What’s better than a beachfront all-suite luxury hotel in Maui? That would be a beachfront all-suite luxury hotel in Maui that’s offering a 50 percent discount.

That description currently fits both The Fairmont Kea Lani resort and The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach. Both are undergoing renovations, and both have ‘Pardon our Dust’ offers.

The Fairmont Kea Lani

In fact, The Fairmont Kea Lani has a whole bunch of renovation packages. There’s a basic ‘Renovation with Aloha’ package which includes accommodations in a 1-bedroom luxury suite or a villa, with rates from $219 per night.

The $219 rate is a far cry from their usual $439 per night. Valid for stays until Dec 16, 2011. Then there’s also a ‘Renovation with Aloha Breakfast’ package and a ‘Renovation with Aloha Golf’ package too.

Apart from the spectacular Polo Beach and the beach-front suites and villas, The Fairmont Kea Lani offers complimentary transportation service to the adjacent Wailea Golf Club, tennis courts and shops at the Wailea Shopping Center.

Wailea Golf Course & Island Cabana at The Fairmont Kea Lani

The resort has three pools, two of which are connected by a 140-ft waterslide and have neat places to hang out like an island cabana in the middle of the pool. Then there’s the famous Spa Kea Lani and a 24-hour fitness center, a bakery and a deli and four other restaurants including the famed Ko.

Guests get complimentary self-parking, don’t have to pay a resort fee, and those with kids under 5 can save on meals with the ‘Kids Eat Free’ program.

As for the Whaler on Kaanapali Beach, their construction special includes accommodations in a 640 sq ft studio suite at a nightly rate of $168, which is a big discount on the standard $300 rate for this suite. Two night minimum stay required, and the package is valid from now until Dec 21, 2011.

Oh, and you also get a free pineapple and free access to the resort’s DVD collection. The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach, located minutes from Lahaina and directly across from two championship golf courses, offers private access to the shops and restaurants at Whalers Village.

Their studio and 1 & 2 bedroom suites include fully-equipped kitchens and private lanais. You get free in-room high speed internet, and there’s a children’s program called “Camp Kaanapali” nearby that is open to all guests staying at the hotel.

Photos – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

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Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

I was in Seagrove/Seaside, Florida last week, and I noticed that stand-up paddling was kind of a big deal there. I saw the stand-up paddlers for the first time in Hawaii, but little did I realize that apparently, this is a whole trend now that’s making its way over the mainland. The article lists the following hotels (and I’m sure there are many, many more in Hawaii) that currently offer stand-up paddling lessons and outings:

The Fairmont Orchid – Hawaii

This hotel is all about the stand-up paddle boarding. They even offer yoga on paddle boards now!

The Kahala Hotel and Resort – Hawaii

Gorgeous surroundings and calm, crystal clear waters make this relaxing place to give stand-up paddle boarding a go.

One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa – Miami

This resort is posh, posh, posh. Wear your nicest swimsuit when you stand-up paddle!

And, if you find yourself near Henderson Nevada, consider staying at or near the Loews Hotel. They offer stand-up paddling on Lake Las Vegas. There’s a full-moon paddle boarding party coming up on August 13 that sounds like a lot of fun!

Stand-Up Paddling is hard work but relaxing at the same time

Photos: Mike Baird, n.hewson

Overhead View of the JW Marriott

Last year, when I attended the Disney Aulani preview event, I stayed at the JW Marriott Ililani on the island of Oahu.  While I wasn’t there specifically to review the JW Marriott, I did spend quite a bit of time there walking the grounds, enjoying the pool, and snapping photos.  I thought it was a beautiful resort, and especially loved my luxurious suite, which had loads of space and some great amenities.  I really didn’t want to leave.

So, I was surprised to hear that the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa was recently renovated.  It was already really nice, so I can only imagine that it must be truly gorgeous now.  All 387 guest rooms including the luxury suites were renovated last fall, and the Ihilani spa was also upgraded.

Located on the oceanfront and private 640-acre Ko Olina Resort on the western shore of the island of Oahu, the JW Marriott Ihilani offers two pools, children’s and teen programs, tennis courts, and a championship golf course, and four restaurants.  Renovated rooms offer marble bathrooms, gorgeous views, balconies, and dual vanities.

JW Marriott Ihilani
92-1001 Olani Street
Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii 96707
(808) 679-0079

Photo credit: JW Marriott Ililani

President Obama produced his birth certificate to prove he was born in Hawaii. You can do the same, but only to get a 15% discount at participating Aqua Hotels in Hawaii.

Birth certificate promo, Aqua Waikiki Wave

From now until August 4, 2011 (President Obama’s birthday), any guest who presents their birth certificate (long form or otherwise) at check-in at any Aqua managed property in Waikiki, Maui, Kauai and Molokai will get 15% off.

Not just that, but you can also squeeze the same discount out of them if you have your pet’s registration. But this four-legged birther discount is available only at the Aqua Waikiki Wave, Aqua Waikiki Pearl or Aqua Hotel Molokai.

Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua’s VP of sales and marketing, explains that “Whether American, Honduran, Icelandic… we celebrate and invite people of all nationalities to visit Hawaii and stay in one of our hotels. As an added bonus, if you can find your birth certificate (long form or otherwise), you’ll get an even better rate.”

The company runs a dozen hotels in Waikiki alone, so anyone planning for a Honolulu vacation will have a lot of choice. Some of the hotels are pretty decent and affordable too. For example, the Aqua Waikiki Wave is located within a block of Waikiki Beach and within walking distance of the Hawaii Convention Center.

The hotel offers 247 large guest rooms and 39 suites with spacious private lanais and ocean views. It has a white marble lobby with an art gallery and art by Charles W. Bartlett.

Guests can enjoy everything from free wifi to restaurants (a sports bar, a tiki bar and a Cantonese restaurant) and a fitness center. There’s also an AquaSpa for those who need a massage.

They even have a partnership with a local grocery store, and if you want – your selected choice of groceries will be placed in your suite before you arrive. Children under 17 can stay free with their parents, and the hotel will provide cribs or rollaway beds (extra charges may apply).

If you can produce your birth certificate at check-in, you can get rates starting from $66. A 1-bedroom partial ocean view suite with 2 balconies and 3 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed will cost you $148 (with the birth certificate).

Photos – Aqua Waikiki Wave

More info: 2299 Kuhio Ave Honolulu HI 96815; (808) 922-1262; www.aquawaikikiwave.com/

Related posts:-
Save on a Spring Getaway to The Waikiki EDITION Resort in Hawaii
OHANA Hotels & Resorts Provides Affordable Rates for Traveling Families
Quantifying Hawaii Tourism’s Obama Connection