Monthly Archives: February 2009

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Hawaii Travel Prices Reduced – Finally!

February 26, 2009 in George's Observations by George

The Hawaii tour operators are finally coming the the recession party and dropping vacation package prices. They have been reluctant to drop prices fearing that it will hit profits. However, they found that in this recession the traveling public will only travel if they get a deal. So here are some specials offered by Pleasant Holidays:

3 Nights at the Castle Maile Sky Court

  • Includes RT Airfare from LAX and 3 nights accommodations reduced rate and Kids 17 & younger stay FREE.
    Valid for travel: Select Thru 04/06/2009 – 06/01/2009 Mondays     - Price is Per Person – Double Occupancy – Subject to Availability and change
 From
$300.00
3 Nights at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel

  • Includes RT Airfare from LAX and 3 nights accommodations reduced rate, daily continental breakfast, 2-for-1 luau, Aloha Book value coupons, and Kids 12 & younger stay, play and eat FREE.Per Person – Double Occupancy:
    Valid for travel: Select Thru 04/06/2009 – 06/01/2009 Mondays - Price is Per Person – Double Occupancy – Subject to Availability and change
 From
$406.00
3 Nights – Maui Condo Outrigger Royal Kahana

  • Ocean View Studio. Includes RT Airfare from LAX and 3 nights accommodations - reduced rate and Kids 17 & younger stay FREE.
    Valid for travel: Select Thru 04/06/2009 – 05/18/2009     Mondays - Price is Per Person – Double Occupancy – Subject to Availability and change
 From
$507.00
3 Nights at the Sheraton Kauai Garden Hotel

  • Includes RT Airfare from LAX and 3 nights accommodations - reduced rate and Kids 17 & younger stay FREE.
    Valid for travel: Select Thru 03/01/2009 – 03/28/2009     Mondays - Price is Per Person – Double Occupancy – Subject to Availability and change
 From
$500.00

Pleasant Holidays is the largest tour operator to the Hawaiian Islands. They tend to use United Airlines in their packages, but also will include Hawaiian and Delta as well. Here is the contact info for Pleasant Holidays: Toll-Free: 1-866-247-6659

Enjoy,
George

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$899 Australia Air & Hotel Travel Deal

February 20, 2009 in George's Observations by George

I just found this awesome travel deal to Australia. This is from Qantas Vacations.
Quantas is the Airline of Australia. Check this out:

5 DAY TOUR – RED CENTER WAY FROM $899
Experience the real Australian Outback
Discover the natural and cultural marvels of Australia’s Red Center
Includes 4 nights hotel, exceptional touring with local guide & Hotel/Airport Transfers
Visit the 3 must sees Ayers Rock, Alice Springs & Kings Canyon
Enjoy a beautiful sunset at the Olgas with an Aussie BBQ
Visit Ayers Rock at Sunrise and see its changing rock colors
Climb to the rim of Kings Canyon BONUS FREE HOTEL UPGRADE:
Book this tour by February 28 and receive a free room upgrade at Ayers Rock.**

Here is the link to Qantas Vacations

**5 Day Red Center Way Terms and Conditions: Special Upgrade Offer: Book by February 28, 2009, Travel April 1- Dec 31, 2009 and receive a free room upgrade at Ayers Rock, per couple. Subject to availability and not combinable with any other discount or offer. All prices are “from,” per person based on double occupancy and travel in low season. All prices, itineraries and routing are subject to change. 

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Outrigger Reef on the Beach Waikiki

February 11, 2009 in George's Observations by George

My favorite hotel in Waikiki is the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Outrigger has refurbished “The Reef” quite a few times in the last 10 years or so. However, this time was a major renovation with over $110 million in improvements. Immediately upon arriving repeat guests will notice the new tropical wood entry. The pool area and sundeck have been upgraded. The Reef had quite a few rooms that were small and some that had really small bathrooms. These rooms have been consolidated and expanded to more appropriate sizes. However, those lowest priced “no-view” rooms still have No View and should be avoided. Choose city or pool view rooms or better when making reservations. 

Never fear, the popular Shorebird Restaurant and Bar is still serving up those drinks and raw pieces of meat. They call it the “Thrill of the Grill” where guest cook their own meat. Repeat and new guests alike will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the renovation. The Outrigger Reef will continue as one of the most popular hotels in Waikiki.

Aloha & Mahalo,
George

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Hawaii Hotel Changes – Aston Hotels Returns

February 6, 2009 in George's Observations by George

Aston Hotels return to Hawaii. Looks like the leveraged buyout folks who bought Aston Hotels of Hawaii and promptly changed the 60 year old name to ResortQuest, ended up with too much leverage (otherwise know as borrowed money). So they went away and the original owners and management team are back. So they returned the favor and promptly changed the name back to Aston Hotels of Hawaii. Turn-about is fair play right?

Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel


Aston Hotels have been in the Hawaiian Islands for many years and is now re-branding the 26 hotels and condos to their former and now new name Aston.

So I guess what’s old is now new again.
George

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SeaDream Luxury Yacht Cruises on Sale

February 4, 2009 in George's Observations by George

The economic crisis has really hit the luxury travel segment hard. The resulting empty rooms, cabins and seats are now on sale. SeaDream Yacht Club is one example. I just received an e-mail from them offering 9 night sailings, March 20 and April 3, 2009 for $2,999 per person. This is a really great deal. This would have been a 4 or 5 night special in years past.

Seadream Ship
SeaDream Yacht Sea Dream II

So what makes SeaDream Yacht Club cruises different? Service. SeaDream Yacht Club has two of the largest mega-yachts in the world. SeaDream I and II sail on scheduled, seven-day schedules and itineraries. They have 95 crew members for 112 passengers. The amenities are second to none. Be pampered in the full-service Asian spa, play a game of backgammon or surf the web in the library. Maybe join some friends for a movie in the main salon. Although SeaDream yachts depart their first port of call and arrive at their last port of call as scheduled, arrivals and departures at intermediate ports are not necessarily cast in stone. The SeaDream Yacht Club Captains have the authority to adjust for local opportunities. So the yachts frequently make unscheduled calls at small ports to visit a local fish market, for example, or to remain longer than scheduled in a secluded bay so guests can enjoy a few more hours of water sports.
For more information about SeaDream Yacht Cruises: www.SeaDream.com

2009 is the year to enjoy the finer things in life for a much lower price than in years past.
Go Have Fun!

George

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Cruise Prices Plunge / Hawaii Stay High

February 2, 2009 in George's Observations by George

I price out travel to post on the web for the large travel agency for which I am the webmaster. I have been reading with interest the many headlines about travel prices plunging.

However, I have noticed that despite all the hoopla the only prices to truly plunge have been Cruise Fares. Europe, Hawaii and Mexico vacations are more or less the same price frankly. However, cruises have never been lower.

How about a 7 night Greek Isle cruise for $799. This is not on one date, but for the entire month of May on Royal Caribbean Cruise’s Splendour of the Seas! I also found 10 Night Mediterranean cruises aboard Holland America Line for $999 for May. Interested in Mexico Cruise from Los Angeles or San Diego? Why settle for an inside cabin, when you can get an outside cabin with a Verandah for $699. These are really great prices.

However, in pricing out the least expensive 4 night Hawaii Packages from LAX or San Francisco, I am finding prices of $500 or more per person. And with a Hawaii package, you just begin dishing out the dough as food and drink are quite expensive.

Bottom Line: The Hawaii Travel Companies need to realize it’s a new world and provide value. Not lip service. The Hawaii State economy is depending on them.

George

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