Waikiki resort offers restaurant credit while pool is renovated
Visitors to Waikiki in early 2008 can receive a dining credit worth $100 to $300 by booking a three-night or longer stay at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach.
Valid through March 3, the dining credit can be used at seven participating restaurants, all at the adjacent Waikiki Beach Walk (www.waikikibeachwalk.com), a new eight-acre development with an outdoor entertainment plaza, nearly 50 retailers, 16 dining establishments and five hotels.
Guests will receive a $100 dining voucher for a three-night stay; $200 voucher for a six-night stay; and $300 for a nine-night stay. Vouchers are issued at check in and certain rate restrictions apply.
During this period, the swimming pool at the Outrigger Reef will be undergoing renovations, part of the hotel's $100 million makeover (already completed is the Ocean Tower, with 200 re-designed rooms and suites; a new fitness center; complimentary high-speed Internet access and long-distance calls in all rooms; and more). However, arrangements have been made for guests to use swimming pools at the nearby Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and the Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk. But since the hotel is directly on the shore of Waikiki Beach, a pool isn't really necessary.
For more information about this promotion or other packages, visit www.outriggerreef.com or call (800) 688-7444.
Renew your vows at Hawaiian resorts
Outrigger Reef and Outrigger Waikiki are inviting guests to reaffirm their vows in a Hawaiian Vow Renewal Ceremony on Valentine's Day.
The ceremony draws upon an ancient Hawaiian custom, Ho'ao Pa'a, and begins with the blowing of the conch shell, followed by a welcoming Hawaiian chant by the kahu (priest), and a traditional hula and song. Couples will also be blessed by a sprinkling of seawater before they recite their vows in the Hawaiian language. Each participating couple will receive a complimentary photo, commemorative certificate, champagne toast and island-style lei (garlands).
Sign-up begins tomorrow at the Outrigger Reef and Outrigger Waikiki's concierge desks. The concierge may be reached at (808) 923-0711 at the Outrigger Waikiki, or at (808) 923-3111 at the Outrigger Reef.
For more information, contact Luana Maitland, events and activities manager at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, at (808) 924-6007.
Room reservations and information about special room packages are available at www.outriggerreef.com or www.outriggerwaikiki.com or by calling (800) 688-7444.
Kayak to merge with Sidestep
The merger of www.kayak.com and www.sidestep.com will make the combined sites the fifth-largest travel search site, according to Kayak's statement.
"Kayak.com intends to maintain both the SideStep.com and Kayak.com brands and will develop and promote each site independently, with key SideStep.com personnel joining Kayak.com's team. The merger will combine best practices of each company, and users of Kayak.com and SideStep.com will benefit from access to more comprehensive rates and availability data, a larger portfolio of products and services and an overall improved customer experience," the statement continues.
We wouldn't be surprised if the Kayak brand eventually absorbs Sidestep, but only time will tell. We will say that Kayak is a friendlier and easier-to-use travel booking site. Sidestep is also a great site, and the two are very similar in functionality.
Download video guide to Cancun
An alternative to lugging around a guide book is a video guide. A MP4 guide for Cancun can be downloaded for $8.95 and includes free updates for one year. It can be played on your video player (iPod, ZUNE, Sansa, Archos, Zen Vision, etc).
On this guide, you will find everything you need for your travel, including maps, accommodations, restaurants, beaches, transportation, what to do, night life and more.
You can purchase the video from www.cancun4video.com.
Reach George Hobica at
hobica@gmail.com, Kim Liang
Tan at KimLiangTan@aol.com
or log on to www.airfarewatchdog.com.