Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
What If Your Dream Hotel Becomes a Nightmare?
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, find out when you make your reser-
vation exactly what the accommodation is offering you: cost, mini-
mum stay, included amenities. Ask if there's any penalty for leaving
early. Discuss with the property or booking agency what the cancella-
tion policy is if the accommodation fails to meet your expectations—
and get this policy in writing.
When you arrive, if you're not satisfied with your room, notify the
front desk or booking agency immediately. Approach the manage-
ment in a calm, reasonable manner, and suggest a solution (like mov-
ing to another unit). Be willing to compromise. Do not leave; if you do,
you may not get your deposit back.
If all else fails, when you get home, write to any association the
accommodation may be a member of (the Hawaii Visitors and Con-
vention Bureau, a resort association, or an island association). Describe
your complaint and why the issue was not resolved to your satisfac-
tion. And be sure to let me know if you have a problem with a place I
recommend in this topic!
house. Generally, vacation rentals
allow you to settle in and make your-
self at home for a while. They have
kitchen facilities (which can be either
a complete kitchen or just a kitch-
enette with microwave, refrigerator,
burners, and coffeemaker), on-site
laundry facilities, and phone; some
also come outfitted with such extras as
a TV, VCR, and stereo.
The advantages of a vacation rental
are complete privacy, your own
kitchen (which can save you money
on meals), and lots of conveniences.
The disadvantages are a lack of an on-
site property manager and generally
no maid service; often, a minimum
stay is required (sometimes as much as
a week). If you book a vacation rental,
be sure that you have a 24-hour con-
tact to call if the toilet won't flush or
you can't figure out how to turn on the
air-conditioning.
BARGAINING ON PRICES
First, let's talk about rack (published)
rates. I have organized the “Family-
Friendly Accommodations” sections
in the island chapters by geographic
location and prices.
Very Expensive
means most of the rooms are $300 and
up per night for double occupancy;
Expensive
rooms are in the $220-to-
$270 range;
Moderate
accommoda-
tions are in the $120-to-$180 range;
and
Inexpensive
rooms cost $120 or
less. Children often stay free in a par-
ent's room; I've noted where this is the
case. Rates can sometimes be bargained
down, but it depends on the place. In
general, each type of accommodation
allows a different amount of latitude in
bargaining on their rack rates.
The best bargaining can be had at
hotels
and
resorts.
Both regularly pay
travel agents a commission of as much
as 30%; if business is slow, some places
may give you the benefit of at least part
of this commission if you book directly
instead of going through an agent.
Most hotels and resorts also have
kamaaina
(local) rates for islanders,
which they may extend to visitors dur-
ing slow periods. It never hurts to ask
about discounted or local rates; a host
