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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Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa Finishes $50 Million Renovation
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The view of the Great Barrier Reef from the Elandra Resort in Australia

If you’re heading to see one of the most beautiful places on earth, the Great Barrier Reef, you’re going to find that part of the area is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which limits fishing and tourism.  Having said that, you’ll also find a few choice hotels in the area that will allow you to take in the sights and enjoy this amazing area of Australia.  There are a ton of things to do in the area, such as:

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Sure, we hotel people love to talk thread count, but we love to dish a good lobby makeover even more. The Ritz Carlton in Atlanta, GA,  just completed a renovation in honor of their 25th anniversary. It’s all so pretty and chic, now I’m looking for a reason to visit the Glorious South in the near future!

There wasn’t anything wrong with the old decor, but after 25 years they were ready for a little refreshing. Many of the Ritz properties have an older, classic feel that is nice, but slightly reminiscent of the set of Dallas. A lot of dark wood antiques and heavy, brocade fabrics, if you get my meaning.

But not the Hotlanta Ritz! They’ve done a complete redesign which included the lobby and lobby bar, Lumen, club level lounge and rooms. Now it’s a smoking hot modern hotel!

Here, I’ll show you with before and after pictures. Let’s start with the Ritz Carlton Suite, before:

BEFORE: Ritz Carlton suite Atlanta, GA

And here is the after, so much lighter and modern!

AFTER: The Ritz Carlton Suite, Atlanta, GA

The Club Lounge before:

BEFORE: The Ritz Carlton, Atlanta, GA Club Lounge was a bit formal...

Now the Club Lounge is so welcoming people will be camping out for hours!

AFTER: The bright, welcoming Club Lounge at Ritz Carlton, Atlanta, GA

Check out the transformation of the bar, from the (wow, that’s a lotta) red before:

BEFORE: the lobby lounge at the Ritz Carlton, Atlanta GA

And now it’s Lumen, the sophisticated lobby bar with glowing crystal chandeliers, seven-foot tall midnight blue mohair settees, and tables custom designed by Brad Oldham. Yes, Todd’s brother. He’s cool, too.

AFTER: Lumen, the lobby bar at Ritz Carlton, Atlanta, GA

If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was an LA bar, right? Okay, so who’s ready to make a trip to Atlanta to try the art themed signature cocktails at Lumen?

Photos: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton

Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami

One of the biggest stories in the world of hotels is the “refresh” of the famed Fontainebleau Hotel on the narrow spit of Miami Beach, Florida.

Built in 1954, the Fontainebleau was designed by famed architect Morris Lapidus. For years it was considered the crown jewel of “Millionaires Row” and was the setting for films like the James Bond classic Goldfinger and Al Pacino’s Scarface.

For all of that glamor, the years took their toll on the Fontainebleau. I stayed there in 2004 for a work conference, and by then it was aging behemoth. Although the curving facade of the exterior was still dazzling, the inside was a frumpy mess of worn carpeting and dowdy furnishings.

The property was purchased in 2005 by developers, and all but shut down between 2006 and 2008. One billion — yes, with a “b” — dollars later, the Grande Dame has been transformed back into the Sexy Vamp of her younger days.

The renovation and expansion brings the number of guest rooms and suites up to 1,504 across 22 oceanfront acres. There is a 40,000 square foot spa, and a pool with private cabanas. The new Fontainebleau boasts 11 restaurants and nightclubs, for some of the most talked about dining in all of Miami Beach.

It’s a luxury hotel, with rates to match, starting at $399 between December 22, 2008 and May 31, 2009. If that’s a little too rich for your blood, but you’re dying to see the updated classic, you can take advantage of the “Rediscover Fontainebleau” promotion. If you make a reservation before January 20th, and stay for two or more nights between now and May 31st, the Fontainbleau will give you a $50 daily resort credit which is good for all of the restaurants, spas and hotel shops.

Photo: Oh_Candy on flickr