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Hawaii's First Smoke-Free Hotel

It's a Big Success With Guests

OHANA Reef Lanai in Waikiki sees double-digit increases in occupancy since going 100% smoke-free in November 2003.

Since its conversion to Hawaii's first entirely smoke-free hotel in November 2003, Waikiki's OHANA Reef Lanai has seen its occupancy rate swell by double digits and clearly out-perform the average occupancies on Oahu.

For the first three months of 2004, the OHANA Reef Lanai had an average occupancy of 87.4%, which compares with an average occupancy of 70.5% for the same period last year.

As for its competition, the property clearly out performed the 81.4% average occupancy reported by hotels on Oahu in the first quarter, according to Smith Travel Research, Hospitality Advisors, LLC.

"These occupancies confirm that there is clearly a demand for a non-smoking environment," said OHANA Hotels Vice President of Operations Chuck Shishido. "We had many conversations on the possibility that we could lose business by converting to a 100 percent smoke free property, but we were committed to offering the cleanest air possible to our guests and it appears to be paying off."

To accommodate guests who arrive at the hotel unaware of the no-smoking policy and who require a smoking room, hotel management finds alternate accommodations for them at one of the 11 other OHANA Hotels in Waikiki. These guests receive the same rate guaranteed in their original reservation and complimentary breakfast to compensate for the inconvenience.

In January 2004, the hotel reported being 84% full, which is 22 occupancy percentage points higher than the 62% recorded in January 2003. The average occupancy for all Oahu hotels in January of this year was 77.7%.

In February, the hotel was 96% full, a rate 8 percentage points higher than the previous year. Oahu hotels reported an average occupancy of 86.3%.

And in March, OHANA Reef Lanai was 83% full, an increase of 20 percentage points over March 2003. This compares with an islandwide average occupancy of 80.2%.

The 110-room boutique style hotel spent more than three months painstakingly cleaning and renovating all rooms and public areas. All fabrics, carpeting, furnishings, wall coverings and air filtration systems were replaced, cleaned or chemically treated to remove the remnants of smoke and smoke odor. The smoke-free policy even extends to Buzz's Steak & Lobster, which operates a bar and restaurant located on the lobby level.

Lester Shim, general manager of the OHANA Reef Lanai, added how pleased guests are to the property's new smoke-free policy. "Non-smoking travelers are actually seeking out our property and many have told us how much they appreciate the quality of the hotel's environment. We are excited about becoming a sought-after accommodation for non-smokers," Shim said.

The OHANA Reef Lanai, at 225 Saratoga Road, is one of OHANA Hotels' family-friendly affordable hotels, offering close beach access, spectacular ocean and park views, rooms with balconies and some with kitchenettes, a coin-operated laundry facility, complimentary continental breakfast, and SimpleSaver Rates that start as low as $109 per night. All guest rooms include a coffee maker, refrigerator, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Guests have use of the beach, pool, Serenity Spa and Cowabunga Kids Club at the nearby Outrigger Reef on the Beach.

For reservations or information, call your preferred travel professional or OHANA Hotels & Resorts toll-free at 800-462-6262 within the U.S., Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call 303-369-7777. For online information or reservations, Internet users can log onto www.ohanahotels.com. OHANA Hotels' e-mail address is reservations@ohanahotels.com. 

Edited By Dave Shultz

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