HALEKULANI: AND THE 2,185 Sq ft VERA WANG SUITE
The Halekulani is a nice,understanded 5 star hotel in Wakiki.
It is terribly expensive, and in my opinion, not really worth the money. I should know, as I have stayed here many times as a guest, and once up to 4 months at kama'iana rates.
But Wakiki is noisey, filled with sirens, and very much like Manhattan in all of its negative aspects. What Honolulu has done during the last ten years is invest monies to make itself into something it is not- an urban chic product set in a tropical setting. It has transformed its real charms into a mass product. And with so many of those now in the globalized world, is one more urban chic city really necessary or profitable?
Unique Quality: My very favorite place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM is the happy hour at HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY. It is low keyed, understanded, and wonderful. Prices for some things on the menu can be a good value if you stay away from mai tai's and flaming drinks. I stick to Ice tea or fresh squeezed lemon juice.
The Halekulani is taking reservations for its Vera Wang Suite, opening late February 2005. The 2,185-square-foot ocean-view suite was decorated by the designer best known for stylish wedding gowns. The price is between $4000-$5500
a night depending on whether you want the one bedroom or two bedroom configuration. The suite comes with a butler from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and greetings from the hotel manager, and champagne. For more informaton about the suite, see
http://www.halekulani.com/verawang/introduction.asp
The Royal suite is also available for $5000.00. There are no discounts or negotiations on these two suites.
The Diamond Head suite is a one bedroom suite with a view of Diamond Head that can be discounted 20%.
The hotel also plans a $400,000 revamping of its cocktail lounge, Lewers Lounge, with chain draperies and dramatic lighting, the perfect forum for the caipirinhas and flaming drinks that are being created for it by Dale DeGroff, a longtime Rainbow Room bartender in Manhattan turned cocktail consultant. Just how expensive can we make these cheap liquor drinks?
The manager of the hotel as well as Honolulu's economic minister wants to make Honolulu into a "Jazz Destination" so they can increase prices even more. Well that is the goal in capitalism. But who wants to pay for that? Maybe only immature, insecure wannabees who feel compelled to have their identities defined by the advertisers who are helping the corporation make a profit.
Tom at Halekulani
Elizabeth at the Halekulani
Elizabeth at the Halekulani
Elizabeth at the Halekulani
