Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani Opens
Icons Halekulani & Vera Wang Define
A New Standard of Guest Experience

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HONOLULU – May 2005. Halekulani, one of the finest and most acclaimed luxury resorts globally, has partnered with the equally distinguished and renowned designer Vera Wang to create the world’s most romantic luxury suite. The debut of the new Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani means both newlyweds and romantics have the perfect setting in which to explore their love in the most sensuous suite located in the most passionate place in the world: Hawaii.

While some people got a sneak peek of the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani on Valentine’s Day, the suite officially opens this month. The suite was unveiled by Peter Shaindlin, Chief Operating Officer of Halekulani Corporation.

Ms. Wang created the design for the one-of-a-kind luxury suite at the adored hotel.  The exceptional 2,135-square-foot Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani sets a new standard in modern elegance by uniting the superb taste and design sensibility of the esteemed designer with the iconic aesthetic and consummate service standards of Halekulani. Ms. Wang personally selected every element in this suite, chosen from her own licensed collections or unique items selected during her global travels.

“The opening of this suite represents the consummation of an exciting relationship that will not only solidify our leadership as an innovative luxury hotel, but creates an unparalleled experience for our guests,” said Mr. Shaindlin.  “Both Halekulani and Vera Wang are respected leaders in their industries and this ongoing partnership represents the best of these iconic brands.”

“The opportunity to work with Halekulani was a chance to collaborate with the best.  As in fashion, a luxury resort creates an aesthetic and emotional experience. This is what I wanted to capture,” said Ms. Wang, who has designed more than 20 homes for her family and closest friends. “Having traveled all over the world, staying at the most exclusive hotels, resorts and spas, I have a very clear vision of what the ultimate luxury suite should be, both from a design as well as an experiential perspective.  Halekulani has given me a wonderful opportunity to express this vision.  I am also extremely excited that, for the first time, a selection of my furnishings and accessories will be featured in the suite.”

This wistful hideaway embodies a new “romantic modern” genre that captures, conveys and complements the spirit of comfort, romance and sensuality.  Perfect for memorable experiences and the most special of occasions, including weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries or romantic getaways, the 2,135-square-foot suite features the following:

Entryway:  Upon entering the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani, guests are whisked away from the everyday into a state of romantic bliss upon seeing the majestic ocean view and a statue of Quan Yin – the feminine incarnation of Buddha who is intended to welcome travelers at the gate and transform the experience from travel to serenity. Soft white cloth walls and a solid Wenge floor give this entrance a chic, tropical undertone while setting the stage for a relaxing retreat.

Dining Room:  An inspiring synthesis of pastoral and modern points of view, the dining room sets the mood for intimate candlelit dinners where couples can enjoy the finest champagnes and culinary seductions on a dark wood Wenge table surrounded by natural cane backed dining chairs.  When enjoying en suite dining the table is set with Vera Wang china – Champagne Duchesse for lunch and Blanc Sur Blanc for dinner – as well as crystal and silver selected from the Vera Wang Home collection.

Living Room:  Set in natural wood tones and highlighted by saturated tropical colors, the room features comfortable deep sofas in Ms Wang’s signature lavender.  Bamboo formed chairs with cane sides are nestled among an eclectic mix of modern and ancient objects from around the world.  Inspired by scientific drawings of coral, the accent pillows add bright and patterned punctuation to the room’s calm palette.  A 19th Century Chinese writing desk offers space for writing love letters or chronicling your honeymoon or romantic retreat overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific, while an antique Asian moon screen defines the space.

Bedroom:  Defined by its unique mix of sophisticated fabric textures and warm neutral tones, this inviting area encourages couples to leave their inhibitions behind. The king-sized bed is accented by a luxe mix of embroidered pillows designed to have the same details that Vera Wang is known for in her gowns and is flanked by side tables made from rare and precious palm wood and shagreen. A mirror above the bed echoing the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age reflects the grandeur of a Hawaiian sunrise.

TV Lounge:  This unique lounge, which features a 50” Sony plasma television built into the wall, is the ultimate room for state-of-the-art entertainment. Perfect for snuggling with a loved one, the room centers on a plush blue chaise lounge and dec¬orative pillows incorporating fabrics from the Vera Wang ready-to-wear collection: the designer’s per¬sonal touch to the space. Here you’ll also find a DVD collection of some of Vera Wang’s favorite movies, including “The King And I”, “Love Story”, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, “Lost In Translation,” and “Love Actually.”

Bathroom: For intimate moments alone, or better, together, this room carefully layers similar materials to create the unexpected.  There is a mirrored antique dressing table, twin vanities, and a natural limestone floor. Couples looking to luxuriate in the TOTO Clayton airbath, featuring a deep bathing well accentuated with a chrome plated solid brass grab bar and 16 individual air jets creating an unparalled bathing experience when combined with the exclusive signature aromatherapy program and SpaHalekulani’s personal care products.

Lanai:  Breathtaking in its splendor, this 642-square-foot oceanfront lanai overlooks Waikiki beach, the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head. Couples can’t help falling under Eros’ spell as views of one of the most romantic places on earth mingle with a starlit sky, setting the perfect atmosphere for amour. During the day it’s the perfect place for private relaxation and recreation under the tropical sun.  In the evening hours, this is the idyllic location to have a leisurely dinner for two.

Suite Technology: Aside from being the preeminent lover’s paradise, technophiles will find their own version of ecstatic bliss with cutting edge audio-video equipment. Halekulani has negotiated with Sony Corporation of Japan to fill the room with electronic comforts that include items not available anywhere in the United States, such as a 12.1” wireless TV featuring an on screen keyboard for e-mail and web browsing, a DVD Wireless Audio Dream System with a five-disc DVD/SACD/CD changer, digital sound and a six-speaker-surround-sound system.  Guests will also surf the Internet seamlessly with access to the hotel’s high-speed Wi-Fi system.

Guests of the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani will enjoy dedicated formal 24-hour butler service catering to their every whim.  From an epicurean perspective, arriving guests receive a complimentary bottle of Lanson Rosé Champagne as well as special gastronomic delights based upon the guests’ tastes and arrival time.  Some items include: Lobster/Crab salad Quenelles topped with Ostera Caviar, Salmon and Ahi Tartar, Foie Gras with Apricot and Mini Lobster Soup and La Mer Chocolates.

In addition, world-renowned mixologist and Halekulani’s Director of Beverage Arts, Dale DeGroff, has created a unique cocktail menu especially for guests of the Vera Wang Suite, which are prepared and served en suite.  Mr. DeGroff has created such libations as Kiss of Venus, Aphrodite’s Poison and Cupid’s Arrow, which will only be offered in the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani.

The rate for the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani is $5,000 per night and $6,850 per night to include an adjoining one-bedroom suite.  Reservations can be made directly, or by travel professionals through the General Manager’s office.  For further information on the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani, please call 808-931-5005 or visit Halekulani’s website at www.halekulani.com.

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About Halekulani
Consistently ranked among the world’s best hotels, Halekulani is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and Okura Hotels & Resorts, two exclusive organizations pursuing service excellence and standards of the highest quality. Travel + Leisure ranked Halekulani as one of the top 20 hotels in the world in 2006, while the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani was named one of the 50 most romantic destinations in the world. Also in 2006, the three year-old SpaHalekulani was named a “Leading Spa of the World” and the #2 best resort spa in North America by Conde Nast Traveler. In addition, Halekulani’s fine dining restaurant La Mer is Hawaii’s only AAA-Five Diamond Restaurant, holding this esteemed rating for 17-consecutive years, as well as being voted #8 of “America’s Top 100 Hotel Restaurants” by Zagat in 2006. The Leading Hotels of the World, ltd. has bestowed Halekulani with its annual Quality Award, making the Waikiki resort the only Leading Hotel to achieve this prestigious honor in either the United States or Canada.

Halekulani is managed by the Hotels and Resorts of Halekulani, a brand management division of the Honolulu-based Halekulani Corporation, which also manages Waikiki Parc Hotel.  For reservations and information contact your travel planner or the hotel at (800) 367-2343 or (808) 923-2311.  Reservations can also be made through Halekulani’s website at www.halekulani.com.

About Vera Wang:
Vera Wang Bridal House Ltd. designs, markets and distributes collections of women’s bridal, maids and ready-to-wear apparel under the Vera Wang name.  V.E.W. Ltd., the licensing division of the company, has selectively granted licenses for the manufacture and distribution of fragrance and beauty-related products (Unilever Cosmetics International), footwear (Giuseppe Zanotti), furs (the Newmont Group), eyewear and sun collections (Couteur Designs, a division of the Kenmark Group), china and crystal (Wedgwood), silver and gifts (Syratech), fine jewelry (Rosy Blue Fine), fine stationery (William Arthur) and intimate apparel (Komar Luxury Brands).  In addition, Vera Wang on Weddings was published by Harper Collins in the fall of 2001.