ACV, Hawaii, & Hilton host Vancouver agents

The Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki, Hawaii Tourism Canada and Air Canada Vacations shared the aloha spirit with a select group of travel agents at the Yaletown Keg in Vancouver on April 26.

After a $143 million US renovation that started with stripping the property down to concrete and rebar, the Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki reopened with 623 rooms, including 31 suites, making it the largest Hilton Garden Inn in the world.

“I always say location, location, location, and location is one of the best features about our hotel,” said Shauna Nakamura, Corporate and Leisure Sales Manager, Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach, which is situated a block and a half from the beach.

Located across the street from the newly redeveloped International Marketplace, Nakamura also cited the redevelopment of Kuhio Avenue by the state of Hawaii. “They’ve widened the sidewalks, so there’s lots of restaurant and lots of sidewalk cafes, where you can sit out in the morning, have your coffee and people watch.”

The property boasts the TR Fire Grill restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “With packages with Air Canada Vacations, you have the option of booking a room-only package or a room and breakfast package,” noted Nakamura. “The breakfast package is at TR Fire Grill and it’s a full buffet breakfast served from 6 a.m. until 11 a.m. every day.”

The Holoholo Marketplace offers souvenirs, grab-and-go food items, along with a deli the serves up bagels, poke bowls and sandwiches.

The third-level pool area is one of the only hotel pools in Waikiki that has sun on the pool deck from sunrise to sunset and features a pool bar, lounge area and pool table.

All rooms have a microwave, coffee maker, electric tea kettle, refrigerator, complimentary wifi, 48-inch, HD flat screen tvs, in-room safe, iron/ironing board and hair dryer.

Experience Hawaii

“Hawaii is all about experiences,” said Lee-Ann Goltz, Western Canada Account Manager, Hawaii Tourism Canada. “It’s really known for its culture, history and food as well as it’s beaches.”

Oahu offers pristine beaches, superb surfing, majestic forests, world class shopping, and a renowned foodie scene, plus storied museums and historic sights. Highlights include the Iolani Palace, the only royal residence in the U.S.; Waikiki beach itself, with surfing, sailing, world-class hotels and restaurants; Leahi or Diamond Head; and the surf culture of the North Shore with its 11 kilometres of beaches. Send clients to a luau, the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve or the moving monument at Pearl Harbour.

The Official Hawaii Destination Specialist Program is a free, two-tier self-guided program that offers in-depth knowledge and insights into the Hawaiian Islands. Benefits include consumer referrals, specialist-only webinars, one-year subscription to HAWAI’I magazine and access to the ePostcard Marketing Tool.

AC’s New 737 Service

The delivery of the 737 MAX aircraft has created new frequencies out of Vancouver and Air Canada is flying the aircraft to Hawaii this winter:

• Vancouver-Kauai, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday December 15 to April 27, 2019
• Vancouver-Honolulu, up to twice daily, beginning October 28
• Vancouver-Maui, up to twice daily, beginning October 28
• Vancouver-Kona, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday December 15 to April 29, 2019