One of the places in Honolulu where editor Rob likes to stay is the Alohilani. The rates are reasonably fair, the City View room he stayed in was nice, but without much view, the location is great, and the pool deck was trendy with a bar. Plus, a topped-rank coffeehouse, Kai Coffee, sits streetside facing the beach.
There were a few issues with the hotel, but honestly, it was what we just saw with our own eyes that just felt wrong. Sometimes, it isn’t even about the money but rather that feeling of being nickel-and-dimed to death.
This also seems strange since we’ve recently experienced a number of hotels have gone completely cashless in order to avoid all of the problems with that. This seems both cumbersome for the hotel and completely annoying for guests. Not to mention who really carries an additional $3k in cash around with them on a Hawaii vacation?
Alohilani Resort leads with bold new Hawaii hotel fee.
The Alohilani Resort is a mid-range, large Waikiki hotel with more than 800 rooms. It was rebranded from the Pacific Beach Hotel and opened under its current name in 2018. During the rebranding and redesign, the legendary two-story Oceanarium was saved.
Regarding the new surcharge, we were alerted to this by a comment from Mary, who reported:
“Last time I reserved a room 3 weeks ago, I understood that it is customary to reserve a hotel with a credit card, no? Here’s a new one for you in the fees department.
Please no! One of my favorite hotels, the Alohilani, now requires this:
Please Note: Effective March 3, 2023, a credit card processing fee of two percent (2%) will be assessed on all credit and debit card transactions relating to hotel guest stays, and charges throughout the property.”
So we headed back to the Alohilani website since we couldn’t quite fathom it. We know that credit card surcharges have been somewhat normal in many industries but in a large Hawaii hotel? It was a first, at least for us.
When checking, we confirmed the exact language that Mary was referring to.
It wasn’t immediately obvious but rather was found on the terms and conditions page, which is available prior to paying and after selecting your room. There were some other interesting points on that page:
- A valid credit card is required to guarantee and secure your online reservations. BOH: Okay, so I guarantee payment with my credit card, but in order to avoid the credit card surcharge, I bring cash to the hotel.
- Cancellation/Modifications/Non-Arrival Policy: If you cancel within 72 hours prior to arrival, you’ll pay for one night on our credit card BOH: That, plus 2%, of course.
- A daily resort fee of $48 will be collected upon our arrival. BOH: Bring cash.
- Tree fee: Optional $5 per room. BOH: Commenter Patrick said this is automatic unless you opt-out.
- “A credit card processing fee of two percent (2%) will be assessed on all credit and debit card transactions relating to hotel guest stays, and charges throughout the property. This fee will apply to both physical and virtual credit cards.” BOH: How about just making the price the price and being done with it?
How much does it add up to?
To be honest, for a one-week stay, the credit card charge below only added up to just over fifty bucks. So it isn’t about the money, although when added to the other ancillary charges, it was, we’d say, over the top.
We just decided to play with the numbers based on a 7-night stay based in low season (early May) and based on the “Best price per night” of $284. If you stay for 7 nights, including resort, fee, and credit card surcharge, here’s where you end up. The non-room charges end up amounting to a whopping 39% of the total bill.
- Room: 284.05 per night x 7 nights: $1,988.35
- Resort Fee (mandatory): $48 per night x 7 nights: $336.00
- Parking (optional): $48 per night x 7 nights: $336.00.
- Total for 7 nights before taxes: $2,713.56.
- Approx. taxes (17.92%): $486.27.
- Credit card surcharge on above: $64.00.
- Grand total: $3,263.83
Photo by Editor Rob at Beat of Hawaii during his stay at Alohilani.
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peter m says
The creativity of fees charged by hotels is staggering. So what exactly is a Tree Fee?? Five bucks to not have your view blocked by a tree?? A slush fund for arboreal services on the hotel site…which should be covered by The Resort Fee?
No mention or explanation of fees on their website.
Bueller??? Bueller???
Patrick says
BTW… the optional “Tree Fee” that they are asking you to contribute to… you have to opt out in order to avoid it so it will automatically be added unless you tell them other wise.
JudyP says
I have a gorgeous vacation rental across from a beautiful swimming beach. No parking or resort fees! I can only rent it once a month so there is a 10 day minimum but so worth it.
PatG says
This is what I always think every time I see one of these posts bemoaning hotel costs in Hawaii. Vacation rentals are sooo much cheaper than hotels in Hawaii. At least twice the space for half the cost!
Don’t just give up on Hawaii because of cost. Rent a legitimate short-term rental with great reviews, a kitchen, free parking, and lots of space!
Ernie S. says
PatG I enjoy what you have pointed out, there are viable, cost-effective, choices. If it were just 2 or possibly 3 traveling without a place to stay I would certainly avail myself of that type of accommodation. Whereas if I were traveling with several people I would look into Real STR’S because of the space needed to accommodate all of us. Cost Effective and Typical Resorts/Hotels just don’t seem to coincide nor give me what I would be seeking. Thanks PatG! Hopefully others will take Your Advice.
SW says
So people are going to start bringing cash…. leaving it in the in-room safe until check out.
The hotel is not going to want to have lots of cash on premises. They will have to pay for an armed bank transfer plus it puts the staffs safety at risk. Once word gets out they are accepting more cash, the bad guys will start doing bad things.
Eldo R says
Save a ton of money and don’t rent a car or pay the hotel garage fees or even the fuel. Take an Uber from the airport and to any other destinations during your stay that are too far to walk or take a bus. It’s that simple.
Eva B says
I agree. I took Lyft from the airport as all the independent shuttle companies went under. Lyft is less expensive that the only shuttle that is left at Honolulu airport. Also, who needs a car in Waikiki? You can walk everywhere or take the public bus if you want to go further ….
Jerry says
We bought a timeshare… while I don’t like them, so far they haven’t penalized us like the resorts and hotels do. That might be an option for those who go back regularly like we do.
Sherri S says
Same here. I said I’d never buy another timeshare again—at my age, it didn’t make sense. But adding all the ridiculous taxes and resort fees, it DID make sense, even if I get only a few years out of it. I have a granddaughter I like to visit and this is the only way I can financially afford to visit her.
Eva B says
unless you want to get rid of your timeshare one day…enjoy it while you can! For most people, timeshares are the wort investment they ever made. You probably haven’t owned it long enough to realize they don’t have the flexibility their promised and yes, their fees also go up.
Linda K says
Aloha! We purchased our first timeshare in 2004, and upgraded in 2009. We’ve visited 12 times since. Glad we have this timeshare because we’re in a small place right on the water, where we can watch whales cruise throughout the channel. I have plenty of choice to use, but we always go on our Valentine’s Day wedding anniversary except for two times due to my employer. Have never regretted buying, especially knowing how high even the cheaper hotels are.
Eva B says
I am glad it worked out for you. Met many timeshare owners who regretted buying one.
Linda K says
Mahalo & Aloha
Sherri S says
It works for me. Actually I have 2 and can use them for even just one night and use points for hotels if the resort isn’t available One I’ve have for Many years and it has free parking! (I don’t rent a car, but my son can park his there.) Because I use them to visit family, and I have flexibility to travel when I want—not licked into certain high season vacation periods, I don’t have difficulty. The hard part is coordination with low airfares. But like I said, it works for me. Timeshares are not for everyone.
Gerry says
Aloha,
Well, you just nailed the “problem”; non room charges are 38% of the bill. On that basis, the 2% means a lot. I gave up the Hilton years ago because they wanted $15 per day for internet. I vote with my dollars. Wait for the 25% or so room tax you wrote about recently. Good Luck.
Mahalo
L. M. says
$457 a night total. I think they are shooting themselves in the foot. Double (two rooms) or more with children.
Liam G says
Stay at the kahala it’s 10 times the hotel and non of this bs. They’ll upgrade your room most of the time there’s no resort fee and usually you get room credits that will off set parking of $32 most times I’ve stayed the waive it. Plus often you can get the amazing breakfast buffet thrown in.
Eldo R says
The Kahala is out if the way from everything. And the beach there isn’t that nice. There’s a reason for why it’s cheaper.
Liam G says
Actually it’s more expensive and there’s a reason it is :). They know how to treat their guest. Unless you desire to spend a week in Waikiki only and enjoy a 280 sqft closet I’d highly recommend staying there. You can also take a free hotel shuttle from the kahala so you don’t have to deal with parking. You also can use their bikes etc to get around kahala which is a much nicer neighborhood. I usually split half at halekulani and half at kahala. 3 days in waikik is enough for anyone. I should know I lived there for 12 years.
Bill M. says
Didn’t you pay the taxes with the credit card? If so, add another 2%. Did the CFO at the hotel think this charge up? Not good for the customer.
Paul P says
Hawaii hotels have fee’d me into not booking my anual trip to Waikiki From $5000.00 in 20220to $7500.00 2023 for same room smae tome of year. Thanks but no thanks.
sandi says
Nope not going anymore. My life is in the golden years and will have to give up all travel soon. Im sure this is not going to be just Hawaiian islands. My grocery bill for one person just 30 minutes ago for several bags of groceries was 130.00. Old lady, no big salaries, so no mo travels. Such a shame for someone that loves people and the world.
DavidJustPayAndQuitComplaining B says
Charging end customers for credit card fees – or reverse – giving a discount if they pay cash (same difference) is becoming common for a lot of diverse businesses, so I am not surprised to see a hotel do this. This like restaurants tacking on a “we don’t pay our employees enough” surcharge on your bill. I even got cash discount last time I swapped my summer-winter tires. That certain restaurant in Kilauea offers a 5% cash discount. That certain Mexican Seafood restaurant in Kapaa charges an extra 3-4% for paying with a credit card. Try to pay any government fees (like property taxes) or student tuition or whatever with a credit card, you may extra. Credit card companies charge a lot of fees – that’s where all those FF miles come from.
FredW says
Time to go back in time.
Remember Travelers Checks? Worked just like cash with the same inconvenience that you had to go to the bank to get them.
yachtscott says
That is highway robbery and I will cross their brand off my list for sure! It may be illegal to charge you for using a debit card because that is just like cash!
Thank you for exposing this!
Shawn C. says
Pay them with Bitcoin, Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. But I bet they don’t accept any of these.
Ken F says
People need to talk with their wallets. The accepted way to pay for large expenditures is by credit card. If a hotel expects you to pay with cash or they are going to charge you for your credit card usage perhaps a different hotel would be better. If people start doing that instead of caving in to the desires of hotel management things will change. There is no hotel without guests.
Linda T says
We’re now priced out- this is before food, car and airfare. We will continue to travel, it just won’t be to the Hawaiian Islands.
Larry F says
I wouldn’t stay there. As long people keep paying these garbage
fees the resort will keep charging. When their reservations decline the will remove. Too many other choices!
Arguendo says
You pay the CC fee on taxes, too, so pay up!
Patrick says
Just say “NO” to credit card fees. As you said, who carries that quantity of cash around? This is the worst, with resort fees right behind.
PatG says
I have to laugh at all the press lately about #airbnbbust people “sticking with hotels from now on” because of “all the fees”. They have another thing coming if they think they will be able to escape fees in Hawaii.
BOH: The reason they don’t just include these fees in the price is because they want the displayed price to be low to stay competitive with everyone else. If all hotels would just set their prices to absorb all the possible fees, that would be fine, but that’s not what they do.