Waikiki has no shortage of places to stay, but best are family-owned Outrigger and Ohana hotels. These resorts offer a range of travel packages and special programs that make vacationing in Hawaii an affordable option, with rates starting as low as $69 per night. Many of Ohana's properties have a kitchenette in each room, allowing guests to make their own meals. Each hotel is located close to beaches, shopping, dining and nightlife. There are many different properties to choose from, ranging in price from budget to luxury. While both Outrigger and Ohana are owned by same company, Outrigger brand indicates a full-service, more deluxe property, while Ohana (which means "family") brand is more budget-priced for family travel.

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Laura Romano, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

I certainly enjoyed dining at Silver Park Grill Restaurant, open around clock like rest of town. Cuisine highlights include prime steak, fresh seafood, and Mediterranean cuisine. Featured items on menu include crisp ciahbatta sandwiches, field chop salad with bruschetta, yellowfin tuna tartare, prime filet of beef, and hazelnut crusted Seabass. The restaurant seats 250 with a private dining area seating 30. A breakfast buffet is offered in morning. Meeting planners can choose from a variety of buffets, box luncheons, or reception packages that range in price and selection. They have fresh à la carte California cuisine, but my bet is breakfast buffet with everything imaginable on menu, set in an ambience of geometric patterned fabrics.

A translucent screen in Casino Lounge gives viewers privacy and intimacy of Casuarina Casino, modeled after European casinos, with sofas, loveseats, and divans artfully placed around casino floor like a residential living room so onlookers can relax when lucky lady hands hit handsomely.

For players 20,000-square-foot casino features 350 slots and video poker machines and ten table games (blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, and pai gow). Slot machines feature ticket-in-ticket out systems. No clanging payouts here! The Premium Players Club allows guests $10 in free slot plays when they sign up for premium players card, and your are eligible for cash back and personalized benefits. I was playing penny slots in state-of-the-art casino and won $3.85, so of course I had to treat myself to a Starbucks café coffee au laite, located on western end of hotel, open 24 hours a day.

What I really liked at hotel was service, especially something called Westin Express, where you dial one number from your room telephone for all your needs. All rooms have two-line speakerphones with a data port for Internet, and a cordless bedside phone with voice messaging.

The completely refurbished 17-story property reflects Westin's brand standards in lobby, guestrooms, meeting space, and public areas. A massive $75 million renovation and upgrade over past years has transformed location into a modern contemporary architectural design.

The 10,000 square-foot Hibiscus Spa at Westin Las Vegas opened in April, 2004, and accepts both hotel guests and local residents (with a 20% discount on all spa services and products for Nevada license holders).

After an hour with Kevin who professionally kneaded and firmly pressed out all stress with a full body Deep Tissue Sports Massage, I am gong to have to come back to take advantage of discounts. The spa has a unique and extensive menu of massages, facials and body treatments.

Hibiscus Spa is a full-service spa and salon with a retail center, relaxation room, and a complete fitness facility. You can even get a haircut or styling treatment. The spa offers 15 treatment rooms (one with Vichy shower), including three esthetic rooms and one couples room. The spa is great for business person who really needs services for a total lifestyle approach that encompasses entire person – body, mind and spirit. Kevin is a certified Nevada School of Massage therapist that also teaches at school. He is one of best I have ever experienced.

Here is a litany of Hibiscus services:

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Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com