Standing on the historic grounds, where King Kamehameha the Great once resided and overlooking Kona’s only pristine white sand beach, Courtyard’s new King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach hotel offers guests an incredible location, a breathtaking view and a peek into Hawaii’s past. After undergoing a two year, $35 million face-lift, the hotel becomes a Courtyard today, highlighting modern new designs alongside a display of artifacts and cultural riches.

“We are excited to welcome this new landmark into the Courtyard family,” said Janis Milham, vice president and global brand manager, Courtyard by Marriott. “As a prime leisure destination, this new hotel offers our guests a unique experience steeped in rich history and surrounded by Hawaii’s natural beauty.”

Situated in the heart of the historic fishing village of Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island, Kailua-Kona is home to many popular annual events including the Kona Brews Festival, The Ironman World Championship Triathlon, Hawaii International Billfish Tournament, Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Regatta and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. From the hotel one can see the clear waters of Kailua Bay, the area known as Kamakahonu (“eye of the turtle”) and the world famous Kailua Pier.

The new Courtyard hotel features award-winning newly renovated rooms that have been designed to embody the essence of Hawaii. Each room features a private lanai, many with ocean views. Offering a smart and flexible layout, the rooms highlight a spacious work desk, complimentary high-speed wireless Internet, and laptop size safe for those who want to stay in touch with work and a flat screen television, and deluxe bedding are ideal to help guests unwind.

Today, the grounds of Kamakahonu are still regarded as a gathering place – for planning sessions, training, events, luncheons, weddings, reunions, concerts, and more. Eleven meeting rooms accommodate modern-day social and business events with nearly 9,000 square feet. For dining, guests can enjoy local island cuisine at the newly opened Honu’s Restaurant which features views of the white sand beach as well as poolside dining at the popular Billfish Bar. The award-winning lu’au provides guests with an enriching cultural experience that is not to be missed.

Courtyard’s King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is owned and managed by Pacifica Hotel Company who focuses on hotel acquisition and development in key coastal regions, and on premium hotel brand development in strategic and emerging markets in California and Hawai‘i. It is the third property in the Courtyard brand’s portfolio in Hawaii, joining Courtyard Kaua’i at Coconut Beach and Courtyard Waikiki Beach.

City.Mobi

Also in US today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Honolulu.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Honolulu.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.