Oct 03 2011

Revitalized Big Island Hotels

Four Seasons Hualalai had sustained damage from the tsunami and was closed for a few weeks after March 2011, to clean up and repair. After the clean up was completed, the hotel used the opportunity to enhance plantings around King's Pond and enhance the Beachtree Restaurant. The tsunami also created a positive situation by washing a huge amount of additional sand onto Hualalai's beach front. Although Hualalai is a unique and stunning property, it had very few connecting rooms that could be used as two-bedroom suites for clients who wanted that type of accommodation. The last time we were at the property, they had started to bridge several of the buildings together to create more two-bedroom inventory. That construction was completed with great success. There are now 20 two-bedroom suites that can be sold as either one or two-bedroom. There is, what they consider, a half bath off of the foyer. I consider a half bath to have a sink and toilet; these "half" bathrooms have incredible steam showers, in additional to the sink and toilet. The toiletries are L'Occitane, but the half bathrooms also include bottles of eucalyptus and verbena essential oils to enhance the steam shower experience.  

A few years ago, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel closed due to damage it sustained from an earthquake. They, too, used the opportunity to enhance the property. The beach is the best on the island. (Rockefeller always built his hotels on the best beaches). 

Keohole International Airport still leaves a lot to be desired. Some might call it "charming" because it is an open-air airport with no air-conditioning, however, the feeling I get is that most travelers would like it better if it was a bit updated. There are no jet bridges. All passengers must walk down stairs to get to the tarmac. They do provide a lift for those travelers who cannot ascend or descend stairs. These passengers are boarded first.

Bobbie

To learn more about these hotels and other Big Island hotels, call one of our Hawaii Specialists at 800-300-4567 or click HERE.

About Bobbie Abood

As a child, I collected postage stamps. I remember being fascinated by the beauty of some of the stamps that came from all over the world. This fascination was fueled by the fact I grew up living 3 houses away from a neighbor who was a mechanic for American Airlines. He and his wife traveled to many of the destinations my stamps came from. I used to sit on a stool and watch as he tinkered with his projects. While he worked, he told me about the city or country he and his wife had just visited. Ralph always said he thought I would find a career in the Travel Industry. He was correct. In my career that has spanned almost 35 years, I have worked as a Tour Escort, managed a Travel Agency, and worked as a Travel Consultant. My present position as a Senior Travel Consultant at All-Travel is probably the most rewarding position I have ever held. Because I started in the industry before computers existed and specialties abounded, I was trained as an “all around agent”. As a result of this experience, I am able to manage travel that ranges from Corporate to very “High End Leisure”, and every other type of travel in between. With the incredible technology that is available today, my job is even more exciting. I am fortunate to have a wonderful mix of clients. While I enjoy great pleasure in making my Corporate clients’ travels as easy as possible and my Leisure clients’ dreams come true, I have still not yet decided what I want to be when I grow up.  I will let you know........if I ever figure it out.............