Seasonal Hotel Savings
Seasonal AccomodationsJust like the airlines have seasonal rates, the hotels and accomodations also have seasonal rates. Normally they will closely mirror each other, but in order to get the best deals you will need to check with the individual hotel or rental you will be staying in. The most important thing I want to explain here are the special events that don't affect airline rates, but will send hotel rates sky-high because all the residents of Hawaii will be flying to different islands and staying in hotels to attend the events. It could be nice for a visitor to come to Hawaii and participate in these one-of-a-kind events, but not if their reservations are lost and every hotel in the city is booked full, or they are paying huge prices for the pleasure. Be sure if you want to come during this time that you book early and check your rates. The two biggest events are the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition, starting on easter sunday in Hilo (Big Island) for one week, and the Ironman Triathlon, normally in October in Kailua-Kona (Big Island). Both these events will book hotel rooms for years in advance and the triathlon actually blocks the entrance to the airport for most of the day of the event. Also be aware (to a lesser extent) of the NFL Pro Bowl on Oahu in February, and the Honolulu Marathon on Oahu in December. Seasonal Accomodations rates Remember the airlines generally follow these seasons Low season : November to mid December and January - March Shoulder (prices between low and peak) : April to May and mid September - October Peak: June to mid September and mid December to January The hotels generally follow the above seasons, but will more commonly have just a peak and a low. The difference in price is frequently $10 a night and sometimes even more. A common hotel season will be Low season rates: Apr 1 - Jun 15 and Sept 1 - Dec 20 || High season rates: Jun 15 - Aug 31 And Dec 21 - Mar 31 or more simply High season rates: Nov-Apr. Low season rates: May-Oct. Individual holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas will make the prices go up higher. Always inquire as to the lowest season of the individual hotel (most web pages show it) and remember that weekly or monthly rates will save you even more. Lodging Savings on the Web Travelocity The best prices I have seen in one place on the web! Go to the home page, click on Hotels, input city and date information, and the hotels come back with details and prices. Hotel Discounts This page promises up to 65% discounts, but it is not easy to use and has a limited selection in Hawaii. From the front page, click on the 'more cities' link and pick the "Hawaiian Islands" link in the 'more u.s. cities' box. Don't even bother with the honolulu link - it is just a link to the Places to Stay website. Once you click on the Hawaiian Islands link you have to search for your hotel by name and date, so my suggestion is: If you really want to try this site after you find a hotel you want to stay at, before you book it - head to this page and see if you can find it for less. Budget Hotels Limited choices in Hawaii at this page, but the deals are decent if you can find a hotel you want to stay at. Click on the "Save up to 50% in hotels" link on the upper right and choose Hawaii or go directly here. The only locational choices at press time are Honolulu (oahu), Kaanapali Beach (maui), Kailua-Kona (big Island), Kapaa (kauai), and Lihue (Kauai). You'll need to enter some information on when you want to stay there - but there is no obligation to do that and then it will come back with prices. I don't see any 50% savings, but the prices are cheaper than booking direct. TravelNow Travlenow has been around for a long time, and their deals are good. They have many Hawaii hotels in their database for direct booking. Special Note about accomodations One of the best ways to save money is with garden or city view rooms in hotels or other types of lodging. These are rooms that don't have an ocean view or a 'desirable' view. Basically, they could look like your view at home, or nicer - but still not the ocean or mountain. If your view is important to you and you are willing to pay extra money for it, you must pay attention to the wording, or 'hotelspeak'. Oceanfront does not always mean beachfront. Oceanfront could mean your room is within 10 feet of a 30 foot cliff with no ocean access. Oceanview may mean you have to lean three feet over the balcony while your husband holds your feet to see it. If having an accessible beach within steps from your door or having a full frontal view of the ocean is important to you - ASK! On to Condos and Vacation Rentals .... |
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