Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. The Disney resort, which is under construction at Ko ‘Olina Resort on Oahu, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011.

The name Aulani means “the place that speaks for the great ones,” or “the place that speaks with deep messages,” said Joe Rohde, senior vice president of creative for Walt Disney. According to the Hawaiian Dictionary Aulani is a noun that means “messenger of a chief.”

The company hasn’t said how much the project costs but estimates put it at about $800 million. When completed, the new resort will have 360 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas. It will also include an 18,000 square-foot spa, two restaurants, 14,545 square-foot conference center, and 48,685 square feet of outdoor venues, including pools, hot tubs, a snorkeling lagoon and a variety of programs for children.

Contact Stellar Travel’s Disney specialist Sheryl Graddon, sheryl@stellartravel.com or call 425-747-1900 ext. 222.

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Save a cool “grand” on your next vacation to Hawaii when you book air, car and hotel with Classic Vacations. With savings like these,
the time to book your Hawaiian getaway is now. Take off for the Islands. And take off $1,000.

Booking Window: January 4, 2010 – February 22, 2010 Travel Window: January 4, 2010 – December 18, 2010

Participating Hotels

Oahu
The Kahala Resort & Hotel
The Royal Hawaiian
J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko’olina
Trump International Hotel
Waikiki Beach Walk
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
Sheraton Waikiki
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Hawaii Prince Hotel

Lanai
Four Seasons Lanai, Manele Bay
Four Seasons Lanai, The Lodge at Koele

Maui
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Ho’olei at Grand Wailea
The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
Grand Wailea, The Waldorf Astoria Collection
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
Kaanapali Alii
Sheraton Maui Resort
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort & Villas
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa

Kauai
The St. Regis Princeville Resort
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club
Koa Kea Resort
Sheraton Kauai Resort
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

Big Island
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
Mauna Lani Bay Resort
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Sheraton Keahou Resort Beach & Spa

Restrictions apply, call your Stellar Travel Advisor for details.

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Waikiki Beach as seen from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel – 7 November 2009

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Golf professionals recommend that you keep your golf game in shape over the winter months.  Why not combine golf with romance and keep your marriage or committed relationship in shape, too?  We offer a romance package at the newly updated Outrigger Reef on the Beach at Waikiki that includes a FREE, romantic vow renewal ceremony.  Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha (to fall in love all over again) combines Hawaiian chant, hula performances and flowers at sunrise on Waikiki Beach.    Call or email Sheryl Graddon, Hawaii specialist, at 425.747.1900 or sheryl@stellartravel.com

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Hawaii’s average room rates down 18%

According to an industry survey conducted by Hospitality Advisors and Smith Travel Research for the week ending July 11, the average cost of a hotel room in Hawaii was $172 per night, a plunge of more than 18% from the same period in 2008.  Maui room rates saw the largest decline, sinking 22.6%, but occupancy on Maui is holding relatively stable year over year.  Our clients are finding the lowest-priced rooms on Oahu, where the survey shows the average is at $149 per night, dropping 18% from 2008.  Big Island hotel rates fell 9% and Kauai rooms are 14% lower than 2008. In addition to lower room rates, hotels are offering free nights, complimentary room category upgrades and meals as promotional offers.

Trump International Hotel and Tower Waikiki Opening

Waikiki’s newest luxury hotel is taking reservations for hotel rooms beginning November 16, 2009.

Stellar Travel staff members recently received a preview training session of the 462 hotel rooms.  All room categories include a kitchen, and luxurious studio, 1 or 2 bedroom suites have mountain, partial ocean view or ocean front accommodation options.  The 38-story tower includes 464 private, residential condominiums that sold out in one day.   The hotel will also feature a Laurent Tourondel’s BLT Steak restaurant and the Spa at Trump.  It is located adjacent to the new Waikiki Beach Walk area and across the street from Waikiki Beach.

Stellar Travel – Hawaii Source specializes in vacations to the beautiful islands of Aloha.  Staff member vacation consultants are certified Hawaii Specialists and graduates of “Ke Kula O Hawaii” (The Hawaii Visitor’s Bureau “School of Hawaii”).  www.hawaiisource.com

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View from the top floor penthouse at the Waikiki Beach Tower

Honolulu, Hawaii

22 July 2009

Photo: T Drew

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No other place in Hawaii can match the Banyan Court at the Moana/Surfrider for drinks at night.  Pull up a chair to the bar for some tropical refreshment or get a table under the Banyan Tree for drinks and pupus.  The lights twinkle, the ocean breezes kiss the air and one can truly imagine what old Waikiki felt like.

During the day, the Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian is the place to be.   Grab a Mai Tai (local advised us to go with the scratch Mai Tai instead of the royal and save four bucks) and revel in the explosion of pink that can only be the Royal Hawaiian.

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