francophile

I noticed FS has either extended some offers or started some new ones.

Here are a few examples:

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-so
Spring Promotion
from ¥31,000
http://www.fourseasons.com/tokyo/pac...s=2&children=0


Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Third Night Free Club 21 Promo
For reservations with check-in by June 16, 2009, receive a complimentary gift voucher to spend on designer shopping at Club 21 stores in the city. Receive a SGD 200.00 gift voucher with a Deluxe Room booking, a SGD 300.00 gift voucher with a Premier Room booking, and a SGD 500.00 gift voucher with an Executive Suite booking.
http://www.fourseasons.com/singapore...s=2&children=0


Four Seasons Resort Hawaii, Hualalai
$1,000 Resort Credit
http://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/...s=2&children=0

obscure2k

I would love to revisit the newly-remodeled Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. I know that it recently reopened. i still consider the MKB beach the best on the big Island. Is anyone aware of any promos for ocean-front rooms? (Virtuoso)?

robyng

I think you just have to keep checking various properties/chains for updates. I have always been in the habit of checking existing reservations for better deals 2-4 weeks before arrival - and it is certainly a useful habit these days. There was someone from the hotel industry on CNBC this morning (maybe Tisch - it was pretty early in the morning and I was still kind of foggy) - and he basically said that what is happening in the travel and leisure business these days is pretty much a disaster. I'm not sure we'll be seeing better travel deals than we're seeing now for quite a while (and - after that quite a while - I will probably be too old to take advantage of them!). Robyn

jja34-1

Funny, I am thinking about going to the Big Island in July and am trying to decide between FS Hualalai, the Fairmont Orchid and Mauna Kea. I was about to post asking if anyone had been to Mauna Kea since it reopened.

Mauna Kea looks exactly like the type of resort experience I am looking for so I thought I would try give them a call to check rates as the "specials" on the web site aren't very special when the Orchid has a third night free + $200 credit and the Hualalai is handing out $1,000 credits for a four night stay.

Based on a call to in-house reservations, Mauna Kea is not offering anything comparable to Hulalai or the Orchid. Their best promotion is the "Splash" promotion that entitles you to buffet breakfast and a $100 credit daily. Evidently the hotel hasn't been open long enough to realize there is a recession on or they think they are recession proof.

By the way, I asked about their Virtuoso rates. For the deluxe ocean view room on the eighth floor that I was looking at, the rate was $775 per night with a one time $25 credit (I kid you not, only $25). Maybe DavidO can chime in if there is more to the Virtuoso package that the reservatons agent did not tell me about.

obscure2k, since you've been before, are there any rooms that you particularly recommend for views other than the top floor ocean view room?

DavidO

Virtuoso guests receive:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily buffet breakfast for up to two in-room guests
• A $25 Pro Shop credit, once per stay
• Complimentary parking for duration of stay

obscure2k

See no reason, at all, to get the top floor. I always loved the sixth floor, full ocean view. Bear in mind that the floors are weirdly numbered. Thus, the "6th" floor, IIRC, is actually the 3rd floor. 8th floor is 4th floor. I don't know if I would stay at the MKB if I could only get a Mountain View Room.The ocean view rooms are just so spectacular. The views are better than anything I have seen at Hualali.

peter11

50% off at Banyan Tree Lijiang through December 31 BUT must book between April 7 and April 11 in "select categories"

http://www.banyantree.com/lijiang/pa...e_lijiang.html

Kagehitokiri

nice. ^

after discount from >
$160 - DLX suite
$305 - [2BR] spa suite
$475 - 2BR jet pool villa
$725 - 3BR jet pool villa

promo not offered >
$350 - DLX garden villa [with pool]

50% off at banyan tree phuket too, after discount from >
$190 - DLX villa
$260 - pool villa
$355 - spa pool villa
$455 - 2BR pool villa
$525 - double pool villa
$950 - 2BR double pool villa

http://www.alilavillas.com/promo/promo.asp?ID=1753
50% off at alila uluwatu (opens june 1), after discount >
$363 - 1BR pool villa
$1500 - 3BR pool villa

jja34-1

Thanks. I definitely wanted an ocean view but didn't know if there was a much of a difference between Deluxe Ocean View and Eighth Floor Deluxe Ocean View, other than +/- 20 square feet of room. I did notice that there only seem to be four floors of rooms.

I've spoken with the Mauna Kea reservations team twice asking questions about the resort and they have been very nice and helpful.

I'm just having difficulty rationalizing paying for that night that would otherwise be free at the Fairmont (on the Gold floor) or the Four Seasons, where I know what to expect in terms of service. I am really impressed by the pictures of the "new" Mauna Kea but service seems to be hit and miss based on the reviews.

flying MD

Hi:

Where did you get %50 off at BT Phuket? It is not available on their website. Thanks for any info.

Kagehitokiri

bottom right @ http://www.banyantree.com/
>
http://www.banyantree.com/phuketfreenight/index.htm

also 50% off at al areen through may
http://www.banyantree.com/alareen/pa...y_package.html
after discount from >
$300 - DLX pool villa
$445 - desert pool villa
$1395 - 2BR royal pool villa

looks like 50% off a 2-nt stay at BKK through the end of this month
http://www.banyantree.com/bangkok/pa...les_again.html
after discount from >
$80 - DLX view
$90 - premier
$105 - club
$325 - spa
$495 - presidential

obscure2k

Think of it this way: Mauna Kea has the most spectacular ocean views and the most spectacular beach. FS has great pool service, but little in in the way of beach service and the beach, IMHO is plain awful for swimming or long walks. MKB, historically had great beach service and, I honestly don't think I ever used the pool. It is about priorities. I have lived in Southern California my whole life and have always had a pool. I love beautiful white sand beaches, an umbrella over my head, lovely, calm surf and someone to serve me while I sit on the sand.FS may spritz Evian in my face at the pool, but I would opt for that pristine beach at MKB and the beach service trumps the Evian sprizes and cold towels. Moreover, snorkeling at FS is in a man-made snorkeling pond. At MKB, you get the real deal.
Hope this helps.

MegatopLover

Those are great rates for BT Phuket. I might need to jump on that for a weekend in September. I know it's the rainy season, but still...

flying MD

Thanks!

Ericka

Just got an email from Four Seasons. There is a $1000 resort credit for 4 night bookings at the Kona property. Not sure if this has come up before but I thought I would throw it out there...