Hotel guests at the upscale Halekulani Hotel can rev up their luxury stay with a new amenity — taking a spin around the Island in a custom blue Bentley or other exotic auto.

The new program — designed for the class of traveler not given to comparison-shopping for the lowest price around — is called "Art in Motion." If you're already booked into one of three premier suites — at a cool $7,000 a night — then just ask for the keys at no extra charge.

In the last few weeks, the hotel debuted a new mini-fleet of luxury cars including a custom-designed Maserati Gran Turismo and Bentley Continental GTC, the Lotus Elise and the Lotus Exige S.

According to the folks who planned this luxury add-on, these are "works of art" on wheels and are included as part of the guest experience with a stay in one of the top-of-the-line suites.

However, hotel guests who aren't living the suite life can also pay to upgrade into the luxury car collection "exclusively available to all Halekulani house guests as an a la carte experiential amenity."

While tourism has slumped in Hawai'i and nationwide, hotels continue to cater to the luxury client, less affected by the ups and downs of the economy.

"It's early on, but the reaction's very positive," said Peter Shaindlin, chief operating officer, Halekulani Corp. "Despite the economy, I think the Halekulani guest always looks for the best in quality."

Shaindlin said the company started a loaner Lotus program in 2007 at the sister hotel of the Waikiki Parc that has been well-received. The resort owns the cars for both hotels.

Day rates for guests are $250 (Lotus Elise), $300 (Lotus Exige S), $875 (Maserati GT), $995 (Bentley GTC).

The Bentley and Maserati are offered with the option of a personal chauffeur, while the Lotus collection features thematic tours such as romance, culture and adventure guided by GPS programming.

And this isn't your grandfather's Bentley, either. This one is a 12-cylinder, 6-liter twin-turbocharged engine that offers 0-to-60 mph pickup in 4.8 seconds.

"Halekulani is an independent international luxury brand that appeals to the style, sensibility and needs of the globally affluent," Shaindlin said. That's why he thinks it makes sense to offer fine automobiles as part of the resort experience.

Internationally, other top resorts offer access to house cars and vintage vehicles, often chauffeur-driven. For example, Hong Kong's Peninsula Hotel is famous for maintaining a fleet of Rolls-Royce motor cars for guests.

But Shaindlin thinks the program and allowing guests to drive the cars themselves will prove appealing.

"Our vision's for the long term. Halekulani is for the long term," Shaindlin said. "The economy will come in waves."

Shaindlin said the resort tried to choose car styles and colors that don't flaunt the luxury but project timeless quality.

If he had to choose one favorite, Shaindlin said, he'd opt for the brute-force option of the racy Maserati, platinum titanium with the blood-red interior.

He admits his fantasy car is a Ferrari Stradale Classico, but his daughter's college education ranks as a higher priority.

For now.