Hoteliers prepare
for special
New Year’s
Many isle hotels have sold out
already, but not all are
filling up as expectedResort packages By Leila Fujimori
Star-BulletinTen years ago, 10 California couples sank their money into stocks in hopes of earning enough fun money to celebrate the New Millennium's Eve together on Maui. But their profits exceeded expectation. So in December, when they made their reservations with Rod Kelly at Napili Point Resort, they didn't care if the rooms were going for $1,000 a night.
But Kelly isn't taking advantage of their good fortune and enthusiasm for the celebration. He, like most hoteliers in Hawaii, are sticking with standard rack rates. And although inside and out of the hotel business, people perceive there is a doubling and tripling of rates for the special occasion, increases are largely a myth.
"We don't want to gouge our customers because of this special occasion," said Jan Goessing, general manager of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii. "You can easily make a lot of money during these few days, but you might lose out on loyalty."
There were 700 requests on the Kahala Mandarin's waiting list for its 371 rooms at the beginning of the year. Goessing said they were able to cull the 300-plus names by giving their loyal regular guests first priority.
Hotels will increase their regular rates as they customarily do near year's end, and these will go into effect before Dec. 31. The majority, however, are not offering any discounts or kamaaina rates. But there are a few exceptions. Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, with its 7,600 units, is still offering kamaaina rates on some of its 30 properties, as is the Moana Surfrider.At the other extreme, the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua has prepared special millennium packages from $4,000 to $100,000. Its standard room rates - $250 through $2,250 - have been temporarily discontinued for that period. The $100,000 package (no longer available) came with a Mercedes, cruise, chef and butler.
The Hawaiian Regent will impose an additional $50 a day; the New Kaimana Beach Hotel will charge 10 percent to 20 percent more for rooms; and Marc Resorts Hawaii will charge 10 percent more for all but its Waikiki properties.
Almost every hotel has a minimum-stay policy of three to seven days. The Hyatt Regency Maui, instead, will employ a closed-to-arrivals policy from Dec. 27 to 30. Guests can still leave during that period.
Some hotels will enforce strict cancellation policies. The Kahala Mandarin, for instance, will keep an entire deposit upon cancellation.
While many hotels have already sold out and others soon will, not all are filling up as expected.
"I think people are making more out of it than it really is. Not that many more are going to travel as they thought," said Patty Maher, general manager of the Aston Coral Reef Hotel.
Hotels like the Maui Beach Hotel that cater to local clientele are not expecting anything out of the ordinary, save for last-minute reservations.Others say the pace has differed from previous years. "A lot of people were nervous about getting accommodations, so they were trying to lock something up for the millennium in the beginning of the year," noted Ed Crovo, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Maui. But he says the recent slowdown may have occurred due to a Wall Street Journal article that reported room availability at many resorts.
Some in the business blame the airlines for being slightly off the usual pace. "We're really dependent on the airlines for bringing the guests in, and they turned off the faucet," said Sally Proctor, executive vice president of Marc Resorts Hawaii. She said the airlines are holding seats and that Hawaii hotels are hostage to that.
Mary Lee Tsuffis, who runs a statewide network of bed and breakfasts called Bed & Breakfast Honolulu, receives calls from Brazil, Germany, China and the Netherlands for more than 400 units. People tell her the airlines have reduced the number of direct flights to Hawaii.
Some employers "are not willing to let key people go because of Y2K problems," said Tsuffis. And these are the ones who can afford to travel, she added.
On the other hand, many want to be in Hawaii, one of the last places to enter the 21st century. Celebrants are selecting Maui -- Haleakala, in particular -- as the place to greet the new millennium. As a result, many Kula inns and bed and breakfasts have been sold out for months. The Silver Cloud Guest Ranch was reserved two years in advance for a family reunion. Others continue to get calls even though they have been booked for months, so are able to refer their business to other friends.
But partyers will have to look for another location if they planned to visit Haleakala's summit at midnight; Haleakala National Park will be closed from sunset Dec. 31 until 2 a.m. Jan. 1. Noncommercial vehicles will be permitted on a first-come, first-admitted basis.
Most hotels will be beefing up security as they do every New Year's Eve.
"I don't expect anything wild and out of line," said Katherine Dooley of Maui Coast Hotel. But she did say it's expected that parties will go on longer than usual. If they become loud and obnoxious or last until 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., Dooley said, the hotel would step in. She suggested bringing ear plugs.
The Aston Coral Reef is not offering any discounts, and "that will curtail some of the rowdy parties," Patty Maher said.
Some managers of high-end hotels say they are not worried about room parties because their clients are not the sort to break house rules. And the big hotels have their own gala events to keep party animals happy outside their rooms.
But the biggest security concern for Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is fireworks on the property. "I would certainly anticipate more this year," said Bryan Klum, director of marketing. He said employees will be vigilant because of the potential danger posed by fireworks thrown off a balcony.
Also troublesome are potential Y2K computer concerns. Most general managers reported their hotels are Y2K-ready: Their systems have been thoroughly checked, and they are confident that all will go smoothly.
But Patrick Kozuma of the Hawaiian Regent said, "When the clock hits 12:01 a.m., we can't control Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Telephone and the Board of Water Supply."
So his hotel will have contingency plans in place and will be ready to switch on diesel generators if necessary.
The Kahala Mandarin will have a 50-person management staff on hand to handle any Y2K problems. And the Maui Prince Hotel will have a team of engineering, computer and loss prevention experts on site.
Most establishments will be fully staffed anyway.
As for all the employees working at the Colony Surf Hotel on the New Millennium's Eve, general manager Ren Hirose said empathetically: "It's not only a time when guests are celebrating. We want employees to get involved, too, because they're missing out on spending time with their family and friends. At least they'll have fun with friends here."
Hotels will offer special touches such as champagne or commemorative ornaments in order to create a special memory for their guests.
After all, "This is going to be one of those moments in your life you remember," predicted Westin Maui's general manager Matthew Hart. People will ask, Where were you and who were you with?
Hawaii hotels hope many will say it was with them.
Very special resort
packages for a
very special timeIsle resorts and hotels
By Tim Ryan
will be rolling out the
red carpets for those
who want to get away
Star-Bulletin
Here's a glimpse at some of the more extravagant special packages being offered by Hawaii resorts and hotels:
The Mauna Lani Bay Resort:
A number of Millennium Suite packages will be available. They will include luxury suite accommodations, a roundtrip limousine transfer from and to Keahole-Kona International Airport; a welcome amenity; a bottle of Cristal champagne, two commemorative crystal champagne flutes, and truffles on New Year's Eve.
Also, a chartered sunset sail for two; admission for two to the poolside New Year's Eve event with a live band and fireworks; a family photo session with an 8-by-10 print; daily buffet lunch at The Orchid Court for three; a reserved cabana for the New Year's Eve fireworks display; $50 retail gift certificate; floral arrangement; and your choice of one activity for two people like helicopter, horseback or Zodiac ride.
Millennium Suite package prices range from $9,975 for the Executive Suite, to $140,000 for the Presidential Suite.
A Millennium Room package includes standard accommodations; welcome amenity; two etched commemorative crystal glasses; and admission to the New Year's Eve event for $625 to $1,000 a night, based on a seven-night minimum stay.
So far, the most expensive millennium event in the state is the Hyatt Regency Maui's $150,000 "Black Pearl 2000" millennium package which includes a "designer-inspired" necklace and seven nights in the Palace Suite.
The necklace will consist of naturally colored black pearls with the clasp forming the numerals "2000" in 18-karat gold and diamonds. The necklace will be presented in a traditional ho'okupu, or ti leaf package - by a troupe of Tahitian dancers as the guests dine in a private oceanfront cabana.
The package also includes seven nights in the Palace Suite, a three-bedroom, four-bath room generally reserved for the owners of the hotel.
The purchaser of this package will also have use of a private beachfront cabana with a gourmet New Year's Eve dinner and a rooftop helicopter departure Jan. 1 for a three-island tour.
(To guarantee delivery of the necklace on New Year's Eve, the package must be booked by mid-November; otherwise, the necklace will be delivered when it is completed.) For more information call 1-808-661-1234.
Pre- and post-Millennium Packages will be available from Nov. 28 to Dec. 18, and Jan. 3 to Feb. 3.
Pre-Millennium deals include a fifth night free, daily breakfast, and a $50 a person, per stay credit on activities; $295 a night, double occupancy.
On the post-Millennium package, the seventh night is free, with daily breakfast and dinner, one spa activity or treatment; $525 a person, double occupancy. For more information, call 1-800-321-4666.
