As I reported a couple of weeks ago, the Morimoto Waikiki is closing on December 8, 2016. The reasons for the closure was, and continues to remain unknown to the public. But some additional details have recently come to light, and it's interesting. Especially when you consider the relationship of the overall Modern Honolulu and Morimoto Waikiki. According to the … [Read more...] about The Modern Honolulu and Morimoto
My Thoughts on World of Hyatt
The big news in the world of travel this week was undoubtedly Hyatt's loyalty program change. The change, though, comes at an interesting time, in my opinion. So let's talk about the World of Hyatt a little. For those not already familiar with the situation, Gold Passport is going away. Hyatt's new program, the World of Hyatt, will be replacing Gold Passport come … [Read more...] about My Thoughts on World of Hyatt
Trump’s New Hotel Brand Doesn’t Include His Name
Forget politics for a minute, if you can. Donald Trump is releasing a new hotel brand, and interestingly it doesn't include his name in it. Trump's new hotel brand, however, is still a head scratcher. Care to take a guess at what the new hotel brand's name is? Go ahead. I'll wait. In fact, here's a hint! That's right, Trump's new hotel brand will be named Scion. … [Read more...] about Trump’s New Hotel Brand Doesn’t Include His Name
Last Chance: Enter the Courtyard Super Bowl Sleepover
Courtyard by Marriott is the official hotel of the NFL. So it comes as no surprise that the chain always has contests and promotions surrounding the Super Bowl. And with Super Bowl just four months away, it's about that time again for another contest. This year you can enter the Courtyard Super Bowl Sleepover contest for what looks to be yet another great Super Bowl … [Read more...] about Last Chance: Enter the Courtyard Super Bowl Sleepover
Great Winter Rates at Turtle Bay
Winter is approaching here in Hawaii. And while we may not have seasons in the traditional sense, we do see seasonal variations. Winter in Hawaii is rainier and colder than the rest of the year, but still great! When I say cold, by the way, I mean low 70's... sometimes. Daytime temperatures are still in the mid-80's, but nighttime lows can get down into the low 70's to high … [Read more...] about Great Winter Rates at Turtle Bay
Oahu Dining Hidden Gems
Hawaii, like many tourist destinations, has a lot of great places to eat, but also a lot of bad ones. Knowing where to go, however, is only half the battle. With Hawaii's isolation, price also plays a major factor. So when you find somewhere that's great, it's awesome. But when you find a great place and doesn't cost a lot... Score! Of course the best resource for finding … [Read more...] about Oahu Dining Hidden Gems
First Waikiki Autograph Collection Hotel
My friend Brian pointed out to me that a new Marriott hotel would be opening in Waikiki soon. The new property in question will be the first Waikiki Autographic Collection hotel: The 'Okina, Autograph Collection Hotel. The 'Okina Hotel will actually be the first Autographic Collection hotel on Oahu. And though it's a "new" Marriott property in Waikiki, it's really just … [Read more...] about First Waikiki Autograph Collection Hotel
Feds Want Airlines to Pay Up for Delayed Bags
According to a recent Bloomberg article, the Feds want airlines to pay up for delayed bags. This fee refund is part of a set of proposed new rules. The aim is to make travel more fair by requiring airlines to refund checked bag fees if bags are significantly delayed. What "significantly delayed" means is anyone's best guess. According to Transportation Secretary … [Read more...] about Feds Want Airlines to Pay Up for Delayed Bags
Restaurant Review: Piggy Smalls
The Pig and The Lady is one of the hottest restaurants in the state. Heck, it's one of my favorite restaurants in the world. Period. They're known for their take on modern Vietnamese cuisine, as well as their outstanding dessert program. So when it was announced that the P&L team would be opening a new restaurant, it sent ripples through the local restaurant scene. That … [Read more...] about Restaurant Review: Piggy Smalls
Outrigger Joins Global Hotel Alliance Discovery
Hawaii is home to a variety of different hotels and hotel operators. It's an interesting mix of local companies, foreign investors, and large global brands. Some local companies and foreign investors use large global brands for property management, while some go at it on their own. The Courtyard Waikiki Beach was an example of this before. It one time it was owned by a … [Read more...] about Outrigger Joins Global Hotel Alliance Discovery