and you used which companies? The rental I used on Lanikai was brand new with European imports filling the apartment.

We were very pleased with the cleaning service at the Kannapali Alii (and everything else about the place) in Maui. They sincerely apologized that our condo was not ready upon check-in because the newly shampooed carpets weren't dry yet (a nice touch we thought). We dropped off our luggage in the hallway, but were asked to hold off taking occupancy for another 1/2 hr. - not a problem for us. You can anticipate a condo cleaning fee to be incurred when renting a privately-owned property booked through a managament agency (on-site or otherwise), they have to have someone come in and do a thorough clean up and re-stock items to prepare for the next patrons and to check for any damage to be added to your bill. This is more than just cleaning your room, it involves changing linens, towels, washing bathrooms and floors, etc. But we learned that there are different levels you may request: daily maid service like in a hotel or a less expensive "every 3rd day" service. It did save some money since we didn't need the daily maid service for our one-week vacation. We were washing our own towels and making our beds and we left the place in good order upon checkout, too. Never heard of a cleaning fee for a hotel, though.

Sandy it is in your hotel costs they are just smart enough not to disclose this to you.<BR><BR>Rose you do have to deal with it, it is just a different way of doing business. I would certainly steer clear of the higher end cleaning fees. I found one company on the North Shore all high end properties with cleaning fees of $275 (week)that should be a red flag to anyone of what kind of company this is. Urks me to that the fee is just ending up in someones pocket they should just call it an administrative fee then or incorporate into the costs. Don't understand the logic here.

We go to Hawaii quite frequently (3 times last year)and almost always rent thru private condo owners. We have never been charged a cleaning fee. I purposely avoid owners that add the fee to their rentals as I believe that is a cost of doing business. We always have to pay a deposit but have always gotten our deposit returned in a timely manner. We do not wash linens or vacuum, but do throw out food and wash dishes. We also leave unopened soda and beer for the maid or next visitor. Twice our condo rentals have had half used quarts of rum and vodka in them along with mixers. We did not complain. <BR><BR>I had planned to use the same management company as xxx but changed my plans due to xxx's experience. I don't believe that dirty lodgings and renters as cleanup crew are the norms in Hawaii. BTW we stay in moderately priced accomodations $100-150 per night.<BR><BR>

xxx, also you should post the names of the management companies here so that the rest of us know not to use them, or at least what to expect. Then tell the companies you have done that. You could also write to the State of Hawaii Tourist office. I'm pretty sure they don't want anybody doing things to spoil the tourist industry.

Barbara something like 1-4 people in Hawaii are dependent on Tourism. Don't want to cause more damage than I already have, also know that the half stocked fridge is standard. I think this is just a country way of doing things perhaps not everywhere.<BR><BR>Like I said the one Co. we used and are going back to had many personal touches that were great and far out weighed what I have told you here. I no longer mention their name here because the property is already booked up July and August. We are returning to a sister property. I have to wonder if this happened because of how many times I have praised it here. I don't see making a complaint to a tourist board over this as appropriate. You yourself can check whatever agency you want through the better business bureau of Hawaii. They will tell you if similar complaints have been made.<BR>