Comments on: Cheap 4-Star Hawaii Hotels On Priceline

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:28:45 +0000

Hi Nancy,

Sorry for the delay in responding. My favorite place to stay is the nearby Hawaii Prince Waikiki. If you can get it on Priceline, it is a fabulous value, and I believe the right vibe.

Aloha, Jeff

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:26:23 +0000

Hi Jeanne,

Glad those both worked out for you!

Aloha, Rob

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:53:39 +0000

Our January trip included two of your picks: the Hyatt Regency Waikiki and the Hapuna Beach Prince. Both splendid!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:57:55 +0000

Hi Jeff, I have a question; I always take my elderly parents to Hawaii on vacation, we do spend much time in the room. More than the average Hi. vacationer. The last few times we have stayed at Hilton Hawaiian Village, and ate at the Hale Koa to save money.

Do you have any other hotel ideas that would cost less, but with a conservative/grandma/grandpa tourist vibe? = )

Mahalo,
Nancy

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:36:16 +0000

Thanks for writing Lee. I’m glad that using Priceline worked out for you.

Aloha, Jeff

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:04:06 +0000

Just got back from Hawaii. Used Priceline for 3 nights each in Honolulu and the Big Island.

Paid $72 per night for the Hawaii Prince in Waikiki, and $90 per night at the Marriott Resort in Waikoloa.

No resort fee at the Hawaii Prince, but there was a separate parking fee of $15 per night and an Internet fee of $12 per night. The Marriott had a resort fee of $20 per night, which paid for parking and Internet, among other things.

Overall, very happy with the prices. You can get a good feel for what bids will be accepted by checking BetterBidding.com and BiddingForTravel.com.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:26:46 +0000

Hi Alba,

I agree that Priceline guests shouldn’t expect first class treatment. On the other hand, at the hotels we featured, worst isn’t half-bad at all.

When you Priceline, like when you go through any online travel agency (Expedia, Orbitz, etc.), the hotel only gets about 70% of your total booking.

Aloha, Jeff

By: alba

alba — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:22:43 +0000

I’ve used Priceline and Hotwire many times before and there’s definitely Priceline discrimination at some hotels. I think you’re more likely to get a crappy room when you book through PL then some other source. But then again, you’re in paradise and you won’t be doing much in the room except sleeping!

I’m carefully planning my next trip to Hawaii and an always tempted to use Priceline, but there are a lot of good deals out there that include things you can’t get with Priceline – like free breakfast.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:19:21 +0000

I forgot the free wifi I got as a platinum. Not sure if Hyatt gives elite benefits on PL stays. Though frankly, I didn’t use it very much – after all I was in Hawaii!!

and you are right, for many people the PL deals are perfect. Travel planning and optimizing is a hobby I enjoy, but it is time consuming.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:47:41 +0000

Hi Oliver,

Congrats on that deal. I concur you did better than the Priceline deal. But for many of our readers, the Priceline might be a simple solution.

Sometimes I pay more and choose not to Priceline in order to get a lot more in return. I like getting upgraded to 1,200 sq. ft. oceanfront suites but paying $125 instead of $75 for example. It all depends on the situation.

Thanks for your comment.

Aloha, Jeff