Accommodation, Deals, Maui

Great Tips on How to Book a Hotel in Hawaii

So if you are looking to do a Hawaiian vacation on a budget the cheapest way is to back- pack which can be quite enjoyable in Hawaii, and if that is right up your alley then you can refer to other articles on our site that highlight back packing in Hawaii. But since you are reading this article then obviously what you seek is hotel accommodations on a budget.  Hawaii hotels are generally expensive with the mid-range options priced around $180 to $250 a night per room. This article provides tips on how to book a hotel, including getting a suitable room at a good price.

The first thing you need to do is set some parameters. Adjustments might have to be made but at least if you know the general parameters you can balance cost with what’s really important for your vacation. So here is a list of some parameters:

General Hotel Parameters

  • Determine your budget.
  • Determine your length of stay.
  • Determine where you want to go while in Hawaii.
  • Do you want to stay in the center of the action?
  • Do you want to stay away from the action?
  • What amenities are important to you?
  • Do you like traditional, contemporary or no frills room décor?
  • Amenities that may be make a hotel worth booking:
    • Great pool
    • Separate adult and children’s pools
    • Free breakfast
    • Kid-friendly
    • Babysitting service
    • Cribs or pull-out beds or cots available
    • Kids’ activities coordinator
    • Kids’ play area/room
    • Free parking
    • Great gym
    • Great views
    • Balcony
  • You should book a hotel with a free cancellation policy in case plans change.
  • But most hotels will charge the full room rate if you cancel within 24 hours.
  • Book now and cancel later, a better deal may become available.
  • All you need is a credit card to make a reservation.
  • Don’t put down a deposit.
  • You can get a cheaper rate with “pay in advance”.
  • Try not to book a hotel with “pay in advance” option in case the hotel is bad.
  • But if you know the hotel is good, then “pay in advance” is worth it.
  • Confirm your reservation at least one month before you travel.
  • Ocean-view rooms are worth it.
  • Ocean-view rooms are cheaper than ocean-front rooms.
  • Ocean-front rooms are rarely worth it, especially if the hotel is right on the beach (you’ll spend more time on the beach itself than viewing it from your room).
  • Know your discounts (very important):
    • Many Hawaii hotels have discounts for military and/or their family members (Hale Koa Hotel on Oahu has an excellent military discount).
    • Kamaaina discounts are hotel discounts for Hawaii residents.
    • AARP has certain discounts for members.
    • Corporate discounts can be available with your company.
    • Employee discounts are available if you know a hotel employee.
    • AAA (Automobile Club) discounts.

Now that your general parameters are set you use the internet to gather a list of hotels that meet your parameters.

Internet Research

  • Start by Googling a general term like “hotels in Hawaii”.
  • Look at some options.
  • Take photos provided by hotel management with a grain of salt
    • Professional photos can be deceiving.
    • Tripadvisor.com has traveler photos of the hotel rooms.
  • Be aware of review “shilling.” It is when a hotel hires freelance writers to write glowing reviews of the hotel on review websites.
    • Read the bad reviews.
    • Bad reviews give insight but take them with a grain of salt as well.
  • Some people who write bad reviews are overly sensitive.
  • Your travel style may be different from the reviewer’s travel style.
  • Search far and wide.
  • Read the reviews of a variety of websites.
  • Be careful of scams.
  • If you’re interested in a particular hotel, Google that hotel to find more information or to corroborate information.
  • Book online (quick and easy):
    • Be careful of third-party websites that book the reservation for you.
    • Use reputable third-party websites, such as Orbitz, hotels.com or Expedia, if you use such a service.
    • After booking through a third-party website, call the hotel to confirm after two-three days.
  • Usually you can save about $10 booking directly with the hotel.
  • Be sure to compare the hotel rates with the third-party website rates.

If you are one of those fortunate Hawaii visitors that know someone who lives there, or visited there recently:

Ask A Local

  • Ask a resident about hotel recommendations and tips.
  • Although residents may not have stayed at a hotel, they might have heard good or bad things about a particular hotel.
  • They know the neighborhoods,
  • They know if a hotel’s location is convenient.
  • If you can get a local resident to stay with you in a hotel, you can get a “Kamaaina” discount.
    • Kamaaina discounts are hotel discounts for Hawaii residents.
    • You need a valid driver’s license to prove that you’re a Hawaii resident
      Kamaaina discounts are usually 20-30 percent off the regular rate.

Stay On Hotel Points

  • Because Hawaii hotels are expensive, an alternative would be to redeem your frequent flier miles or points to stay at a partner hotel.
  • For those with Starwood points, the most popular redemption among members is the Westin Kaanapali on Maui.
  • All the major hotel chains have hotels in Hawaii where you can redeem your points.
  • Major hotel chains represented in Hawaii are:
    • Marriott
    • Hyatt
    • Holiday Inn
    • Starwood properties
    • Hilton

In conclusion

The best strategy for booking a hotel is to do all of the above! But if you’re running out of time, using a third-party website, such as Otel.com, to book your hotel will be your most practical choice.



 

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