Accommodation, Attractions, Deals, Flights, Tours

Where to Book a Hostel in Hawaii

There are a myriad of ways to book a hostel in Hawaii. Here are some suggested methods:

The Details:

Hawaii Revealed. The major islands have their own “Hawaii Revealed” guide.

  • By Andrew Doughty and Leona Boyd
  • Insider’s source
  • Color guides
  • Comprehensive
  • Humorous
  • Easy to read
  • Glossy
  • Known for brutally honest hostel reviews and commentary
  • Guides available for The Big Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai
  • All retail for $18.95
  • Kindle editions available for each guide

Lonely Planet Hawaii is geared toward backpackers and budget travelers

  • Retails for $23
  • Has a Kindle edition
  • Last edition published in 2011
  • Written by many authors
  • Suitable for all budgets and age ranges
  • Lonely Planet series usually aimed at budget travelers
  • Lonely Planet series usually aimed at the younger crowd
  • Easy to read
  • Helpful reviews for hostels

The Rough Guide Hawaii is geared toward backpackers and budget travelers

  • Retails for $21.99
  • Written by Greg Ward
  • Helpful reviews for hostels
  • Rough guide series usually aimed at budget travelers
  • Rough guide series usually aimed at the younger crowd
  • Easy to read
  • Latest edition published in 2011
  • No kindle edition available

The Backpacker’s Guide to Hawaii

  • By Stuart M. Ball, Jr.
  • Latest edition published in 1996
  • Retails for $18
  • Kindle edition available
  • The only backpacker-specialized book for Hawaii
  • Inside source
  • Highlights 10 best backpacking trips on The Big Island, Kauai, Maui and Oahu

Fodor’s Hawaii

  • Retails for $23
  • Written by many authors
  • Last edition published 2012
  • Has a Kindle edition
  • An all-island guidebook
  • Suitable for all age ranges
  • Reviews for budget accommodations
  • Good place to start with an overview
  • Advice and recommendations from local writers
  • Easy to read

Internet

  • Best to check a range of websites to get a bigger picture
  • If you’re interested in a particular hostel, call them up to make sure they actually exist to avoid scams
  • Check the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii to see if they are a legitimate business
  • Popular websites:
    • com
  • Good because it has traveler pictures of the hostel
  • Hostels are located under the “specialty lodging” tab when you search for accommodations
  • Good hostel ranking and review system
  • Comprehensive listing
  • Website does not actually book the hostel; you have to book directly with the hostel
  • com
  • Aimed at hostel accommodations
  • Can search for a range of accommodations, such as hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, apartments and campsites
  • Can compare hostels
  • Can book directly on the website
  • Need a 10 percent down payment or deposit when you book
  • Accepts credit cards
  • Has cancellation protection policy for additional fee
  • No booking fees
  • Offers reviews
  • com
    • Aimed at hostel accommodations
    • Can search for a range of accommodations, such as hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, apartments and campsites
    • Can compare hostels
    • Can book directly on the website
    • Need a 10 percent down payment or deposit when you book
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Offers reviews
    • No booking fees
  • com
  • Aimed at bed-and-breakfast accommodations but sometimes includes hostels
  • Can search for a range of accommodations, such as hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, apartments and campsites
  • Has booking fee
  • Offers reviews
  • com
  • Aimed at Hawaii hostel accommodations
  • Website does not actually book the hostel; you have to book directly with the hostel
  • Offers reviews
  • com
  • Aimed at general traveling in Hawaii
  • Comprehensive information about traveling Hawaii
  • Can search for a range of accommodations, such as hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, apartments and campsites
  • Website does not actually book the hostel; you have to book directly with the hostel

Airport

  • The accommodations kiosk at the airport may be able to help with reservations
  • Located near the baggage claim

The yellow pages

  • For locating hostels that are not well-known or tech-savvy

Travel agencies

  • They usually have some resources for budget travelers
  • Ask around for recommendations
  • Ask friends and family who have stayed in a hostel in Hawaii
  • Check online forums about traveling Hawaii
  • Ask Hawaii residents (If you’re the spontaneous type, you can arrive in Hawaii first and then ask around for recommendations!)

 

The Bottom Line:

There are plenty of resources by which you can book a hostel in Hawaii. It’s best to use a combination of some of the above methods to make sure you choose the right one for your travel needs and budget. Once you are ready to experience the resort life on a visit to Hawaii then you will surely be happy to check this out.