StarBulletin.com

Isle hotels cast deals to hook tourists


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POSTED: Sunday, May 31, 2009

With tourism in the dumps, Hawaii hotels are offering unprecedented discounts, freebies and other incentives in hopes of drawing tourists to the islands and surviving the economic slump.

The wide range of perks include free nights, rental cars, upgraded rooms, two-for-one activities, daily breakfast, round of golf, free parking, spa treatments and discounted luau tickets. However, some are getting even more creative, offering everything from the use of a $200,000 Bentley convertible to a Nintendo Wii.

Hawaii prefers using the phrase “;adding value.”; But truth is, it's getting downright cheap to stay here with only two-thirds of hotel rooms booked.

“;It's the steepest discounts we've seen since we started tracking the industry,”; said Joseph Toy, president and chief executive of Hospitality Advisors LLC, a hotel industry consultant. “;Now we see a combination of incentives plus direct room discounts, and that we haven't seen in combination,”; showing just how dramatically “;demand has fallen.”;

Hawaii's average daily room rate in the first quarter fell 12.4 percent to $189, resulting in a 23.1 percent drop in revenues for hotels statewide, according to Hospitality Advisors. Throw in the incentives, such as free breakfast, and the deals have never been better.

Every hotel has offers on its Web site or through travel agencies. Residents should ask about additional savings with kamaaina rates.

Toy said the incentives were being offered as early as 2007, and the offers accelerated last year. They are now standard. Hotels prefer incentives instead of discounting the room rate, because once they slash rates, it's hard to bring them back up.

“;The incentives can only work for so long. If the downturn is so steep and dramatic, as it is here, then you start to see the rate go down,”; Toy said. “;Now you're seeing tremendous value in the market.”;

Here are some of the more interesting deals:

» The Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki has a “;Wii Are Family Package,”; which includes unlimited use of a Nintendo Wii in the room, free parking, in-room microwave and complimentary popcorn for $149 a night (offer good through Dec. 19).

» The Halekulani, one of the finest properties in Waikiki, pampers hundreds of women every day at its spa. Now it has something for the guys with an “;Art In Motion”; package, which offers the use of a Maserati Gran Turismo, Bentley Continental GTC, Lotus Elise or Lotus Exige S.

The vehicles are included by booking one of Halekulani's premier suites, which run about $7,000 a night. Speeding tickets are not covered.

Guests staying in the standard guest rooms can also order the cars by the day if available. The rates run from $250 for the Lotus Elise to $995 for the Bentley.

Don't want to drive? The Bentley and Maserati are offered with the option of a chauffeur.

» The Hilton is giving away money in its “;50 Years of Aloha”; special, offered through Dec. 20 at all four Hilton properties in Hawaii: Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa in Waikiki, Doubletree Alana Hotel Waikiki and Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on Maui.

The deal marks Hawaii's 50th anniversary of statehood. It includes a $50 resort credit, a fifth night at $50 and, for numismatists, a “;keepsake memento”; of two commemorative 2009 Hawaii quarters. Approximate value of two quarters: 50 cents.

» Cars and coins not your thing? The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island is offering a $1,000 resort credit to be used for anything that can be charged to the room. The minimum stay is four nights, and the deal is good May 13-July 31 and Aug. 15-Sept. 30.

The only catch is that rooms start at $725 a night. It is, after all, just one of three hotels in the state and 109 nationally given the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award.

» In this market, it seems everyone is looking for a bailout. So Aston Hotels & Resorts is offering a “;Vacation Bailout”; special, with 40 percent discounts at its 25 properties statewide, for travel June 12 to Dec. 21.

Prices run as low as $88 a night at the Aston Maui Lu in West Maui or $90 a night at the Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel.

Murray Towill, president of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association, said hotels are just trying to stay afloat financially, keep people working and fill airplanes.

“;We've always felt that our destination is a great value,”; said Towill. “;You really got your money's worth. Well, you're getting your money's worth and then some now.”;