I have read a lot of postings about folks getting upgrades from their original booking once they got to the hotel. Is this something they offer or do you have to ask? Is there a charge for this? My husband and I will be staying at the Westin Maui in April and picked a mountain view room based on our budget, but would love to stay in a nicer room. Any advice?

If you've already booked the hotel, call up (or have your travel agent call) and tell them you will be on your honeymoon. Generally you have a better chance of getting an upgrade if you are noted in their computer system as "Celebrating a special occasion" when you go to check in, as opposed to just telling them "We're on our honeymoon" upon arrival.

At the very least you should get a bottle of champagne on ice in your room--so go ahead and try!

But in addition you should go online immediately and register for the Starwood Preferred Guest Program. It costs nothing, and when you show your card at check-in (along with the suggestions above) it will vastly improve your chances of an upgrade.

Rarely do they offer upgrades - unless the hotel is quite empty. However, if it isn;t full it may be possible to get upgrades. Being a frequent guest member gives you a foot up - as does being extremely charming and polite. Sometime they are free and sometimes you have to pay. I always ask first for the upgrade. If they say a little extra$ I pay - if they say a large extra $ I usually ask if they have any other upgrade options - and sometimes they will compromise.

One thing about resorts - hotels that make major distinctions between sea view and other view are usually much less likely to upgrade for free - since you had the option at time of booking and just didn;t take it. You are much more likely to get free upgrades to a larger room or a concierge floor - than to an ocean view in a resort.

There's never any telling - but trying - very politley - is always acceptable.

We went to Hawaii this past August on our honeymoon, and booked the lowest category rooms in all 4 of our hotels. We were upgraded at 3 out of the 4th. (And the one we weren't upgraded at was the Maui Hyatt, which we got for very cheap on Hotwire, so I wasn't complaining!)

We got all the upgrades for free, and the hotels were all at least partly full because August is a busy time for Hawaii. We also got champagne sent to us at each of our hotels for free. We are going back to Hawaii this summer, and are hoping the same thing happens

We just recently stayed at the Grand Wailea and were upgraded 3 levels from the lowest category to a beautiful ocean view room just for asking.

We travel extensively here in Hawaii, and I can safely say that we've been upgrade at least 90% of the time. Many times, we don't even ask, and are upgraded anyway.

We just booked a garden view room at The Orchid on the Big Island. When I called back to confirm, I was told we had been upgraded to a partial ocean view.

I think your chances or an upgrade are very good. You can ask when you check in. Just be very polite and friendly when you ask.

And DON'T LIE!! Your conscience will bother you the entire trip.