Delegates from Hilton Hawaii rolled into Australia this week on their new sales mission, meeting with trade partners and media while in Sydney. Attending this year’s event was the Vice President and Commercial Director of Hilton’s Hawaii portfolio, Duke Ah Moo.
Ah Moo said that the number of Australian visitors to Hawaii continue to track upwards, a trend that’s been the case for at least the past 10 years. Moo also mentioned that that Australians still remain one of the leading markets in terms of length of stay, with an average of nine nights.
In Hawaii, Hilton-branded properties span four islands, Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai – the most luxurious of which is Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort on Maui. Set on 16 beachfront hectares, the resort boasts the world-class spa Grande, a US$30 million art collection, a labyrinth of pools, fine cuisine and a kids’ camp.
The Napua Tower at Grand Wailea is a hotel-within-a-hotel concept and offers a higher level of luxury, with more centrally located rooms and elevated amenities for guests.
On Oahu, at the premium end of the market, the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Ali’i Tower is another hotel-within-a-hotel concept, offering a dedicated check-in area, concierge, pool deck area, bar, restaurant and gym.
“It’s a boutique hotel within the resort concept where you can escape from the masses. Rooms have upgraded amenities, upgraded coffee facilities. The Ali’i tower is a little bit special,” Ah Moo said.
On the luxury front in Oahu, Ah Moo could not share details of any other Hilton-branded projects, instead saying, “We’re constantly trying to develop and bring new hotel concepts and brands and bring them to Hawaii.”
Ko Olina on Oahu’s west coast has previously been flagged as a possible site for the Waldorf Astoria brand but Ah Moo said nothing has been confirmed.
Last night an event was held for media at Hilton Sydney’s Zeta Bar featuring Grand Wailea’s Executive Chef, Ryan Ung, who was flown in to present 18 island-inspired dishes for guests.
Lead image: At Hilton Sydney on Wednesday morning are Duke Ah Moo, Vice President and Commercial Director of Hilton’s Hawaii portfolio; Cynthia Rankin, Regional Director, Corporate Communications for Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hawaii; Chelsea Livit, Director of Public Relations at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and Kainoa Horcaj, Hawaiian Cultural Ambassador, Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.