The Suite Life

Jan 04, 2009

The lanai of Halekulani’s Royal Suite
offers a stunning view of Diamond
Head. // (c) Halekulani

Since the Halekulani’s Vera Wang Suite debuted in 2005, the chic, one-of-a-kind accommodation has won applause from high-end clients. It has also earned accolades from readers of Travel + Leisure, who ranked the suite among the 50 most romantic destinations in the world. Now, the luxury hotel in Waikiki has opened another high-end accommodation — the Orchid Suite at Halekulani — which hotel officials claim will fill a growing need among discriminating guests for lodgings of distinction.

Introduced on Dec. 20, the Orchid Suite at Halekulani exemplifies the resort’s property-wide renewal initiative leading up to its 25th anniversary this year. It’s one of three expansive accommodations that comprise the Premier Suites at Halekulani, which also include the Vera Wang Suite and the newly redesigned Royal Suite. Each of the three suites promises a distinct sensibility and individually tailored amenities catering to the lifestyles of the hotel’s VIP guests, who keep coming back to Halekulani because of its unique services.

“The new Orchid Suite, as part of the Premier Suites at Halekulani, embodies the cultural and gracious personal service legacy that is the personification of Halekulani,” said Peter Shaindlin, chief operating officer of the Halekulani Corporation. “Based upon the unprecedented success of the Vera Wang Suite, we saw an opportunity and a need to create a collection of iconic suites for our guests who want the best and will accept nothing less.

“Each of the three suites that comprise the Premier Suites at Halekulani offers distinctly different ambiances and experiential amenities that cater to the individual lifestyles of our international clientele.”

The 2,365-square-foot Orchid Suite at Halekulani epitomizes three of the hotel’s brand elements: Wellness (mind, body and spirit), Connoisseur (fine cuisine) and Masterworks (the arts). Its Sea of Life wellness program, designed by the hotel’s SpaHalekulani, features treatments and therapies inspired by renewing properties of the sea. For epicurean connoisseurs, The Orchid Suite has a full-service, sub-zero Wolf kitchen and provides interactive cooking experiences by chefs of the Halekulani, daily market deliveries and a select menu of European cuisine from the hotel’s La Mer restaurant. To perpetuate the Masterworks brand element, Halekulani will unveil a new partnership in the near future.

The hotel’s Royal Suite, accessible by a semi-private elevator, is simple, classical and regal. The decor of this 4,066-square-foot accommodation celebrates the various Pacific and Asian cultures that are a part of today’s Hawaiian culture.

The 2,135-square-foot Vera Wang Suite, which was personally designed by the suite’s namesake, features Wang’s home, gift, bath and accessories collection paired with rare furnishings from Hawaii, the Pacific and Asia.

All suites in the Premier Collection regale clients with such benefits as butler service, customized culinary programs and a personal concierge. They also get VIP privileges with the hotel’s For You Everything program, which offers complimentary access to the Honolulu Symphony, Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, the Contemporary Museum of Arts Honolulu and the Shangri La Estate, among others.

If that’s not enough of a lure, a new perk for clients booking one of the Premier Suites at Halekulani is called Art In Motion. With this promotion, guests receive keys to a collection of exotic automobiles, including a new Maserati GranTurismo and Bentley Continental GTC, which they can use themselves or with a personal driver, all complimentary.