HI I tried to post last night I guess I did not get it done....Please help me in understand Oahu....do we need the entertainment book/gold card...we are staying at an Aston hotel, and were offered a 250.00 coupon pkg for a 2 hr breakfast attendance..Probably a time share(?) ...also we were wondering if the hotel keeps our luggage for us on the last day, we dont depart until 9 pm and probaby will spend it close by soaking up the last waves and rays of light! (we are fromt he midwest ...COLD!!!) ANd final ??? if we want a rental car for just a couple days, then where is the best place and time to get it? We will be on our trip in early feb for 12 days! THANKS

I can only answer to buying an Entertainment book and the car rental (with Entertainment offer). I just rec'd my book for Hawaii and most of the offers were for Oahu (which is great for me, because that's the Island I'll be on).

If you're doing your trip on the (real) cheap, and plan to cook meals in your suite and enjoy mainly free entertainment, it might not be worth it. With the $5 off discount and free shipping offered, the book is still $30.

However, if you want to eat-out, take your kids to the Aquarium, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park or go to the Polynesian Cultural Center, it will quickly pay for itself many times over. Twelve days is certainly plenty of time to get mileage out of your book!

I did book my car rental through Enterprise and used a 20% Entertainment coupon (I only needed a car for 3 days). They also had a $15 off any rental coupon, which might be good if you're only getting a car for a couple of days. You'll have to put the discount codes in the car-rental website and read the rules of use for the coupon to figure out your best deal. I did shop around though, and the daily rate for a short-term rental ended up cheaper at Enterprise.

When I compared pick-up locations the prices did change. Airport is most expensive, and there was at least one other location where the price ended up more than at other locations. I suggest finding the address of your hotel, addresses of the rental locations you're considering and enter them into mapquest.com to get directions. I was able to get a reasonable idea of how far the rental location was from my hotel, and if it was convenient to take a bus to, or if I needed a taxi to get there.

Also, try your discount codes for a variety of locations when you're on the car-rental website of your choice -- as I said, prices can fluctuate based on the office you pick up at.

Also, remember that you can 'browse' the offers in the Entertainment book before you buy one at entertainment.com. It's a good way to find out if you believe you'll use many of the coupons or not. Since you don't know what the Aston coupon package offers, it will be hard to compare.

Have a great trip.

Cheers.

Atjaden, just about every hotel will allow you to store your luggage with them at checkout for free and many have a courtesy room for guests to use for an hour or so, so they can change and get cleaned up before their departing flights. You should call your hotel directly to find out their policies.

On a previous trip, we used the Thrifty car rental in Waikiki which was in walking distance from our hotel. They were very friendly and mapped out the best stop areas & eats for our drive around the island. We booked through http://www.carrentalinhawaii.com/fleetinfo.htm

I was able to get the Entertainment book in July through their website for $10 with free shipping, but it might be a little tight with 12 days to go. I used a few coupons mainly those for restaurants buy one get one free and also some fast food for the kids when you are on the go. There are also coupons for attractions (water park, aquarium) There were additional coupons that you could use at home such as Linen's and Things, etc. Our package had hotel transfers so I booked a car with Alamo and picked it up in Waikiki the next day and returned it the day before we left. I would book before leaving home so that you can shop for the best rate. Once there you don't want to waste time shopping around for a car. HAve fun! You are so lucky to be going in the winter!

thanks to all who answered....I am really looking forward to this trip. It has been a long time coming! I don't suppose there would be anyone who would want to share their entertainment book??? maybe anyone who already cam home? thanks loads!!!!

atjaden, in case you can't get a used one...you may want to check ebay for the book at a cheaper price. Right now, the best deal you might be able to get through the www.entertaimentbook.com website would be $5 or $10 off with free shipping but even if you use it to attend a luau or 2 for 1 dinner/activity cruise you have already made your money back.

If you really want to go on the cheap, I question using an entertainment coupon book - only because aren't those discounts for mostly expensive restaurants, organized tours & activities? Although with kids maybe you are planning to do at least some of these things.

I'm also headed to Oahu in February and plan to take The Bus (public transportation) around. And shop at Safeway for my kitchenette at least some meals.

Any hotel will keep your luggage after you checkout of your room on the day you're leaving. Some keep it at the desk, some places have a special baggage room. Totally normal procedure.

A small aside, on that last day I stay in my warm weather clothes all the way to the airport and onto the plane. I have another outfit in my carry-on and change in the bathroom on the flight.

Hi Suze, yes, the entertainment book does have many expensive restaurants listed, but like you said..with kids or even without, on a first visit many would probably go to at least a Luau and from what I remember the ET book saves at least $20 off each person. There are also 2 for 1 to cheap foodies too like subways, which isn't a bad way to lunch on your way to the beach.

We found that renting a car at least 1 day was invaluable for the extra time it gave us on our trip. We used it for a self-guided tour around the island/hanging at Kailua beach one day, then left at 6am the next morning to drive to Hanauma Bay for a couple of hours..we had the rental for only 24hours so the $20 bucks spent on it was definitely worth it.

I'm with you on the grocery shopping... cooking at least 1 or 2 meals a day definitely saves big time on the $$$. Have a great trip all of you! 2 more months here..*sigh*

Hopefully not too off-topic or hijacking this thread...

Anyone with favorite beaches or other places to visit that you can easily get to on The Bus from central Waikiki, I'd love to hear about them!

Mahalo, Susan