Condo/Room Occupancy
 

One of my older boys is undecided as to whether he will join the family for our Hawaiian vacation next summer, he may need to work. If just four of us go, we can occupy one hotel room or a one bed room condo. My concern is, after we have our reservations in place, he may find out, afterall that he can join us. Has anyone had any difficulty adding a 5th family member to a room or condo? Or should it be done discreetly?

Dawn,
I work for a timeshare exchange company and I can tell you that many people try to get around occupancy issues in this manner to save a few dollars only to find themselves on the street, evicted from their unit because they've exceeded occupany. There are strict fire codes against this in the condo industry. I would book a 2 bedroom condo and pay the extra money. You don't risk the chance of being tossed out for exceeding occupancy if your son does join you and if he dosen't well then ...you just have some extra room!

As for hotels...I don't know!

DawnCT
How about counting on five, making room reservations for five, but then if he can't come cancel the second room. Most places have a 72hr cancelation policy where you would not be charged anything.

CD,
When you book with a timeshare exchange company most reservations are final and are unable to be changed for any reason, even in an emergency.

Why would you ever think of being dishonest? Would you appreciate it being done to you? Know what you need to do in advance.

Orchid, My question had nothing to do with "wanting to be dishonest" but I do thank you for your concern. My question was related to the flexibility of adding a guest. I answered my own question by e mailing one of the owners directly who said she had no problem with five being in her condo "made for four". Apparently it has more to do with preserving the rental structure than the "fire codes" protecting the physical structure. After all, it is hard to see how five people in a 1600 ft unit could be "crowded".

Dawn,
Fire codes DO matter. The owner of the condo is also breaching these laws if she's allowing you to exceed occupany limits. The lawsuit that could arise if I knowingly allowed and booked 5 persons in a 4 person unit and there was a tradegy would put my company out of business and me outta my job!

And you were trying to be dishonest Dawn! "Or should it be done discreetly" is a question indicating that you're hiding something!

I cannot imagine 5 grown adults/children in a one bedroom unit or hotel room to begin with. Maybe when I was in college, but not now on my HI vacation. Splurge! The kids sound as if they are old enough for their own room in a hotel leaving you and hubby to yourselves, or get a 2 bedroom condo. You all need a little privacy and separation, maybe a little special midnight magic cha cha cha.

Apparently Embassy suites can accommodate five in a one bedroom/two room unit with half of the square footage, which supports my supposition that it has little to do with fire codes. It is therefore apparent to me that rental owners can "waive" the "rules".

If fire codes can be "waived" then why don't you try for eight in a room. You could take in three boarders and reduce your own cost. The hell with the fire codes and peoples' safety !!

Dawn, I don't think you are trying to be dishonest.

What I would do is make your son decide now. He is either going or he isn't. I don't think it is fair for the rest of the family to possibly be crowded because of him.

Also, has he looked at the price of airline tickets to Hawaii? Not cheap.

If he can't decide now, he doesn't get to go.

Dawn,
Fire codes differ from one jurisdiction to another and from building to building. Many factors play a role in fire codes, the placement of fire detectors and sprinklers, the design of building exits, the installation of electrical wiring ect. are examples of reasons why Embassy Suites might allow 5 persons in a one bedroom unit. Because many timeshare buildings are older they are not as up to date as newer buildings therefore the codes are different. The determination of occupancy is not solely based on square footage of the unit, as your message indicates.

Ask yourself the question I ask my clients when they balk at having to pay just a few more dollars for a larger unit, "is it really worth saving a few bucks to put your family at risk???"

Actually, the fire codes are all about insurance. The higher the fire code rating (done by the local Fire Marshall), the lower the insurance.

By piling too many people in a condo, you compromise the fire exits (this is just one example of thousands).

You have ten rooms on a floor. Each room is allowed two guests max by fire code. That is 20 people max running for the fire exit and down steps.

Same floor but everyone has four guests. You now have 40 people trying to get out of the same small area built only for 20 people.

Hotels enforce fire codes because if something does happen, Fire Marshall found out too many people in room, insurance company can refuse to pay policy.

Hope I explained this OK.

If Dawn wants to cram the unit full of her family, let her. I'm just glad I won't be staying downstairs or next door. Sheesh.

"The fire codes are all about insurance" ?? Another self-proclaimed expert !!

No, I'm not a self proclaimed expert. I have however been in the hotel business for quite some time.

DawnCt
We own a small resort (unfortunately not in Hawaii) and we restrict how many people can go into our cottages.
Not only for the safety of the guests but as not to overcrown our facilities. Another point to consider is that if a family registered for four people but really had five and there were a fire we would unknownly instruct the firefighters to search for four people based on the registration.

I don't think you were trying to be dishonest because of the money issue but more of because you are unsure about your sons plans.

Anita, you are correct. I don't mind spending what I have to spend, I just don't want to commit to spending more than that. We will be flying on FF miles and if he can't go, I can redeposit those miles. I would however like to have our plans in order because booking accommodations for 5 is a little less flexible. I have booked two rooms at the Hale Koa although I was told that they would allow five in the room. From experience, those rooms are very small, even for three. I am also considering the tentalos at the Molokai Ranch, if I can convince everyone else. I did email the manager there a couple of months ago and they too can accommodate five. It does seem that some units have more flexibility than others. Most hotels on the mainland accommodate five. Disney Resorts for example.