[ISLAND HOPPING] Rustic luxury on Molokai
June and July are "Kamaaina Months" at Molokai Ranch Lodge, offering local residents a rate of $179 per night until July 31.The lodge is set upon a bluff in Maunaloa Town and overlooks wide open pastures and the Pacific Ocean. It features a fireplace in the Great Room, fine dining room, library, lounge and wrap-around verandahs with panoramic views.
Guests can enjoy the Maunaloa Dining Room, which overlooks the grounds of the lodge.
Other amenities include a day spa with massage therapy room, fitness center, saunas, high-speed data ports and business meeting rooms. Guests also can go horseback riding, mountain biking, kayaking and cultural walks.
The rate is based on double occupancy, with an additional charge of $50 per person/per night. It is valued on the deluxe accommodations, normally priced at $205 per night.
For more information or reservations, call toll-free at 1-877-PANIOLO or visit the web at www.molokairanch.com.
Deals at Halekulani
Halekulani is offering a variety of vacation packages through Dec. 25. All packages feature four-night accommodations in oceanfront rooms offering views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, based on availability.All guests get a welcome bowl of fresh local fruits and free local telephone service.
>> The "Graciously Yours" package offers accommodations in a variety of room categories ranging from $1,440 -- or $360 per night for a Courtyard Room -- to $2,000 for a Diamond Head Ocean Front room. Guests enjoy daily complimentary breakfast for two at House Without a Key or Orchids and special welcome amenities.
>> The "Romance" package offers guests breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head. The package includes round-trip airport limousine service, champagne, strawberries and exotic floral arrangements upon arrival, daily breakfast for two at House Without a Key or Orchids, a chef's special dinner for two in Orchids and Halekulani signature champagne flutes. Prices for this package range from $1,920 (oceanview) to $2,222 (Diamond Head oceanfront), depending on guests' preference of room category.
>> The "Suite" Life package offers guests accommodations in one of Halekulani's luxury suites, dining at La Mer, Oahu's only Five Diamond restaurant and the personalized services that make Halekulani one of the world's most luxurious resorts.
The package features round-trip airport limousine service, champagne, strawberries and exotic floral arrangements upon arrival, daily breakfast for two at House Without a Key or Orchids, a chef's special dinner for two at La Mer, Oahu's only AAA Five-Diamond restaurant and Halekulani signature champagne flutes. Prices for this package range from $3,200 (Ocean Suite) to $5,200 (Diamond Head Suite) according to guests' choice of suite.
In addition, all guests can enjoy complimentary admission to some of Oahu's finest art and cultural institutions via the hotel's "For You, Everything" program. Included are complimentary tickets to the Honolulu Symphony throughout the season, as well as the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Bishop Museum, the Contemporary Museum and Iolani Palace.
For reservations and information, contact your travel planner or the hotel at (800)-367-2343 or (808)-923-2311. Or visit www.halekulani.com.
Keauhou's native beauty
The Keauhou Beach Resort recently won the Kona Outdoor Circle 2001 Beautification Award in the resort property category for beautifying its landscape with native plants.The beautification was one part of a $17 million renovation to make the resort the premiere destination on the Kona coast. To book a stay there, call (808) 322-3441.