Hotel Deals in Hawaii and Around the World

The hotel industry in Hawaii has traditionally been “senior friendly,” and continues to demonstrate it with a flurry of special offers for mature travelers.

* The Coconut Plaza Hotel, in Honolulu’s Waikiki area, is offering a generous “Seniors Romance Package” that is loaded with features. The deal includes seven nights in a deluxe guest room. Guests receive a lei greeting on arrival, limo transfers to and from the airport, continental breakfast daily, a welcome dinner for two, a full day tour of the island of Oahu, a Pearl Harbor tour and a “royal heritage” history tour. The price is $465 per person; for an upgrade to a Plaza Suite, the cost is $950 per person. The package is available until Dec. 19 on a space-available basis. For reservations or brochures, call (800) 882-9696.

* The Maui Marriott at Kaanapali Beach has reduced its guest room rate for seniors through Dec. 25. The regular daily minimum rate of $195 is now $135, single or double occupancy, for members of the American Assn. of Retired Persons. Additional savings are offered--$99 per room--to seniors who book 21 days in advance. A non-refundable advance payment must be made, with a credit card. AARP members also receive a 20% discount on restaurant charges (not including alcohol) and a 10% discount in all Marriott gift shops. For information and reservations, call (800) 228-9290.

* Aston Hotel’s Sun Club program has increased its senior discount rate to 25% on a year-round basis for travelers over the age of 55. The program includes an Aston Car Certificate, which gives guests up to $50 per week ($10 per night of occupancy) in credit for a Budget Rent a Car vehicle. Aston manages both hotels and condominiums on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii and Kauai. For example, rates for the Waikiki Circle Hotel Sun Club begin at $74 per room per night; on Maui, the Kaanapali Shores Sun rate is $97 for a studio suite with kitchen. A one-bedroom/one-bath suite that can accommodate four people starts at $119 per night. Each guest also receives the new Aston Fun Book, which is filled with coupons for merchandise and dining discounts. Coupon books are available for each of the four major Hawaiian Islands. For information, reservations or brochures on Aston properties and the Sun Club program, call (800) 922-7866.

* The new Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, near Diamond Head and away from the bustle of Waikiki, is offering an attractive dining discount. In addition to its 10% guest room discount for travelers over the age of 55, seniors receive a restaurant credit equal to the age of the elder of two persons. For example, a couple whose ages are 68 and 72, respectively, would receive a 72% discount off the dinner check. The discount is limited to hotel guests who have booked for a minimum of three nights. Room rates begin at $99 and range up to $175 per night; there are also studios and suites available at higher rates. For reservations and information, call (800) 356-8264.

*

Other hotel deals currently available to seniors:

* Westin Hotels & Resorts are offering an American Express “Just For You” discount program for seniors over 55 at Westin Resorts in the United States and Mexico. Guests paying with their American Express card receive Westin’s lowest promotional rate for a standard guest room, a savings of 5% to 30% off published rates. Senior members will also be permitted early check-in and late check-out, plus room upgrades when available. In addition, they will receive a 10% discount off food and nonalcoholic beverages at lunch and dinner during designated hours. For more information and reservations, call (800) 503-6400.

* Colony Hotels & Resorts, which manages condominiums, resorts, villas and hotels in the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico and Thailand, is offering a 20% discount for seniors 60 and over at all of its properties. The discount is increased to 25% for members of AARP (minimum age 50) and members of NRTA (National Retired Teachers Assn.). Among the many properties managed by Colony are several in New England that should appeal to skiers and in Florida for sun-seekers. There are two properties in Las Vegas and one each in Phuket, Thailand; Tel Aviv, Israel, and Baja California. For information, brochures and reservations, call (800) 777-1700.

* An “Escape to Laguna Beach” package is being offered by the Surf and Sand Hotel, located on the water in Laguna Beach. The package is priced at $299 per couple, and is valid Sunday through Thursday night only for those 50 and over. Components include two nights’ accommodations, an ocean view room with balcony, a bottle of champagne and box of chocolates upon arrival, full American breakfast for two each day, and a guided walking tour of Laguna Beach by a town historian. For information and reservations, call (800) 524-8621 or (714) 497-4477.