ISLAND HOPPING
Equus Hotel offers a polo package
Waikiki’s Equus Hotel is offering a "Sport of Kings" package that includes polo lessons for two and tickets to matches at Hawaii Polo Club on the North Shore.
The hotel is at 1696 Ala Moana Blvd. Rates start at $260 per night (rates seasonal; three-night minimum).
The company that owns the hotel also owns and manages the Hawaii Polo Club, which sits on a 100-acre stretch of beachfront property on the North Shore. All Equus guests receive complimentary tickets to polo during the playing season.
Polo season runs April 7 to July 14 and resumes Sept. 1 to Oct. 27.
Hotel reservations can be made online at www.equushotel.com.
Volcano House has special rates
The historic Volcano House on Hawaii island is offering special kamaaina rates for a short period while final renovations are being completed after a three-year closure.
The soft reopening rates are $200 for crater-view rooms and $55 per night for Namakanipaio Cabins. Rates are good through May 31.
Volcano House sits on the edge of Halemaumau Crater within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
It has 33 guest rooms and 10 refurbished cabins, a dining room, a snack bar, a lounge and a gift shop.
The official opening is scheduled in early June. For reservations call 441-7750 or 866-536-7972.
GLOBE TROTTING
U.S. firm acquires Lonely Planet
LONDON » BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, says it has agreed to sell its travel guide business, Lonely Planet, for $77.8 million to U.S.-based NC2 Media.
The BBC said Tuesday the decision follows a review that laid out a strategy to focus on BBC brands. NC2 Media, based in Nashville, Tenn., has primarily focused on the distribution and development of digital content.
Lonely Planet has printed approximately 120 million books in 11 languages. However, the company’s performance has been hit by the consolidation of the publishing industry and the economic crisis, which hurt travel.
Founded in 1973 by Tony and Maureen Wheeler, Lonely Planet employs 400 people and is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. The strength of Australia’s currency has also hurt the company.
Chill delays cherry blooms till April
WASHINGTON » The National Park Service is updating its predicted peak bloom time for the District of Columbia’s cherry trees, now saying the peak bloom will come in early April.
Officials had said the city’s famous cherry tree blooms would be at their best between Tuesday and Saturday. Last week the National Park Service updated its website to say the peak bloom dates would be April 3-6. Spokeswoman Carol Johnson says cold weather slowed the blossoms’ development.
The average peak bloom date is April 4, but last year’s peak bloom date came earlier, on March 20, due to the warm weather.
The cherry blossoms draw about 1 million visitors to the nation’s capital each spring. This year marks the 101st anniversary of the gift of trees from Japan.
Aquarium open later till April 4
WASHINGTON » The National Aquarium in Washington is holding extended hours during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The aquarium’s extended hours began Wednesday and continue through April 14.
The aquarium is normally open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the cherry blossom festival, however, it will be open until 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The aquarium has more than 1,500 animals. It is on 14th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue NW. Tickets are $9.95 for adults.
