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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
Halekulani hardly
ho-hum about being
honored in the Big AppleHalekulani has been named the No. 4 hotel in the world and No. 1 in Hawaii by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. In June, the hotel topped the magazine's "Best Hotel for Service in Hawaii" list and was among the top 5 for service throughout North America.
It is a AAA 4-diamond hotel. Its 5-star La Mer restaurant is run by Michelin-rated chef de cuisine Yves Garnier. In May, Food and Wine magazine ranked La Mer among the 50 best hotel restaurants. It is on Conde Nast Traveler's 2003 gold list of the world's top hotels, and is among the top of Zagat Survey's top 10 resorts and spas.
The luxury Waikiki beachfront hotel has made just about everybody's cream-of-the-crop list since it opened nearly 20 years ago, but officials don't have a "ho-hum, another day, another list" attitude about it.
"Of course not," said General Manager Fred Honda.
The magazine listing was based on the experiences of guests from around the world, making the ranking especially validating, Honda said.
Honda and Halekulani Vice President Patricia Tam recently traveled to New York City to receive official recognition at a luncheon ceremony at the Four Seasons Restaurant. Their accommodations were at the Four Seasons Hotel. As it turns out the famous restaurant has no business or other connection with the expansive hotel chain, Honda said. Three Four Seasons properties are among the top 10 and the Four Seasons Hualalai and Wailea, are among T+L's top-5 in the Hawaii region.
Reader-generated rankings in magazines translate into occupancy figures, Honda said. "People gravitate to those hotels that have top accolades and try to have the experience of what the hotel would look like or feel like. That's our job once they get here, to make sure they experience the finest in luxury and accommodations," Honda said.
Guests with the budget for said experiences will find results of a two-year, $10 million refurbishment. Features include a new spa, wireless Internet access throughout the property, room furnishings and Inncom system -- new in-room technology that performs several functions, including automatic air conditioning and lighting control.
The top-ranking doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive. Halekulani is not the costliest hotel in Hawaii, Honda said. However, "We do not compromise our rate integrity. The reason is you have to maintain this sense of identity," Honda said.
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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at: eengle@starbulletin.com
