Seems Outrigger is joining the free phone and Internet frenzy with an offer of free dial tone and high-speed Internet access at the Outrigger Reef, one of their flagship beachfront properties in Waikiki. This hotel has undergone extensive renovations and it appears installing a fancy VoIP phone system was (thankfully) one of them. The boutique brands in Hawaii have lead in offering freebies like this, which can still set you back $10 - $20 per day at the bigger chains such as Hilton or Sheraton (and that's for data only -- voice is unbelievably pricey). Kudos to Outrigger for the move and to others, such as Aqua Resorts for putting their customers first and putting an end to nickel-and-dime room charge tactics that have long marred Hawaii's hotels and annoyed visitors. True, Outrigger's Reef on the Beach suffers from Waikiki's endemic "Cement box on the beach syndrome" but the company is trying innovative stuff and with renovations (many are on tap for Outrigger props) these hotels are coming up in the world nicely.

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—Alex, 06/07/07