We understand the bad feelings created by a proposed $50 fee on arrival for Hawaii visitors. But for us, the exorbitant costs for Hawaii accommodations cause insult and injury, breaking the bank. Here’s our recent case in point related to Honolulu hotels.
Your editors regularly travel around the state for the Beat of Hawaii and will be in Honolulu to work over an upcoming low-season weekend. It should be relatively easy, right? Well, read on.
While car rentals improved in Honolulu…
We were able to get a mid-size Hertz car for $27/per day plus taxes using Priceline. That was a surprise, about the same as we would have paid in 2019 or even less.
And the airfare was great!
The airfare was also great at $39 each way, and we had a choice of either Hawaiian or Southwest.
Hawaii accommodation prices, however, were absolutely ridiculous!
We searched for hotels using the same methods you likely do. Sometimes we’ll start on things like Costco Travel and booking.com, to get the lay of the landscape. That’s always a great idea. Then we look for specials, directly on the hotel website, Kamaaina (resident) discounts, and the like. But what we are finding is what we’d call dismal.
For vacation rental aficionados, we searched for them too. But on a short two-night stay, the cleaning fees were too high a percentage and stopped our looking in its tracks.
Checking all categories of Honolulu hotels, none of them fared well.
We understand trying to get the very lowest price. Who isn’t guilty of this? We often sort the hotel results by the lowest price, to begin with. At least to get a reference point, and then go from there. And while we can report that we are still getting some great rates outside of Hawaii, that simply isn’t the case here.
Taxes and dreaded “resort fees” add to your bill from 20% to 50%.
Many hotels are now eliminating resort fees in response to just how unpopular these “hidden fees” really are. Others wrap together parking and resort fees. Taxes on Hawaii accommodations (hotels and vacation rentals) are about 18%, the highest in the U.S.
U.S. President Joe Biden commented Wednesday that his administration would look to crack down on “surprise fees” consumers face. Biden named two examples: resort fees for hotel stays and administrative fees for live events and concert tickets.
The Federal Trade Commission had begun to work on a rule last week to crack down on “unfair and deceptive fees across all industries,” Reuters reported.
A lawsuit against Marriott alleged the company made hundreds of millions off of these largely hidden fees. Booking.com has gone on record saying they are opposed to resort fees, as has the ASTA travel agent society which labeled them as “out of control.”
Back to Honolulu hotels and what we found that spawned this article.
We looked around Honolulu and checked a huge number of hotels (keep in mind there is a huge number of hotels in Honolulu), and various room categories for a two-night stay, including all taxes and fees, plus parking. Following are just some of the choices we whittled it down to. As mentioned above, we did not go further with any vacation rental options due to excessive cleaning fees for a short stay. While Kamaaina rates are advertised as significant discounts, the reality is that the savings we found were between 10 and 15 percent. That is because Kamaaina is figured as a discount off of rack rates, and not the best sell rates available.
- Ala Moana Hotel. Oceanview 1 bedroom. $400/night. Ugg. Not a favorite hotel ever, even with its lipstick upgrade done in 2020, when the hotel did a meager $16 million renovation across its 1,100 guest rooms. We’ll say it is serviceable, and the location is excellent. But for $800 for two nights, we felt ripped off. And that was a Kamaaina rate. We booked it but were so happy to cancel it later. Somewhat insulting.
- Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Oceanview room $300/night on Booking. Also never a favorite property in spite of its makeover, but it has a great location on the opposite end of Waikiki. The middle of Waikiki tends to be very busy, congested, and more challenging to navigate, especially with a car. Parking was also not included, so we’d be hoofing it to the free parking nearby or paying big. Not great.
- Modern Honolulu. Partial ocean view room at $350/night but parking is $25, so it came to $750 for two nights. Again found on Booking. Kamaaina discount of 15% was possible but fuggedaboutit.
- Kahala Resort. Jeff had stayed here with family before and enjoyed the hard product (rooms) and service. The location is very relaxing, and it is easy to get around from there. It was just hard to justify the cost. After four phone calls and multiple visits to the site, this is the one that worked out to be $1,000 for two nights, oceanview, including parking, and no resort fee. Expensive, but we perceived it to be a better value proposition. They got the reservation.
- Alohilani Resort (previously Pacific Beach Hotel). Partial ocean view room at $404/night for their Kamaaina discount rate. Parking and resort fees are included. Google reviews weren’t up to snuff, especially regarding cleanliness and amenities. We took a pass based on both the value and other concerns. However, editor Rob is staying there for one night in November on another trip, partly because it is less than the Pagoda and the Ala Moana. Perhaps he’ll report back.
- Pagoda Hotel. An old-time Kamaaina favorite, albeit always somewhat shabby. The no-view deluxe room was $484 for two nights. Add to that a $20 nightly “resort” fee (are you kidding) and $35 a night for parking, and you arrive at about $600 for two nights. The reviews aren’t good, and the overview from Oyster said, “The rooms at this 176-room budget hotel, located five minutes from the beach, are fairly spacious — but also noisy, tired looking, and a bit grimy.” Definitely not.
Where are you at with Honolulu hotels these days?
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I’ve spent 9 years in Hawaii over the years. I spent 3 years as a kid between 1961 and 1964. Went back when I was in the Army for 3 more years 1971-1974 and finally, the final years were 1982-1985. My wife (who was born in Hawaii) and I usually go back every couple of years, spending 7 days on Oahu and 10 on Maui. Now, I think we’ll skip it because it’s just too expensive (we can afford it but don’t like getting ripped off).
Stayed at the Hilton’s Waikiki Village. Parking at location was $50 a night. No house keeping and the crowded check in and out lobby is repulsive. Wouldn’t recommend it you are trying to enjoy your Hawaii trip.
I’ve been to Honolulu, 3 times, in 85, 89, and 205. I had spectacular views of the ocean, and the city, from the 17th floor @ the Outrigger Reef hotel at Waikiki. Our room was a partial-ocean view. Our first trip was $120, nightly, for 7 days our 2nd was $140 for 15 days and the last one was $165, for 15 days. The hotel is on the beach, the hotel, can’t be beat. The restaurants, the pool, the room and housekeeping was excellent, they have washers in the basement. I can’t afford to go again. The air fare and hotel would be about $5-6 thousands. They can’t possibly fill every room. If they lowered their room price, they would have more guests. A half a loaf, is better than none. You can travel by bus anywhere. Last words, how was Trump, able to build, a 64 floor hotel? It blocks every view. I think I’ll try another island, and the airlines feed you bird food for a 10 1/2 hour flight. Aloha
This visitor should consider other destinations such as Mexico and Caribbean.
The Bamboo Waikiki (aka Castle Bamboo) is a great location on Kuhio next to the Pacific Monarch, and a quick walk to Waikiki beach. It is currently run by Castle and also has some AB&B units not in the hotel pool. Each room is different and unique due to the pyramid layout of the building. Some are tiny and less expensive to rent; others have two bedrooms and full kitchens. There’s something for every taste. And the ambience at the pool cannot be beat.
The Bamboo Waikiki sounds good. I stay at the Ilima. They don’t have a hot tub. Does the Bamboo have a sun roof? Does the restaurant serve breakfast? Did you have a patio there? Mahalo and Aloha. 💐 🌹 🌈
Hot tub, yes.
Sun roof, no.
Restaurant, no breakfast yet. (It was new in 2020 and so far has survived)
Most rooms have lanais, but not all.
It’s a little niche building, close to Waikiki beach and the Duke Statue.
Do your research as each room is different for different tastes. We stay in Room 1001.
It’s tiny studio for only two, but has 3 lanais facing the ocean. There are other rooms that are larger and have two bedrooms and full kitchens. Hope you find what you’re looking for.
There’s a small hotel directly across from the Waikiki Hawaiian Hilton, the hotel rooms are clean and very reasonable priced. It is called the Palms of Waikiki. We stayed there often because it is closed to the beach and walking distance to Ala Moana shopping mall.
I spent $ 5000 for a week at Hilton. I was so mad a bought a condo . No more renting.
Hale Koa was still the best value greatest hotel fantastic views thank God we retired from the military. Outstanding personnel clean comfortable centrally located only difficulty is sometimes getting a reservation in January December through March. But we’re staying here now and I’ve extended our stay twice on this visit.hopefully the department of defense and Congress won’t screw this one up
We loved Hawaii. It’s obviously one of the most beautiful places on earth. Living on the East coast of FL, our flights were top dollar on Hawaiian and because we thought it might be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, we paid big bucks ($500+/night) for the Hilton Waikiki. But what really gets me is all of the articles, new policies and laws, etc. that are anti-tourist. It seems like all I hear is how much they don’t want tourists. As I said, I live in FL which I’d pretty tourist heavy but our economy depends on tourism as does Hawaii’s. I just think it’s odd that they have adopted locals-only hours for beaches and other such practices.
Aloha. I am a resident of hawaii. Housing is expensive. Recommend Mexico for inexpensive accommodations. Aloha.
On my first trip to Waikiki I picked the Ilima hotel. We picked the smallest room which was plenty of room for us. Me and my 2 sons. We got a special called Hot Deals. $115.00 a night. You can get a city view or a canal view. It’s a short walk to the beach with a store and plenty of restaurants close by. We took a shuttle to and from the airport and used The Bus for transportation. They have a pool and gym. We slept good at night. Comfortable bed and no excess noise. We had a kitchen and patio. Clean lobby and rooms and nice employees. Thanks for letting me share my positive Waikiki experience!
Ilima Hotel is a perfect example of a nice budget hotel,and you did not rent a car,you took The Bus-Waikiki can be affordable -there is still Aloha in Waikiki
Rip Off? Waikiki is one of the best vacation spots ever. A diverse cosmopolitan city with perfect weather and beaches. If the experience isn’t worth it to you, share a comparable one.
We just stayed at the Ala Moana in September. Never again. The room was tiny; the bathroom diety; we were given absolutely no information about resort amenities until we were handed a paper on the day we were checking out that we should have received when we checked in. The front desk was civil but not helpful or informative at all. Plus we did not appreciate the location
The goose and its golden egg (representing the visitor/hotel industry) is going to suffer the consequences of its greed and predatory behavior that tacks on hidden fees to an already overly-inflated room cost. They might not care, given the demand and its position in local economies, but will suffer when American travelers find other more economical alternatives for vacationing. With the resurgence of the cruise ship industry and cheaper airfares to international destinations, Hawaii might indeed find itself priced out of the market for all, but the rich who can afford an extended stay. The crackdown on AirB and B and VRBO short-term rentals, enable hotels to empty the pockets of travelers in a market.
Ok
You think those fees are bad, check out the hidden costs on Maui in Wailea!!!
It’s absolutely ridiculous that you have to pay separate resort fees & parking fees!! Most of the hotels are quite run down and if they continue down this path tourism is going to be like it was during the pandemic. They already have a decline with the Japanese tourist. Sadly, I was born & raised in Hawaii but left some years ago. The greed of some of these businesses astound me and I miss the days in the past where it was a much nicer place to visit.
I have been to the Pagoda a couple years ago and the room they put me in wasn’t worth 80.00 a night!
We loved Hawaii.. the islands were great but the Hawaiians… the natives, for whatever reason treated me like I was part of their own family… my attitude about these islands are that they Belong to the native Hawaiians. The rest of us are guests there, whether you “own” land there or not! I’m very much a conservative, yet I believe that if Alaska can give out money for the pipeline Hawaii can give money to natives from the tourist industry… as a birth right to them.Most of these taxes need to go to this, of course with stipulations on it…like drug or alcohol abuse can void that money. These great people had their homeland Stolen from them like native Indians, yet they receive Nothing…
Interesting point about handing out money to Native Hawaiians. i guess the next step is to figure out what percentage of Hawaiian DNA qualifies someone for the benefits. Is one drop enough or does it require 100%? I assume date cutoff is pre-Captain Cook?
The ‘ESG’ Reperations crowd of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Islands like our Nation are a melting pot, multi-cultural through marriage and generations from Native Hawaiians from Polybesia, to China, Japan, Phillpines and the demonized Hoale. What of the USVI and Puerto Rico, all of these places have created better opportunities for all residents, it is their own governments that restrict them with Taxes, before the inept Ige, going back to Fasi and Hanneman, the ‘Homeless’ were hovelled under bridge ways on Nimitz going towards Sand Island, now they’ve been moved to Waimanalo, ironically near Obama’s new “Robbins Nest” Anderson Estate. This is the States responsibility.
Thanks so much for your information through the research you’ve done. It’s truly sad that these hotels are charging so darn much to stay even a night on Oahu.
Just one question what’s the prices for the other islands are they comparable as well to those prices being charged on Oahu for a hotel room?
Something surely needs to be done. But with growing inflation, high gas prices in such an expensive state to reside in. I do understand that these hotels have to charge a lot to pay their employees, and other expenses as to stay in business.
It’s just a vision of what’s to happen to these islands in the future as they continue this trend. I believe the rich want the kanaka maoli off these islands.
Truly sad😔
Do the employees really benefit from the added fees? Or is it corporate greed? Remember, most of these hotels are operated by chains—Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Omni, etc. The resort and parking fees are out of control. Now you’re going to have to pay to park at a beach and probably a $50 visitor tax. I just returned and was stunned to see tip jars in retail stores.
A quick Google search and count says there are 914 hotel properties. I’m not sure where your 5000 hotel estimation comes from. Consider an edit to 5000 rooms may be more reasonable.
Next time check out The Lotus at Diamond Head. My family stayed 3 days there recently and the nightly rate was under $300. Plus Kristie Anne was soooo nice and was super helpful and kind. I can say without a doubt you’ll love the Lotus, parking was included and they had loaner bikes too.
If you stay there, please tell her Joe sends her a big hug from New Mexico.
Hawaii is out of control. Greed of airlines and hotels trying to make up for lost profits. We have decided not to jo at all. We are headed back to the Cook Islands. Quieter and more affordable. Beautiful, like Hawaii was 40-50 years ago. Real polynesia at its best.
Please let us know how to afford a vacation in the Cook Islands.
It seems more expensive than the islands…
My name is Joseph. I booked room for 6 nights with booking dot com for a king zized room with ocean view at Hilton Hawaiian village from 10/20 to 10/26. They over charged me plus upon checking in I was stuck with a room with two double beds. They did not deliver on there reservation also trying to a get a refund from them is a big run aroind.
The canceled room was the day before our flight, talk about nerves
I use to take my grandkids to hawaii every 2-3 years,this year we had a package deal ready to go, when I received notice my room was canceled, no reason why!!! So for the same hotel I had to pay $300.more, I wanted to cancel, but how do you tell your grandkids were not going, after waiting so long for covit to ease up. I don’t think I will be back. The sad thing is, this is the only place I was comfortable visiting alone with my baby’s
How come no one ever mentions the Ilikai? We’ve stayed there a couple of times. Thought the cost wasn’t bad and great location.
Although son’s wedding was cancelled due to COVID-19 and some guests were not able to get a refund. Lost their weeks rental.
The govt is killing the tourist industry. No more STVR so hotels can jack up prices and there’s nothing tourists can do except vacation elsewhere. Stupid people elected.
Did you see the part of the article about the FTC starting to crack down on excessive fees?
I’ve been going to Oa’hu every year since 1972, after a stopover during military service. The hotels, post-Covid, decided to jackup rates by double to recoup losses. This coming March will be my last trip, as I was fortunate to book The Ilikai for an affordable week at around $1200, but my solo cabin on NCL Pride of America (inside cabin) jacked up to $4000 for a week. Combine these excessive and out-of-control prices with reduced flights & double airfares, and only the rich will be continuing sojourns to Hawai’i.