Hawaii Entertainment Book
 

Hello Fodorites.

Let me start this post by saying that this is not my first post, I do not work for "Entertainment", and I am not looking for any type of free advertisment. Tee hee, that's my disclaimer.

I just received my 07 HI Entertainment book. My first visit to HI, I did not have one. However, I found many coupons online and various other places for Oahu. My second trip, I went to Maui and purchased the book online before I left. It was great as we were there five days and definitely got our $15 back just by renting a car. I then included what was left of the book in a Hawaii wedding pkg for a friend. Gave her the book, a journal made in Hawaii, a Hawaiian beach bag, restaurant gift certificate, etc. It was an awesome gift that she actually used on her honeymoon.

Now, I just wanted to share the names of some of the activities, hotels, and restaurants listed in the book for those of us that are going soon and interested to know if it is worth the money. (Yea, yea...I know this is on the website, but I wanted to share with those that have been so helpful to me).

Oahu Hotels: Aqua, Aston, Castle, Dobuletree, HHV, Hyatt, Ohana, Outrigger, Resortquest, Sheraton, Turtle Bay

Activities: Pearl Harbor Tour, Zoo, Bishop Museum, Paradise Cove, Island Hoppers, Diving, Sea Life Park, etc.

Restaurants: Don Ho's, Nick's Fishmarket, Blue Hawaii - the show, Charthouse, Wendy's, KFC, etc

And of course there are Rental Car agency coupons that can be used not just in Hawaii, but pretty much anywhere there is an agency adn they don't expire until the end of the year. Note that the majority of the coupons in the book expire 11/1/07.

I truly hopes this helps for those that are trying to determine whether you want the book.

Have a great day.

I'm going to Kauai in June and wondered if it would be a good idea to buy this book. Does the 2007 Entertainment Book offer any coupons/discounts for any Kauai hotels and restaurants? Or any discount coupons for activities in Kauai?

There are so few for Kauai, that it probably wouldn't be worth it for you. Unless the car rental coupons might make it worthwhile.

Best thing, if there is someone not going to Kauai or using their Kauai coupons they could send them to you. There are only 3 coupon for Kauai in the book...one is 25% off Air Kauai Helicopter(you can have mine), one is for a tour of the sugar cane fields and the other is for some snorkel gear.

Now, last time I did save enough on the car rental to justify buying the book. This time I have found the best rental rates thru Costco.

sk84fungirl:
Thank you very much for sharing all this great information, I was one of those wondering if it would be "worth it" I think I posted a questions about this, lets see if you can help me. I do want to buy it but I am traveling with 3 friends and wonder if I need 2 books or if some of its coupons cover for more than 2 people. Thank you and have a great day.
Gina

The question is could you have received all of those discounts in other ways, without forking out the money for the book.

sk44fungirl:
Let me ask my question over since it seems someone got it ALL wrong, I want to know if I need to purchase 2 Books or if one has coupons to cover up to four people. I don’t know where The HELL I asked here how to get it for free?
Thank you sk84fungirl

Some info about the book:

Some coupons are buy one get one free, or buy one get 50% off on a second one. For example, Polynesian Cultural Center is for $40 buy one get one free. They will honor the coupon for any priced package.

Others like Paradise Cove & Germaine's Luaus are 25% off for up to four people.

So depending on what coupons you want to use, one book may be enough. If you plan to go to PCC, then you will need 2 books for 4 people.

If you go to PCC, it is better to call & make reservations. Then you can let them know you have a coupon. Online you cannot do that.

You can go to their site & browse the book. You can see all of the participants & the discount value.

The Hawaii Book is $37 + 5 shipping. Almost all of the coupons expire November 1. There are a few that expire before then & a couple expire the end of the year. But 99% expire November 1.

Because the coupons have an expiration date, the books are discounted.

Right now they are about $25 + $1 shipping.

By mid-May they will be about $15 including shipping. That is about as low as they will go.

For Mikensha, if you know of any specific Kauai coupon(s) you want, let me know & I will send them to you. I do not plan to go to Kauai this year.

www.entertainment.com

Received an e-mail from entertainment to purchase my book for some deal. Total I paid about $22 I think. You should be able to get a good deal now. I also received a $25 gift certificate for a restaurant in my area. I'm reviewing the choices now and trying to decide which restaurant. This was a great deal.

Dusty was spot on. The coupons vary. If you're looking for something in particular, let me know and I will be glad to check for you to see if it requires one or two. My thought is to purchase one. It was three in our party and it all worked out.

Now as it relates to Kauai, the following hotels are listed: Aloha Beach, Best Western, Hyatt Regency, Kauai Sands, Outrigger Kiahuna, Sheraton Kauai, Hanalei Bay, Hilton Kauai, Kauai Sands, Resortquest at Poipu Kai, Resortquest Islander, and Resortquest Waimea.

Keep in mind that there are restrictions for each hotel. However, I've seen many posts from people that have used the book for accomodations and were pleased with their rates.

Ya know, I visit this board everytime I travel. Business or Leisure. It is a great resource. The LEAST I can do is return the favor.

I found the book to be less than user friendly. A lot of the coupons did not indicate what island the places were located; also, they are not separated by island which makes it harder to use. I used enough to make it worthwhile, but I bought it in June and it was $15 or so. I ended up sending to someone from here who paid me the postage to send it. The best deal was at Chez PAul on Maui.
Debi

You are correct. It is not broken down by island. However, each coupon does have the address listed. And the address includes the city which is often a pretty good indication of which island. If you opt not to use the Index, you will need to go through page by page. I do both. Even with the books I purchase for my home city.

Now, you should also know that the Index is listed by area. You have things that are indexed by "multiple locations", Honolulu, and by island. I find that pretty helpful as it then gives you the page number. So while the coupons are not regionalized, they are very easy to find.

A lot of the towns/city names were really confusing for me; guess I am just used to the one I bought when I lived in suburbia NYC. Just for our county, worked well.

Dusty, sk84fungirl:
Thanks for your help again, I think I will just get one and take it from there. Thank you
Gina

We bought the Entertainment Book mainly for Kauai. Not a whole lot of stuff in there for Kauai -- mostly Oahu and Maui, but it was worth it just for the 25% discount for the Holoholo sunset cruise.

I then passed the book on to a Fodorite going there later in the year just for the cost of postage ($5). ((b))

And, unfortunately, the Holoholo Charter coupon is not in this years book.

Debi, did you have any problems using the discount at Chez Paul? Do you remember what you had, or is it in your trip report? If it is would you please top your trip report so I don't hijack skaters thread?

That's a real deal at $35, I think.

iceeu2 - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34887459


We used our Entertainment bookfor dinner and had a stunning meal at Chez Paul, just south of Lahaina. We saved $39 on entrée. The restaurant is small and really looks like something you would find in Paris. The wait staff was attentive but not overbearing and we dined royally on escargot for DH, lobster bisque for me, DH had a seafood in parchment called “ménage a trios” with so much seafood and fish that he had a big grin on his face the whole time he consumed it. {Not sure if it was the fresh fish which we can’t get in SW or the name of the dish!} and I had a delicious duck. DH had a chocolate flourless cake and I had a pineapple tartan. Truly this was an excellent meal.

Also used Ent. Bk. during time on Ohau: $8[each]for the explorers tours [which was fabulous; 3 hours and just the 2 of us with our own guide] at USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor; $3.75 at Dole planataion. I bought it in May or June and paid $16 for it. Don't buy now if you don't need yet, they mark them down as time goes by.

You could save enough $ to make it worthwhile if you use if for Luau one high end restaurent etc.

iceeu2 - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34887459


We used our Entertainment bookfor dinner and had a stunning meal at Chez Paul, just south of Lahaina. We saved $39 on entrée. The restaurant is small and really looks like something you would find in Paris. The wait staff was attentive but not overbearing and we dined royally on escargot for DH, lobster bisque for me, DH had a seafood in parchment called “ménage a trios” with so much seafood and fish that he had a big grin on his face the whole time he consumed it. {Not sure if it was the fresh fish which we can’t get in SW or the name of the dish!} and I had a delicious duck. DH had a chocolate flourless cake and I had a pineapple tartan. Truly this was an excellent meal.

Also used Ent. Bk. during time on Ohau: $8[each]for the explorers tours [which was fabulous; 3 hours and just the 2 of us with our own guide] at USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor; $3.75 at Dole planataion. I bought it in May or June
paid $16 for it. Don't buy now if you don't need yet, they mark them down as time goes by.
Debi
You could save enough $ to make it worthwhile if you use if for Luau one high end restaurent etc.

Hi
I just bought a card for Hawaii. (we will be at the B.I. and Kauai) check out www.hawaiisavers.com. It cost $25.00, but in our case with one of our B.I. tours, the savings is $88.00 minus the $25.00 jobie

jobie1,

That is an interesting site. I've never heard of it before. Will have to take a more detailed look.

<i>The question is could you have received all of those discounts in other ways, without forking out the money for the book.</i> Good point.

Also, since the Entertainment Book for Seattle is a poor guide to the best and most fun places to eat here, I wonder whether the book for Hawaii will lead you to the places you would most like to eat if you had your choice.

When traveling, I don't like to limit my dining choices unless I am being entertained by a friend or relative who knows all the best places.

Hi, could you please tell me if there are any coupons for luaus in Maui in the 2007 book? I can't find any on their website, maybe I don't know how to search... Also, on their website they say the cheapest shipment takes up to 15 days - is it really that long? Thank you!

I have one more question, sorry :) We are going to rent a car for 5 days - are there any coupons in the book that would save us money? Or are they all for weekly rentals? Your answer will be very helpful, thank you!

I have found discount books to be quite useless.

I found discount books to be very helpful when I moved to Seattle in 1990. At that time there were two--the Entertainment Book and Passport. The books motivated me to explore restaurants and neighborhoods that I might not have otherwise.

However, I now prefer to spend my dining dollars at the places I really want to eat rather than at places to which I have been attracted by the promise of a discount.

Marichka,

There is a 25% off coupon to the Royal Lahaina Luau. There are also rental car coupons which can be used at any location, not just Hawaii. I've yet to rent a car for a better rate than what I can find in the Entertainment book.

The BOGO's for smoothies, ice cream, etc have been great for us when we are just out and about and want to have a snack. In addition, we have tried restaraunts that we've learned about on this board using coupons. I found my book to be an awesome deal.

I used a link on biddingfortravel I believe. It was something like $27 and I received a $25 coupon for a restaurant in my area and I have already used the book for my rental car and hotel to Hawaii. So for me, I've already recouped the $2 that I spent.

skater, I thought the same thing about rental cars. Every time in the past that I have needed to rent a car, the entertainment rate has been the best.

This time out, I have found the best prices at Costco. Check it out.

Can you please be more specific on how you find a car rental deal from Costco? Do you book in advance thru their website, call them or do it you actually get to a place on an island? Share your expertise, please!

needsun, go to costco.com
check their travel section and their rental cars.

Now, can you believe I have lost my entertainment card for Hawaii. I have had it because I registered it.....Grief, one place was for $17 and the other for $39. Guess, I will pay the big price now.

You don't actually rent through Costco. Costco provides you with a discount code for each particular rental company in the Costco program.

1. Go to costco.com and get the discount code for your preferred rental company.

2. Go to that company's website and input the code in the appropriate field.

I prefer using Avis vs. the likes of Alamo. The lines tend to be shorter, the service better, and they are ususally on airport. The Avis AWD (Avis worldwide discount) code for Costco is A108300.

If you rent from a major rental company, I would also suggest signing up for their preferred service. For Avis at least, it is free. If you provide your credit card # in your profile, you can bypass any lines at the airport and go directly to your waiting vehicle.

If you hapeen to be staying at a Starwood property, check out your rate. Many Starwood resorts are offering 35% off rack rates, plus 35% off car rentals at Avis (and maybe others). The 35% off is a better rate than the Costco rate. When you book, the Avis AWD will show up in your confirmation.

You need to have a costco card to get the rate validated, don't you?? Where does that fit into the reservation? Do you have to show it when you pick up the card or do you have to enter the member number when you make reservation? And if you don't have a card, are the savings enough to make up the annual fee for costco? [we don't have one near us to use for shopping].

I have never been asked to verify the Costco or Sheraton discount rates so, in theory, you could use the codes without being a member or staying at the hotel. I am an Avis Preferred member, so I just go to my car and get in. You don't need to enter you Costco membership # into the reservation.

I know BJs has a similar discount code. I assume Sam;s Club does as well. If you are a memebr of these clubs, you could use their rate codes without any angst.

If you want to be completely above board and get a membership, I would say that 1 rental would pay for the membership. The annual fee is $45. We are going to Maui, the Big Island, and kauai in the summer. We are saving $50-$70 per rental vs. the next best rates I could find, even using my company's business &amp; leisure rates.

Thank you, ukonn1990! The info you've provided is awesome. I am a Costco member and will definitely use your advice planning one of my future trips.

Iceeu2,
You said that you lost your entertainment card after you registered it. I can't quite get it. Does that mean that you need to have your book registered? What good does it do? Please, enlighten me!

needsun,

The Entertainment Book has a card with it the size of your typical credit card. Some activities (Royal Lahaina Luau) and some restaurants (Nick's Fishmarket) do not have coupons. You have to present your card for the discount.

Hope this answers your question.

I called and they will issue replacement cards for $15. If you find your other card, they are both good.

Yes, you do have to register. The restaurants I wanted for are Hau Tree Lanai on Oahu and Chez Paul's on Maui.

Did you get a chance to check out costco prices for car rentals. If you find a better deal, please let me know, ok?

In response to several posts regarding rental cars: I reserved a minivan for 7 days in Maui, unlimited mileage, at Budget for $292.00 through hotwire.com, which is at least $100-$250 off any of the other deals I found online. Of course, the smaller cars are much cheaper. Good luck!
Dee

iceeu2- that is too bad about losing the card. Some places don't punch the card, so they can be reused. I think that might especially be true in HI as many of the cards are bought by tourists and I doubt many will eat at the same &quot;fancy&quot; place twice.

Chez Paul was really good, I'd spring for the $15 fee.
Debi

iceeu2 - posted too soon. I was going to suggest you post on here to ask if anyone had their card and wasn't going to use it again this year. Also, not sure when you are going, but the price of the books drop as the year goes on; maybe just rebuy the book?

ic,

I did check Cotsco and Alamo was $2 cheaper or the same. So for Oahu, I did not change...stayed with Alamo. For Maui, I booked through discount cars (or something like that) for a convertible with Thrifty. Have found nothing cheaper. Not with clubs, coupons, or anything else as of yet. I have two months before I leave. I will continue to research.

Thanks.

Your own area Entertainment book should have the same car rental and hotel discounts (correct me if I'm wrong). When I go to Maui or Oahu again, I plan on getting one. The other islands, well it doesn't sound like there is enough discounts.