Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [473]
During high season – mid-December through March and June through August – lodgings are the most expensive and in demand. In low or shoulder seasons expect discounts and easier booking, though family-friendly resorts rarely lower their rates. Certain big holidays (Click here) and major events (Click here) command premium prices, and for these, lodgings can book up a year ahead. Reviews throughout this book note when there are large fluctuations between high- and low-season rates. Also, large hotels and resorts in tourist hot spots commonly offer year-round internet specials well below advertised ‘rack rates.’
That said, jockeying for the ‘best rate’ in Hawaii is a popular sport that some elevate to an avocation. Be bold and inquisitive; work every angle you can think of. Also check out Trip Advisor (www.tripadvisor.com) for accommodations reviews and traveler advice.
For last-minute deals:
www.expedia.com
www.hotels.com
www.hotwire.com
www.orbitz.com
www.priceline.com
www.travelocity.com
In this guide, unless otherwise stated our reviewsindicate high-season rates for single occupancy, doubles or, when there’s no difference in the rate for one or two people, simply the room. A double room in our budget category usually costs $100 or less; midrange doubles cost $100 to $250; and top-end rooms start at $250.
Unless noted, breakfast is not included, bathrooms are private and all lodging is open year-round; rates generally don’t include taxes of a whopping 11.41%.
For an explanation of the icons and abbreviations used in this book see the Quick Reference on the inside front cover.
A reservation guarantees your room, but most reservations require a deposit, after which, if you change your mind, the establishment will only refund your money if it’s able to rebook your room within a certain period. Note cancellation policies and other restrictions before making a deposit.
B&Bs & Vacation Rentals
In Hawaii ‘B&B’ is a wide-ranging category: these accommodations can run from spare bedrooms in family households to historic homes to plush, pull-out-the-stops romantic hideaways. These are mostly family-run operations; they provide much more personal, idiosyncratic experiences than hotels, but offer fewer services. Because B&Bs discourage unannounced drop-ins, they sometimes do not appear on maps in this book. Hosts are often out during the day, so same-day reservations are hard to get – try to book B&Bs in advance (they tend to fill up in advance anyway). Many B&Bs have two- and three-night minimum-stay requirements, though some will waive this if you pay a slightly higher one-night rate (since it’s more work to turn over rooms nightly). Simple, rural B&Bs begin around $70 per room; most B&B rates average between $100 and $200, and historic or exclusive properties typically run from $200 to $400.
* * *
BOOK YOUR STAY ONLINE
For more accommodation reviews and recommendations by Lonely Planet authors, check out the online booking service at www.lonelyplanet.com/hotels. You’ll find the true, insider low-down on the best places to stay. Reviews are thorough and independent. Best of all, you can book online.
* * *
True to their name, most B&Bs offer breakfast or provide some food for guests to cook their own. Ask what kind of breakfast is served; oftentimes, ‘expanded continental’ or ‘full buffet’ is coded language indicating a hot cooked meal – most B&Bs do not have state-approved restaurant-standard kitchens, and they can be fined if caught making omelets for guests.
Sometimes, the distinction between a B&B and a ‘vacation rental’ is very slim. Typically, a vacation rental means renting an entire house (with no on-site manager and no breakfast provided), but many B&Bs also rent stand-alone cottages, and often all these kinds of properties are handled by the same rental agencies. In some communities (such as Kailua on O′ahu, Click here), there is a growing tension over the proliferation of ‘unlicensed’ vacation rentals/B&Bs in residential neighborhoods.