Destination Guides
Hawaii
by Michael C. LoweDecember 1, 2011
Why Here?
In
Oahu, the new 21-acre Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa (above), is the
Walt Disney Co.'s first resort in the 50th state. The property includes
359 rooms, two swimming pools, several dining options, a
15,000-square-foot spa and a 50,000 square feet of event space. For
more, see Oahu Local Update.
Moonlit Adventure
On the Big Island, groups can embark on night dives with FairWind Big Island Ocean Guides and mingle with manta rays that have wingspans of up to 14 feet.
Maui
The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
recently completed a $15 million renovation of its guest rooms, which
now have a contemporary Hawaiian design. In addition, the 806-room
property welcomed Japengo, a new Asian-fusion restaurant. The resort
offers more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space.
The 310-room Makena Beach & Golf Resort
celebrated its 25th anniversary with a multi-million-dollar renovation.
Guest rooms now feature new carpeting, granite counter tops and 37-inch
HD flat-screen TVs, while the lobby area sports new furniture and a
café. The property has 80,000 square feet of meeting space.
Travaasa Hana,
a new incarnation of the former Hotel Hana-Maui, opened in June on
Maui's eastern shore. The property is comprised of 70 cottages and
suites and includes a spa and on-site dining options. Although there are
no dedicated meeting facilities, outdoor areas can be used for events
and gatherings.
The Fairmont Kea Lani has revamped all of
its 413 suites and 37 villas as part of an ongoing $16 million
resortwide project. At press time, signature restaurant Ko is getting a
new look that will recall the island's sugarcane plantation era. The
hotel has about 36,000 square feet of meeting space.
Meeting Hotels
Properties include the 806-room Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa;
780-room Grand Wailea; 759-room Westin Maui Resort & Spa; 719-room
Marriott's Maui Ocean Club; 546-room Wailea Beach Marriott Resort &
Spa; 516-room Royal Lahaina Resort; 510-room Sheraton Maui Resort;
463-room Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua; 450-room Fairmont Kea Lani Maui;
432-room Kaanapali Beach Hotel; 359-room Whaler on Kaanapali Beach, and
310-room Makena Beach & Golf Resort.
Airport Transit Kahului
Airport, about 35 miles east of Kapalua, 30 miles east of Kaanapali and
15 miles north of Wailea-Makena. Transfer cost by taxi, $100 to
Kapalua, $85 to Kaanapali and $60 to Wailea-Makena.
Taxes Room tax, 9.25%; sales tax, 4.16%; total tax on hotel rooms, 13.42%
Group Venue
Rising
600 feet above the ocean, the stunning Makena Vista at the Makena Beach
& Golf Resort Maui features impressive views of the Pacific Ocean
from the 14th hole of the Makena Golf Course. Isolated from the hum of
nearby towns, the 8,876-square-foot alfresco venue offers a unique space
for groups of up to 350 people. (808) 874-1111
Contact Maui Visitors Bureau, (888) 918-8444