Songs for Japan and Aloha for Japan Shirts Too!

A benefit album starring the world's top recording artists has been released to support Japan as it recovers from the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11.

The 38 tracks include some of their biggest htis, featuring an exclusive remix of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," along with recent hits like Katy Perry's "Firework," Bruno Mars' "Talking to the Moon," Adele's "Make You Feel My Love." Other featured artists include the likes John Lennon, Beyonce, Michael Buble and Elton John. All proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross. At ten bucks it's one of the best deals in town for a good cause. I got mine, get yours.

Buy from amazon.com
Download from iTunes

Preview on apple.com

Donate to the Japanese Red Cross

(image credit: Fitted Hawaii LLC)

If you like to wear your support pick up an Aloha for Japan t-shirt. The Hawaiian greeting is emblazoned across the chest with the red sun disc from from Japanese flag substituting for the letter "O" in the world Aloha. These shirts are manufactured and sold by FITTED. The $20 shirts were well on their way of being sold out as soon as it was released for retail sale in Hawaii. Visit fittedhawaii.com for a list of retailers and more information. Find it online at Butigroove or Barefoot League. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Hawaii Red Cross to support victims in Japan.

(image credit: Hilo Hattie)

If the FITTED shirts are sold out, check out Hilo Hattie which is also offering a different Aloha for Japan tee. On the back of the shirt are the words of encouragement: Hope, Heal and Help (translated in Hawaiian). The shirts sell for $9.99 with 100% of profits donated to the American Red Cross for Japan relief. Visit one of their retail stores or order online at hilohattie.com.

If you're planning or rescheduling a visit to Japan, then that's even better. Every visitor returning back to Japan will assist in the economic recovery. Go!

Most Expensive Cities To Visit: U.S. & the World

New York City

The latest Hotel Price Index show these 10 U.S. Cities command the highest prices per night last year. Most are expected due to its attraction to business and leisure travelers. But the list is not the most popular cities but the most expensive ones to visit. This probably explains the inclusion of Idaho Falls which is a destination in its region of the country popular for the scenery and culture. It's kind of ironic that I live in the city ranked second and the place to where I travel the most often is ranked first.

The HPI is based on bookings made on hotels.com and prices shown are those actually paid by customers for 2010. Prices are per hotel night averages.

1. New York City, New York  $194.14
2. Honolulu, Hawaii  $158.95
3. Boston, Massachusetts  $154.62
4. Santa Barbara, California  $143.33
5. Washington, D.C.  $140.33
6. Miami, Florida  $139.58
7. Chicago, Illinois  $133.93
8. Idaho Falls, Idaho  $132.53
9. New Orleans, Louisiana  $132.27
10. Monterey, California  $131.93

Bora Bora (image credits: Hotels.com L.P.)

On the flipside, the most expensive cities in the world to visit were strictly for those with deep pockets willing to indulge. Many are resort destinations catering to the wealthy.

1. Bora Bora  $605.95
2. Somerset, England  $531.87
3. Anacapri, Italy  $459.58
4. Hamilton, Bermuda  $404.12
5. Tremezzo, Italy  $366.90
6. Paradise Island, Bahamas  $365.69
7. Wailea (Maui), U.S.  $363.92
8.  Southampton, England  $347.66
9.  Paget, Bermuda  $325.07
10. Manalapan, Florida  $323.10

The HPI is a regular survey of hotel prices in major city destinations across the world.

Western Airlines: The Only Way to Fly

Since the 1970s many domestic airlines have gone belly up or absorbed into the network of today's legacy airlines. But of these lost airlines one stands out particularly because of a memorable advertising campaign. In a television commercial that combined a talking animated bird and a memorable slogan, Wally Bird was always hitching a ride on top of the fuselage of a Western Airlines jet. His distinctive delivery of the slogan "The only way to fly" is forever part of the pop culture of era.

Western Airlines began flying in 1926 and ceased operations in 1987. The year prior, the airline entered into a planned merger with Delta Airlines which eventually discontinued the brand. The airline was headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Western's major hubs were in LAX, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Salt Lake City. At its peak, the airline flew to major cities across the western U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and Canada.

Coffee Shops in the Sky

Starbucks on United (image credit: Mark'n Markus)

No more are airlines peddling mystery coffee or using grounds found on the average supermarket shelf. Sorry Maxwell House. Airlines are touting the specialty coffee shop brands for their in-flight service. The benefit to passengers is a finer cup of coffee. For the airlines, they are likely reaping some sort of benefit to display the coffee brand's name and logo in lieu of or in addition to their own.

American Airlines
Java City became the supplier for the airline's official in-flight coffee in November 2010. Served in a larger 10 ounce cup, the coffee is an eco-friendly, hand-roasted blend of 100 percent Arabica Beans and grown on sustainably managed farms. Founded in 1985, Java City is a specialty coffee roaster with eight retail cafes in California and  in partnership operates an additional 500 branded cafes and 30 franchise locations in Korea.

Delta Airlines
Effective March 1, 2010 Delta began featuring Seattle's Best Coffee in flight. The airline began with their customers participating in an in-flight coffee taste test to choose which of the brands blends would be served. The choice is Level 4 based on roast intensity ranked from 1 to 5. Seattle's Best is part of the Starbucks Corporation.

The Hopeful Traveler dares an airline to
offer 100% Kona Coffee in flight.
(image credit: ABCstores)

United Airlines
In 2007, United continued America's habit of enjoying Starbucks Coffee on the ground and extended it to the friendly skies.

Alaska Airlines
Ditto Seattle's Best Coffee.

Continental Airlines
For a legacy carrier they still serve something called Fresh Brew Coffee from a Houston based company. The airline reports it's a blend of the highest-quality Arabica beans specially created for the carrier. With the merger with United in the works, it's unlikely coffee to match its competitors is on the mind of Continental executives.

For the record other brands of coffee have an in-flight audience. Dunkin' Donuts coffee is served on JetBlue and the illy brand of coffee is offered on Virgin America. Now if Hawaiian Airlines would only serve 100% Kona coffee instead of the blend stuff (10% Kona coffee). That would be the best deal among in-flight complimentary coffeedom. Imagine passengers bringing their own cups on board and asking flight attendants to fill it up.

Seattle's Best Coffee on Alaska Airlines (image credit: -Ken-'s)

'Memphis' on Broadway Comes to Movie Screens

In a rare endeavor, a musical still running on Broadway, will be filmed and released to movie theaters across the country. 'Memphis', the 2010 Tony Award winner for best musical was filmed in January in high definition and scheduled to play cinemas for four performances beginning April 28, 2011.

This is the first musical to ever receive such a treatment. For movie audiences, the live performance will feature the original cast including the stars, Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, who were nominated for leading acting Tony Awards. The presentation will include behind-the-scenes footage.

The timing is to draw attention to the upcoming national tour of the show and to the New York production at the Shubert Theatre now in its second year of performances.

The musical is about what happens when a 1950s Memphis DJ with white listeners decides to play African-American music. The DJ becomes involved in an interracial love affair in the segregated South. The story is inspired by the legendary DJ Dewey Phillips and the music that became known as "rock 'n' roll." The film won four Tony Awards for best musical, best book, best score and best orchestrations. Bon Jovi songwriter and band member David Bryan with Joe DiPietro composed the score of gospel, rhythm and blue, rock and soul. The show opened on Broadway October 19, 2009 and continues an open-ended run. For more info visit MemphistheMusical.com.

I was underwhelmed when I saw the production live on Broadway last June. By winning best musical, expectations should be high. This will give me the opportunity to revisit the show for a second look.

The filmed production is a presentation of Broadway Worldwide and NCM Fathom. Scheduled show times are April 28, 30 and May 3 at 7:30pm and May 1st at 12:30pm. Visit fathomevents.com for tickets and a movie theater near you. Tickets are priced at $20. Not a bad deal considering an orchestra ticket top out at $131.50 and premium seats priced at $251.50.

A review will be published by The Hopeful Traveler after the first movie presentation.

Those Silly Flight Rules Explained by Pilots

(image credit: Osdu)

Reader's Digest asked several pilots across the country to give straight answers to maddening questions regarding flight safety rules. Here are some of them explained. I have to admit I didn't know the answer to all of them.

“We don’t make you stow your laptop because we’re worried about electronic interference. It’s about having a projectile on your lap. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to get hit in the head by a MacBook going 200 miles per hour.”

“People don’t understand why they can’t use their cell phones. Well, what can happen is 12 people will decide to call someone just before landing, and I can get a false reading on my instruments saying that we are higher than we really are.” 

“We’re not trying to ruin your fun by making you take off your headphones. We just want you to be able to hear us if there’s an emergency.” 

“We ask you to put up the window shade so the flight attendants can see outside in an emergency, to assess if one side is better for an evacuation. It also lets light into the cabin if it goes dark and helps passengers get oriented if the plane flips or rolls over.”

Visit readersdigestversion.com for articles covering the gamut from food to health to travel.

Marriott Leaves Renaissance Chancery Court

(above image credit: marriott)

The Renaissance London Chancery Court Hotel.

The Renaissance London Chancery Court will no longer be managed by Marriott. Effective June 11, 2011. The hotel which Marriott managed since it opened in 2000 will be managed by Preferred Hotels & Resorts and be simply called the Chancery Court Hotel. My stay in September 2010 at this property was among the best ever among hotels I've patronized over the years. Click here for the first in a series of posts about my stay at the Chancery Court. I was hoping to save Marriott reward points for a return visit. But it appears now those points will be spent elsewhere. Marriott reports that the parting was mutual with the hotel owners.

A second Renaissance recently opened in England's capital. The St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel is a little farther away from the West End than the Chancery Court. But no matter. The King Cross St Pancras station has access to six underground lines and the Eurostar trains. The hotel's striking Gothic architecture has been restored to become one of the landmark masterpieces in central London. The St. Pancras, like the Chancery Court, is listed under the Marriott Rewards level of "7" which makes the five-star property one category shy of Marriott's top tier locations.

St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel (image credit: marriott)

Staycation at the Hilton Waikiki Beach: On the Beach

The famous beach at Waikiki is actually named Kuhio Beach. This stretch of sand starts from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel going east to Kapahulu Avenue. This segues into Kapiolani Beach Park, the site of the Sunset on the Beach movie events. Because of the overcrowded reputation of Waikiki we often forget what helps to make this part of Honolulu a magnet for travelers. A walk from a hotel to the beach offers a spectacular view at any time of day. Among the unobstructed views is one of famous Diamond Head Crater.

These photos were taken during my stay at the Hilton Waikiki Beach (formerly known as the Hilton Prince Kuhio) which is located a block from the beach. You can see why so many soak in the sun even as it is setting or gander at the bright blue sky and ocean in daylight. Combine this with the calming breezes and the soothing sounds of the ocean and there you have some relaxing moments at a beach in Hawaii albeit in crowded Waikiki.

Note: This is the last in a series of posts about the staying at the Hilton Waikiki Beach hotel based on a stay from 2008. The hotel was formerly known as the Hilton Prince Kuhio.

Staycation at the Hilton Waikiki Beach: Mac 24-7

Restaurant entrance (image credit: PHOTOlulu)

Counter and booth dining (image credit: hapahale)

Dining room with view of garden (image credit: Kathleen Walling Fry)

Many hotel restaurants in Waikiki cater to both the visitor and local crowds such as the Mac 24-7 Bar + Restaurant. The fact that it serves simple comfort food 24 hours a day in a stylized setting adds to the attraction. The restaurant is the main and actually the only dining option at the Hilton Waikiki Beach. Mac 24-7 also provides the food for the hotel's lobby bar and operates the Mac 2-Go counter.

The menu is updated to keep regular patrons interested for return visits. But some favorites remain. One of the restaurant's claim to fame is the multiple layer mac daddy pancake the "size of manholes" featured in a segment of the popular "Man Vs. Food" television series on the Travel Channel. Host Adam Richman attempts to add his name to the Hall of Fame for those with the appetite to consume the behemoth dish in 90 minutes. Click here to view a video preview of the episode.

Mac Daddy pancake (image credit: akueats)

Mac 2-Go (image credit: jtbhawaii)

The restaurant is divided into two sections: a long dining room with counter seating and a larger dining room with views of the hotel's gazebo garden. Both sections have dining booths. I've dined here on several occasions and I have no complaints about the service. The menu offers local favorites (loco moco, saimin) to more standard fare (chicken parmesan). Yes, the restaurant offers a mac and cheese but made with white cheddar and peas.

The Mac 2-Go counter is catered towards the on-the-go visitor breakfast crowd just wanting to pick up a quick bite such as a pastry and coffee before a day of sightseeing or hours at the beach. The lobby bar offers comfortable seating in a quiet setting. The lobby bar and Mac 24-7 are available for special events. More info at mac247waikiki.com.

Above and below: Lobby Bar (top image credit: Hilton)

Note: This is one in a series of posts about the hotel based on a stay from 2008. The look of the hotel has not changed but quality or service can change within that time. The hotel was formerly known as the Hilton Prince Kuhio.

Staycation at the Hilton Waikiki Beach: Common Areas

View of pool from 19th floor

Elevator detail

Living area near elevators on 19th floor.

Like most hotels in Honolulu, the public spaces or common areas aren't particularly grand. But many hotels attempt for an an airy open lobby to take advantage of Hawaii's breezes and tropical colors. The lobby of the Hilton Waikiki Beach, despite unimpressive entrances, opens into a high ceiling space with walls in a cream color and warmed with wood accents on the ceiling and mezzanine level.

Large windows open up the lobby with a view of the gazebo garden in back of the hotel. Lots of comfy seating segues into the hotel's lobby bar. In the elevators colorful panels with imprints of leaves line the walls. One unusual  feature is there's a living area on each floor just off of the elevator. Peek out the window near this living area and you can see the rooftop pool deck below. It's an opportunity to see if the jacuzzi or any lounge chairs are available before heading down to the pool.

Note: This post is one in a series about the hotel based on a stay from 2008. The look of the hotel has not changed but quality or service can change within that time. The hotel was formerly known as the Hilton Prince Kuhio.

Above and below: Hotel lobby.

Staycation at the Hilton Waikiki Beach: The View

Ocean view at various times of day

Diamond Head view.

Because my stay was in September during the shoulder (or low) season, I was upgraded to an ocean view room on the 19th floor of the Hilton Waikiki Beach. Though the hotel, located on Kuhio Avenue, is one block away from famous Waikiki beach almost all rooms on the ocean side have superior views. This is helped by the fact that a small hotel, church and parking lot occupies the block separating the hotel from Kalakaua Avenue which runs along Waikiki beach.

My oceanside room also has a narrow view of famous Diamond Head Crater to the east and the hotels of Waikiki to the west. Rooms with mountain views can be spectacular or panoramic though fronted by urban Honolulu. For fun I took photos (above) of the ocean view from my room at various times during the day. Few would complain about such a sight. More info at hiltonwaikikibeach.com.

Note: This post is one in a series about the hotel based on a stay from 2008. The look of the hotel has not changed but quality or service can change within that time. The hotel was formerly known as the Hilton Prince Kuhio.

Balconies along the 19th floor.

Waikiki view to the west.

Zoom view of the Waikiki Beach Marriott across the street.

Staycation at the Hilton Waikiki Beach: The Room

The standard guest room at the Hilton Waikiki Beach is bright and airy without overtly tropical decor. One unusual feature is the cracked glass panel windows between the bedroom and bathroom. Venetian blinds helps to keep bathroom moments private. Also different is the closet located in the bathroom. The only other storage space is the cabinet below the wall-mounted flat-screen television and open shelves in the bathroom. One ugly feature is the exposed fluorescent light above the room's door.

All the rooms have balconies but they are from private. Look to the right and left and you see everyone else's balcony on the same floor. Seating is relegated to a lounge and desk chair. The desk is a bit narrow but this is likely to help make the 306-square-foot room appear more spacious.

The floor-to-ceiling sliding doors also helps to make the room feel wider. But be careful about drawing the drapes or doors completely open. If your hotel neighbor is on their balcony, they have an angle view of your room.

Room amenities include a coffee-maker with Kona Blend coffee (10% Kona Coffee), safe, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, refrigerator and alarm clock. Internet service is available for a fee of $9.95 per day.

Room options are king or two double beds. Executive rooms are located on higher floors. Suites are available. Room views are classified as follows: city view, deluxe ocean view, deluxe mountain view. Premium prices are charged for the ocean view rooms. More info at hiltonwaikikibeach.com.

Note: This post is one in a series about the hotel based on a stay from 2008. The look of the hotel has not changed but quality or service can change within that time. The hotel was formerly named the Hilton Prince Kuhio.