Hawaii Vacation Costs Plummet
Good News For Hawaii Visitors – Bad News For Hotels
Hawaii hotel revenues dropped nearly 20 percent in 2009 to $3.6 billion. That’s a decrease of $741 million from the prior year, primarily due to lower occupancy and reduced room rates. The 2009 occupancy rate by island was:
- Oahu 73%
- Maui 62%
- Kauai 60%
- Big Island 55%
With no sign of any amelioration in sight, here’s how that works in favor of visitors.
Reasonable hotel rates will be easy to find.
Even during most of our peak seasons, expect to pay less. Use the methods we’ve been writing about to find the best Hawaii hotel deals for you.
Your Hawaii vacation should cost less overall.
Even more economical than prior periods of abounding fare wars. Even though airfare has increased your land costs are down.
Here’s a comparison of 2008 and 2010 estimated costs for a 7-night trip from Los Angeles to Honolulu:
2008 costs: $1,900 total air and lodging
- Airfare for two at $250 total per person: $500
- Four star hotel for two, seven nights at $200/night $1,400
2010 costs: $1,500 total air and lodging
- Airfare for two at $400 total per person: $800
- Four star hotel for two, seven nights at $100/night: $700
Suggestion:
Don’t wait for low summer airfares that may well not materialize this year. Instead, I suggest you use this strategy to find great accommodation deals.
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Hi Jeff,
I always appreciate the fine information you provide to us here. Would appreciate some advise. Planning to fly to LIH on 4/3/10 through 4/11/10, yes Easter week. Airline ticket prices seem expensive right now, one service I’ve been tracking says there’s a 72% chance price may drop before then. Would you agree or should we bite and pay the +/- $700 per ticket from Phoenix right now.
Thanks Jeff,
Bob
Hi Bob,
It’s a tough call. To my eye, availability on those most in demand dates is looking rather tight. So I’m not sure I can concur with a strong likelihood of a price drop. If you’re intend on coming, and have no date flexibility, I think I’d buy on the US Air nonstop at $700. Even if a deal shows up say to Honolulu, you’ll get stuck to the tune of perhaps $250 Rt just to Kauai.
Have a great trip.
Aloha, Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I read your updates every day. I have a question or two if I may? My husband and I are planning an anniversary trip from SFO to LIH around June 5 for four nights. Looking at ocean front at the Marriott (still $400/night). Airfares are $700 to $1000. Would love to get that non-stop on United but cost too high. And I don’t know if I can call Marriott to negotiate a deal on room. Any ideas?
Thanks so much.
Katie
Hi Jeff,
We are planning a trip to Kona 07/05/2010 for two weeks. The in-laws are letting us use their time share so we don’t need the hotel, just air and rental car. I have an alert with Kayak but prices have been very high ($700). We live in the middle of California so any airport in the state is fine. I’m contemplating trying to name my own price on priceline, or fly to Oahu for a few days at a cheaper pakage rate (with hotel) then fly to Kona for the two weeks. There are 7 passengers (4 teenagers) in our party. Any suggestions? This is only our 2nd trip to Hawaii.
Hi, Jeff:
I’m planning a Hawaii vacation (5/17-5/30) for my family, and I’m not much of a traveler, so this seems a little overwhelming right now. What I’ve come up with so far is RT airfare from Austin to HNL is $800-900 each; condos (there are 6 of us) on BI and Kauai are about 250/nt. What is your advice on using vrbo for the condos or do you think the mgmt companies would be open to any negotiating? Thanks for all the great info on Beat of Hawaii.
Hi Jeff,
Planning on an NCL Hawaii cruise in May, 2011, with a 3 or 4 night pre-cruise stay on Oahu. Any outlook on airfares (LAX), hotel and rental car rates for that time? I like to plan far in advance especially since this will be my first visit. Your website and newsletter have been a big help.
Thanks!
Daryl
Hi Daryl,
It is hard to predict a year away. However May frequently has good airfares, being in between Spring Break and Summer. I think that hotels will still be in a tough position, such that deals should remain plentiful. Cars should be okay as well. You could find deals starting as early as June of this year, but they could remain elusive until a month before you leave as well. I bought tickets between Hawaii and New York last June for this coming May, for example.
Aloha, Jeff
Hi Judy,
I think you should be able to do better than $250, and I’d try doing so on VRBO as well as through the management companies.
I see fares on Delta from Austin (via San Francisco) at just under$650 all-inclusive for your dates.
Aloha, Jeff
Hi Debbie,
In the past I’d have considered transiting via HNL, but with inter-island fares so high, that might turn out worse. You can still get seats on Alaska from either San Jose or Oakland direct to Kona for about $550 all inclusive, on your dates. An excellent deal.
Aloha, Jeff
Hi Katie,
Have you tried Pleasant Holidays. They have bulk seats on that UAL non-stop I believe.
Do you have your heart set on that Marriott? If they aren’t willing to negotiate, there are a plethora of other fine choices on the island. It simply isn’t worth $400.
Aloha, Jeff
We got a good deal on airfare during (someone’s) spring break (as they differ by 2-3 weeks). KOA-LAS (1 stop), LAX-KOA (non-stop) – $503 – including the TA fee at TWHawaii.com – I was amazed that they had lower fares than anyone else even with the $40 booking fee (which made the tix $463).
I spent countless hours with 12-15 windows open searching all different configurations. (We missed the good deal on Alaska Airlines at $169 OW… and were going to drive down coast to LA).
I hope this helps someone! Daisy was the rep that helped me!
-Cat
Wow, those big island occupancy rates look terrible! I love that island.
Hi guys, love your website. I’m a big Hawaii fan. This summer will be my third consecutive trip ( 2nd to Honolulu). I’ve been following your posts about flights and wanted to pass on some news. Westjet is having a great seat sale (July) right now. I originally paid over $900 for my flight, but the price has been cut in half. They’re also good about giving you a credit. They put the difference into a \travel account\ to use on a later flight. So there are summer flights out of Vancouver to Honolulu for about $269CDN each way.
Aloha,
Brian
Jeff,
My family is planning a trip to Kona for the 2010 Christmas holidays (12/18/10 to 1/1/11) and the airfare out of Chicago is well over $1,000.00 right now. Do you think we should book now or are these the best they are going to get? Do you think rates on condos (VRBO) will go down or will they stand as listed?
Any help or advice will be appreciated. Thanks!
Tough call Polly.
Airlines obviously believe that Xmas 2010 will be good, and they may well be right. If they are, the cost might rise another $200-$300. If they’re wrong, it may drop by perhaps the same amount. If you have your heart set on exactly those dates, you might need to bite the bullet sooner than later. Hotels and condos should remain good deals at most times, except of course, that you’re wanting a good deal at a peak time.
Sorry to not have better news, but I think for those dates, your options may be limited.
Aloha, Jeff
I will put my two cents in for Xmas and VRBO since we have a vacation rental listed on the Big Island – the last three years Christmas period has been booked at the minimum by Sept 17th. The begin and end dates for the holiday period have adjusted slightly each year but typically 12/23 to 1/1 books fast. 12/17 to 12/23 book slower and after 1/1 through March books moderately quickly. Our slow time is usually May and Sept/Oct and we give discounts in those 3 months. Thanksgiving is hit or miss any particular year – just depends on East Coast weather!!
Hi, my parents, brother and I are planning on traveling to Europe, Korea, or Hawaii this summer, and i am really wanting to go to Hawaii. Do you think the total cost would be less than $10,000/ week in any given island, including food, airfare from the midwest, etc.?
Hi Ed,
If there are four of you flying from the mid-west, airfare during peak summer could be $4,000 for your group. That leaves a lot of money to spare. Hotels should remain a good value. I think you should be able to come home with money left over.
Keep us updated on your travel plans.
Aloha,
Rob