Is Hawaii Air + Hotel: $299 Worth It?
Back on January 25, I mentioned the Pleasant Holidays Hawaii deals of air plus car or air plus hotel. At the time those deals were good. Now what is left of them is great, with a caveat.
The deal.
This $299 air plus hotel offer has the best availability from San Francisco at this point. It has been extended through May 18, meaning that the entire long-lasting and meandering Spring Break period is now included. Los Angeles departures are also available starting April 20.
The catch.
At the base price of $299, the hotels offered (Maile Skycourt or Ocean Resort) are among my very least favorite, but they are cheap.
Laura Bly at USA Today told me today she’d recently stayed at Maile Skycourt and didn’t hate it. So I guess beauty (or a hotel) is in the eye of the beholder.
In my mind, however, flying across the ocean to Hawaii only to stay at these completely lackluster, minimal accommodations, could only be a disappointment. If you decide to go with this deal and those basic hotels, be sure you are someone who only wants a place to sleep, and isn’t concerned about location, amenities, or any semblance of quality.
Having said all that…
The reason I still find this offer so good right now, is because of the dates and good availability from SFO I found as of today, which included March, April and May.
As for value, the $250 round trip from San Francisco I wrote about earlier this week is only available through early April at this time. This offer, however, is valid for an additional month plus gives you three nights hotel for two people, all for about $100 total.
If you don’t care for the hotels offered, check back again, as I expect we are about to see more California to Hawaii air-only deals.
Hi,
I just booked this deal. I don’t really care too much about the hotel as I expect to be wandering around the island itself. First time in Hawaii and all. Going to make the most of it.
Do you think for a 4 day 3 night trip, renting a car is worthwhile? I plan to hike the diamond head trail and scuba dive at hanauma bay. I also want to check out some beaches/trails less traveled by visitors.
With all that said, should I rent a car for the whole trip/part of the trip/none at all and just bus it? also parking at the castle maile is 18/night.
thanks in advance
Hi Judy,
If you want to see things, as you indicated, and only have a few days, I think you should definitely rent a car. If you don’t mind walking some, there is free parking (we did a post on that recently).
Have a great time.
Jeff
You are right on the mark about the pleasant holiday deals looking good–for the air and car in particular. I took advantage of just the air and car for Kauai part and booked a direct united flight with car for two for $779–which is excellent considering I have been watching fares for three months and saw nothing less than 400 per person for flights with stops.
So now we are faced with the search for places to stay which has proven to be difficult if you are looking for something in the south, with a good location for a lower end price(say 100ish per night range) Any places in poipu that you consider to be good value?
Thanks,
Jody
Hi Jody,
No, there are no places in Poipu that I consider to be of better value than others. It is more who is hungry to deal at any time. Have you found anything yet? Perhaps book something that you can cancel and then just keep watching (as will I).
Aloha, Jeff