Hawaii Hospitality - May/June 2013 - (Page 12)

Little Touches Basking Our Guests in Amenities By DaviD PutNam Sheraton Kona’s Lily Dudoit leads a group of guests along the Keauhou Bay Cultural Preserve Tour. Courtesy of Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay F rom around the world, vacationers come to Hawaii to be pampered and spoiled by the best beaches, bluest waters, lushest tropical foliage and the most ono food. But the quest for that something extra to offer visitors never ends. Hotels and resorts work hard to provide unique “little touches” that can help make a guest’s stay a lifetime memory. One of the more intriguing amenities offered by many of the Islands’ vacation spots is providing a romantic setting to vacationing couples for vow renewals, complete with tiki torches and Hawaiian music by the ocean. For example, who could resist this pitch by the Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach? Lovebirds traveling to Waikiki this Valentine’s Day have the chance to ‘hoi hou ke aloha,’ or fall in love all over again, with a complimentary beachfront vow-renewal ceremony available exclusively to guests … “When people think of Hawaii, they often think of romance, which is why we’re so happy to be able to offer our guests the opportunity to renew their vows while staying at our beachfront properties,” says Patsy Narimatsu, the hotels’ director of sales and marketing. For valentines day, 25 couples renewed their vows, bringing the number to 10,000 couples since outrigger Hotels and Resorts began the program in 2003. vow-renewal ceremonies are held year-round at the hotels. Cultural Sophistication Once upon a time a sliver of soap and a plastic vial of shampoo were the extent of hotel amenities. And yet, while the list of “little touches” has grown tremendously, one popular attraction common to Hawaii hotels and resorts is when local staff members set aside time with guests to “talk story”—share stories about the Islands’ history, culture and traditions. Of course, each resort and hotel also has customized ways in which to pamper guests. At the Halekulani, guests will find the hotel “promotes a familty-oriented culture where guests are part of the extended Halakulani family,” says Audrey Goh, director of housekeeping. 12 Hawaii Hospitality ■ May/June 2013 Got the sniffles? Expect a Halekulani staff member to drop by with some nice hot tea. Getting married? Well, if a Halekulani housekeeper spots a wedding gown, in no time rose petals are likely to be scattered about the bed. Goh says the Halekulani “empowers the staff to do things for guests that are not in the script” of advertised amenities. For example, 142 Halekulani housekeepers got together to make and sign a quilt stitched by the hotel’s seamstress for a guest from Japan who had leukemia. The quilt, the guest told them, “gave me warmth.” on the north shore of oahu, one of the “little touches” for guests at Turtle Bay Resort is having a romantic picnic set up for “proposals.” or, on request, a trail of rose petals will lead guests to their room. And on a more practical level guests can even get their shoes shined. “Our goal at the concierge desk is to ultimately meet or beat our guest’s expectation in servicing them,” says Roy nacapuy, concierge supervisor. “As members of the Concierge Association of Hawaii (oahu), we are always on the lookout for new ideas that we can share with other hotels.” At the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, the staff welcomes each guest with a shell lei greeting and offers a daily tour of Hawaii Island to help guests make the most of their visit. “We feel it is so important to share this area’s rich history with our guests,” explains lily dudoit, the resort’s Alakai Guests at the Royal Hawaiian are greeted with a fresh lei, signature Royal Pink Elixir beverage and refreshing oshibori towel and homemade banana bread at check-in.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hawaii Hospitality - May/June 2013

Hawaii's Female Chefs
War on Waste
Big Island Hookipa
Hawaii’s Little Touches
HRA Excellence Awards
Talk Story with George Szegeti
New Restaurants: Chef Chai and Liko Lehua Cafe
News Briefs
Association News

Hawaii Hospitality - May/June 2013