Heaven in Honolulu

IRISH-based Aloha Holidays appears to have struck gold in its selection of hotels in Hawaii.

On its website, the company features no less than three of the five hotels listed by Condé Nast Traveller magazine as the “best hotels in Honolulu”.

The four-star Wyland Waikiki is selected for its good value, while the five-star Halekulani is the ultimate in luxury. Meanwhile, the four-star Hotel Renew, billed as Honolulu’s first designer boutique hotel, has just opened on Waikiki Beach.

Aloha Holidays offers seven nights at Wyland Waikiki from €1,455 plus taxes (per person sharing), including flights. During 2008, the package includes free continental breakfast, one free night for bookings of three or more nights and free room upgrade (subject to availability).

Seven nights in Hotel Renew, which prides itself on eco-friendly policies, costs from €1,621 plus taxes.

For those who want to push the boat out, business class flights and seven nights in the ultra-plush beachside Halekulani start from €6,195 plus taxes.

See www.aloha-holidays.ie or tel [phone].

PANORAMA Holidays is offering savings on holidays to Florida this year, with prices from €599. The company is one of the few to offer upgrades to premier seating on flights and that allows customers increased baggage allowance, unlimited drinks on board and optional coach transfers to and from accommodation.

Bookings for June 6, 13 and 20 departures from Dublin are heavy, so early enquiries are advised. Tel [phone] (or for groups, 0818 20 40 60). For more details, see www.panoramaholidays.ie.

THE west is set to receive a boost in tourism with the launch of an Aer Arann Amsterdam Schiphol route from Galway and Waterford.

The Galway to Amsterdam service operates on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Monday, Thursday and Friday flights depart at 7.30am arriving in Amsterdam at 10.55am. Sunday flights depart 14.30, arriving 18.00.

The Monday, Thursday and Friday Amsterdam to Galway flights depart at 11.45am and arrive at 13.15.

The Sunday service departs Amsterdam at 18.45, arriving in Galway at 20.15.

RAHEEM Residency, a boutique heritage hotel at Alleppey Beach, Kerala in India, owned by former RTÉ presenter Bibi Baskin, has a six-night pampering package, with emphasis on weight-loss and rejuvenation through holistic Indian systems. The basic package includes six massages, deluxe room and breakfast, and taxi transfers to and from Cochin Airport.

Prices from €480 per person (twin sharing), government taxes extra.

Available until September. See www.raheemresidency.com or www.keralatours.com.

ABBEY Travel has Qantas flights to Australia from €615 per person plus tax. Tel [phone] or see www.australia.ie.