Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You can expect such extras as direct
beach access, with beach cabanas and
lounge chairs; pools (often more than
one) and a Jacuzzi; a spa and fitness
center; restaurants, bars, and lounges;
a 24-hour front desk; concierge, valet,
and bellhop services; room service
(often around the clock); an activities
desk; tennis and golf (some of the
world's best courses are at Hawaii
resorts); ocean activities; a business
center; kids' programs; and more.
The advantages of a resort are that
you have everything you could possibly
want in the way of services and things
to do; the disadvantage is that the price
generally reflects this. And don't be
misled by a name—just because a place
is called “ABC Resort” doesn't mean it
actually
is
a resort. Make sure you're
getting what you pay for.
CONDOS
The roominess and con-
venience of a condo—which is usually
a fully equipped, multiple-bedroom
apartment—make this a great choice
for families. Condominium properties
in Hawaii generally consist of several
apartments set in either a single high-
rise or a cluster of low-rise units. Con-
dos usually have amenities such as
some maid service (ranging from daily
to weekly; it may or may not be
included in your rate, so be sure to
ask), a pool, laundry facilities (either in
your unit or in a central location), and
an on-site front desk or a live-in prop-
erty manager. Condos vary in price
according to size, location, and ameni-
ties. Many of them are on or near the
beach, and they tend to be clustered in
resort areas. While there are some very
high-end condos, most are quite
affordable, especially if you're traveling
in a group that's large enough to
require more than one bedroom.
The advantages of a condo are pri-
vacy, space, and conveniences—which
usually include a full kitchen, a washer
and dryer, a private phone, and more.
The downsides are the standard lack of
an on-site restaurant and the density of
the units (versus the privacy of a single-
unit vacation rental).
BED-AND-BREAKFASTS
Hawaii
has a wide range of places that call
themselves B&Bs: Everything from a
traditional B&B—several bedrooms
(which may or may not share a bath-
room) in a home, with breakfast
served in the morning—to what is
essentially a vacation rental on an
owner's property that comes with fix-
ings for you to make your own break-
fast. Make sure that the B&B you're
booking matches your own mental
picture. Would you prefer conversa-
tion around a big dining-room table as
you eat a hearty breakfast, or your
own private place in which to enjoy a
muffin and juice? Note that laundry
facilities and private phones are not
always available. If you have to share a
bathroom, I've spelled it out in the
listings; otherwise, you can assume
that you will have your own.
The advantages of a traditional B&B
are its individual style and congenial
atmosphere. Bed-and-breakfasts are
great places to meet other visitors to
Hawaii, and the host is generally happy
to act as your own private concierge,
giving you tips on where to go and
what to do. In addition, they're usually
an affordable way to go (though fancier
ones can run $150 or more). The dis-
advantages are lack of privacy, usually a
set time for breakfast, few amenities,
generally no maid service, and the fact
that you'll have to share the quarters
beyond your bedroom with others.
Also, B&B owners usually require a
minimum stay of 2 or 3 nights, and it's
often a drive to the beach.
VACATION RENTALS
This is
another great choice for families and
for long-term stays. “Vacation rental”
usually means that no one will be on
the property where you're staying. The
actual accommodations can range
from an apartment in a condominium
building to a two-room cottage on the
beach to an entire fully equipped
