crazy4Hawaii

I have finally gotten myself back into a position to visit Hawaii this summer, splitting my time between Maui and the Big Island. I wanted to spend a few nights at the GW for their great pools and beach. But the cost for their least expensive room has gone up $200. from the rate I last paid! Even with AAA, the terrace rooms are $536. per night. Any ideas about getting a better rate? I'm sure there must be wealthy people out there who can pay this without blinking, but I'll bet a lot of their old customers are getting priced out of GW as an option!

hpeabody

Buy a package

Airline/Car/Hotel The total price will more than likely be better overall.

Try Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, or Travelocity or airline packages

karameli

If you go to Hotwire.com and search for a 5* resort in the Wailea area, the Grand Wailea is TYPICALLY the only one that will come up. When it does, it runs about $100 cheaper than the direct booking rate.

Of course, it's not 100% guaranteed that the 5* Wailea resort you're booking is actually the GW. So I wouldn't risk it if you'd be terribly disappointed by that. (You'd still be at a 5* Wailea hotel though!)

Otherwise, I'd book a refundable rate and keep checking back between now and the summer. They may run a sale as your dates get closer, at which point you can cancel and re-book. We did this on our trip to Oahu and wound up saving around $80/night just by watching for sales.

crazy4Hawaii

You're right! There's a five star listed on Hotwire right now that is probably the Grand Wailea for $483. per night. Still, I'm kind of afraid to take a chance for that little savings...

I'll think about it. That was a great tip. Thanks!

I never can seem to go with a package because I'm such a micro-manager. I usually stay multiple places, and the packages want you to get somewhere and stay put.

Barbara5353

When we visited Maui last year we stayed at a cheaper place (condo), but double-booked for 1 night at the Grand Wailea. We got 2 full days worth of pool fun by checking in EARLY the first day and just taking a small overnight bag with our swimsuits. At the end of the day, we returned to our condo to sleep. The next AM we ate breakfast at the GW, got our pool wrist bands, checked out, and stayed on to enjoy the facilities the entire day. With 4 people able to register per room, it was a lot of bang for our travel buck. It worked out so well, we did the same thing this year at the Grand Hyatt on Kauai.

crazy4Hawaii

That's a good idea, Barbara.

It also appears that GW is often available on Hotwire at significant savings.