longtail

Thanks to everyone for all the great information and helping us to plan our anniversary trip to the Big Island and Kauai for next June. Now, I have a rather weird question about airfare. We've been working with a Virtuoso agent who has been very helpful in arranging our trip. Hubby and I decided to spring for another night at the Four Seasons/Hawaii and arrive on a Sunday (June 19th) instead of a Monday (June 20th). However, agent just informed me that priority airfare rates are not available for that day. We were told that if we booked our airfare to leave on that Sunday, we would not be eligible for the preferred agent discount rates, but would receive the rack rate and the airfare would be in the nonrefundable category. Not recommended. However, if we left on a Saturday (the 18th) and added 2 additional nights to our trip, we would receive the discount rates. I've never heard of rates being booked 9 months in advance. Is that normal? Any recommendations? We already have 5 nights booked at the Four Seasons and really wanted to tack on an extra day (or two) on the BI. Can only afford 1 extra night at the Four Seasons, but could do 2 somewhere else for a lower rate (B&B maybe?). However, not sure if we want to spend our whole time on the BI driving and unpacking. Our first night would be lost due to the long commute from the East Coast. First full day we may be a bit tired from the jetlag so we wouldn't want to plan anything too active. Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Hope this is not too confusing.

tracys2cents

That's sounds like an awfully long time in advance to book an airfare if it's non-refundable and has a fee for changes.

Sarah

I think the standard for booking off season flights (best rate) is six weeks before departure. In recent years I have gotten great deals in advance though.

I don't understand what you are talking about with the preferred or priority rates. I will say this and this is just my opinion. I would not go to the big island for that short a stay without staying on the Hilo side of the island. I also would only want to go to Hilo side if the Volcano was flowing.

That Four Seasons is nice or so I have heard. Are you excited about a great hotel? I can appreciate that. Just not sure you will be as excited at the expense of leaving lovely Kauai.

Big Island has beautiful spots too but you need some time to orient yourself. I just would not fully appreciate a stay for such a short time. Less is always more in Travel. How long is the length of your visit?

If part of your trip is about staying at that four seasons than you know what to do. I come from the East Coast too, I find that a 1-2 night stay at the Hyatt on Kauai is a welcome refresher before I settle into a two week condo on the North Shore. You do get to blob from the jet lag in Style. And you don't rack up the bills that people staying for the duration of the vacation get. One night is enough if you are limited in funds. I have done it just get a late check out and hang out by the pool for the full second day. There are complimentary showers, changing rooms. Not sure where your plane is leaving from back to the mainland that will be a consideration of time if you have to fly into Hawaii or Lihue.

Let us know if any of this makes sense to yah.

longtail

Sarah:

Thanks for your advice. Let's see if I can clarify. My husband and I are currently scheduled for a 12-day trip to Hawaii for our 5th anniversary next June. This is our first and only trip to Hawaii. We will be traveling from the East Coast (Upstate NY) to the Big Island and spending 5 nights at the Four Seasons. We'd like some time to relax, be pampered, enjoy the resort and see some of the Big Island sights, such as the Volcano, Waipio Valley, South Kona area and maybe the Botanical Gardens on the Hilo side if time.

Due to the fact that our trip is quite long (I think 13 hours total from Upstate NY), we decided we tack on another day or two for the BI. Our preference was to add another day to the Four Seasons, so we don't have to change locations and unpack. However, we are working with a travel agent to book airfare, car rental and hotel reservations. Typically, an agent receives priority or lower airfares than the standard discount rack rates advertised on the airlines web site. However, I was told that these lower rates were already booked for the travel date we wanted. However, if we were to add two extra days, we could receive the discounted rates through our agent. Only option seems to be adding an extra 2 nights at a B&B in the Hilo area to save on costs. We just can't justify 2 at the FS. This would give us one full day in Hilo to see Akaka Falls Park, the Botanical Gardens, Macadamia Nut Farm, etc. My only question is - is it worth it? Staying on the Hilo side for one night? Will we be too tired to visit the gardens on our first day after a long flight? Does that sound like too much driving? I've seen a lot of posts on this board where people stay an average of 5-7 nights on the island before heading to another island.

After our 5-7 days on the Big Island, we are heading to Kauai for 7 nights and have rented a beach cottage on Anini Beach. Kauai will be more laid back for us. More time to relax and enjoy the scenery.

If we choose to go for the extra 2 nights in or around Hilo, does anyone have any recommendations of a B&B? I've looked at Palms Cliff House which seems to be within 15 minutes of the Hilo airport, or the Shipman House. Anyone have any experience with these places?

pdxgirl

Why not make the 2 extra nights in Hilo at the end of your Big Island visit instead of the first two days? Arrive in Kona, stay at the 4 Seasons for 5 nights, then drive to Hilo for two nights and, ideally, fly out of Hilo to Kauai.

longtail

Now there's something I hadn't thought of. Only two things to consider there. Our anniversary is on the 24th of June and we were planning on attending the Kona Village Luau, which only takes place on a Friday night - so we would miss the luau. We could always opt for the Mauna Kea luau instead. Second, does anyone have ideas for a nice place for an anniversary dinner in the Hilo area?

cawhite

The Kilauea Lodge just outside of VNP would be nice for an anniversary dinner... but that's probably 30-40 min. from Hilo.

Sarah

Hi Longtail,

I hope you still see this. I think it is a good idea to save the hilo trip for the end . Remember you will be on the Hilo side of the island not necessarily inside the town of Hilo. I would go for park lodging. I would take two days in the area. I always tell people they will want two night to watch the flow after dark. There are also loads of outdoor activities in the area that far surpass what you will see Kona side, in my opinion anyway.

Just remember that any other hotel stays and certainly lodge options in the park are going to feel like roughing it compared to the four seasons. I can't think of a better departure from the island though, two nights by the volcano. Again I enjoy the outdoors tremendously when I am in Hawaii. If you see yourself doing 1-2 hikes the entire trip and calling it quits then stay near the four seasons. I also like the Hilton but I am a water slide gal. The grounds are nice too. If you are going to take two days somewhere else kona side, save 4 seasons for the end.

PS Have you checked your rates with www.orbitz.com
what about other online discount websites. I have never found value dealing directly with a travel agent, sorry to say and I have been traveling for about 20 years. Inter-island trips, local rates when I lived on Oahu, only benifit I have ever found.

It seems too early with these bookings. Check and see what your rate would be at the fourSeasons with AAA. Not sure they offer that option, Grand Hyatt on Kauai does.

longtail

Hi Sarah. Thanks for your post! Not concerned about "roughing it lodging" on the Hilo side of the island. We really wanted the resort experience for a portion of our trip, but not too concerned about high end lodging on the Hilo side. That's what makes planning this trip so much fun - the variety of locations and experiences. We'll be doing 5 days at the resort , 2 nights at a B&B to see the rainforest and volcano scenery (haven't decided where yet), and 7 nights in Kauai in a rental cottage for a more local experience. Two nights in the volcano area sounds great (and I appreciate your advice), but we really don't want to miss out on the Botanical Gardens and Waterfalls. Hubby and I are big gardeners and love photography and we've heard this is something we shouldn't miss. Just not enough time to do everything. If only a few more days....

Sarah

what makes you think you will miss the Botanical Gardens? I have always headed to the volcano at 8-9 in the evening. Just a lot of steam under a hot sun during the day

Sarah

tttt

travmom

Hi! With respect to airlines fares, they change ALL the time. I've been planning our October trip to Hawaii for the last two weeks. When I started, fares from the Bay Area started at about $550, then suddenly they turned to $700, then I discovered the flexible dates featured at Travelocity (www.travelocity.com), if you click on flexible dates and give them the month that you will be travelling, it will tell you all the fares that are available, you click on each one and it will tell you what dates they are available for. But here is the catch - these change too, both in price and availability. For several days last week the cheapest fare I could find was on Aloha traveling on a TWTh ($450) - suddenly, they changed to WThF for $311! So what I would advise is that you become friends with travelocity, check every day or two and when you find an unbelievably low fare you book it.

I've been also researching places to stay for our trip, and there are tons of beautiful B&Bs in Volcano. The one that looked the best to me was the Volcano Rainforest Retreat at http://www.volcanoretreat.com/ - they have four cottages ranging from $125 to $250 which look incredible. They got good reviews at tripadvisor.com too

Good luck!

Ashley24

Wow! Your trip sounds a lot like ours! We are arriving on the BI on June 17th, staying two nights at the Marriot, and then three nights at the 4 Seasons (our splurge!), and one night in Volcano at a house rented by Kilauea Lodge. Then we are going to Kauai, 7 nights in a Beach house/cottage, and 3 nights at the Hyatt. Which Anini beach cottage are you renting? By going through Virtuoso, did you get a discount on your 4S room rate or just extra perks like a complimentary upgrade? Do you have to book your airfare through them? Just wondering if we should have booked through an agent like them for our 4S stay instead of through the hotel directly.
Thanks!

longtail

Hi Ashley! Looks like we'll be at the Four Seasons and in Kauai at the same time. We'll be at the Four Seasons from June 18th - June 22nd, in the Hilo area at a B&B (haven't reserved there yet) from June 23rd and 24th and in Kauai from June 25th - July 2nd. We're staying at the Anini Beach House that has been recommended on this forum. As I recall, you rented the Hale Aloha Kauai that was once owned by Sly Stallone. Can't wait to hear about that! Right now, we're just trying to make a decision between the Palms Cliff House and Shipman House for our B&B. I have to admit, though, the Volcano Retreat also looks great, too. Hopefully, we'll book something this week. Good luck in your planning and hopefully we'll run into each other. We've reserved a golf view room in the Palm Court at the Four Seasons. FYI - The rate we got through our agent was $530 per night as opposed to the $610 per night rack rates. I think rack rates may be lower now. Our airfare came in at $760 per piece round trip (going from Upstate NY to Kona (via Atlanta and Honolulu). The car rental (moderate size car for 14 days, 2 islands came in at $400). Not sure how this compares to the rates you would find when booking individually through expedia or travelocity.

earlxx

Where from upstate are flying? we are looking for good rates from Albany. Why did you chose Virtuoso? What can you tell me about them? We never heard of this company. Would you recommend them? Where are they located?. Thaks longtail

longtail

earlxx:

I'm from Albany, too. What a nice surprise! A few weeks ago, the rates dropped from $960 pp to $760 (less than the average airfare from Albany to Bermuda and a much longer trip). I think the rack rates are around $850 now but seem to change frequently. Best bet is to keep checking Expedia and Travelocity for the best rates. Travel agents can sometimes get you a better rate if you book a package, but not always. I chose to work with a Virtuouso agent after a vey bad experience with one of the chains - Liberty in Albany. The customer service was terrible and the agent kept trying to send me to places and hotels that I was not interested in. I've found that Virtuoso agents - specifically one that specializes in the area you are traveling to, have a wealth of knowledge and also provide a few perks that can make the experience more enjoyable. If you are interested in the best agents for Hawaii, Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure post their "best of " lists each year. I don't have the link, but if you go to the CN and T&L sites, you can search for "Best Hawaii travel agents." Each magazine lists 2 or 3 per area. I've been very pleased with the service and recommendations I've received so far. I hope this helps!

Ashley24

Is Virtuoso an internet only company or can you talk to a "real person" on the phone?

Patty

Virtuoso is not really a company but rather a consortium of travel agents who specialize in certain destinations and mainly in the upscale/luxury travel market.

http://www.virtuoso.com/

Ashley24

When I went to the 4 Seasons website, it posts the price as 560 for a golf view room. It might be less aggrevation to make the reservations yourself if you only want to add one more night. Good luck with your decisions!

longtail

Ashley:

Yes, I see the rack rates have gone down for the Four Seasons. The issue with adding an extra night was not the availability to add an extra night at the 4S, but the airfare rates for that dat were too high and nonrefunadable. We have decided to add 2 extra nights to obtain a lower airfare rate, and stay at a B&B outside of Hilo instead. It works out better for us that way.