig with cabbage, chili mac, and lumpia – mmmmm).

On Oahu the walk starts at 7 am, with 8,000 participants gathered at Ala Moana Beach Park. Walkers wind 6 miles through Waikiki, getting a card stamped at each of over a dozen checkpoints. The checkpoints, sponsored mostly by area hotels, also give out water, juice, cookies, fruit, brownies, shave ice and other assorted goodies. Walkers end up back at Ala Moana Beach Park, and they present their completed stamp cards for a free lunch. It’s gladly needed after several hours in the hot Hawaii sun!

Aqua’s checkpoint was in front of Island Colony Hotel, located at the corner of Ala Wai and Seaside (and offers welcome shade after the long stretch down Ala Wai Boulevard!). Aqua provided water to walkers and runners and passersby enjoyed Hawaiian music and dancing.
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