Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 - (Page 25)

with your family, a condo vacation is different from a vacation home. “We offer much more service than you would receive at a vacation home,” says Bloom. “We’re similar to a hotel in that regard, with full hotel services and amenities at our properties. We feel the need to control all aspects of the guest’s experience.” Although there are exceptions, Hawaii’s condos tend to fall into four location types: beachfront, oceanfront, across the street from the ocean and near the ocean. Your clients will pay a premium for beachfront, so take the time to find out if they’d be just as happy walking a few blocks to the beach. Condo rentals can be a good match for couples, families, large groups and even singles. When qualifying a client, ask them whether they’d prefer a high-rise or low-rise property, and if they want daily maid service. Because condos have full kitchens in each unit, guests can save considerable amounts of money and time by preparing their own meals. If your clients are traveling with children, they’ll enjoy not having to haul them off to a restaurant for breakfast—especially when most kids will be more than happy with a bowl of their favorite cereal. Hawaii is busiest during the summer months (June through August) and during the year-end holiday season and into March. For bookings during these peak times, make reservations at least three to six months in advance to secure the desired condo units for your clients. Beach and City Condo Vacations ResortQuest Kaanapali Shores (www. resortquesthawaii.com) has a prime location on Maui’s Kaanapali Beach. The full-service condominium resort combines the convenience of a condominium with hotel-caliber services such as daily maid service, a guest activities desk and in-room movies. This self-contained resort also features a beachfront restaurant and bar, a wedding gazebo, two swimming pools, spa, fitness center and sauna. The One- and Two-Bedroom and Aloha Suites have separate living areas and bedrooms, complete kitchens, in-room washer and dryers and private lanais. Suites also offer free highspeed Internet access and free Wi-Fi service. The most popular accommodations are the OneBedroom Suites, which measure 900 square feet and can accommodate a family of five. For larger families, the Two-Bedroom Suites are roomy at more than 1,200 square feet. These can accommodate up to seven people. The Aloha Suites measure 2,005 square feet and are the most requested premium accommodations. Although the Aloha Suites are also designed to accommodate up to seven people, they measure about twice the size of the resort’s Two-Bedroom Suites. Aloha Suites also have wrap-around lanais. Garden View Suites overlook the interior grounds of the resort, which feature tropical landscaping, garden and beachside pools, and a waterfall flowing into a koi pond. The best views of Kaanapali Beach and the islands of Molokai and Lanai can be seen from the resort’s Two-Bedroom Oceanfront Suites and Aloha Suites. During whale season (November-April), guests might even catch a glimpse of humpback whales. Oceanview rooms offer a combination of beach and garden views. CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 Units at the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation feature full kitchens and spacious quarters May 12, 2008 TravelAgent | 25 http://www.resortquesthawaii.com http://www.resortquesthawaii.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe: Bruges Might be One of Belgium’s Best-Kept Secrets Hawaii: Condo Resorts Provide a Plethora of Vacation Choices Pacific/Asia: Manila has Plenty to Offer Visitors of Every Taste Alaska: Icy Strait Point Offers Authentic Alaskan Adventure Pacific Northwest: Airplane Buffs and Wine Aficionados Enjoy Washington Las Vegas: Let Your Hair Down at Some of these Casual Bars Central & South America: History and Culture Beckon in Guatemala Caribbean & The Bahamas: Recent Renovations Have Made the Westin Aruba Resort a Jewel of the Island Cruises: A New Musical is Making Waves on Disney Wonder San Diego Becomes a Major Cruise Port Cover Story: Top Tips for Selling in a Down Economy Rail Travel: Sightseeing and a Gourmet Meal on the Royal Livingstone Express Hotels: There is Plenty to Do at Ski Resorts in the Summer Tours: Photos from the 33rd Annual Mountain Travel Symposium Agent: Eric Ardolino has Won the Technology War Customer Relations: Ensemble Agents use CRM tools Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Luxury Travel Expo Jamaica Will License Casinos Enormous Cruise Ships are Planned ResortQuest Hawaii Continues to Grow 2008 TMU Conference Recap In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

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