Budgeting a Hawaii Vacation
 

I am a 23 young professional from NY who has purchased tickets to Hawaii as surprise for my boyfriend's 25th birthday. The tickets were pricey. I would like to keep the hotel costs down - but I am so torn. Priceline says one hotel is a 2* while Orbitz says it is a three star and review are mixed for most that I am considering. We stayed at a 5 room family run bed and breakfast in the south of Spain and loved it. I can not imagine being on Waikiki for 9 days at the beach so paying for a hotel for $180/night when we will only be there let's say 1/2 the time is a bit absurd. We like culture, action, and I am even considering visiting another island while we are there. Also, I am considering staying in a room offered on craigslist.com. I do not have a locked in budget, but why pay more for a ROH hotel room and get a city view for substancially more - when I can cut the price in 1/2 by staying in home. Any advice to help me make my decision?

There are lots of places to stay in waikiki that are under 100.00. You may be a block or two from the beach, but that isn't very far at all. I personally don't use priceline because you don't know what you are getting ahead of time. You also might want to compare Orbitz ratings to Travelocity and Expedia. I suggest consulting a map of Waikiki so you'll know exactly where the hotel is you are considering. You can also look for hotel reviews on tripadvisor.com. Have fun

Have you looked in renting a condo? Its almost always cheaper than a standard hotel room, but you get a kitchen and sometimes even an in unit washer & dryer, which would be handy since you say you are going to be there 9 days. Kitchen is great in that you can pick up cheap eats for breakfast or lunch and splurge on a nice dinner. One site with great deals is vrbo.com.

Can you recommend any of the cheaper hotels away from the beach where the beds won't feel like everyone and their mother has slept on them and the bathroom reeks of mildew? The condo's I looked at were about $85-$125 night plus lots of add on taxes and and cleaning fee...

Peronally I wouldn't be comfortable with a blind auction site and not knowing the hotel location. Stories of the Priceline hotels that in theory are in Waikiki or at least Honolulu, but aren't anywhere NEAR the beach. I wouldn't pay $180 for a hotel room, but I can't imagine a Hawaiian vacation that you have to take a car or The Bus to get to the nearest beach.

How about the places back along the canal? Or down by the Zoo? I normally would recommend The Breakers or Hawaiiana both low-key hotels on Beach Walk but there's a ton of construction going on in that part of town these days.

Sorry, I can't suggest anything since I haven't been in a while. I would suggest posting a thread asking suggestions for moderate waikiki hotels. Be sure to mention what amenities you would like. I would also try looking at the tripadvisor site. I will be staying at the Ohana East in June. I chose it because of the price and location is decent, however I've never stayed there before. Because I'm going to be on the go a lot, my main concern is that the only thing alive in the room is me!

tara922, if you visit http://www.betterbidding.com you'll get lots of help from near experts in finding budget rooms in Waikiki. Last month I spent a night at the Radisson Prince Kuhio, got it through Priceline for $80 inc. taxes (normal low rates are $150+). It's rated 3* and is a really nice, friendly place. You're not guaranteed to get that with priceline, but *most* of the 3* are good deals, just be sure to get help b4 you bid.

Honestly, having been to Waikiki a few times, I can't think of a single hotel that is not within walking distance to some part of Waikiki Beach. Also, look at the Royal Kuhio condo rentals on VRBO.com. We stayed there w/ a timeshare once and it suits the basic needs just find. It was clean, had a kitchen which will help you cut down on $$ and was only a couple of blocks from the beach...an easy walk.

tara, if you want to consider priceline bidding, also go to biddingfortravel.com...it's a great site to do research.

We are staying at the Marriott Waikiki for $125/night..its a priceline room.

tara,

I also used Priceline for a 4* hotel under 100 and was extremely pleased. I also recommend you visit biddfortravel.com to review how to bid. Although you are not guranteed a particular hotel, you likely will have a good guess of what you could get and then research them on your own.

All kinds of coupons available toward meals in Waikiki. In addition to the entertainment book, I found some online by performing a search under Hawaii coupons.

Good luck to you and have fun.

Of all the places I've been, hawaii is one where you have to say "F* it" as the budget goes out the window.

Enjoy the trip.

I found this website to be pretty helpful when looking for hotel deals in Hawaii: www.rsvphawaii.com

We stayed at the Pacific Beach a few years ago and it was just fine. It's a couple of blocks' walk from the beach, which wasn't any kind of a problem, and the dining room is interesting; it's got a huge floor-to-ceiling aquarium in it. I just looked at the website and the rooms seem to be in the $120 range.

Try betterbidding.com also. They are infinitely more helpful and courteous than the biddingfortravel website. The moderator at that site (Sheryl) is really igorant and rude. It is a good place to see what deals people are getting. If you have questions, go to betterbidding and ask, Sheryl will only flame you.

THANKS for the betterbidding website..the other one has good info but I've also felt the replies/help rather "short"!

Oy...I am so overwhelmed! I did do a priceline for 3* for $85 without taxes and fees and it rejected...maybe I'll try again. I just rather get ripped off for $300 on craigslist.com at someone's home then pay $600 for a dingy hotel with bugs.

using priceline doesn't mean you'll get a dingy hotel room w/ bugs, you can get that booking w/ anyone. You just have to research and become informed...with whoever you book through, be it an individual condo owner, priceline or a big name hotel.
Lots of choices...good luck!

Topping because I strongly agree with the comments by Biker and maw above recommending BetterBidding.com as the more helpfully and knowledgeably moderated site than BiddingForTravel.com, and wanted to direct people on another thread where this subject's been discussed tonight to their comments.

If you are on a budget, save your money for meals and excursions. So much of Hawaii is not about where you stay, of all the places we've been, we probably spent the least time at the resort in Hawaii as compared to any other destination. If you can get a price line room for Marriott Waikiki, take it -- it's a great location and a wonderful resort and $125 a night is a steal!

tara - there is a wonderful little hotel - probably will fit what you're looking for - it's called the Hawaiiana Hotel and I don't stay anywhere else since I found it. Even my entire family (many of them who live on Maui and all of them are Hawaiian) stay there now when they're in Honolulu. Check out their website - www.hawaiianahotelatwaikiki.com. If you want more info - give them a call on the 800# - talk to Lisa, the manager.

The place is older, a low rise without the resort ammenities, no concierge, no elevators, etc - but it also has no big crowds, no huge lobby to go through and the staff is friendly and helpful. The grounds are beautiful - plumeria trees, flowers, grassy areas and two pools. They give you a fresh, sliced pineapple when you check in, there's complimentary tropical juice and Kona coffee poolside every morning. The Bus runs just outside the back gate, the beach is at the end of the block - and it's not a long block, either, and it's just a few steps outside the front gate to Kalakaua. You can't beat the location - or the rates - I'm sure they'll be able to accomodate you and that you'll be happy there. I absolutely love it and never want to leave once I get there. Staying at the Hawaiiana gives you a slice of old Hawaii in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. I forgot to mention that they have kitchenettes too which save a bundle on meals.

bashful, major renovations and construction near the Hawaiiana Hotel right now... I was thinking the same thing when I read tara's request.

Tara, have a wonderful time. ((R))

Hi Tara;
You might want to look into the Ilima Hotel

http://www.ilima.com/

If you'll go to the internet special, you can get a standard room for $90 a night.

http://www.ilima.com/internet_special.html

These are large rooms with 2 double beds , an eating area, a refridgerator, microwave, and coffee maker. They have a lanai without a view. It is located within 3 blocks of Waikiki Beach and has free parking. It is also one block from the International Marketplace food court, where you can find inexpensive, delicious food. There is a bakery and an ABC store in the same area. Waikiki is a walking town, so plan to wear comfortable walking shoes.

We stayed in the Ilima and got a ROH room on the 4th floor in March. It was comfortable, clean, and relatively quiet.

Another way to save money is to eat in for breakfast {the bakery has muffins and croissants}, buy bread and sandwich makings and pack a picnic lunch to take along every day. Take a folding cooler or cooler backpack along on your trip. Take ziplock bags to put ice {from the hotel} and sandwiches in. Doing this everyday we were able to stop and have a picnic in some of the most beautiful spots in Hawaii AND it helped make it possible to for us to stay in Hawaii for 2 weeks!

Don't let the $4.50 loaf of bread scare you, it's still much cheaper than eating out. Drinks, snacks, and chips are most reasonably priced at Walmart & Kmart {only about %20 higher than here on the mainland}.

Below is a link to 55 tips for planning an affordable trip to Hawaii. Have a wonderful trip!

Duster

http://www.frommers.com/articles/1778.html

The Radisson Prince Kuhio Hotel has been renovated and the lobby and outside areas are very nice. My nephew in California was able to get rooms for $65 on Priceline. He uses it a lot so probably knows the bidding process.

I recently had a flooding problem in my condo and had to exit for a week and went to the Pacific Beach Hotel. The people were very nice, and the room was big and roomy. It was a bit noisy with a lot of athletic teams, high school groups in town. However as someone pointed out it is in a great location. Just across the street from Waikiki beach. Also the three restaurants are first rate. Neptune is in the Hawaii Entertainment book. Hope this helps.