With the downturn in the economy, many Hawaiian hotels are offering “value-added” specials like free breakfasts, upgrades and rental cars. Now the Halekulani, one of the top luxury hotels on Oahu, is offering their own version of a deal. With their new “Art in Motion” program, they will give you free use of a Bentley, Maserati, or a Lotus during your stay – if you’re booked in a premier suite costing $7,000 a night.
And these aren’t stripped-down versions. The cars are a Lotus Elise or Exige S, a Maserati GT, and a Bentley GTC.
For clients booked in a regular room, where rates start a little over $400 a night, the hotel will still make the cars available for an extra cost. With rates ranging from $250 a day for the Lotus Elise, up to $995 for the Bentley GTC.
For guests opting for the Bentley or Maserati, there is a personal chauffeur option as well. The hotel concierge will also create personalized itineraries for clients using the cars. (Although as anyone who has driven on Oahu knows, the island is a little short on options for high-speed freeway driving.)
And for travelers with a taste for this sort of thing, the Halekulani’s sister hotel, the Waikiki Parc has a package starting at $810 for three nights with use of a Lotus for 24 hours – valet parking included.
Personally, I am happy with a rental car that doesn’t smell and doesn’t make strange sounds. Though I don’t mind an upgraded car if it isn’t too hard to park, something like a high-end Accord or Lexus makes me nervous about things like door dings.
In a recession, I have to wonder how well these promotions will go over. On the other hand, if you’re a real car hound this could be a great chance chance to sample these models with only a temporary hit to your wallet, and without putting a symbol of conspicuous consumption in your driveway.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
