Travel + Leisure recently came out with their World’s Best Awards for 2022, and among the picks are their 20 Best Resorts in Hawaii. We sorted through their choices to look at rates and how taxes and hidden fees add to your nightly rate. Hidden fees can be those gotcha items at the end that include resort fees and more.
For this non-scientific study, we checked the lowest room rates for dates off-season (September 14-21). And we chose the lowest price available on each hotel’s website. Taxes were estimated at 20%, which is slightly above actual, which you can read all about in Hawaii hotel taxes are the highest in the U.S. Below are what you’ll find, and some of it was surprising to us.
Taxes and resort fees ranged from approximately 20% to 50% of the total Hawaii hotel bill.
Some takeaways, such as this were rather surprising. In addition, it’s interesting to see that, no matter how high-end and expensive, some hotels are forgoing resort fees, which is an acknowledgment of just how unpopular “hidden fees are.” Others are choosing to wrap the parking and the resort fee together. There were some relatively low-priced (for Hawaii) surprises too among the top picks, although some of those had among the highest ancillary fees. You’ll note too that the higher the nightly room rate, the less impactful the taxes and fees are.
Beat of Hawaii is on the road around Hawaii.
We will try staying at some of these resorts over the next couple of months. The hotels do not know that we will be coming or writing about them, and we’ll pay normally, just as you would. Stay tuned for that.
1. Hotel Wailea, Maui. T+L (T+L Score 94.86)
24% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$1,199/nightly, plus $40/combined parking and resort fee.
Website: hotelwailea.com
$1,487/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
2. Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, Oahu (T+L score 94.59)
32% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$397/nightly, plus $40/combined parking and resort fee.
Website: halepuna.com
$524/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
3. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Maui (T+L Score 94.20)
23% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$1,620/nightly, no resort fee, $40/parking fee.
Website: fourseasons.com
$1,992/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
4. Prince Waikiki, Oahu (T&L Score 93.9)
48% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$286/nightly, plus $37/resort fee and $30/parking fee.
Website: princewaikiki.com
$424/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
5. Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui (T+L Score: 93.38)
28% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$1,441/nightly, plus $65/resort fee and $35/parking fee.
Website: montagehotels.com
$1,849/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
6. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Island of Hawaii (T+L Score 93.18)
31% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$871/nightly, plus $40/resort fee and $40/parking fee.
Website: aubergeresorts.com
$1,141/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
7. Koa Kea Hotel & Resort at Po’ipu Beach, Kauai (T+L Score 92.95)
32% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$699/nightly, plus $45/resort fee and $25/parking fee.
Website: meritagecollection.com
$923/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
8. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, Oahu (T+L Score 92.87)
29% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$519/nightly, no resort fee, plus $40/parking fee.
Website: ritzcarlton.com
$671/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
9. Halekulani, Oahu (T+L Score 92.72)
27% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$705/nightly, no resort fee, plus $40/parking fee.
Website: halekulani.com
$894/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
10. Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Lanai (T+L Score 92.68)
20% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$1,319/nightly, no resort or parking fees.
Website:fourseasons.com
$1,583/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
11. Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, Island of Hawaii (T+L Score 92.56)
31% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$731/nightly, plus $40/resort fee and $25/parking fee.
Website: fairmont.com
$955/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
12. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Island of Hawaii (T+L Score 92.44)
24% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$1,651/nightly, no resort fee, plus $45/parking fee.
Website: fourseasons.com
$2,039/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
13. Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Oahu (T+L Score 92.38)
46% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$341/nightly, plus $35/resort fee and $40/parking fee.
Website: outriggerreef.com
$499/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
14. The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Oahu (T+L Score 91.38)
28% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$595/nightly, no resort fee, plus $40/parking fee.
Website: kahalaresort.com
$762/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
15. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, Island of Hawaii (T+L Score 91.29)
25% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$970/nightly, no resort fee, plus $40/parking fee.
Website: maunakearesort.com
$1,212/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
16. Hanalei Colony Resort, Kauai (T+L Score 91.06)
28% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$523/nightly, plus $35/resort fee and no parking fee.
Website: hcr.com
$670/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
17. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Kauai (T+L Score 90.86)
27% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$1,179/nightly, plus $35/resort fee and $30/parking fee.
Website: hyatt.com
$1,493/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
18. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Maui (T+L Score 90.84)
30% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$1,069/nightly, plus $48/resort fee and $45/parking fee.
Website: hyatt.com
$1,394/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
19. The Laylow, Autograph Collection, Oahu (T+L Score 90.73)
50% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$271/nightly, plus $29/resort fee and $39/parking fee (unconfirmed).
Website: laylowwaikiki.com
$407/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
20. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui (T+L Score 90.69)
26% additional taxes and fees estimated.
$1,045/nightly, plus $50/combined parking and resort fee.
Website: fairmont.com
$1,314/est. daily total for 2 including all taxes/fees.
These fees are turning into a big turn off as we consider future travel to Hawaii. The travel industry, like many businesses in the United States, were negatively impacted by the coronavirus. They should remember that their potential customers were also impacted and way too many businesses want to make up for lost revenue and they do this with increased ‘money grabs’, they may be impacting their current revenue and future bookings. We just canceled our November / December Hawaii visit due to our inability to find a reasonable rate; this would have been our third trip to Hawaii this year.
Wow, that is crazy! Thank you for shedding light on this. Do these companies not realize this is an issue and wonder why people don’t want to come back? I love Hawaii and would love to come back but I did a ton, I mean a ton of research before I came and was shocked at all the extra costs. Shame on anyone who doesn’t research first. Thank you for this article.
This is why they’re going after vrbo, air b&b and other home rentals. Hotels are putting pressure on government to stifle competition.
However, I do have to say rental agencies, other than hotels, have been adding ridiculously double-dipping high fees and should be investigated.
Exactly! Greed they want all the business, crazy money, locals and politicians just go right along with the greed, locals have no clue, they’re just followers, politicians get their.. kickbacks.. they don’t care as long as they get their payola, and votes. I was shocked when I called the Hyatt yesterday, they have no kamaaina rates, the Sr rate is $900 a night plus $40 resort fee (parking not included) and the 17.42% State of HI Tax.. for a view of the West Maui Mountains, if you want to see the ocean add $200 more a night, this is in July! No Way
Car rental websites also seem to make the final estimate a little hard to find. Air fares seem to be more obvious than before. The one that bothers me the most is the “mandatory” resort fee. As always, it is worth a careful review before hitting “purchase.” Thank the editors for the examples.
Hi Tom.
Thanks. We appreciate your many comments.
Aloha.
I never thought I would consider our maintenance fees for owning timeshare in Hawaii to be a bargain but looking at these prices, surprise surprise surprise. I’m sticking with our nice timeshare resorts, as hard as it to book. We don’t pay resort fees as owners using our points. I’m not advocating timeshare at all, just saying what’s working for us.
This sort of nonsense makes me appreciate our time share even more. Yes, I do get nicked by the government for taxes I didn’t vote on, but the rest of this is covered by the maintenance fee that I pay, regardless of where in world we may use our points. And we do travel elsewhere, as well.
A couple of the Total Cost, the lowest, are affordable compared to the balance. What amazes me is how much the Taxes, Fee’s and Parking add to the Room Rate, This is True Treachery and Greed! With Inadequate Staffing, except for those employed in the Salesforce, it’s simple Robbery of the Tourists, a Captured Audience seeking a Hawaiian Vacation of a lifetime or Honeymoon. Today P.T. Barnum would be a Hawaiian Hotelier, Bernie Madoff should have been too! With the monies being paid to every conceivable business, the Counties and State should have everyone in need of housing taken care of before now and the Islands Cleaned Up, Facilities Pristine, Why Isn’t It? Where’s the Money Gone? 2 Billion wasted on the Homeless with Nothing to Show!
I very much like the, staying normally part. Hope it works well for you.
Aloha
In June we had three days at the Hanalei Colony Resort. We booked a ridiculously expensive stay with Amex points. I got my Amex bill the other day and asked what the additional charge was for. It was for the resort fees … now the rooms are great – but not worth the nightly charges (currently) They told me it was for the Beach Towels and Beach Chairs, Umbrella and for the Shuttle to town. I can appreciate the shuttle to town, but with the prices they are charging, please don’t insult me with charging me for Beach Towels! Currently everything is a money grab and all lacks the Aloha Spirt that makes the Islands our favorite place on the planet since 1995. It is getting harder and harder to justify.
Very interesting and thank you We have discovered that the fees on condo rentals are even higher percentages.
Hi Kathi.
Thanks for adding that point about vacation rentals.
Aloha.
So visitors are paying nearly 20% in taxes per night and the State and Counties of Hawaii think it is just to charge user fees to park at viewpoints, use trails and park at the beach? Really?
Think about that, so why aren’t they cleaning up Hawaii? The Revenue Stream is Consistent yet nothing is accomplished. Then they want Additional Charges to Tourists to Accomplish what the Prior Charges Weren’t Used For! If the Residents Can’t See any Problem with this then They Are the Problem. I’ve heard of Honest Services Fee’s but Where’s the Honesty? In PA our Gas Tax is to fix the roads and Bridges, Governor Wolf used it for State Police! How did that fix anything? It Doesn’t. Worst Roads in America #1.
It’s not just Wolf! It’s been happening since they began charging the gas tax. Shouldn’t be allowed to siphon off this money. Same goes for Social Security, it’s like the government’s piggy bank.
I like hotel chain sites like Marriott which will quote rates with or without taxes and fees giving a total stay cost. Though for Hawaii hotels I always stay in the same properties and book direct with hotel as I have built relationships over the years. It is also great when everyone recognizes you and wlecomes you back by name. (and they are forgiving of my crabbiness after 2 long haul flights)
By Booking Directly many times I have found that Repeat Business has many advantages. Discounts being one major advantage as well as friendlier service, Marriott Properties are a Wonderful Choice, have never gone wrong with one yet! Occasionally I will receive complimentary gifts and services depending on the location.
I am disgusted with Marriott! They now claim their Waikiki property rates only cover 2 people. So, if I book the Royal Hawaiian or Sheraton for 4 people- they will charge an additional $120-150 per person- each night! So our $449 rate now becomes $749 at the RH and $689 at the Sheraton- that’s deception and I won’t give them a dime.
This is why they’re going after vrbo, air b&b and other home rentals. Hotels are putting pressure on government to stifle competition. However, I do have to say rental agencies, other than hotels, have been adding ridiculously double-dipping high fees and should be investigated.
If the Court gives relief to these types of rentals and puts an end to the unreasonable and unrealistic rules that have been imposed on them the competition for occupants should bring down costs overall. It should also bring back the full Service atmosphere that is lacking or face further revolts from the Tourists. It’s Time that Edicts are buried and fair competition reigns. Time for Equality, not Demigoguery, It gets us nowhere fast!
Well now. After reading this, I am just that much more happy with a timeshare holding. The only tax we paid for a recent BI stay was the TOT. If I were to travel to Hawaii frequently, a timeshare purchased resale would be a wise cost mitigation strategy.