Waikiki Parc Hotel Defines The Trends

Nov 29, 2010

Waikiki Parc Hotel, part of the Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani portfolio, is constantly examining and improving upon its singular guest amenities, services and programs in order to maintain its gold standard as a design hotel in 2011 and beyond.

“We don’t believe in competing against other hotels, only against ourselves,” said Peter Shaindlin, Halekulani Corp. chief operating officer. “To do that, we have to be continually creative, we can’t get complacent and we have to remain very vigilant. The Parc represents the same spirit and intensity of continuous evolution that is seen in our customer base of sophisticated, international Gen-X and Gen-Y travelers. We don’t change with the trends, we define the trends.”

The 297-room urban boutique property was fully renovated less than three years ago, and its hip design sets a fitting stage for innovative guest programs. Consider the hotel’s Park Chic Wines, an exclusive collection of varietals featuring bold names, vibrant packaging and playful descriptions. Equally distinctive is Parc Blue, the hotel’s rooftop pool area where guests can gather around fire pits, enjoy stunning views of Waikiki Beach and the city skyline, take part in weekly wine mixers and watch movies during the seasonal Dive-In Theater promotion.

Putting its own characteristic spin on the hospitality/business center concept, the Parc has created a stylish new zen-like lounge called Connect. With plush seating and mood lighting, it features a refreshment bar, newsstand, flat-screen monitors, work stations, free high-speed Internet access, a 52-inch flat-panel television and concierge services. In the same vein, its unique version of a conference center is called Merge, accommodating up to 24 executives with an overhead projector, large screen, monitors, wireless technology, technical support, conferencing technology and refreshments.

To further engage its guests, the Parc provides them with complimentary VIP access to Oahu’s well-known arts, cultural and entertainment destinations including the Bishop Museum, Contemporary Museum and Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Guests have complete access and room signing privileges at the Parc’s world-renowned sister hotel and spa, Halekulani and SpaHalekulani. And, the hotel’s clients have the privilege of exploring Oahu in a Lotus Elise, one of the world’s lightest and most efficient sports cars, which comes with custom music selections, chilled beverages for the ride and a cell phone programmed to dial the Parc’s front desk.

In the coming year, said Shaindlin, Nobu Waikiki — Waikiki Parc’s featured restaurant — will continue to set the bar for all of Hawaii and the Pacific in terms of innovative Japanese cuisine. Headed by famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa, it highlights dishes created from the heart of Hawaiian culture, utilizing indigenous local ingredients and delicacies that celebrate the bounty of the sea. The Lounge at Nobu Waikiki offers clients a chance to experience Aperitivo, a tasting trio of the chef’s selection of the day, served with a choice of cocktails.

The Parc enjoys an enviable location just steps away from Waikiki Beach, so it only follows that the hotel would develop a program inspired by the sea. Its newly launched Parc Surf initiative gives guests a chance to learn how to hang ten with the Hans Hedemann Surf School. In 2011, the hotel is introducing a Parc Surf package that pairs the lessons with daily breakfast for two and a long list of surf-themed amenities.

“Parc Surf is not simply about the sport itself; it’s much more about a lifestyle connected to wellness that embraces outdoor recreation and rejuvenation,” said Shaindlin. “It connects people with the elements. The setting of the Parc is the perfect venue for people to not only enjoy the sport but to celebrate the culture that the sport has defined.”

Travel agents can rest assured that when they send their clients to the Parc in 2011, they’ll experience not only added value but stand-out service and unique lifestyle amenities.

“Over the years, we’ve been able to establish an ongoing well-anchored trust between ourselves and travel agents,” said Shaindlin.

“In an impersonalized, commercial and technologically driven age, there is no greater opportunity than to arrange travel with a real human being who is a qualitative expert in his or her field. As we encourage their bookings in 2011, we promise them great service in return.”