Talking Travel: Hawaii, Lhasa, and Beijing

The inaugural Hawaiian Airlines flight arrived in Beijing from Honolulu last week, aloha-ing with flowers in the hair and all that. A few lucky winners walked away from a Saturday event at Solana with pairs of tickets. Apparently the flight crew and airline executives had quite a good time at the Westin Chaoyang Beijing after their long journey. We learned something interesting: Hawaiian Airlines passengers can stopover in Honolulu for free if flying to any of its other 11 US destinations. While we couldn't get a Beijing-Honolulu-New York fare to work out for under USD 3,100, there may be a better way to do that. Still sounds like a good deal. Just don't be so desperate to to fly to Hawaii that you stowaway on one of their flights.

The Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel opened April 17, the chain's 54th hotel in China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan. With views of the Potala Palace, the hotel is offering an opening promotional rate of RMB 2,488 per night, plus service charge and tax, that includes buffet breakfast and buffet dinner for two persons per day, Golden Circle Double Points, late check out at 3pm, welcome amenities, and complimentary mini-bar. Travel to Tibet still requires a travel permit, so be sure to sort that out before making your reservation.

After begging our hotel friends and partners for Beijing staycation information, we finally got one. The Fairmont Beijing Hotel is offering weekend staycations through June 30, including breakfast for two in a deluxe room, for RMB 1,300 per night plus 15 percent.

That's it for this week. Still kind of quiet around here. Hoping things will pick up soon with a host of summer travel deals and news. Until next week, one road flat safe.

Photo: Shangri-La Hotels