89 thoughts on “It’s The Rip-Off Honolulu Hotels That Are Killing Us”
Thomas K
Not sure how cleaning rates at a vacation rental property couldn’t beat $1000 per night at the Kahala. You can find 2 bedroom places for $250-$300 per night, add in a cleaning fee of $180, split that over two nights and you’re at $390 per night on the high end, beating all of your found prices.
Since Hawaii is one of the 50 States would it not be illegal for them to charge a State entry fee no matter what. What would happen if all the States charged an entry fee on travel. I realize a lot of their travel is from International travelers but the United States gets a lot of International travelers and there is no entry fee charge from a state in the United States mainland. Hawaii is getting out of control with all its lodging and travel fee add ons
I gave up on Hawaii because of the resort fees, and it is cheaper for me to find a nice resort in Mexico for less than 1/3 the cost of Hawaii. Goodbye Hawaii, this sucker’s not going there no more. I got tired of the homeless, the beggars everywhere, and the mentally ill harassing me on the streets. What Good are overpriced hotels and then have to put up with insanity as soon as you walk out the door. Also, if you hurt a mugger you’ll be the one to get in trouble, not the mugger.
Well when I go to Hawaii I usually go for 10 days. I use to stay in a hotel. But now I use a Air B&B because of the parking fees at the hotels. They are $50 per night or more. Air B&B is free. I save $500
Hotels wouldn’t charge these rates, if people wouldn’t book. It’s a free market economy. I can see the challenge for residents visiting family on other islands or getting medical treatments, but tourists from other states or countries shouldn’t complain. Rates will go down, when fewer tourists arrive
I know you want tourism to go away. It’s not. We…the *tourists* are essentially your bread & butter. So, please stop wishing tourists would go away & stay away. Be careful what you wish for. Not all *tourists* are rude & crude. Some of us *tourists* respect the places we visit.
U R right about it all. I lived in Hawaii from 1970 to 2015. Retired and ended up in Portugal. I am back in America because of the COVID issue and have been looking to Hawaii again. It is impossible to return to Hawaii, on any island because of the outrageous hotel and short term rental rates, and extreme rental car rates. Hawaii is their own worst enemy,very greedy. It is cheaper for me to fly first class on TAP to Lisboa round trip, than it is to fly round trip to Hawaii from Seattle.
My wife and I have been going to Hawaii since the early 70’s our first trip (1972) 14 days/13nights airfare, free booze and real food served on china and silverware utensils,a complementary lei, transfers, free orientation breakfast and free luau on a private beach from Edmonton, Alberta was $369/person. Obviously with Covid we have not been for the last few years and having reviewed hotel, car rentals, all the new fees it’s likely we won’t be going back anytime soon. Whether someone can afford the steep prices now being heaped on tourists is not the question dollar value is gone and with so many other travel options available where guests feel welcome and you don’t feel extorted the islands will be losers. Aloha
I work for a resort. The fees for a one night stay are crazy! The resort adds in parking fees, resort fees, and hotel room cleaning fees! The taxes and all these creative extra fees runs you at least another $80-100 (tipping for valet). The problem is not just sticking the tourist w/these fees, they are passing it on to Kamaaina as well. Need to go see ohana on a neighbor island? Or you need to seek medical service.. no breaks for Kamaaina. So these fees impact everyone malahini and Kamaaina alike! It’s ridiculous. All these made up fees! Don’t get me started on rental cars!
Not sure how cleaning rates at a vacation rental property couldn’t beat $1000 per night at the Kahala. You can find 2 bedroom places for $250-$300 per night, add in a cleaning fee of $180, split that over two nights and you’re at $390 per night on the high end, beating all of your found prices.
Since Hawaii is one of the 50 States would it not be illegal for them to charge a State entry fee no matter what. What would happen if all the States charged an entry fee on travel. I realize a lot of their travel is from International travelers but the United States gets a lot of International travelers and there is no entry fee charge from a state in the United States mainland. Hawaii is getting out of control with all its lodging and travel fee add ons
I gave up on Hawaii because of the resort fees, and it is cheaper for me to find a nice resort in Mexico for less than 1/3 the cost of Hawaii. Goodbye Hawaii, this sucker’s not going there no more. I got tired of the homeless, the beggars everywhere, and the mentally ill harassing me on the streets. What Good are overpriced hotels and then have to put up with insanity as soon as you walk out the door. Also, if you hurt a mugger you’ll be the one to get in trouble, not the mugger.
Well when I go to Hawaii I usually go for 10 days. I use to stay in a hotel. But now I use a Air B&B because of the parking fees at the hotels. They are $50 per night or more. Air B&B is free. I save $500
If you live in HI and are a member of Kaiser health plan they pay your airfare and overnight hotel stay.
Hotels wouldn’t charge these rates, if people wouldn’t book. It’s a free market economy. I can see the challenge for residents visiting family on other islands or getting medical treatments, but tourists from other states or countries shouldn’t complain. Rates will go down, when fewer tourists arrive
I know you want tourism to go away. It’s not. We…the *tourists* are essentially your bread & butter. So, please stop wishing tourists would go away & stay away. Be careful what you wish for. Not all *tourists* are rude & crude. Some of us *tourists* respect the places we visit.
What about the HIlton Hawaiian Village!
Resort fees are ridiculous. These need to be abolished!
U R right about it all. I lived in Hawaii from 1970 to 2015. Retired and ended up in Portugal. I am back in America because of the COVID issue and have been looking to Hawaii again. It is impossible to return to Hawaii, on any island because of the outrageous hotel and short term rental rates, and extreme rental car rates. Hawaii is their own worst enemy,very greedy. It is cheaper for me to fly first class on TAP to Lisboa round trip, than it is to fly round trip to Hawaii from Seattle.
My wife and I have been going to Hawaii since the early 70’s our first trip (1972) 14 days/13nights airfare, free booze and real food served on china and silverware utensils,a complementary lei, transfers, free orientation breakfast and free luau on a private beach from Edmonton, Alberta was $369/person. Obviously with Covid we have not been for the last few years and having reviewed hotel, car rentals, all the new fees it’s likely we won’t be going back anytime soon. Whether someone can afford the steep prices now being heaped on tourists is not the question dollar value is gone and with so many other travel options available where guests feel welcome and you don’t feel extorted the islands will be losers. Aloha
I work for a resort. The fees for a one night stay are crazy! The resort adds in parking fees, resort fees, and hotel room cleaning fees! The taxes and all these creative extra fees runs you at least another $80-100 (tipping for valet). The problem is not just sticking the tourist w/these fees, they are passing it on to Kamaaina as well. Need to go see ohana on a neighbor island? Or you need to seek medical service.. no breaks for Kamaaina. So these fees impact everyone malahini and Kamaaina alike! It’s ridiculous. All these made up fees! Don’t get me started on rental cars!