Recommend March 2016 - (Page 75)

NorthAmerica The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas on Kauai offers a main pool and a children's pool, as well as two plunge pools. Spring Into Hawaii's Family Fun Donna Ray Families tie into sweet deals, free meals and plenty of perks. As multi-generational travel continues its upward trend, Hawaii remains among the leaders of the pack. "We hear all the time that a vacation here allows families to unwind, slow down and really open up to the things we value most in life," says Jay Talwar, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau's chief marketing officer. "In most cases, that's balance and quality time with our loved ones." Talwar adds that agents have access to a flurry of Hawaii properties offering special concessions for children, such as Kids Eat Free programs and multiple room discounts. "Hotels and resorts are also putting a lot of thought into their kids programs to offer activities and experiences that are fun, educational and unique to Hawaii." Case in point is Four Seasons Resort Hualalai's complimentary Kids For All Seasons that engages with canoe paddling and eagle ray feedings. At The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment shares Hawaii's natural wonders, including native flora. "We have terrific, agent-friendly packages that are easy to sell and present a great value for families, including our Ocean Promotion and Suite Life offers," says Dale Carstensen, regional director of sales, leisure for Starwood Hotels and Resorts' 11 Hawaii properties. Select programs allow kids 5 and younger to eat free with paid adults, while several broaden it to children under 12. Hawaii Island On the Kohala Coast, it's all about robust recreation. Waikoloa Beach Resort's Family Golf Days lets offspring and parents swing away at its Kings' Course (from 3 p.m.) for $25 and $50, respectively. Juniors 6-17 also enjoy complimentary club use, while adults pay $25. At Mauna Kea Beach Hotel's Beach Club, manta-mania is fueled by nightly snorkel excursions and new Glow SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) revealing these rays and other ocean marvels in pristine Kauna'oa Bay. Kauai On Kauai's lush north shore, the resort fee-free Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas keeps up to eight connected in luxury style. Families booking a Deluxe Island View One-Bedroom Villa with nightly rates from $550 can boost the space with a connecting Studio Villa for an additional $100 nightly. A 3-night minimum stay is required on bookings through Dec. 25. Perched on the south shore, The Villas at Poipu Kai provides daily rental car use on 7-night rack rate stays in select categories from April 20-May 30, Aug. 15-Nov. 15 and Dec. 1-15. Homey conveniences include a gourmet kitchen, separate living room, lanai, in-villa laundry and WiFi. On 3-night minimum stays through Dec. 15, Koloa Landing Wyndham Grand Resort's Family Vacation package covers 20 percent off select villa rates, rental car use, $100 activity credit and daily breakfast for two (kids under 12 eat free). Eco-diversions thrive as well, with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa engaging all ages along its nature-centric Wildlife Walk and Kawailoa hydroponic farm tours. Maui "This is a wonderful destination for families to get away together and enjoy the sunshine," says John Yeadon, director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. With a mother lode of year-round activities and add-ons from $379 nightly, the Ultimate Maui Family Vacation covers daily SUV with self-parking, daily buffet for two adults and two kids, plus ticket discounts for top Maui excursions. Destination Residences Hawaii's Your Vacation, Our Destination says aloha with up to 30 percent savings on vacation homes, plus $155 in gift cards from restaurants and spas. Select properties extend the pleasure on 2- and 3-bedroom bookings with free rental car use. Through Dec. 19, nightly rates are from $249 at Wailea Grand Champions Villas to $1,799 for a 3-bedroom with plunge pool at Wailea Beach Villas. "A lot of our guests actually return each year and request the same villa or condo; it's become their true march 2016 75

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2016

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: Growth of Barcelo
Tour Talk: Are We There Yet?
The New All-Inclusives For Families
Onsite Review: Sandals Ochi Beach Resort
New Happenings at All-Inclusives
2016 Delta Air Lines Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide
Family-Friendly Sailings
Spring into Hawaii’s Family Fun
New Choices for Families in Florida
Onsite Review: Icy Strait Point, Hoonah
What’s New in Alaska
Adventure-Lands Ripe for Family Travel

Recommend March 2016