89 thoughts on “It’s The Rip-Off Honolulu Hotels That Are Killing Us”
Lee S.
Thank you for the update on Honolulu hotels. The prices they charge make me happy that I purchased a Hilton timeshare that gives me a full kitchen and lots of room to relax. Yes, it was pricey up front, but we take the whole family and we’ve made some great memories. We aren’t likely to stop visiting the islands, because we have family there, and our son lives in Kaneohe. It’s home for my husband, but it sure “ain’t like it used to be”. Prices going up, fees on everything. Thanks for keeping us informed.
We were in Honolulu the first week in May, staying at the Waikiki Resort Hotel on Koa Ave. I had found a travel site under the AAFES Marketplace partners, & looking at the rates I saw it was substantially less than the other hotels in the Waikiki area, at $178/night plus the fees. Reading the reviews we decided to take a chance with it. It was a nice place – comfortable, clean & in a good location, with friendly & helpful staff. We hope to visit Hawai’i again soon, & we would definitely stay here.
I feel the same way about “resort fees,” unclear why they don’t just include them in the price points instead of having them as add-on charges.
Stayed 11 nights at Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites and thought it was great. $1585 total price, no hidden fees. Although it’s not fancy and an older building it had everything my daughter and I needed. One block from the beach, kitchen, 2 super comfy full size beds, maid service, pool, right in the heart of all the shopping and nightlife. For the price it was great. We spent most of our time at the beach, but at the end of the day we had a clean and quiet place to shower, cook, watch tv and relax.
I don’t disagree with your conclusions but I would like to point out, as I did yesterday, that its not just Honolulu. Before Covid I used to go to Maui yearly. This was the first year I went (end of May) and I found that the hotels there had increased double (1,000%) since I was there in 2019, car rentals (economy) had tripled, and tours that I normally take (Haleakala, Hana) had doubled. Everyone is making up for income lost during Covid but this was simple gouging and greed. Kauai (late August) was “more” economical but not by much. It’s not just Honolulu, it’s all the Islands.
Greed? Not! it is survival for us on Kauai. Our taxi transportation and island tour fares has fallen behind for years because of council member deaf ears. The last ten years the fare has increased 10 cents from .35 to .45 for tenth of
a mile and the tour rate of $60/hour has not change since early 2000, it is now 2022! Gas has gone up and the vehicles and repairs are always increased 20 years ago. Buying a reliable mini van is almost the same as putting a house down payment averaging $75,000 for a nice mini van.
I feel the $50 fee will go to the corrupt politicians or corporations and not to the purpose of protecting the inviroment. I don’t think a $50 fee is going g to stop the flow at all. That seems to me a ridiculous idea.treat the islands like a public building,, it will only seat so many at a time or it becomes a hazard.. well, it seems to me that to many people on any given island has and will continue to be a hazard in many,many different ways.
Just my 2 cents
Thank you for the synopsis of your search for affordable and acceptable accommodations in Honolulu.
Covid-19 relieved our “addiction” to travel there from Hilo several times a year.
Now we will save our hard earned dollars for a really special trip out of state.
We’re largely with you on that, in our cases being on rural Kauai. You can find some better value propositions, and we have, but there aren’t many, and they are still very costly.
Hawaii is so stunningly beautiful that almost everyone will pay the exorbitant prices one time. Just to see Hawaii, just to experience Hawaii and all it has to offer. But that will be it, they will not ever return.
And by the time the State and Counties and Tourism Board realizes they are at the point of diminishing returns, it will be too late. The bottom will fall out of the tourist industry and they will be begging people to return.
Earlier this year we thought about a quick two day trip, because the airfare was so cheap. I looked up the hotel we stayed at about 6 years ago for about $180 for two days, it sits a bit across the beach & the zoo. When I checked it’s price it was an amazing $400 for the two days. That was the end of our quick trip to Oahu. Aloha & mahalo.
We just stayed at Ilima Hotel in Waikiki with view of canal and mountain s for $159 a night as kamaina. 2nd stay there. Newly renovated. Free parking but we used Charley’s Taxi with flat rate from airport to Ilima for $35. Easy place to stay off the busy strip.
Karima from Maui
I’ve stayed at the Ilima before, pre-pandemic – the staff is so friendly and the hotel is just fine. I can’t speak to the renovation, but in 2019 it wasn’t fancy but had everything you might need (including a laundromat!) Clean, comfortable, and a good location. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again.
Thank you for the update on Honolulu hotels. The prices they charge make me happy that I purchased a Hilton timeshare that gives me a full kitchen and lots of room to relax. Yes, it was pricey up front, but we take the whole family and we’ve made some great memories. We aren’t likely to stop visiting the islands, because we have family there, and our son lives in Kaneohe. It’s home for my husband, but it sure “ain’t like it used to be”. Prices going up, fees on everything. Thanks for keeping us informed.
Hi Lee.
Thanks for the input. And more than 100 comments over the past 5 years!
Aloha.
We were in Honolulu the first week in May, staying at the Waikiki Resort Hotel on Koa Ave. I had found a travel site under the AAFES Marketplace partners, & looking at the rates I saw it was substantially less than the other hotels in the Waikiki area, at $178/night plus the fees. Reading the reviews we decided to take a chance with it. It was a nice place – comfortable, clean & in a good location, with friendly & helpful staff. We hope to visit Hawai’i again soon, & we would definitely stay here.
I feel the same way about “resort fees,” unclear why they don’t just include them in the price points instead of having them as add-on charges.
Stayed 11 nights at Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites and thought it was great. $1585 total price, no hidden fees. Although it’s not fancy and an older building it had everything my daughter and I needed. One block from the beach, kitchen, 2 super comfy full size beds, maid service, pool, right in the heart of all the shopping and nightlife. For the price it was great. We spent most of our time at the beach, but at the end of the day we had a clean and quiet place to shower, cook, watch tv and relax.
I don’t disagree with your conclusions but I would like to point out, as I did yesterday, that its not just Honolulu. Before Covid I used to go to Maui yearly. This was the first year I went (end of May) and I found that the hotels there had increased double (1,000%) since I was there in 2019, car rentals (economy) had tripled, and tours that I normally take (Haleakala, Hana) had doubled. Everyone is making up for income lost during Covid but this was simple gouging and greed. Kauai (late August) was “more” economical but not by much. It’s not just Honolulu, it’s all the Islands.
Greed? Not! it is survival for us on Kauai. Our taxi transportation and island tour fares has fallen behind for years because of council member deaf ears. The last ten years the fare has increased 10 cents from .35 to .45 for tenth of
a mile and the tour rate of $60/hour has not change since early 2000, it is now 2022! Gas has gone up and the vehicles and repairs are always increased 20 years ago. Buying a reliable mini van is almost the same as putting a house down payment averaging $75,000 for a nice mini van.
Good information!
I feel the $50 fee will go to the corrupt politicians or corporations and not to the purpose of protecting the inviroment. I don’t think a $50 fee is going g to stop the flow at all. That seems to me a ridiculous idea.treat the islands like a public building,, it will only seat so many at a time or it becomes a hazard.. well, it seems to me that to many people on any given island has and will continue to be a hazard in many,many different ways.
Just my 2 cents
Thank you for the synopsis of your search for affordable and acceptable accommodations in Honolulu.
Covid-19 relieved our “addiction” to travel there from Hilo several times a year.
Now we will save our hard earned dollars for a really special trip out of state.
Hi Mike.
We’re largely with you on that, in our cases being on rural Kauai. You can find some better value propositions, and we have, but there aren’t many, and they are still very costly.
Aloha.
Hawaii is so stunningly beautiful that almost everyone will pay the exorbitant prices one time. Just to see Hawaii, just to experience Hawaii and all it has to offer. But that will be it, they will not ever return.
And by the time the State and Counties and Tourism Board realizes they are at the point of diminishing returns, it will be too late. The bottom will fall out of the tourist industry and they will be begging people to return.
Earlier this year we thought about a quick two day trip, because the airfare was so cheap. I looked up the hotel we stayed at about 6 years ago for about $180 for two days, it sits a bit across the beach & the zoo. When I checked it’s price it was an amazing $400 for the two days. That was the end of our quick trip to Oahu. Aloha & mahalo.
Waikiki hotel prices are ridiculous! And, the kamaania rates are a joke.
From the Big Island.
We just stayed at Ilima Hotel in Waikiki with view of canal and mountain s for $159 a night as kamaina. 2nd stay there. Newly renovated. Free parking but we used Charley’s Taxi with flat rate from airport to Ilima for $35. Easy place to stay off the busy strip.
Karima from Maui
I’ve stayed at the Ilima before, pre-pandemic – the staff is so friendly and the hotel is just fine. I can’t speak to the renovation, but in 2019 it wasn’t fancy but had everything you might need (including a laundromat!) Clean, comfortable, and a good location. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again.