Travellers to Hawaii have hundreds of hotels, resorts, and condos from which to choose one or two that really suit their needs and budget. It can be bewildering, especially when you try to dredge up that rock-bottom, last minute, bargain price at a four-star hotel with a beautiful beach.
Though it can be done, just remember you're either going to spend money or your time in pursuit. And probably never be satisfied with the cost.
Hotel Locations
The best way to choose your Hawaii hotel is to first choose a location. As in real estate, the most important thing in location, location, location, location.
Hotels within each location usually fall within the same price range, so that most of the price shopping is done for you. If you want Waikiki beachfront with a seaside window, all the hotels will charge you pretty much the same for the same type of accomodation, etc.
Every hotel competes with the other hotels within walking distance, so you're not going to undercut one or the other unless some desk clerk makes a mistake, or some assistant manager is trying to pad out his records for the month. And though everyone likes a little haggling over prices, since there's usually just so much an employee can do, don't wear out your welcome.
Hotel Prices
After you've decided on your location, just make a list of the places available in the immediate area. Check our hotel lists, go through some Hawaii guidebooks, and ask friends for their recommendations.
In Hawaii you can choose from an assortment of types of accomodations. The most expensive is the Hawaiian luxury resort where everything is covered: Golf, swimming, activities, executive chefs, etc.
Luxury hotels have a cachet of elegance and hedonism. Then there are the middle range of Hawaii hotels catering to the bulk of the visitors from the mainland. Then lastly there are always a few lower-priced hotels that are the staple of the local business traveller, etc.
Each type of accomodation commands a different price level. Resorts start at the mid-three figures, and luxury hotels start at in the mid-$300 per night. Lower-priced local hotels don't get lower than $80-$70. The rest, where most everyone sleeps, run $120 through $260 a night, depending on the hotel.
Price and Location
So once you have chosen your location and your personal price range, you've pretty much narrowed your choices down to a manageable handful of names and prices. And it's only when you've come this fat that you can really compare apples to apples.
One hint: Don't shell out big bucks on your room if you're going to be away from it from nine to nine every day. Spend what you save on the room on dinner, actvities, souveniers.
Armed with your list of hotels check our online list of hotel prices and write them down. Make note of what amenities each place offers and compare them. Soon, you'll have your choice narrowed down to either "a" or "b," so check "availabilities."
If both of your finalists have vacancies, your final choice should be something like which offers the cheapest parking in their garage, which has the better selection of breakfast menus, or which has the most breathtaking scenery.
Longer Stays
If the airfares were cheap enough visitors could afford to scoot out to Hawaii for a few days, go back home, and then return for another few days later in the month. But airfares eat away a big part of most everyone's vacation budget.
To compensate, hotel prices have been lowered as airfares have risen, letting people afford to stay a little while longer. This has meant longer vacations for most, and generally people are spending their vacation at two or three different parts of Hawaii during each trip.
If you're like most people, you'll probably love Maui, and want to check out Kona and the volcanoes of Big Island, while also enjoying the international flair of Honolulu.
More Time for More Islands
Most Hawaii travellers land at Honolulu airport and stay at least one night at Waikiki before moving to another island. But if you can, make a connection over to Maui when you land and spend two or three days enjoying the sun, sand, and beach in Hawaii.
After you've adjusted to Hawaiian time, then you can get over to Kona and drive to Hilo and the volcanoes for the sights of your life. At that point you can decide if you want to switch from your place on Big Island for a few days in Waikiki.
I'm not ruling out Kauai, I guess I'm saying that Hawaii's too much to do at one time, unless you are going to be here for two weeks or more.
Hawaii's not a place you should rush about anyhow. It's not like New York or London. It's not like Disneyland, or Orlando, Fla. Hawaii's sights are what you find when you stop for a shave ice, or who you talk to at the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
You're in Hawaii to slow down and see a different way of life, and so if your hotel is clean and safe, in a good location and at a price you can afford, you're doing fine.
